FREE ESSAY ON LIFE OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS

LIFE OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS

Josh Sagel
LIFE OF MARTIN OF TOURS
Following in the lines of Jerome and Athanasius, Sulpicius Severus composed a biography
of St. Martin of Tours. Concerned more with miracles and encounters with the devil rather
than a complete description of the monastic life, Life of Martin of Tours is a glimpse
into the nature of Christianity of the 4th Century. 
Life of Martin of Tours gives a very brief view of Martin's life before he entered into
the service of God. Upon entering a church at the age of 10, he became so enamored that
he told his military father of his intent to become a churchman. Being the son of a
tribune, his wish would be granted only after a tour of duty in the army of the empire.
It is in the service of Julian that Martin truly learns of his destiny. 
Late winter in the town of Amiens, Martin was approached by an almost nude beggar. Taking
his sword and cutting his cloak in half, Martin gave part of his clothing to the beggar.
The beggar appeared that night in a dream to Martin with the voice of God. According to
the dream, since he had helped the lowest element in society, he had really helped Jesus.
It is interesting to note in this section the variety of the terms used synonymous, in
the present day, with God. The time in which Martin was in the army is the same time that
the Arian controversy is dividing the Christian populace. Severus meant to show the many
faces of the Lord in composing this work, thereby showing both his own and Martin's
adherence to orthodoxy.
When Martin is called to into an impending battle with the barbarians in Gaul, he asks
for his discharge from none other Julian himself, at the time still Caesar. Because of
his devotion to God, Martin believes that is wrong to be involved in a battle. Julian,
called a tyrant by Severus, attributes this to cowardice and orders that he be forced to
fight. Martin, strong in his faith in God, decrees that he shall appear on the
battlefield unarmed and will remain untouched because of protection from God. Taken as a
sign of Martin's favor with Jesus, the barbarians come to ask for a peace before the next
day's battle. This sign is taken by all to symbolize the legitimacy of Martin's request
to be relieved of duty. 
Martin enters the service of Hilarius, bishop of the city Pictava. It is here that Martin
is given the title of exorcist. After attaining his first title, Martin is warned through
a dream to visit his parents who are involved in acts of heathenism. Wandering off track
in the mountains, the party is set upon by a group of bandits. Despite impending death or
harm, Martin talks the robber into converting to Christianity in order to save his soul.
According to Severus, the bandit was so impressed by Martin that he spared his life and
in fact related the story for the book. Again, like Jerome's Life of Malchus, the
spiritual strength is emphasized over the notion of physical prowess.
Continuing on his way to his parent's home, Martin encountered the devil in the guise of
a man, the first of many encounters with the prince of darkness. The devil warns Martin
of his presence at every turn, something that does not frighten him at all because of his
faith. In this same chapter, again worthy of note, that Arianism is brought back into the
story, although directly stated this time. Martin is harassed by Auxentius, the founder
of Arianism. Severus then goes about describing the physical harm and eventual banishment
of Martin from Milan. This section is another proclamation of guiltlessness on the parts
of both Martin and Severus himself. 
It is these next chapters in the book that deal almost exclusively with the execution of
miracles and dodging of the devil. Following Peter Brown's theory of the role of the holy
man, Martin does not deny the power of the Lord in front of Emperor Maximus, giving the
goblet to the presbyter instead. Martin saves several people from various ailments as
well, these acts too in accordance with this notion. A very unflappable man, Martin was
not easily swayed by much outside of Jesus' promise of salvation. Severus states that no
one saw him enraged, angry, or even exhibiting emotion even through the various slander
campaigns laid out before him. Like many other monastic figures of the period, after the
townsfolk harassed him, they soon turned to Martin for assistance. The only true thing
missing from Martin's complete fixation is mention of dealings as a mediator. Martin
probably did act as a mediator, Severus more than likely did not mention these
proceedings focusing more on the spectacular. 
Life of Martin of Tours illustrates many aspects of the evolving empire. The most
significant, perhaps, is the almost subordination of the emperor to the church, a
commonly cited factor in the collapse of the Western Empire. The people of the day truly
believed in a Christianity that, today, would get one called fanatical at the least,
locked away at worst. .The overriding emphasis, however, is not a power struggle. It is a
affirmation of the power that the holy man exercised over the populace.
Bibliography
None other than Sulpicius Severus' LIFE OF MARTIN OF TOURS