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ER 976
Monk Clarus is ordained presbyter and establishes a hermitage near Martin of Tours` monastery at Marmoutier, the second half of the 4th century. Account of Sulpicius Severus, "Life of Saint Martin", Primuliacum (Gaul), ca 396.
Chapter 23.1-2
 
Clarus quidam adulescens nobilissimus mox presbyter nunc felici beatus excessu cum relictis omnibus se ad martinum contulisset brevi tempore ad summum fidei virtutum que omnium culmen enituit. [...] Haud longe sibi ab episcopi monasterio tabernaculum constituisset multique apud eum fratres commorarentur.
 
(ed. Fountaine 1967-1969: v. 1, 302)
Chapter 23.1-2
 
There was a certain Clarus, a most noble young man, then a priest and now blessed because of his happy death. After he had abandoned all things and come to Martin, it took very little time for him to reach the height of faith and the pinnacle of all virtue, and thus become distinguished. [...] He had established a dwelling for himself not far from the bishop's monastery, and many brothers were staying with him.
 
(trans. Goodrich 2015: 45)

Discussion:

It is not clear what the character of Clarus' dwelling near Marmoutier was. It seems it was a sort of hermitage (tabernaculum, literally "a tent"), although not a solitary one: Clarus was accompanied by a group of fellow monks.
 
Martin established his monastery at Marmoutier shortly after his election to the bishopric of Tours in 371. Thus, Clarus must have settled near Marmoutier in the 70s or 80s of the 4th century.

Place of event:

Region
  • Gaul
City
  • Tours
  • Marmoutier

About the source:

Author: Sulpicius Severus
Title: Life of saint Martin, Vita sancti Martini
Origin: Primuliacum (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
Sulpicius Severus` hagiographical corpus concerning Martin of Tours consists of his Life, three letters, and three Dialogues. The Life was written in 396, when Martin was still alive. Shortly before, Sulpicius has visited Martin`s monastery in Marmoutier near Tours. The Life of Martin proved to be a great success and remained a model for later hagiographical works, especially those telling the story of saints bishops. E.g., in his Life of Ambrose, Paulinus of Milan acknowledges his debt to Sulpicius, as the latter has created a model for his own work.
Edition:
Sulpicius Severus, Vie de saint Martin, ed. and transl. J. Fontaine, Sources Chrétiennes 133–135, Paris 1967–1969.
 
Translation:
Sulpicius Severus, The Complete Works, transl. R.J. Goodrich, Ancient Christian Writers 70, New York 2015.
 

Categories:

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
Monastic or common life - Hermit
Monastic or common life - Cenobitic monk
Fame of sanctity
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER976, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=976
Record by: Jerzy Szafranowski
last edited: 2019-08-09 12:47:32
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