What Did Suger Compare the Holy Spirit to?

Suger was built-in in 1081 of a very minor knightly family unit He was dedicated to the abbey of St. Denis at the historic period of nine or x and came to see himself equally its adopted child. Appointed abbot in 1122, he held that position until his death in 1155.

His role was a highly prestigious one. The abbey had been founded in the 7th century by the Frankish rex Dagobert in accolade of Denis, the patron saint of France, and his legendary companions Rusticus and Eleutherius. By Suger's time information technology had long been the royal abbey of France. Kings were educated and buried there.

In Suger's time, the French monarchy was slowly only surely on the way up. The king was gradually gaining power over his unruly nobles and would eventually use that power to win a major role in European diplomacy. Well-nigh of that development was even so in the hereafter, but past 1137 the pendulum was already showtime to swing. As purple abbey, St. Denis was a symbol of royal power, and what was done to it redounded to the glory of both the monarch and Franca Thus its renovation was a political as well equally an architectural and religious outcome.

Suger was in a position to recognize this fact. His condition every bit abbot made him one of the most powerful men in France. He was actively engaged in French political life and most ran the kingdom while Rex Louis VII was away on crusade. A fervent patriot, Suger never hesitated to place the best interests of rex, France, Church, abbey and God.

The old abbey church of St. Denis had been completed in 775. Past 1137 information technology was dilapidated and probably would have been viewed with extreme suspicion by a modern building inspector. Thus Suger decided improvement was in order and in that year he began work on the westward finish of the church, building a new facade with ii towers and 3 doors. In 1140 he moved from the west end clear to the other end of the church building and started to build a new choir. It was completed in 1144. The issue was a major outcome in the history of compages. Gothic was born.

The influence of the abbey church on French compages was undoubtedly furthered by its role as political symbol. When the new choir was consecrated in 1144, five French archbishops and thirteen bishops took part in the ceremony, an impressive tribute to Suger and his male monarch. Information technology was the French archbishops and bishops who would assume initiative in the future development of Gothic architecture.

For Suger, of course, the primary significance of his church was neither political nor architectural but religious, insofar as he could separate the three. His principal goal was to honor God and St. Denis. The latter deserves some attending. According to legend, he entered Gaul every bit a missionary in A.D. 250 and was executed in Paris eight years afterward. Information technology was not all that easy. The Romans unsuccessfully tried roasting him on a gridiron, throwing him to the beasts, and baking him in an oven before they striking upon the idea of beheading him. That worked, but not immediately, for the decapitated saint picked up his caput and walked two miles to the future site of the abbey before giving up the ghost.

Nonetheless wonderful his legend may seem, medieval historians made it even better by confusing him with two other figures of the same proper noun. "Denis" is the French version of the Latin "Dionysius," the name Suger really used. We encounter another Dionysius in Acts 17:34, converted during Paul'southward brief missionary visit to Athens. Five centuries later, in the late fifth or early on sixth century, an anonymous Syrian theologian fascinated by the religious symbolism of light wrote a series of treatises which were attributed to the Dionysius of Acts 17:34. Eventually all the elements were combined and, co-ordinate the legend, Dionysius was converted by Paul, became bishop of Athens, wrote the treatises, and eventually missionized France where he was martyred.

The identification is more of import than one might at commencement imagine. The figure of St. Denis united the various aspects of the church in a peculiar way. Every bit patron saint of French republic, his interests were tied to those of France in a twofold sense. His glorification was hers in a very directly way because he symbolized France. It was besides hers more than indirectly because, lake other saints, Denis would non neglect to advantage a favor, and thus one could look him to intervene for king and country more than enthusiastically if his church was generously endowed.

Denis also united the religious and architectural aspects of the new church. Information technology is inappreciably a coincidence that both the pseudo-Dionysian treatises and nascent Gothic architecture are interested in calorie-free. Every bit nosotros shall see, Suger himself was fascinated by the religious implications of light and built accordingly

The Book of Suger Abbot of St. Denis on What Was Washed During his Administration is 1 of two works by Suger concerning the abbey church of St. Denis. It was probably begun shortly after the induction of the choir in 1144 and finished no earlier than the end of 1148. All of the piece of work that has survived is reproduced here.

