CatholicaAtt text: On Saint Efflam, confessor was probably written by a learned cleric in the late 11th-early 12th century connected to a Tréguier ecclesiastical milieu of which Hugues of Tréguier was a key figure (Bourgès, 2006). However, this link is conjectural and the author is typically considered to be anonymous (Borderie, 1891-92).
de La Borderie, A. (1891–1892) ‘Saint Efflam : texte de sa vie latine ancienne et inédite, publié avec notes et commentaire historique’, Annales de Bretagne, 7, pp. 279–312.
Lesson One #
1 The blessed Euflamus, an Irishman by nation, was born of a kingly father. Our Lord Jesus Christ, wishing to set an end to the region’s misery, willed him to be born while the wretched Irish cried continually to the Lord and daily besought an end of the ancient evils. While he still lay hidden in his mother’s womb, many men and matrons saw much in visions concerning the virtues that would be his. And so they foretold that he, whom they did not yet know, would be a mighty man, a firm pillar for his people, and the counsel and guardian of his country. All the people, therefore — especially those who had been afflicted and wearied in hard campaigns and who still feared greatly under war’s uncertain fortune — awaited him with the utmost longing as the future defender of the kingdom, since he would utterly root out the incursion of all the evils that had invaded that region.
2 That region was beset by many troubles. For a certain king bordering on Ireland, desiring to magnify his own power and envying the Irish their fortune, girt with an innumerable soldiery, attacked them unawares. Many of them he cut down as though they were brute beasts; part was handed over to harsh chains; many captives, reduced to ashes, perished. On the other side the Irish at times resisted manfully, and much blood of both peoples was shed. The forefathers had already begun the mutual slaughter, and, growing with each generation that followed, it had become a settled practice by this boy’s time. But since God willed that joy should be born to the wretched with the birth of so great a boy, the kings, who had exchanged blows with one another, resolved to end their ancient discord; and so that the pact of peace might stand inviolable, that same son of the king of the Irish was made betrothed to the daughter of the other king.
3 In boyhood he was perfectly instructed in the schools; he excelled the rest in learning; among all he shone with the grace of his manners. As his age grew, the virtue of his soul grew. Before he should make his betrothed the partner of his bed, this youth — a boy in body but an old man in mind — manfully weighed with himself how great is the glory owed to virginity, and that crowned virgins possess the seat nearest Christ; he abjured the marriage-bed of a woman and utterly quenched the torches of lust. He mortified his flesh with fasts, giving lessons to others; he shuddered at all indulgence as though it were sacrilege; he strove to serve his Creator with body, mind and hand. He ruled his body by the discipline of chastity; devout, he yearned ever after the virtues of the holy mind. His hand, dispensing much to the poor, most often accomplished fruitful work. Thus he wisely took counsel for himself. This wholesome resolve, long concealed, he first revealed to companions of his own age and studies. He added that, his royal state laid aside and his father’s wealth counted as nothing, having crossed the sea in ships, he wished to seek out far distant places, deserted wastes of solitude, so that, remote from his country and forgetful of fatherland and kin, he might the more freely devote himself to him whom he bore in his soul. His companions praised the holy purpose, and begged with one accord that he would deign to take their companionship in so happy an exile. Holy Euflamus consented to his people’s just petitions. But while they made ready the journey, his father forestalled Euflamus and prepared a bride for him as wife. Drawn by reverence for his father, resisting in heart, he did not resist aloud. The wedding day was named; the barons gathered, sharing the renowned king’s joy; the king’s halls rang with festive tumult. And so, when the marriage had been celebrated as custom required, Euflamus, a virgin, entered the marriage-bed with his virgin bride.
Lesson Two #
1 Euflamus soothed his wife not with the blandishments of Venus but with chaste speech. He exhorted her to love God with all her heart and all her soul, and added to his exhortations suppliant prayers that she would strive to cloak her woman’s sex in a fashion not womanly. As examples he brought forward many virgins who, serving the Lord with chaste body and devout mind, had happily merited the prize of eternal life. So effective was this health-giving spouse that she, who but lately had wished to be deprived of her virginity, now desired with all the affection of her mind to keep her virginity unsullied. From her gracious reply the holy man perceived, in his wisdom, his wife’s conversion. All night the bridegroom moved the bride toward virtue; and no less did she instruct the bridegroom in virtues, since she, already made a vessel of election, had received the grace of the Holy Spirit. So, seizing a fitting moment, he disclosed to his companion, in order, his holy purpose of mind. She, hearing this, marvelled greatly, and the matter sank deeper into her heart than he had supposed; and while she wondered within herself, turning over many things, what this might be and to what it tended, being as she was burdened with a whole night’s watching and faint with cares, she fell asleep.
