St. Germanus of Auxerre - by Howard Huws (Paperback)

About the Book

Being interested in both Orthodox spirituality and post-Roman history, I cast about for a volume presenting all that is known to us about one of the most famous and influential figures of the 5th century, Saint Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre...

Book Synopsis

Being interested in both Orthodox spirituality and post-Roman history, I cast about for a volume presenting all that is known to us about one of the most famous and influential figures of the 5th century, Saint Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre: and finding none, have dared distill into one booklet the works of those scholars who have cast light upon one aspect or other of St Germanus` life and works.

We know more of him than of St David, St Patrick, Arthur, or any other figures of the Age of Saints, because of the distinct impression he made upon his contemporaries. He is known to have visited the Isle of Britain at least once, if not twice: and his fame spread far, permeating especially into the collective memory of my own Welsh nation, amongst others. Our forefathers delighted in talk of his deeds, reminding each other of his aid and leadership in trying times.

We have inherited great respect towards him, consecrating many churches and wells to God in his name and naming both sons and places after him.

Review Quotes

'If you want to know about St Germanus of Auxerre or his times, this is an excellently researched and presented compendium of everything the author has been able to find about him, with the minimum of baggage. Ie, the author is an acknowledged Orthodox Christian, and he uses examples from that faith, but it's not his agenda to promote it.'LynnC

'Saint Germanus of Auxerre was an outstanding figure in the post-Roman Empire period when order was descending into chaos yet he is not well-known today, even among Orthodox Christians. So this carefully researched account of his life, times and legacy is welcome. The scope of the book is wide covering what is known of his life c.375 to c.447; the 'Life' written some thirty years after his death; the relevant historical background and his place within it; places in the U.K. and Europe dedicated or connected to him; books and poems in which he is mentioned; plates, maps, a timeline showing events in Church and State from AD150 to 1920 and an appendix on Germanus and David of Wales.

Given this amount of detail and the rather formal style of writing this is not a quick read; nor should it be. Much has been written about St Germanus but as the author Howard Huws points out in the Foreword, he became a "legendary figure upon which each successive age projected its owns concerns." His aim, he says, in presenting "all that is known to us about one of the most famous and influential figures of the 5th century is simply to clean the grime from his icon, leaving any restoration to more competent hands." The task of casting light on the saint cannot have been simple.

Nevertheless, what or rather who, emerges from this far-reaching presentation is an extraordinary man of faith, wisdom and skills - Germanus' career sped from lawyer to (married) duke to (celibate) bishop - an attractive human being whose compassion and humility drew huge crowds to him in his lifetime, and whose memory has been passed on from generation to generation. This retelling of his story has much to offer readers from different traditions and those with a range of interests. In our own days of instability, when role-models can be hard to find, St Germanus deserves to be much better known.'

Hilary Stuart