I.

In the twenty-third year of our administration, on a certain solar day when we sat in general chapter conferring with our brethren about mutual and private matters, these same dearest brothers and sons began to beg me vigorously and in love that I should non remain silent near the fruit of our past labors simply rather with pen and ink should preserve for future retentiveness the additions which the munificence of almighty God bestowed upon this church during the time of our leadership in the acquisition of new things, the recovery of lost ones, the multiplication of refurbished possessions, the structure of buildings, and the accumulation of gold, silverish, precious gems and quality textiles. From this 1 thing they promised us two in return: Through this memorial nosotros should earn the prayers of succeeding brothers for the conservancy of our soul; and through this example we should agitate in them a zealous commitment to the proper maintenance of God'due south church. We therefore, devoutly assenting to their devout and reasonable requests, without hungering for empty glory or demanding the reward of human praise or impermanent earthly reward, lest later on our passing the revenues of the church should be diminished by someone's fraud, lest the abundant additions conferred upon the church by God'south munificence during the time of our administration should be quietly lost past unworthy successors, we thought it proper and useful to inform present and future readers of the increase in revenues, construction of buildings and multiplication of treasures in the church building of the near blessed martyrs Denis, Rusticus and Eleutherius, a church that tenderly fostered us from mothers chest to old age

XXIV. Apropos the Ornamentation of the Church

Having thus assigned these increases in the revenue, we turned back to the memorable structure of buildings, then that through this action thanks might exist given to almighty God by us and our successors, and enthusiasm for its continuation and, if necessary, for its completion should exist fired past good example. For neither poverty nor opposition by whatever power is to exist feared if 1 securely makes use of one's own resources through dearest for the holy martyrs.

Therefore, by divine inspiration, the first work we did on the church was every bit follows. Because the walls were old and threatened to weaken in some places, having summoned the best painters we could find from various places, we devoutly had the walls repaired and worthily painted with gold and costly colors. I carried this task out all the more gladly because, fifty-fifty when I was a student, I had wanted to do so if ever I had the opportunity.

XXV. Concerning the Start Addition to the Church

Even while this was being carried out at great expense, however, because of the inadequacy we often felt on special days such every bit the banquet of the blessed Denis, the fair, and many other times, when the narrowness of the place forced women to run to the chantry on the heads of men as on a pavement with not bad ache and confusion; for this reason, moved by divine inspiration and encouraged by the quango of wise men too as the prayers of many monks, in order to avert the displeasure of the holy martyrs I undertook to enlarge and dilate the noble monastic church consecrated by the divine hand, devoutly praying both in our affiliate and in church that he who is beginning and end, blastoff and omega, should join a good cease with a good commencement by way of a sound heart, and that he might not exclude from the building of the temple a bloody human being who wholeheartedly desired this more the treasures of Constantinople. Thus we began with the quondam principal entrance, dismantling a certain addition said to have been congenital past Charlemagne on a very worthy occasion, because his father, the Emperor Pepin, had ordered that he be cached outside that archway, face down, for the sins of his begetter Charles Martel. Every bit is obvious, nosotros exerted ourselves, vehemently enlarging the body of the church building, tripling the entrance and doors, and erecting tall, worthy towers.

XXVI. Concerning the Dedication

Nosotros managed to have the chapel of St. Romanus dedicated to the service of God and his holy angels by that venerable human being Archbishop Hugh of Rouen and past many other bishops. Those who serve God there as if, even as they sacrifice, they dwell at to the lowest degree partly in heaven, know how secluded, hallowed and convenient for the commemoration of divine rites this place is. At the aforementioned dedication ceremony, two chapels in the lower nave of the church - one for St. Hippolytus and his companions on one side and one for St. Nicholas on the other - were dedicated past those venerable men Manassas, Bishop of Meaux, and Peter, Bishop of Senlis. The single glorious procession of these 3 men went out through the door of Saint Eustace; so passed in front of the main doors with a throng of singing clergy and a oversupply of rejoicing laymen, the bishops walking in forepart and carrying out the holy consecration; then, thirdly, they entered through the single door of the cemetery which had been transferred from the quondam edifice to the new. And when this festive work had been completed to the honour of almighty God and we, a flake tired, were preparing to officiate in the upper office, they revived u.s., very graciously encouraging u.s.a. non to exist depressed past consideration of the labor and funding problems that lay before us.

