James Baquet

Visitors to the cathedral at Magdeburg, Germany, might be surprised to discover a statue of a black African man in full crusaders’ regalia.

The armor is anachronistic, reflecting the military fashions of the time the statue was created, circa 1250. The figure it represents is alleged to have lived much earlier, in the 3rd century, when he was the leader of the legendary Theban Legion of Rome.

For this is the once very popular St. Maurice. He was a patron of the Holy Roman Emperors of Germany; there are over 650 churches and monasteries dedicated to him throughout Europe; and 52 towns and villages in France have been named in his honor, as well as the Swiss ski resort of St. Moritz and many, many others.

Why is he so popular? Maurice’s hagiography tells us that he was born and raised in the Egyptian city of Thebes in year 250. After joining the Roman army, he rose through the ranks until he became commander of the legion, in charge of roughly 1,000 men.

But Maurice and his men were Christians, in the time before Christianity became accepted by the Romans. This was a problem when his legion was sent to Gaul (modern France) to assist in putting down a revolt by a group of peasants, many of whom were also Christians.

Before the battle, as was the custom, Maurice and his men were expected to offer sacrifices to the pagan gods and to bow down to Emperor Maximian. They refused, but the emperor seemed to be appeased when Maurice and his men pledged allegiance to Rome.

The problem was exacerbated, however, when Maurice discovered that the people he was to slaughter were Christians. He refused. The emperor decided that, as a means of “encouragement,” one in 10 of Maurice’s men would be executed, a Roman practice called “decimation.” Maurice and his men stood firm, and another 10 percent were killed. Still refusing, Maurice and his entire legion were executed.

The historicity of this story is in doubt, but the place where it occurred is said to be Saint-Maurice, Switzerland (formerly Roman Agaunum), since the 6th century the site of the Abbey of St. Maurice.

Maurice and the Theban Legion are now known as the Martyrs of Agaunum.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. biography of a holy person

2. promised, swore

3. placed in the wrong era

4. satisfied, soothed

5. special guardian

6. people who died for their beliefs

7. loyalty, devotion

8. historical accuracy

9. official clothing and equipment

10. approximately