Helena the Virgin
Acta Sanctorum, May 22
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-22/helena-the-virgin.html
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ON ST. HELENA THE VIRGIN

OF AUXERRE IN GAUL.

FIFTH CENTURY.

HISTORICAL SYLLOGE

Embracing the elogium, cult, age, translation.

Helena the Virgin, of Auxerre in Gaul (S.)

G. H.

The most ancient memory of this Virgin is
in the Life of S. Amator Bishop of Auxerre,
which we gave on the very Kalends of this [Elogium from the Life of S. Amator the Bishop.] month of May, written by Stephen the Presbyter,
at the petition of S. Aunarius, Bishop also
of Auxerre. In the said Life is described in the last chapter
the death of S. Amator in these words: He ordered himself to the holy
church to be carried, that there his Spirit to the Giver he might render,
where day and night to him he had been wont to make profession.
There goes forth with him on the right and left a frequent multitude,
there precedes a choir of Clerics, a troop of matrons
to follow after. But he when the church he had entered,
the Pontifical throne ascending, about the third hour of the day
sent forth his spirit. To whom immediately a choir of Saints,
which is wonderful to be told, succeeded, and
his Spirit with hymns and praises in the appearance of a dove
was bearing to heaven. This by many beholding
and narrating was confirmed, and especially by
Helena the most sacred girl, who at the same time in all
virtues and miracles excelled. These things in the said
Life of S. Amator the Bishop.

[2] Testimony to this narration give the ancient four
copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, but augmented by
posterity; [The sacred cult from the ancient Fasti.] of which the Epternacensian, written almost a thousand years ago,
these things adjoins to this XXII of May: At the city of Auxerre
the deposition and translation of Helena the Virgin.
The same things, but at the following day, are referred in the codex
Corbeian printed at Paris, in which the title of Saint is adjoined.
In the copies Lucensian and Blumianus these things at this day
are read: In the city of Auxerre the deposition and translation of the body of S. Helena the Virgin. There follow
everywhere the later ones. Of these Usuard, Bellinus, and others with
the Roman Martyrology only these things have: At Auxerre
of S. Helena the Virgin. But that her deposition is referred indicate Notker, Maurolycus, and others: which her passing
calls the old, but small, Ms. Trier of S. Maximinus.
A greater elogium is added in the Mss. Laubiensian and of the Morini
under the name of Ado; Brussels of S. Gudila, Pragensian,
and another of S. Cyriacus; likewise in the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck
under the note of the year 1490 printed and others, which is of this kind:
At Auxerre of S. Helena the Virgin, who as in the Acts
of S. Amator is read, both with manifold of merits
virtue was illustrious, and with miracles shone forth. The same, but with changed
phrase, thus are read in Galesinius: At Auxerre
of S. Helena the Virgin, by the merits of virtues and the splendor of things divinely
and wonderfully done illustrious. Arthur
du Monstier in the Sacred Gynaeceum this formed elogium: At Auxerre of Helena the Virgin, who wholly melted into
the desire of eternal glory, her soul rich in merits,
to heaven sent forth.

[3] [The time of her death,] How long after the death of S. Amator, about the year
CCCCXVIII having died, she lived, is not clear.
But the body of this Virgin could have been deposited this XXII of May,
and the same after some years' course have been translated.
Inscribed is her memory at this day also in the Calendars
of the ancient Breviaries of the Church of Auxerre, [and of the translation.]
which to us submitted Peter le Venier Penitentiary of the said
Church: whose kindness we in the year MDCLXII at Auxerre
experienced, and admired his illustrious library.
But it is not indicated whether the day is celebrated of the Deposition
or of the Translation. Saussay at XX of June these things has:
At Auxerre the translation of S. Helena the Virgin, whose
glorious passing with anniversary celebrity shines on the day
XXII of May.