XXVII. Concerning the Cast and Gilded Doors

Having summoned statuary casters and chosen sculptors, nosotros erected the chief doors, on which are represented the passion and resurrection or ascent of Christ, with great expense and heavy outlay for their gilding as befits such a noble portico. We also set new ones on the right, and old ones on the left below the mosaic which, contrary to modern custom, we had placed in the tympanum. We also arranged to have the towers and upper crenelations of the forepart altered with an eye to beauty and, should circumstances require, to utility. We also ordered that, lest it be forgotten, the year of the induction should be inscribed in copper-gilt letters in this way:

For the celebrity of the church which nurtured and raised him,

Suger strove for the glory of the church, Sharing with

yous what is yours, oh martyr Denis. He prays that past your

prayers he should become a sharer in Paradise.The year

when information technology was consecrated was the i k, one

hundred and fortieth year of the Word.

Furthermore, the verses on the doors are these:

All you lot who seek to honor these doors,

Marvel not at the gilded and expense only at the

craftsmanship of the work.

The noble work is brilliant, but, existence nobly brilliant, the work

Should burnish the minds, allowing them to travel through

the lights

To the truthful light, where Christ is the true door.

The golden door defines how it is imminent in these things.

The tedious listen rises to the truth through material things,

And is resurrected from its one-time submersion when the

light is seen.

And on the lintel was written,

Receive, stern Judge, the prayers of your Suger,

Let me be mercifully numbered among your sheep.

XXVIII. Apropos the Enlargement of the Upper Choir

In the same year, cheered by so holy and cheering a work, nosotros hurried to begin on the upper part of the chamber of divine amende, in which the perpetual and frequent victim of our redemption should exist sacrificed in clandestine without disturbance by the crowds. And every bit tin can be found in the treatise on the induction of this upper part, we, forth with our brothers and young man servants, were mercifully enabled to bring such a glorious and famous work to a favorable conclusion, God having aided united states of america and given success to usa and our endeavors. We were all the more than indebted to God and the holy martyrs inasmuch as he, by long postponement, had reserved the task for our age and labor. "For who am I, and what is my father's house" (I Kings 18:eighteen) that I should have presumed to begin or hoped to consummate such a noble, pleasing edifice unless, relying upon the aid of divine mercy and of the holy martyrs, I applied myself completely, mind and body, to the enterprise? Yet he who gave the will also provided the power, and because the good piece of work was present in the will, it came to perfection with God's assistance.

That the divine paw which accomplished such things protected this glorious piece of work is shown past the fact that information technology allowed the entire magnificent building, from the crypt below to the summit of the vaults above, varied by the segmentation of numerous arches and columns, and even the roof, to be completed in three years and three months. Thus the inscription of the before consecration, with merely one word added, would include the yr of completion of this building: The year when it was consecrated was the m, one hundred, forty and fourth year of the Word.

To these verses of the inscription we decided to add together the following:

When the new rear function is joined to that in forepart,

The church shines, brightened in its centre.

For bright is that which is brightly coupled with the brilliant

And which the new light pervades,

Bright is the noble work Enlarged in our time

I, who was Suger, having been leader

While information technology was accomplished.

Eager, therefore, to follow upwardly on my successes, since I desired cipher under heaven except to pursue the honor of female parent church - which had suckled the babe with maternal affection, supported the stumbling youth, powerfully strengthened the mature man, and solemnly placed him amid the leaders of church and kingdom - we applied ourselves to completion of the piece of work and plunged into the task of raising the transept wings of the church to correspond with the earlier and later parts which would be joined together by them.

XXIX. Concerning the Continuation of Both Works

This existence done, when, through the persuasion of certain people, we had applied our endeavor to piece of work on a forepart tower (the other already having been completed), the divine will, we believe, drew united states of america away to some other project: We would effort to renovate the centre part of the church, which they call the nave, befitting and equalizing it with the two remodeled parts. Nevertheless, we would salve as much as possible of the erstwhile walls, on which, according to the testimony of ancient writers, the high priest Lord Jesus Christ had placed his hand. We sought to safeguard both reverence for the ancient consecration and a harmonious coherence with the modernistic work according to the pattern already established.

