Saint Abraham
Abre of Saint-Cirgues
Originally from Syria and after a five-year captivity among the Saracens, Abraham settled in Clermont in Auvergne in the 5th century. He built the church of Saint-Cirgues and a monastery there, where he became famous for his holiness and the miracle of the multiplication of wine. He died around 472 and his tomb became a place of healing for those suffering from fever.
Guided reading
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SAINT ABRAHAM,
ABRÉ OF SAINT-CIRGUES, IN CLERMONT (472).
Origins and Captivity in the East
Born in Syria at the end of the 4th century, Abraham sought to imitate the ascetics of Egypt but ended up a captive of the Saracens for five years.
Saint Abraham came into the wor ld in Syria, on the bank s of the E uphrates, towards the end of the 4th century. After having made great progress in the ways of God, which he had entered upon from his youth, he thought that, to succeed and perfect himself therein, he must imitate the great patriarch of the people of God, whose name he bore, and depart like him from his country. He wished to go and see the holy ascetics of Egypt, to try to make them his models; but he was taken by Saracens who, after stripping him, mistreated him indignantly out of hatred for Jesus Christ, and put him in irons where they held him for five years.
Establishment in Auvergne
After his liberation, he reached Gaul and settled in Clermont, where he completed the construction of a church and founded a monastery.
After God had delivered him, he left the East. Crossing the Mediterranean, he came to the Gauls and stopped in the city of Clermont, in Au vergne, near a church whose foundations had just been laid, and which he finished building himself in honor of Saint Cyricus, martyr. To this chur ch he added a monastery, where he trained a great number of disciples by his examples and instructions, and where he himself attained the highest perfection.
The miracle of the feast of Saint Cirgues
During a liturgical feast, Abraham miraculously multiplies wine for the pilgrims and the notables of the city.
Saint Abraham was even favored during his life with the gift of miracles. We choose one among a thousand. On the day of the feast of Saint Cirgues, a crowd of pilgrims flocked to the church, and the monastery was accustomed to providing them with the wine necessary for their refreshment. Saint Abraham recommended one day to the cellarer to have barrels full of wine ready for this occasion. "You do not consider, my father," the steward replied, "that besides the crowd that is to fill the city tomorrow, you have i nvited His Lordship th e Bishop, the Count of Clermont, and the notables of the region, and that nevertheless there does not remain in the cellar a measure of wine." The holy abbot then went down to the cellar: "Do us this favor, O my God," he cried out, "that the wine may not run out before all this people, who are coming to honor your servant, have drunk enough of it." His prayer was answered. Not only did the wine not run out, but it was observed that it had not even diminished.
Death and thaumaturgical posterity
Dying around 472, he was buried in Clermont where his tomb is renowned for curing fevers.
Our holy Abbot reached a rare old age; his blessed death occurred around the year 472. His body was buried in the church of Saint-Cirgues, which was formerly a parish of Clermont.
Those who are tormented by fever usually find relief before his tomb.
Sources of the saint's life
The account is based on the Proper of Clermont and the works of the historian J. Branche on the saints of Auvergne.
Proper of Clermont; Cf. J . Branche: Lives of the Saints of Auvergne.
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Frequently asked questions about Saint Abraham (Abre of Saint-Cirgues)
Who was Saint Abraham (Abre of Saint-Cirgues)?
Originally from Syria and after a five-year captivity among the Saracens, Abraham settled in Clermont in Auvergne in the 5th century. He built the church of Saint-Cirgues and a monastery there, where he became famous for his holiness and the miracle of the multiplication of wine. He died around 472 and his tomb became a place of healing for those suffering from fever.