Saint Aureus and Saint Justina
Bishop of Mainz in the 5th century, Aureus was driven out by the Huns before returning to rebuild his city. He was massacred at the altar with his sister Justina by Arian heretics in 451. Their bodies, found intact and bloodstained centuries later, are honored by numerous miracles.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
S. AUREUS, BISHOP OF MAINZ, ST. JUSTINA, HIS SISTER, AND THEIR COMPANIONS, MARTYRS (451).
Invasions and exile
In the 5th century, Bishop Aureus of Mainz and his sister Justina were forced into exile by the incursions of the Huns and the persecution of the Arians.
At the time when the Huns were infesting the provinces along the Rhine with their incursions, and, animated by the fury of the Arian heresy, were bringing trouble and desolation everywhere into the Catholic churches, Aureu s, Bi shop of Mainz, very famous for his holiness as well as his doctrine, was driven from his see and exiled from his episcopal city. His siste r Justi na, a virgin consecrated to God, followed him, as did several other persons devoted to the Catholic faith. The Barbarians razed the city and dispersed the faithful, and, when the prelate returned, he found nothing but ruins to rebuild. This was the occupation to which he devoted the final years of his episcopate.
Martyrdom and Carolingian translation
Upon returning to Mainz, Aureus and Justina are massacred at the altar by the Arians; their bodies are later transferred to the monastery of Saint Alban under Charlemagne.
The Arians could not endure the sight of a Catholic church being reborn to a new life. They attacked the prelate as he was at the altar, massacred him with his sister, and threw their corpses into a nearby well. They remained buried there under a heap of rubble until the reign of Charlemagne, at which time the Archbi shop of Cologne, Ricolf, had them carried to the mona stery of Saint Alban , which he had just buil t. They were placed there with honor.
Rediscovery and miracles
Forgotten over time, the bodies of the saints were rediscovered intact during renovation work, manifesting their holiness through miracles.
In the course of time, their tombs were forgotten. But it happened that the worn paving stones of the monastery were renewed; then, among other holy bodies, those of Saint Aureu s and Saint Justina were found. They were still covered in blood, perfectly preserved, and very beautiful. God, moreover, honored them with numerous miracles and supernatural healings of all kinds.
Source
Mention of the liturgical origin of the text linked to the proper of the diocese of Mainz.
Proper of Mainz.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Aureus and Saint Justina
Frequently asked questions about Saint Aureus and Saint Justina
Who was Saint Aureus and Saint Justina?
Bishop of Mainz in the 5th century, Aureus was driven out by the Huns before returning to rebuild his city. He was massacred at the altar with his sister Justina by Arian heretics in 451. Their bodies, found intact and bloodstained centuries later, are honored by numerous miracles.
What is Saint Aureus and Saint Justina the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Aureus and Saint Justina: Mainz.
What is Saint Aureus and Saint Justina invoked for?
Saint Aureus and Saint Justina is invoked for: supernatural healings.
How is Saint Aureus and Saint Justina depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Aureus and Saint Justina is recognizable by: blood, episcopal vestments and altar.
How did Saint Aureus and Saint Justina die?
Saint Aureus and Saint Justina suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith (5th century).
What miracles are attributed to Saint Aureus and Saint Justina?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Incorruptibility and Healing.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Aureus and Saint Justina?
Contemporaries include: Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Honoratus of Arles, Saint James of Tarentaise and Saint Jerome of Stridon.
What are the other names of Saint Aureus and Saint Justina?
Other forms of the name: Aurès and Aureus.
Who are the relatives of Saint Aureus and Saint Justina?
Relatives of Saint Aureus and Saint Justina: Sainte Justine (sister).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Exile from Mainz following the Hun incursions
- Return to Mainz to rebuild the ruins of the city
- Massacred at the altar by the Arians
- Bodies thrown into a well
- Translation of relics under Charlemagne by Archbishop Ricolphe
- Discovery of the bodies during the repaving of the Saint-Alban monastery