The main reason for this change of schedule was that if, in our time or that of our successors, work on the nave of the church proceeded only intermittently when the towers allowed information technology, then the nave equally planned would exist completed only much later or, if whatsoever misfortune should occur, never at all. For those in charge would take been troubled by no difficulty that did not result in a long delay in joining the old and new parts. Just since a commencement has now been fabricated with the extension of the aisles, the whole thing will be finished by united states of america or by those whom God may elect, He Himself helping. For remembrance of the past is foresight of the future. Moreover, the virtually generous lord, who among other, greater things has provided the makers of our marvelous windows with opulent sapphire and prepare greenbacks of around seven hundred pounds or more, will non allow the project to remain incomplete through lack of funds. He is, indeed, "the beginning and the terminate" (Rev. 21:six).

XXX. Concerning the Ornaments of the Church

Lest forgetfulness, the rival of truth, should skid in and snatch abroad a proficient instance for hereafter behavior, we take thought information technology worthwhile to provide a description of the ornaments with which the hand of God has adorned the church building, his chosen bride. We confess our lord the thrice-blessed Denis to be and so generous and benevolent that, as nosotros believe, he has intervened for the states before God then strongly and so often, obtaining and then many and so great benefits, that we could have done a hundred times more than we actually did for his church if human being weakness, shifting circumstances and changing community had not prevented it. Still, what nosotros, by the souvenir of God, have collected for him is hereby listed.

XXXI. Apropos the Golden Altar Frontal in the Upper Choir

Into this console, which stands earlier his most sacred body, we gauge that we have put around xl-2 marks of gold, a rich affluence of precious gems - hyacinths, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and topazes - and a variety of pearls, more than nosotros ever hoped to find. You would come across kings, princes and many outstanding men, imitating usa, remove the rings from their fingers and gild that the gold, gems and precious pearls of the rings be fix in the panel. In the same way archbishops and bishops, depositing the rings of their investiture there for safekeeping, devoutly offered them up to God and his saints. Such a large crowd of gem-dealers flowed in upon us from diverse kingdoms and nations that nosotros sought to buy no more than they hastened to sell, coin existence provided by all. The verses on this panel are as follows:

Neat Denis, open the doors of Paradise,

And protect Suger through your holy defenses.

May you, who have built a new chamber for yourself through us,

Cause u.s. to be received in the chamber of sky

And to exist satiated at the heavenly table

Instead of the present one.

That which is signified pleases more than than that which signifies.

Considering information technology was proper for united states to place the well-nigh sacred bodies of our lords in the upper vault as nobly equally possible, and i of the side- panels of their most holy sarcophagus had been torn off on some unknown occasion, we put aside 15 marks of gilded and took pains to have the rear side and the whole outside container, above and below, gilded with about forty ounces. Moreover, we had the receptacles which contain the holy bodies covered with copper-golden panels and polished stone fastened over the stone vaults, with continuous gates which would keep unruly crowds at a altitude yet allow distinguished persons to view these receptacles with great devotion and a overflowing of tears. Here are the verses on these sacred tombs:

Where the heavenly host stands baby-sit,

The people beseech and bemoan the ashes of the saints,

While the clergy sing in ten-voiced harmony.

The prayers of the pious are directed to their spirits

And if they are adequate to them their sins are forgiven.

The bodies of the saints are entombed hither in peace. May they bear off after them united states who beseech them with many prayers.

This place is an admirable asylum for those who come up.

Here is prophylactic flying for the defendant,

The avenger is subjected to him.

