Legende der Hl. Eucharius, Valerius und Maternus

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  • Title Legende der Hl. Eucharius, Valerius und Maternus
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    Der Heiligen Leben, Redaktion:

    The Heiligen Leben, Redaktion is an extended version of the widely transmitted legendary Der Heiligen Leben (HL) and the legend of Eucharius, Valerius and Maternus is one of the legends added that is not usually present in the HL manuscripts. It is however included in the later print versions of the HL.

    This version of the legend is nearly identical to another copy found in the first version of the Heiligen Leben, Redaktion (HL-Red. I) (München, Stadtbibliothek, Cgm 536, 62r-64r). There are minor stylistic changes and a handful of transcription errors compared to Cgm 536.

    The lack of a collecta, which is a hallmark of the later revision of the extended legendary (HL-Red. II), is possibly the most obvious sign that this fragment transmits the first and not revised version. Instead there is a short prayer nearly identical to that transmitted in HL-Red. I: München, Stadtbibliothek, Cgm 536, 64ra.

    Also of note is the lack of a martyrology. The HL-Red. manuscripts include martyrology passages, listing other saints to pray for that day, before the legend(s) for each day. The fact that the text has been copied down onto two bifolia on its own and that the last few sides are still blank, suggest that this legend transmitted on loose sheets - and thus really no fragment at all - was copied from a legendary containing HL-Red. I for further use.

    Summary:

    The legend follows the lives of the first three bishops of Trier who are converted to Christianity by St Peter in Rome before being sent on a mission of their own to present-day France and Germany. 

    In Gaul, Gallien, the mission is brought to a grinding halt soon after they arrive due to the death of Maternus. Eucharius and Valerius return to Rome for St Peter's help. St Peter gives Eucharius his staff and tells him to exhume Maternus, place the staff on him and tell him St Peter has instructed him to wake up. Eucharius does this and Maternus is brought back to life after having been dead for 40 days. This miracle converts the gathered crowd. A church is built in Maternus' name at the site of his resurrection. The three men move on to Trier.

    The heathens in Trier do not respond well to Eucharius' preaching and attempt to stone the three missionaries, but as they pick up stones their hands are petrified. They turn to the three missionaries to reverse the petrfication, which they do, after which the townsfolk begin to convert to Christianity en masse.

    The miracles continue with the bringing back to life of a widow's only son who had recently died. It is after this miracle that the people of Trier elect Eucharius to be their first bishop.

    Eucharius, Valerius and Maternus then head to Rome. The narrative then jumps to a dignitary in Rome who has a dream that the three men will come the following morning and that he will give them bed and board. He tells the Roman people of the missionaries' impending arrival.

    Eucharius first converts the dignitary before preaching to a crowd the following day. A mass christening lasting three days takes place in the river running through the city.

    The three men return to Trier to continue their mission. After 23 years as bishop Eucharius is told he is about to die by an angel. He ensures Valerius will be his successor before dying in a beam of light in which his soul ascends to heaven. Eucharius, now St Eucharius, is buried next to St Matthew. 

    Valerius' time as bishop is narrated very sparsely. After 15 years as bishop he too becomes ill, tells the people to elect Maternus as their his successor and dies.

    Valerius, now St Valerius, is buried next to Eucharius. Maternus is bishop for 40 years, one year for every day he was dead earlier in the legend. His imminent death is announced to him by a voice from heaven. He then dies and is buried with his predecessors.

    The legend ends with a short prayer asking that the three saints will pray for the reader(s).

Other available descriptions

• Karin Schneider, Die deutschen mittelalterlichen Handschriften. Beschreibung des Buchschmucks: Heinz Zirnbauer (Die Handschriften der Stadtbibliothek Nürnberg I), Wiesbaden 1965
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