Epiphanius of Pavia
Epiphanius of Pavia ( Pavia in 439 *, † January 21 496 just there) was from 466 until his death bishop of Pavia and is a saint of the Catholic Church.
Life
Its importance lies in the political role he played in the transition from decaying western Roman empire to the new Ostrogothic Kingdom and the violent conflicts of the time. Both the second last Western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos and the Ostrogoth Theodoric appointed him as ambassador to important negotiations. Repeatedly, he managed to achieve agreements and settlements of interests that benefited the population, and to prevent or mitigate harm. The authority of the Catholic Church acted as State and volkstumsunabhängiger institution with his personal strength of character together.
Even his students, successor and biographer Ennodius of Pavia Epiphanius records as saints. His grave soon became a place of pilgrimage. Many healing miracles were attributed to him.
In the year 963 the greater part of Epiphanius relics came by Bishop Othwin to Hildesheim. Tradition records this translation as an adventurous robbery story. Historically, it belongs in the context of numerous parallel, often also. Than theft stylized relics overpasses from Italy to the north of the kingdom, where the mission churches and the newly founded bishoprics searched heavenly helpers and earthly prestige Represent such a transfer as successful under the most difficult conditions of prey, underlined the consent and cooperation of the concerned saints.
About a third of the bones and the head remained in Pavia in the Holy consecrated church that belonged to a collegiate. After its dissolution, they came into the adjacent church of San Francesco Grande, where they are kept today under the high altar. Acquired by Bishop Othwin Epiphaniusreliquien rest in the Hildesheim cathedral along with those of other ancient diocese cartridge in a precious gold-plated shrine under the main altar.
From the compound by St. Epiphanius is twinned with Hildesheim and Pavia grow.
The memorial of St. Epiphanius is 21, in Hildesheim January 22.