XXXII. Concerning the Golden Cross

Had nosotros been able, nosotros would accept insisted that the sacred, life-giving cross, healing imprint of our savior's eternal victory, of which the apostle says, "God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of Christ" (Gal. 6:fourteen), be adorned all the more than gloriously inasmuch as it is "the sign of the Son of Man who volition appear in the heavens" (Mtt. 24:30) at the end, not merely to men simply to angels, and we would have greeted information technology perpetually equally did the apostle Andrew: "Hail, cantankerous, dedicated to Christ'due south body and adorned with his members similar pearls." Nonetheless, since we could not do as we wished, nosotros wished to do every bit well as we could and, God providing, nosotros worked to fulfill our plans. Thus, searching all about (personally and through our agents) for a large supply of precious pearls and gems, preparing as costly a supply of golden and gems as we could find for such ornamentation, nosotros chosen together the most experienced artisans from various places. Working cautiously and accurately, they were to exalt the venerable cross on its reverse side by the addition of these wondrous gems, while on the front, in sight of the sacrificing priest, they would display the sacred image of our lord and savior in remembrance of his suffering and equally still suffering on the cross. Of grade the blessed Denis had lain in that aforementioned spot for five hundred years and more, from Dagobert'south time to our own.

Nosotros do not wish to pass in silence over one humorous yet noble miracle which the Lord displayed to united states in this connexion. Simply when I was in need of gems and unable to buy plenty (for rarity makes them more than expensive), monks from three abbeys belonging to 2 different orders - that is, from Citeaux, from another abbey of the aforementioned order, and from Fontevrault - entered our footling room adjoining the church and offered for sale a greater supply of gems than we would have hoped to observe in ten years. They had obtained them as alms from Count Theobold, who had received them through his brother King Stephen of England from the treasury of his uncle the late Male monarch Henry. Theobold had stored them upward throughout his life in marvelous vessels. We, however, freed from the burden of searching for gems, thanked God and paid four hundred pounds for the whole collection, although they were worth a good bargain more than.

In order to perfect such a holy ornament, we added, non only these, but a dandy number of other expensive gems. If memory serves us correctly, nosotros recall having applied around eighty marks of refined gilt. Through the piece of work of several Lotharingian goldsmiths -sometimes five, sometimes seven - we were able to accept completed, in barely two years, the pedestal adorned with the iv evangelists, the pillar upon which the sacred epitome stands, the story of the savior with testimonies of allegories from the Old Testament indicated on it, and the capital above which renders wondrously the death of our Lord.

Hastening to exalt the decoration of such a fine and holy instrument, the mercy of our savior brought united states Pope Eugenius to celebrate holy Easter every bit is the custom with popes visiting Gaul, honoring the sacred apostolate of blessed Denis merely equally we had seen his predecessors Calixtus and Innocent do before him. He solemnly consecrated the crucifix on that day. From the title "Of the True Cross, which exceeds Each and Every Pearl," he assigned to it a portion from his own chapel. Publicly, in the presence of all, past the sword of the blessed Peter and the sword of the Holy Spirit, he anathematized whoever should steal anything from this place or recklessly enhance his hand against information technology; and we had this anathema inscribed at the foot of the cross.

We hastened to decorate the main altar of the blessed Denis, which had only a beautiful and sumptuous frontal panel from the time of Charles the Baldheaded, the third emperor; for at this very altar we had been dedicated to the monastic life. We had it entirely covered, calculation gilt panels on each side. And a fourth, fifty-fifty more precious one, then that the whole altar would announced to be gold all the way effectually. On the sides we placed two candlesticks of King Louis, the son of Philip, so that they would non be stolen on some occasion. We added hyacinths, emeralds, and various other precious gems, ordering a diligent search for others which could exist added. These are the verses on the panels: On the right side,

The Abbot Suger put upwardly these altar panels

In addition to the one already given by King Charles.

Brand the unworthy worthy by your forgiveness, Virgin

Mary.

Let the fountain of mercy wash away the sins of king and abbot.

On the left side,

If an impious human being should plunder this excellent altar,

Allow him perish along with Judas, equally damned.

The rear panel, a product of marvelous workmanship and lavish expenditure - for the barbarian artists were more lavish than our own - we exalted with a relief that was marvelous in both form and textile so that sure people might say, "The workmanship surpassed the material." Much of what we had acquired and an fifty-fifty greater number of previously-owned ornaments which we were afraid of losing - for example, a gilded chalice with a mutilated human foot and several other things - nosotros had fastened there. And since the variety of materials - the golden, gems and pearls - cannot be understood easily through visual examination bereft of verbal description, we crowned this work, which discloses its meaning only to the literate and shines with the radiance of delightful allegories, with a written explanation. So that these allegories might be conspicuously understood, we affixed verses explaining them.