2 The saint therefore, distrusting woman’s frailty and inconstancy — for she is an earthen vessel — and now repenting that he had laid the matter bare to her, went secretly out of the royal bedchamber and quickly reached the port. The man found his companions hastening to the ship, as he had bidden them the day before. And so, the mildness of the air and the wind — of which God then granted the greatest abundance — inviting them, they entered the sea under God’s guidance; and with a prosperous breeze blowing, they came to Brittany, to the Rock called Hyrglas by the inhabitants of that province. They brought the ship to shore with joy and congratulation. Now on that shore there was a certain rocky cave a thousand paces from that same Rock, whose depth measured nine ells from its entrance, while its mouth opened some twelve ells across. The holy men, leaving the ship, rejoicing to have gained land, were walking on the shore, admiring the lie and the dispositions of the places, when they chanced upon a certain monster coming out of the wood and making for that same cave. Turning its tracks with wondrous cunning, it walked with reversed step, so as to rob its pursuers of the skill of tracking by this false gait. For who would believe such cunning to dwell in a monster? Thus it had deceived many.
3 In this way it had also many times evaded an encounter with the most valiant Arthur, who at that time was hunting monsters in those parts of Brittany. But at last, by God’s will, the cunning of the deadly beast was outwitted. For Arthur by chance, bending his whole mind upon its deeds, was tracking it everywhere. And while he searched round the lurking-places of the rocks, he met the holy men on the shore; he marvelled that they had dared to dwell in solitudes so vast and dreadful. He asked them earnestly who they were and where they came from; and he was assured on what he asked, as they told him, and about the monster’s den, as they pointed it out. Arthur rejoiced at the saints’ coming, and with all his heart was glad at the showing of the monster’s lair, since, indignant with himself as though conquered by the monster, he had often departed in sadness that he could not track it down. So he armed himself with a club of three knots and defended his valiant breast with a shield covered by a lion’s skin; then, alone fighting for all, he manfully attacked the common enemy.
4 Against him the horrible monster protected itself with its own weapons. Nay, it made the first assault upon Arthur, indignant that it should be attacked by one man when, victorious, it had often overcome many peoples. So, making its onslaught with gathered strength, it struck Arthur’s stout shield and pierced it lightly with its sharp claws. What wonder? For the hardness of stone itself would yield to that sharpness, as the place that bears the marks of the blows still testifies. Arthur, drawing his body back, remained unwounded; and, the more stirred to wrath, he struck the enemy most fiercely. A rampart would have fallen before so great a blow, but the enemy, defended by the hardness of its hide, received no mortal stroke; yet the force of the blow sank deep within. In this manner he fought through the whole day; still the serpent remained without a deadly wound.
Lesson Three #
1 Arthur, perceiving that night was near, deferred the contest to the next day. Weary with toil and faint with heat, he returned to the holy men; his throat was parched with a mighty thirst, and he asked the men for water. Euflamus alone answered for all: “Lord, we have no water; we likewise are in need of it. It remains, therefore, that we ask it of our Lord.” Arthur praised the good man’s fitting counsel. On bended knees all threw themselves upon the ground. Euflamus, prostrate at full length, the voice of all his companions, prayed, saying: “O God, whose unchanging power created all things without pre-existing matter, whom all things serve each according to its own nature, at whose command all things change their quality so that what is hard flows soft and what is rough becomes smooth — let your power shine forth over us; and as in the desert, when the people thirsted and your servant Moses prayed, you caused water to flow from the rock, so, Lord, in the multitude of your mercy deign to pour forth water for us.” His prayer ended, he climbed the high rock and, making the sign of the holy cross, struck the flint; water burst out abundantly into the air. When the thirsting man had tasted that water with thanksgiving, he fell prostrate before holy Euflamus’ feet; with suppliant prayers he begged that he would deign to bless him by the laying on of hands and to pray to God for him in his prayers, as one who was accustomed to undergo, in uncertainty, many perils of life for the deliverance of the people. Euflamus, man of God, blessed him and promised the gift of prayers.
