The Presbyters Project

12. (1) Alio rursus tempore in finibus eiusdem castelli locustae, frugum consumptrices, insederant copiosae, noxiis morsibus cuncta uastantes. Tali ergo peste perculsi mox presbyteri ceterique mansores sanctum Seuerinum summis precibus adierunt dicentes "ut tantae plagae auferatur atrocitas, orationum tuarum experta suffragia postulamus, quae magno dudum miraculo ualere conspeximus.

Severinus calls them to repentance, prayer, and fast. He also forbids them to ward off locusts. They listen to him and gather in church for where they recite psalms and pray. Only one poor man tries for a whole day to defend his tiny piece of land from locusts.

(4) [...] totoque anxius die locustarum nubem impendentem qua potuit exturbauit industria moxque ecclesiam communicaturus intrauit, sed segetem eius exiguam, multis uicinorum circumdatam frugibus, locustarum densitas deuorauit. Quibus ea nocte ab illis finibus exterminatis imperio diuino probatum est, quanti ualeat fidelis oratio.

In the morning, the poor man sees that his land was utterly destroyed while that of his neighbours was saved. He repents but is worried about his livelihood. Severinus encourages the parishioners to make a collection for the man that will allow him to survive the year.

(ed. Régerat 1991: 212, 214)

12. (1) At some other time, locusts had settled in large numbers on the territory of the said fort [i.e. Cucullis]; they consumed the crops and with their noxious bite laid everything waste. Struck by this pest, the presbyters and other inhabitants at once turned to St. Severin with urgent entreaties, saying: "In order that this horrible plague may be removed from us, we ask the intercession of your prayers of which we have proof; for we have seen in the miracle of the heavenly lighted tapers that your prayers count for much before the Lord."

(4) [...] The whole day he spent anxiously chasing away as best he could the cloud of locusts that hung over [the fields]; then he went back to church for communion. But his little crop, amidst the crops of the neighbours, was eaten by a swarm of locusts. In that night, the locusts were removed from that district by divine command - which proves the great power of faithful prayer.

In the morning, the poor man sees that his crops utterly destroyed while that of his neighbours were intact. He repents but is worried about his livelihood. Severinus encourages the parishioners to make a collection for the man that will allow him to survive the year.

(trans. L. Bieler 1965: 70-71)

Discussion:

The story follows directly another miracle made by Severinus in Cucullis, see [2406].

Place of event:

Region

Danubian provinces and Illyricum

City

Cucullis

About the source:

Author: Eugippius
Title: Life of Severinus, Life of saint Severinus, Vita Severini, Commemoratorium
Origin: Castellum Lucullanum (Italy south of Rome and Sicily)Naples (Italy south of Rome and Sicily),
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Eugippius was originally from Noricum, where he was a monk in the monastery founded by Severinus (died 482). He left Noricum in 488 with other monks and the body of Severinus as part of the evacuation to Italy ordered by Odoacer. They settled in Castellum Lucullanum near Naples, a Roman villa offered to them by the noblewoman Barbaria. In 511, Eugippius wrote the "Life of Severinus." He also composed an anthology of excerpts from the works of Augustine, dedicated to the virgin Proba of the powerful Roman family, the gens Anicia, see [2047]. He also maintained relations with the Roman clergy (as evidenced by his familiarity with Paschasius) and with the African clerics exiled by the Vandals.

The Life can be safely dated to 511, because in the letter to the deacon Paschasius that accompanies the Life, Eugippius mentions that the year of Inportunus' consulship (509) was two years ago, see [2401] and [2402].

Eugippius was still alive in 532 when he corresponded with Ferrandus of Carthage [...].

Edition:

Ph. Régerat (ed.), Eugippe, Vie de saint Séverin, Paris 1991 (Sources Chrétiennes 337)

English translation:

Eugippius, Life of St. Severin, trans. L. Bieler, The Fathers of the Church, Washington D.C. 1965

Bibliography:

M. Pignot, E02347, Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity database [consulted on 10.05.2021]

Categories:

Functions within the Church - Rural presbyter

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Ritual activity - Eucharist

Ritual activity - Presiding at prayer

Economic status and activity - Farming

Relation with - Monk/Nun

Ritual activity - Chanting

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER2407, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=2407