Crying out with a loud voice the people shout "Hosanna" to Christ.

The true victim given in the meal bears all.

He who saves all on the cantankerous hastens to conduct the cross.

The flesh of Christ seals the hope to Abraham's offspring.

Melchizadech makes an offering because Abraham defeats the enemy.

They who seek Christ with the cross bear a cluster of grapes

on a staff.

When, out of affection for the Church, we contemplate these new and old ornaments, seeing that admirable cantankerous of St. Eloi, the lesser crosses, and that incomparable ornament commonly called "the crest" all placed on the gold altar, I say, sighing correct downward to my middle, "Every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, the topaz, and the jaspar, the chrysolite and the onyx, and the beryl, the sapphire and the carbuncle, and the emerald" (Ez. 28:13). Those familiar with the backdrop of gems note to their astonishment that no blazon except the carbuncle is lacking here, but rather all grow in great number.

Thus sometimes when, because of my delight in the beauty of the business firm of God, the multicolor loveliness of the gems has called me abroad from external cares, and worthy meditation, transporting me from material to immaterial things, has persuaded me to examine the diversity of holy virtues, then I seem to meet myself existing on some level, as it were, beyond our earthly 1, neither completely in the slime of earth nor completely in the purity of sky. Past the gift of God I tin be transported in an anagogical manner from this inferior level to that superior one.

I used to confer with Jerusalemites, and I was eager to learn from those who had seen the treasures of Constantinople and decorations of Hagia Sophia whether these here were worth anything in comparing. When some considered these here to be greater, it seemed to usa that, through fearfulness of the Franks, those marvelous objects of which we had in one case heard had been prudently put away lest by the impetuous greed of a few stupid people the friendship nurtured between Greek and Latin should suddenly alter to sedition and warfare; for cunning is a preeminently Greek feature. Thus it may exist that there is more than displayed here, where it is safe, than at that place, where it is dangerous because of disorders. From many trustworthy men, and from Archbishop Hugh of Laon, we have heard wonderful and almost incredible reports concerning the superior ornamentation of Hagia Sophia and other churches. If these reports are true - or more precisely, considering we believe their testimony is indeed true - then such inestimable and incomparable treasures should be set out for the judgment of many people. "Let every man abound in his own sense" (Rom. fourteen:5).

To me, I confess, it always has seemed correct that the most expensive things should be used to a higher place all for the administration of the holy eucharist. If golden vessels, vials and mortars were used to collect "the blood of goats or calves or the reddish heifer, how much more" should gold vases, precious stones and whatever is most valuable among created things be fix out with continual reverence and full devotion "to receive the blood of Jesus Christ" (Heb. 9:1 3f). Certainly neither nosotros nor our possessions are fit to perform this part. Fifty-fifty if by a new creation our substance should be changed into that of the holy cherubim and seraphim it would still offer an insufficient and unworthy service for and so bully and ineffable a victim. Even so, we accept such a great propitiation for our sins.

To be sure, those who criticize usa argue that holy heed, pure centre and faithful intention should suffice for this task. These are, we concord, the things that matter most; even so we profess that nosotros should as well serve God with the external ornaments of sacred vessels, in all internal purity and in all external nobility, and nowhere is this to be done every bit much as in the service of the holy sacrifice. For it is incumbent upon the states in every case to serve our redeemer in the most plumbing fixtures way for in all things, without exception, he has not refused to provide for us, has united our nature with his in a single, admirable private, and "setting the states on his correct hand" he has promised "that we volition truly possess his kingdom" (Mtt. 25:33f.) He is our lord who "lives and reigns forever" (Tobit 9:11; Rev. 1:18, etc.).

XXXIII.

Because of our reverence for sacred relics, we also took upwardly the job of renovating the chantry which, according to the testimony of the ancients, was called "the Holy I" (For so King Louis, son of Philip, who was brought up here, had heard it chosen by the older people of the place from his early on childhood, as he used to say.) It was evidently the worse for clothing due to age, lack of faithful care, and frequent movement in order to decorate it, since it is arranged differently for different feasts, the more distinguished ones receiving more distinguished decoration.