Lesson Four #
1 Arthur departed rejoicing, his thirst driven off, his strength restored by the divine draught, armed with the holy blessing; and, trusting in the holy man’s power, he left the contest with the monster to his decision. The athlete of Christ therefore, armed with the weapons of faith, commanded the huge monster to come forth; and to strengthen his companions’ faith he addressed it thus with open voice: “Lord Jesus Christ, who gave your disciples such power that they may bind and loose whatever they will — of whom you also said: ‘They shall command demons to flee, they shall take up serpents’ — command this serpent to depart, so that this region, freed from so pestilent a destruction, may render you praise and thanks.” And when they had answered “Amen”, the monster, rearing up on the rock, cast its eyes round in every direction and uttered a cry mingled with great, pitiful groaning, at whose horror even distant places trembled. Then, its head lowered, it brought up a bloody vomit from sobbing mouth and nostrils; the rocks of that place still seem to redden as with fresh blood, in witness of this miracle. Then, in the saints’ sight, it went down to the sea and, making for the deep, departed, never to return. By these two miracles God willed to magnify his servant Euflamus at the beginning of his exile, so that he who had left father and mother and renounced all that he possessed to follow him might trust in his grace.
2 The monster thus put to flight, the holy men walked with greater security through the places bordering the shore. The farther they went from the shore, the more they were taken with the pleasant face of that land. In turn they praised the lie of the places to one another; and as they went marvelling here and there in joined company, they came upon a certain cell not far from the shore, which in the Britons’ tongue is called Donguel, built by the ancients, as the material and quality of the work declare even now. For this they gave thanks to God, far gladder than if men gaping after earthly things, seeking a kingdom, had gained a royal palace made ready. When next day’s dawn was breaking, after they had finished the offices and gone out, wandering here and there they chanced upon a grassy little brook; and going along it they came to a spring that bore its crystal waters down to the valley with a cheerful murmur. Here the men of God were pleased to quench their thirst. Then, returning to the cell with joy, they found upon a certain table a meal prepared for them, and an angel sitting beside it. To them the angel said: “Men of valour, do not fear; take the food sent you from on high by God your Father, who sent me to you to give you comfort in your exile.” Having comforted them, the angel withdrew. And they, giving thanks to God, broke their fasts with the sacred, divine repast. At once the grace of the Holy Spirit was poured into their hearts and, endowed with foreknowledge of things to come, they drank in the Spirit.
Lesson Five #
1 Refreshed, then, by so wholesome a repast, they resolved to break their fasts on the first, third and sixth days of the week, as was their custom. Oh, how ineffable was that repast itself! Yet on those days it was prepared by God at the appointed hour. That repast taught the men of God to be peaceful and recollected. They went, therefore, no farther, but remained there attending to religion according to God’s will. Afterwards, that they might the more freely give themselves to divine contemplation, they decreed that each should have his own retreat. And so, departing into the neighbouring parts, they left holy Euflamus alone in the house he loved; and in the regions adjoining his they prepared little dwellings for themselves, from which they gathered to him on feast days and at meal-times.
2 Meanwhile his partner of the unsullied bed, Honora by name, wishing to be a partner likewise in chastity and in the religious life, was troubled anxiously night and day, pondering how she might follow him, for whom no certain abode that she could foresee was prepared for her. At last, touched by a new resolve, she cast off her royal dress and secretly, with no companion, went to a nearby port; and to a certain man dwelling above the port she revealed the purpose her heart had vowed. So she constrained him, as much by prayer as by payment, to make ready for her a boat of leather for her new enterprise. He prepared it as she had bidden. And when she had said: “Into your hands, Lord, I commend my soul and my body, that you, Lord, may guard me and direct me into right paths”, the sign of the cross impressed on her forehead, she enclosed herself within the prepared hide and so, trusting in the Lord, committed her life to the waves of the sea. But under God’s guidance she came to shore below the city that stands above the Leguer, the hide still whole, safe and unharmed. A certain weir, built of squared stones in the sea below the city, received her as the tide came in, but held her as it ebbed, left behind on the dry shore.
