¹ The blessed Kilian, by race a Scot, born of noble parents, was yet made most illustrious by the nobility of divine grace. Given over from boyhood to liberal studies, he began diligently, together with his growth in letters, to search out the way of truth. At last, the grace of God going before him, he spurned the study of human letters and all the allurements of this world, sought a monastery, denied himself, took up his cross, and followed Christ. And so, established in the monastery, how great his obedience was, and how great his constancy in vigils and prayers, the end of his life declared. For although the palm of martyrdom is won more through grace than through merit, it is nevertheless fulfilled in good works.

² The brothers of the monastery, therefore, seeing the blessed man’s perseverance in the increase of virtues, first compelled him by their entreaties to ascend through the ecclesiastical grades to the office of the priesthood, and then to take up the charge of governing that same monastery. But he, knowing that the perfection of charity cannot stand complete without love of one’s neighbour, allowed himself to be somewhat lessened in his own concerns, so that he might profit the brothers’ good, following the counsel of the apostles.

³ Yet when the holy man’s fame spread far and wide, fearing that the people’s favour might fasten a stain upon him, he began to ponder how he might leave kinsfolk and acquaintance and seek far-off lands, where he might be held obscure in fame and lowly in birth, and so devote himself the more freely to divine worship. And so, his resolve to depart made, he gathered companions in whose hearts the same fervour of devotion burned, and came to the part of Britain nearest Ireland; and passing beyond it by a short voyage he reached Gaul, and crossing it came into a province of Germany which the inhabitants of that land call “Oriental Francia”. And there, in a town which in their tongue is called Wirtzburch, but which in the Latin tongue is rendered “a fortress of strong men”, he remained for a time in obscurity; then he set out for Rome, and, the office of preaching having been received from the pope, returned ordained as bishop, while his companions — namely Columbanus in Italy and Gallus in Germany — remained behind.

⁴ Entering Wirtzburch again, therefore, he began to preach Christ; and, converting Duke Gosbert himself — one who served the rites of Diana — and the whole of Oriental Francia, he baptised them. Now the duke had a wife named Geilana, formerly married to his own brother. Hearing of it, Kilian tolerated that marriage for the time being, so that the affair would not disturb the beginnings of the faith. But afterwards he spoke privately with the duke, now strengthened in the faith, about this matter; and the duke, deferring the business, marched against his enemies.

⁵ In his absence the woman — not unaware of the coming strife — had Kilian and his companions secretly killed by night in his cell, and had them buried in the same place, with their garments and books, so that no trace of them should appear; nay, more — so that the murdered men should never be revealed, she had a stable for horses, floored with planks, set over the saints’ bodies on that very spot. But a certain woman named Burgunda, devoted to God, who had an oratory next to his cell, knowing how the deed had been done yet fearing to betray it, at last told all at the end of her life.

⁶ And when the duke returned and asked for the holy men, his wife lied, saying that they had long since gone away on their accustomed pilgrimage. Afterwards the executioners who had killed the saints, seized with madness, cried out before all: “Kilian, Kilian, why do you burn us?” And so, their deed disclosed, they died. And not long after, Geilana herself, seized by a demon, cried out: “I am justly tormented, because I set torturers on the holy men” — and with these words perished in agony.

⁷ But after much time a certain priest named Attalongus heard scholars saying in the Holy Spirit: “Kilian has worked many miracles: he ought to be lifted from the place where he lies dishonoured.” Attalongus, however, paid no heed to what the scholars said; and for this, on the following night, his sight being lost, he heard the Lord saying to him: “Unless you believe, you shall not see.” But he, seeking diligently and grasping the order of the matter, hastened to the saints’ bodies; and there finding a light, he revealed the bodies of the saints, Boniface the archbishop of Mainz being called in, and received back his sight.