The holy porphyry stone on summit of the chantry, appropriate both qualitatively by its colour and quantitatively past its size, was set in a hollow frame of wood covered with gilt. This frame was very damaged past the passage of time. The front part of the frame was believed to comprise, through cunning workmanship, an arm of St. James the Apostle, and a document inside said as much through an opening of the clearest crystal. Another certificate inside appear that in the right-hand part was hidden an arm of the protomartyr Stephen, while the left-hand part independent an arm of St. Vincent the Levite and Martyr. For some time desiring to be fortified with the protection of such bang-up and holy relics, I had longed ardently to see them and kiss them if I had not feared to displease God. Therefore, taking courage from my devotion and assertive in the truth of the ancient testimony, we chose a date and selected the manner in which the holy relics were to be examined.

The date was that of the martyrdom of our lords the blest martyrs, the eighth day earlier the ides of Oct. Archbishops and bishops of diverse provinces were there. They had come eagerly to bring devout prayers for this solemn celebration, equally if paying their debt to the apostolate of Gaul. The archbishops of Lyons, Reims, Tours and Rouen were in that location, as were the bishops of Soissons, Beauvais, Senlis, Meaux, Rennes, St. Malo and Vannes. In that location were likewise a large number of abbots, monks and clerics likewise as an uncountable crowd of laity, male and female.

On this solemn day, therefore, after the function of terce had been sung and the huge procession was assembled in view of all, then, trusting in the truth of the matter equally if we had seen information technology all ourselves (though we were dependent on the mere testimony and inscription of our forefathers), we gathered the archbishops, bishops, abbots and other high-ranking officials to bring out the chantry, explaining that we wanted to open up it and await at the treasure of holy relics contained therein. Some of our intimates cautiously suggested that information technology might have been meliorate for our reputation and that of the church equally well if we had chosen to investigate the truth of the inscriptions in individual. Fired by my own faith, I replied that, if the inscriptions were true, I would rather have it discovered publicly than cheque it secretly and invite the skepticism of those who had not been present. Thus we brought the aforesaid altar into our midst and summoned goldsmiths, who carefully opened the picayune compartments containing the holy arms, upon which sat the little crystals with their inscriptions. God granting, merely as we had hoped, with all looking on, we institute everything there.

We also discovered the reason why the relics had been deposited there. The Emperor Charles Three, who lies gloriously interred beneath this altar, bundled past royal edict that they exist removed from the imperial repository and placed with him for the protection of his soul and body. We likewise found there evidence, sealed with his ring, which pleased us very much. He would not take ordered that seven lamps in silvery vessels (since gone to pieces and remade by us) should burn down incessantly, solar day and night, with perpetual burn before that chantry called "the Holy One" unless he placed the highest hopes for his body and soul in the presence of these holy relics. He confirmed with his aureate seal that his property Reuil, forth with its dependencies, should be used to embrace the cost of these relics, the celebration of the anniversary of his death, and a feast for his people on this occasion. That is likewise why, in virtually lx unlike celebrations, six groovy and worthy wax candles, the likes of which are rarely or never placed in the church, are lit around this altar. It is also why this altar is adorned with noble ornaments every bit often as is that of the blessed Denis.

We also erected the cross, admirable for its size, which is placed between the chantry and Charles' tomb. According to tradition the about noble necklace of Queen Nanthilda, wife of King Dagobert, founder of the church, was affixed to the center of this cross, while another (smaller but unequaled according to the testimony of the nearly experienced artisans) was affixed to the forehead of St. Denis. The latter was done mainly through reverence for the iron collar of St. Denis, which, having enclosed the neck of the blessed Den is in the prison of Glaucin, has deserved worship and veneration from u.s. and from all.

Moreover, in the same part of the church building, the venerable abbot of Corbie, Robert of blest memory, professed and raised from childhood in this church, whom we, God granting, proposed as abbot of the monastery at Corbie, had a beautifully gilded silver panel set up in recognition of his profession and in gratitude for the many benefits bestowed by the church.

XXXIV.

Also, sympathizing with the discomfort of those brethren who constantly participated in the services and whose health was undermined past the coldness of the marble and copper, we altered the choir to its present course and enlarged it to accordance with the increment in size which, with God's help, our community had enjoyed.