3 So when morning came, the keeper of that weir, coming to the weir to take his usual catch — for every day he used to find there a certain kind of fish — found this lone deposit. At first he shrank from it, since he had never found such a thing; but perceiving it to be a hide, drawn on by hope of the thing hidden within, he approached, took it up, and carrying it secretly beneath his cloak laid it in a secret part of the house. And when, driven by the urgency of his business, he wished to hurry on to other matters, he suddenly heard a voice; and not knowing where it came from or who uttered it, he was astonished with wonder. While he marvelled, the hide, by God’s will, came undone, and the virgin appeared, addressing the astonished man. At that sight amazement was added to the man’s amazement. But at last, comforted by her gentle voice and restored to his former state of mind, he began to ask her why she had been enclosed in the hide and the manner of her voyage, and where she drew her origin and where she was bound. When she had told him these things, she made known to him the holy man’s conversion, since his works were springing up from God so that talk of them now ran through all Brittany.
Lesson Six #
1 But the tyrant of that city, which stood near the weir, inquired what had been found in the weir on the day the virgin was found — for, as we have said, some fish was caught there every day. When it was reported to him that nothing had been caught there out of the ordinary, he was angry, thinking himself deceived by the keeper of the weir, and with troubled mind hastened to his house; and, exercising his savage tyranny upon the man, forced him to confess the truth of the matter. Learning it, he swiftly pursued the virgin — who was already hastening toward holy Euflamus by the road shown her — gathering her tracks on his horse; and thinking to seize her at once, he let slip all the reins. But in vain he pursued, in vain he raged in pursuit; for the virgin, going before with easy step, by God’s favour, fled swifter than her pursuer.
2 He, though he denied rest to himself and his maddened horse, yet, slowed by a certain sluggishness sent from above, could in no way overtake her. Already the virgin, having reached holy Euflamus’ dwelling, had found a refuge for her fear. The pursuing enemy, just as she was about to enter, stretched out his right hand to seize her and stretched his left to the lintel. The one stiffened even as it was extended; the other clung fast to the lintel. So hanging there, and already repenting of his wickedness, the wretch cried out, pouring forth tearful prayers, and began to implore help of the holy man. But holy Euflamus, not forgetful of that word of the holy Gospel where the Lord says: “I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that he turn and live”, drew near, touched him, and restored his hands to their proper use, and made him master of himself in Christ’s name. Then he, tamed by the heavenly lash and now beginning to know what had befallen him and how greatly he had displeased God, making satisfaction, fell prostrate on the ground before the holy man’s feet; and, begging pardon, gave over his estates to the saint in reparation for his misdeeds, and granted him all his revenue in the present province. And having received his blessing, he returned joyfully to his own.
Lesson Seven #
1 But holy Euflamus, when he had learned the manner of his companion’s journey and its cause, gave thanks to the most good God and rejoiced greatly in her purpose; and he caused her to keep no small measure of discretion in the honourable practice of religion and in the divine mysteries. So they lived together purely and chastely for some time; but the saint, as though the delight were too great, chastened this freedom. For he forbade his companion the sight of his body; but so that the woman’s mind — frail as it is — deprived of his comfort should not lack a faithful guard, he granted that she might enjoy his wholesome converse for consolation. She rejoiced in this sundering of bodies, she who was joined to him in a union and a love drawn by the Spirit.
2 With the help of the neighbouring brothers she shortly built herself a church near her companion. Coming therefore every day at the hours of the day for the completing of the mysteries, she stood outside by the wall and spoke briefly at the hour with the servant of God concerning the ordering of her life, and without seeing him returned to her own dwelling. And after much time, departing from there to Cornubia and wishing to remain there, she gathered handmaids of God, with whom she founded a church; and when the race of this life had been run there, she merited to be granted the everlasting prize. There her memory is kept daily, and her feast is celebrated with solemn joy. But the saint, devoutly serving God in the place that pleased him, never afterwards allowed the female sex to enter his house; rather, by chastising his body and pressing on in prayer, he bore fruit for himself and for others.
3 While thus the heavenly father was leading a celibate life on earth, a man of God named Jestinus arrived, full of virtues, a pilgrim returning from the dwelling of St Peter the apostle and of the other apostles. And wishing to breathe, wearied with the labour of so great a journey, he directed his steps to the dwelling of St Euflamus, in which he had formerly dwelt and from which he had taken his journey. But when he saw holy Euflamus, he began thus to address him: “O youth of great piety, beloved of God and of angels, not so much worthy of the hospitality now offered as desired for the heavenly palace — you have come here a guest neither hated nor unwelcome. This house, once ours, is yours and shall be yours for ever; and this province, taking its name from yours, shall serve you through many generations. This whole province besides shall owe you itself and all its wealth.”
