Verena

The holy Verena (c. 260 AD; † around 320 in Zurzach ) is one of the most revered saints of the former diocese of Constance. You should come on the Upper Nile from Thebes in Egypt, and is buried in Zurzach ( Zur Therme ) in the crypt of Verena Minster. Today, it is still revered as a healer. On September 1, their Memorial Day is celebrated.

• 3.1 Lives
• 3.2 Early worship 3.2.1 In Zurzach
• 3.2.2 In Salem

• 3.5.1 representations 1100-1300
• 3.5.2 illustrations from 1400
• 3.5.3 illustrations from 1500
• 3.5.4 Modern representations
• 3.5.5 relics

Life

Origin

According to the third chapter of the Vita Prior was born in Thebes as a child respected parents Verena. You shall have a bishop, the old man Chaeremon passed for baptism and instruction in the Christian faith.

The name of the bishop Chaeremon was at that time (around 888) the writer of the Vita prior, abbot ( monastery of Reichenau ) Hatto III. known, as it is called by Eusebius of Caesarea. It could thus be that the name of the bishop Chaeremon only by Hatto III. was added. If Verena was actually baptized by the Bishop of Chaeremon Nilopolis, it would have before his martyrdom AD 250 have been born. This Verena would be after the year of death 344, calculated by the last provost of Verena pin John Lawrence Huber, become at least 94 years old.

Travels

Verena should be reached with other Christians to Lower Egypt after the death of Chaeremon should have where the emperors Diocletian and Maximian dug new soldiers and thus established a Theban Legion. In Chapter 4 of the Vita prior is then described that she arrived in the retinue of the Legion to Milan. Here she is a few years have remained at a holy man Maximus and have visited the martyrs sites and dungeon of the saints.

When she heard of the death of Milan in further drawn legionaries, they had traveled ( Agaunum ) to Saunt -Maurice. A soldier of the Theban Legion, Viktor said to have been her fiancé. In later collections of legends is then described that Verena has buried the martyrs of the Theban Legion.

According to Chapter 6 of the Vita Prior Verena moved on to Solothurn ( Salodorum ) and settled down again with a holy man. Here she is said to have spent in fasting, prayer and psalm-singing the days. In the text of Chapter 6 Hatto writes III. like a Christian virgin should behave. He concludes by pointing out that the holy Verena had locked herself in a narrow cave.

Will you believe the legend, Verena may have occurred only after 285 to Lower Egypt, as Emperor Diocletian, Maximian only 285 for Caesar and appointed 286 Emperor. The link to the Theban Legion, whose historical event is disputed can be done because of the strong worship of the Theban Legion currently Hatto. It was common in the Roman army, that women in the entourage followed the legionaries. After Speidel existed before 300 AD legions have their names on Thebes.

Similarly, there was already in the 3rd century houses of Christian virgins. Verena could have lived in Milan in such a house. The travel activity was widespread in Roman times, as the Roman roads were fairly well developed. Thus, the prevailing conditions of the legend do not contradict.

It's from today's perspective, difficult to encounter the core of the legends of the holy Verena and the Theban Legion, still probably is an element of truth in the texts.

Work

Salodurum

In a cave in the Verena gorge named after her she should have fed by selling their handicrafts. According to legend, she healed the blind and the possessed. Thus, the Alamanni to have converted to Christianity, which had been baptized by a priest banished from Italy. In Chapter 8 of the Vita Prior is to read that Verena gathered other young women around. In the text Hatto III describes. more detail than in Chapter 6, the Christian life of a consecrated virgin.

Because Verena attracted so many people, they should be detained by the ruthless tyrant of Roman rule. According to the ninth chapter of the Vita Prior appeared to her in the night, a young man who revealed himself as Mauritius, and comforted her. When the Roman tyrant was seized with a fever, he sent for Verena, so that she could heal him. Then Verena had been released, so that they could go back to the canyon.