As for the ancient pulpit, which was admirable for the delicate and in our times irreplaceable sculpture of its ivory tablets and which surpassed human evaluation in its representation of ancient subjects, we had information technology repaired afterward nosotros had recovered the panels which had been moldering all too long in and under the repository of the money chests. In one case we had restored the copper animals on the right side to prevent so much admirable material from perishing, nosotros had the pulpit set up in such a fashion as to read the holy gospels in a higher identify. In the early days of our tenure as abbot we had removed a certain obstruction which divided the church building with a dark wall, so that the beauty of the church would not exist obscured by such barriers.

We also restored the noble throne of the glorious King Dagobert, on which, as tradition relates, the Frankish kings sat to receive the homage of their nobles after they had assumed power. We did and then in recognition of its exalted part and because of the value of the work itself.

We also had the eagle in the eye of the choir regilded, for information technology had been rubbed bare of gold by the frequent touch of admirers.

We likewise had painted, by the easily of many masters sought out in various nations, a splendid variety of new windows below and above, from the outset in the chevet representing the tree of Jesse to the i over the master door of the entrance. 1 of these, urging us onward from the material to the immaterial, shows the apostle Paul turning a mill and the prophets carrying sacks to the mill. The accompanying verse says,

By working the mill, Paul, you take the flour from the bran.

You make known the inner meaning of Moses' police.

From so many grains is made the truthful breadstuff without bran,

The perpetual nutrient of men and angels.

In the same window, where the veil is removed from Moses' face, it says,

What Moses veils, the doctrine of Christ unveils.

Those who despoil Moses bare the Law.

In the same window, nether the ark of the covenant,

From the ark of the covenant is established the altar of Christ.

In that location, by a greater covenant, life wishes to dice.

Also in the same window, where the lion and lamb unseal the book,

He who is the great God, lion and lamb, unseals the book.

The lamb or lion becomes mankind joined to God.

In some other window, where the pharaoh's daughter finds Moses in the basket,

Moses in the basket is that child

Whom the church, the royal maiden, nurses with holy listen.

In the same window, where the Lord appeared to Moses in the called-for bush,

Simply every bit the bush-league is seen to burn yet is not consumed,

And so he who is full of the divine fire burns withal is not consumed.

Also in the same window, where the pharaoh and his horsemen are submerged in the ocean,

What baptism does to the adept,

A similar form but an unlike cause does to the pharaoh'south army.

Also in the same window, where Moses raises the bronze serpent,

But equally the bronze serpent slays all serpents,

So Christ raised on the cross slays his enemies.

In the same window, where Moses receives the Law on the mountain,

The police force having been given to Moses,

The grace of Christ comes to its aid.

Grace gives life, the alphabetic character kills.

Since their marvelous workmanship and the cost of the sapphire and painted glass makes these windows very valuable, we appointed a master craftsman for their protection and maintenance, just equally we likewise appointed a skilled goldsmith for the gold and silver ornaments. These would receive their allowances and whatever was apportioned to them in addition, such equally coins from the chantry and flour from the common storehouse of the brethren, and they were never to neglect their duties.

We too had seven candlesticks of enameled and excellently gilt metalwork made, since the ones fabricated by the emperor Charles for the blessed Denis seemed to be ruined by age.

XXXIVA.

Moreover, with the devotion due to the blessed Denis, nosotros caused vessels of gold and precious stones for the service of the Lord'south table, in addition to the ones already donated for this purpose by kings of the Franks and those devoted to the church. To be specific, we ordered a big gilded chalice containing ane hundred forty ounces of gold and busy with precious gems (hyacinths and topazes) as a substitute for another which had been pawned during the time of our predecessor.

Nosotros likewise offered to the blest Denis, along with some flowers from the empress' crown, another very precious vessel of praise, carved in the form of a gunkhole, which King Louis, son of Philip, had left in pawn for nearly ten years. When it was offered for our inspection, we had purchased information technology with the male monarch'due south permission for sixty marks of argent. This vessel, marvelous for both the quality and the quantity of its precious stones, it decorated with verroterie cloisonné work past St. Eloi and is considered by all goldsmiths to be very precious.

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Source: https://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/344sug.html

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