Saint Genevieve was born of wealthy parents in Gaul
(modern France) in the village of Nanterre, near Paris, around 422. Her
father’s name was Severus, and her mother was called Gerontia. According to the
custom of the time, she often tended her father’s flocks on Mt. Valerien.
When she was about seven years old, St Germanus of
Auxerre (July 31) noticed her as he was passing through Nanterre. The bishop
kissed her on the head and told her parents that she would become great in the
sight of God, and would lead many to salvation. After Genevieve told him that
she wished to dedicate herself to Christ, he gave her a brass medal with the
image of the Cross upon it. She promised to wear it around her neck, and to
avoid wearing any other ornaments around her neck or on her fingers.
When it was reported that Attila the Hun was approaching
Paris, Genevieve and the other nuns prayed and fasted, entreating God to spare
the city. Suddenly, the barbarians turned away from Paris and went off in
another direction.
Years later, when she was fifteen, Genevieve was taken to
Paris to enter the monastic life. Through fasting, vigil and prayer, she
progressed in monasticism, and received from God the gifts of clairvoyance and
of working miracles. Gradually, the people of Paris and the surrounding area
regarded Genevieve as a holy vessel (2 Tim. 2:21).
St Genevieve considered the Saturday night Vigil service
to be very important, since it symbolizes how our whole life should be. “We
must keep vigil in prayer and fasting so that the Lord will find us ready when
He comes,” she said. She was on her way to church with her nuns one stormy
Saturday night when the wind blew out her lantern. The nuns could not find
their way without a light, since it was dark and stormy, and the road was rough
and muddy. St Genevieve made the Sign of the Cross over the lantern, and the
candle within was lit with a bright flame. In this manner they were able to
make their way to the church for the service.
There is a tradition that the church which St Genevieve
suggested that King Clovis build in honor of Sts Peter and Paul became her own
resting place when she fell asleep in the Lord around 512 at the age of
eighty-nine. Her holy relics were later transferred to the church of St Etienne
du Mont in Paris. Most of her relics, and those of other saints, were destroyed
during the French Revolution.
In the Middle Ages, St Genevieve was regarded as the
patron saint of wine makers.
This article originally appeared on the website of the
Orthodox Church of America and is used here with permission.
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