In chapter 11 the first miracle is then described:

At the beginning of the Vita Posterior is that Verena's reputation continued to grow and therefore they secretly fled and came to an island.

Since the Alemanni settled on the left of the Rhine until the 6th century, Verena could not convert the Alemanni. Out of ignorance is Hatto III. the Celto - Roman population of the 3rd century have called Alemanni ( Gentiles ). The detention may be related to the Edict of Diocletian and Maximian under 303.

That Verena fled from the many admirers and continue the Aare wandered down, is comparable to the escape of St. Anthony. However, they could have been sold in connection with the edict also from Solothurn ( Salodurum ) according to the release.

Rhine island

Are also on the Rhine island soon many of the sick, the blind and the lame came to be, so Verena helped them. In the third chapter of the Vita Posterior is described as a woman came with her blind and lame son and asked for help. Verena is said to have put in a cross shape on the floor and asked God for help. Immediately, the son shall have raised and gone home.

The description of the prayers of Verena is strongly reminiscent of the shape of the Middle Ages. "Maybe based their communication in the written form of the 11th century, where the pure and good life is the miracles often even preferred. " ( Grafingerstraße, 2007, page 71)

Founding of the monastery Zurzach

Between 1010 and 1265 arose from a benediktischem monastery at the tomb of St. Verena, the Canons Zurzach. The bishop of Constance, Rudolf of Habsburg laid on December 24, 1279 the number of Canons 9 and regulated the exact personnel flow. In 1294, Bishop Henry II of Klingenberg incorporated the parish church Zurzach, in which was located the grave Verena. It was under the hitherto rural Chapter Regenberg. The former workplace of St. Verena, however, is said to have been on the former grounds of the fort castle. Here are the remains of the Roman fort Tenedo (modern excavated ). From simple predecessors the chapel at Castle has emerged.

Swell

Lives

• Prior Vita original text in Latin

• Vita Posterior original text in Latin

• Vita Sanctae Verenae in verse

• Miracle book written around 1010 by a monk Zurzach. It contains the miracle stories of pilgrims.

Early worship

In Zurzach

Based on archaeological excavations and written sources has been proven is that since the 5th century the holy Verena worshiped in Zurzach and asks for help. Even today, the crypt of the Cathedral of Verena Zurzach is a place where people can draw strength and Verena Gorge is visited by pilgrims.

In Salem

In 1137 Verena worship consisted in a chapel at the site of the present cathedral Salem.

Holy legend

The contents of the Vita Prior and Posterior of the Vita have already been described under life. However, Verena's life were further embellished over again. Thus is described in Attenhoferstrasse that the Colonel Mauritius is a relative of the parents and Verena Verena receive permission with the Legion to Palestine to travel. Before departure to Milan ( Mediolanum ) are said to have Felix and Regula and Ursus and Victor met in the tent of Mauritius.

As Verena von Saint- Maurice moved to Solothurn, they should be passed even in Avenches ( Aventicum ). The city is said to have found her ravaged by the barbarians. Even the ruthless Roman tyrant is given a name. He is supposed to be a Roman governor named Hirtakus. After the meal miracle happened to be the devil appeared to her. Since he was annoyed that Verena prayed so much, it was a heavy stone, he wanted to throw at Verena fell on the foot, so that the devil limping since that time. Attenhoferstrasse writes that Verena had come in 323 to Zurzach ( Tenedo ) at the age of 43 years. In Zurzach Verena should have also received proclamation of the martyrdom of the Thebans Felix and Regula. Verena has died, according to Attenhoferstrasse the age of 64.

Such Erweitertungen testify, as well as the other miracle stories, from an active worship by 1700 years.

