Germanus of Auxerre

Germanus of Auxerre (c. 378 in Auxerre, † July 31 448 in Ravenna ) was a late antique bishop.

Germanus came from an aristocratic Gallo-Roman family. After studying law in Rome, he was prefect of his home town of Auxerre and commander of the imperial troops in his province. Later he retired from political life, began a monastic - ascetic life, became a priest and in 418 Bishop of Auxerre. He was the teacher of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and took part in a visit to the year 429 in the British Isles against Pelagianism. Maybe he was involved because of his military experience also in warlike operations on the island. Together with his wife Eustochia he promoted monasticism in Gaul.

He died in Ravenna, while a petition Travel to the imperial court in order to obtain leniency for the inhabitants of Armorica (Brittany ), against which the influential Roman army master Aetius had sent a punitive expedition Alans.

His feast day among Catholics is July 31, his death anniversary, at the Orthodox Christians of the April 23.

Germanus of Auxerre is patron against diarrhea, abdominal pain, rabies, madness and perjury.

The main source for his life is a report by Constantius of Lyon. In addition, the Welsh tradition specifies a number of details and church foundations to a holy Germanus, but which may also involve another person will.

One of the most famous churches dedicated to him is Saint Germain l' Auxerrois in Paris, located opposite the east front of the Louvre.