Lesson Eight #
1 “O how blessed are the parents who brought forth for themselves so great a son, heir of the heavenly kingdom! For in you, in you shall they be blessed. For the Lord has bestowed on you no small grace, as the blessedness of this place and the conduct of your life increasingly make plain to many.” As he spoke these and like words, the gracious host followed him with calm words: “O father of boundless authority, may God be favourable to you, and may a generous rewarder of your labours attend you. For it is fitting that I should yield to you and acquiesce in your counsel; nor is it amiss, as I judge, for me to give way to your age, since I see you weakened by the toil of the journey and wearied by fortune’s changes. What need of more? Were all else wanting, the prior claim has rightly compelled me to withdraw and to leave this place, possessed by you before, in your keeping.” And as they thus contended with one another, each wishing to yield to the other, a divine consolation settled the friendly strife, speaking thus: “This pleasant contention in the sight of the Lord shall be resolved in this way: the Lord has dedicated this house to holy Euflamus and granted him to hold it for ever; but this province shall take its name from yours, holy Jestinus, and so the honour shall be common to you both, and this place shall bear the memory of each.” And so the district is called Plestina from the name of Jestinus.
2 Jestinus led a most holy life in a certain wood near that place, and so consecrated the place by his presence that even to this day such miracles are told there that no one dares even to gather the branches of that wood that rot upon the ground, still less to break off or cut down a trunk. But who could set forth the magnificent virtues of St Euflamus in his monastery, his illustrious zeal and holy manner of life? From his mother’s breasts he pleased God his Father; he advanced more and more in virtues day by day. Running the course of this world virtuously and without pause, at last he rendered back his soul to God, acceptable and pure. And his body was laid to rest by the saints who had gathered at his passing in the place granted him by God; and so that it might be kept there in honour, a certain little cell was built over it. Here the precious body rested long, hidden within the earth; and as the course of time slipped away, his memory was almost effaced from the earth.
Lesson Nine #
1 We believe that certain men dwelt in that place who did not know the place held so holy a deposit; but by the bidding of divine grace the long-hidden treasure, found at last, was made manifest for the use of men. For at a certain time a worshipper of Christ full of devotion, keeping vigil in prayers and taming the lures of the flesh by watchings, hunger, thirst and cold, was — though unknowing — the true successor and heir of blessed Euflamus and a holy dweller in this place. He had made it his custom every week, on a fixed day, namely Saturday, to clean blessed Euflamus’ little cell with the greatest care. And so one day, intent on this honourable and accustomed work, he suddenly saw drops of fresh blood come forth in one part of the ground; and at the sight of the blood, struck with violent amazement, he stood long stiffened in his whole body.
2 But after his amazement had been dispelled and discretion of mind at last returned, he anxiously pondered where that blood drew its origin and what it might signify. He considers what it could mean, and fails to find it. At times he felt the impulse to search the bowels of the earth, yet was held back by awe. At length, taking counsel, he went to the bishop and recounted in order what he had seen. The bishop marvelled at what he heard, took counsel, and called together in one men of experience and of great religion. With the same servant of Christ as guide, they came to holy Euflamus’ place. There, by the counsel of the wise, when prayers had been poured out to the Lord with the utmost devotion and a three-day fast observed, they dug up the earth; they found the holy body, and it was identified both by the writing found with it and by frequent miracles. God, by whose benign will the relics of his confessor were found and made manifest, deigned to glorify his confessor on earth with the splendid dignity of miracles.
3 The eyes of the blind were opened and see; those racked by fever enjoy healthful, refreshing cool; those possessed by demons, the demon driven out, are restored to sound health. The lame, the use of their feet restored, praise God with one voice for blessed Euflamus. Many kinds of sickness are laudably cured through blessed Euflamus’ intercession. The body recognised and the miracles seen, the bishop with the whole company of the clergy burst into joyous praises of God with one voice of the mouth and one devotion of the heart. The king with his princes, who had come for the finding of so sacred a body, rejoicing with a very great joy, honoured the saint with worthy gifts: he freely granted to St Euflamus fields spread far and wide. All the people of Brittany, seeing that they had found the true healer of their diseases, gave thanks to the most high Thunderer and healer, to whom be praise, honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.