So should a vassal of the Duke of Burkhard Church property of Verena pen gift received. Since this was wrong, should the Duke saw a Verena procession, which floated from the windows of Verena Minster. Then report back to the Duke the goods to the pin back. As a farmer on Verenatag instead would go to Mass in the forest to cut down trees, as were his hands frozen at the first blow. At the grave regretted this and so he got well again. 1795 broke in Koblenz fire from many houses and the chapel burned. Only the wooden Verena image with its wreaths and votive candles remained intact. To date, more stories and wonders which will include the believers ( but only in modern times ) discovered hot springs to bring the cures for sick people.

Verena in art

The popularity of the holy Verena is also reflected in the diverse representations. She is often depicted with open hair and veil. Their attributes are pitcher and double comb. Certificates are available from the 12th century.

Iconography

Representations 1100-1300

• The Saint Verena, Agnes and Cecilia: embroidery on a chasuble bells from the monastery of St. Blaise, today in St. Paul in the Lavant Valley
• Verena servant and priest. Month of September Zwiefaltner Martryrologium ( 1138-1147 )
• Saint Verena, Initial "U" in Stuttgart Passionale, ( Zwiefaltner handwriting) ( 1150 )
• Verena as a midwife of Mary, stained glass from the " Anna " window in the monastery church of the monastery Königsfelden in Königsfelden ( 1330 )
• Verena Seal of the Canons Zurzach (early 14th century)

Representations from 1400

• Figure on a Tapestry, 1470, Basel Historical Museum
• Verena Sculpture from linden wood in 1480, today as a legacy in the Swiss National Museum.

Representations from 1500

• The St. Catherine and St. Verena, Baden Nelkenmeister ( Thüringstrasse Meyerhofer? ) In 1500, Swiss National Museum
• Verena, figure on an altar sheet of Bremgarten, from Zurich violets Master, 1505, Swiss National Museum
• Figure attributed to the wing of an altar, Hans Baldung, 1515, Landsesmuseum Münster
• Altarpiece about 1516 with the carved figure of Saint Verena from linden wood. The altar was formerly in the chapel Verena in Herznach and is now in the historical collection of the Canton of Aargau.
• Verena - fresco in the choir tower ( behind the altar ) of Verena Minster from the 15th century.
• Verena Sculpture made ​​of linden wood, late 15th century.
• Shrine figure of the holy Verena from the parish of St. Catherine in Klingnau from linden wood, early 16th century, today in the Swiss National Museum.
• Statue of Saint Verena Verena in Münster in Zurzach from the 16th century.
• Verena - grave slab in the crypt in Verena Minster in Zurzach of 1613.
• Verena altar in Salem Münster alabaster Klettgau
• Verena figure on the choir stalls of the church of St. Verena in Rot an der Rot

Modern representations

• Verena fountain in the Cathedral Square in Zurzach by Erich Hauser from 1983 and in the park in Zurzach by Bettina gauge from the year 1990.
• Coptic icon of Saint Verena as a gift from the Coptic community of Port Said in 2007 to the parish of St. Verena, Zurzach. They can be visited together with the Mauritius icon in Verena Minster.

Relics

• Verena - arm

Music

• Verena song I made ​​Zurzach

• Verena Song II from Zurzach

• Verena song

• O Verena sponsa Christi, hymns for the Feast of St.. Verena from the Antiphonarium ad usum chori Rothensis Michael Haydn 1791.

Patrozinien

The strongest worship of Verena in the former diocese of Constance is widespread. In particular, in the diocese of Basel. However, Verenapatrozinien and relics found in the dioceses of Regensburg, Bamberg and Chur.

It is also present in the community name Hausen ob. Verena and coat of arms of Stafa as a character and of Herznach in the symbol of the pitcher

Verena is the patron saint of fishermen, Haushälterinnnen, the nurses, the miller and the skipper at the Roman Catholic Church. Since 2003 she is the co- patron of the diocese of Basel.

The Habsburgs brought the worship of St. Verena in the Stephansdom Vienna

She is patron of many churches and chapels; see Verena Church.

Anniversaries

The 1st September is the Memorial of Saint Verena. On this day meet even today pilgrims in Zurzach to participate in the Verena Fair.