Saint of the Day – 11 August – St Taurinus (c350-c412) the 1st Bishop of Evreux, in Normandy, France, Miracle-worker. Born in Rome in c350 and died at his See in Evreux in c412. Patronage – of the City and Diocese of Evreux. A lso known as – Taurin, Taurino.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Evreux, in France, St Taurinus, Bishop. Being made the Bishop of that City by the blessed Pope Clement, he propagated the Christian Faith by the preaching of the Gospel and the many labours he sustained for it. He is celebrated for glorious miracles and finally slept in the Lord.”
Taurinus’ life is known through a manuscript of the 10th Century, itself based on a 9th Cntury text. The Vita was written by a wll-known Hagiographer Monk named Deodatus,
Taurinus was born in Rome to Tarquinius, a pagan and Eustycia, a devout Christian. An Angel appeared to Eustycia to announce that her son would have a great destiny. He was Baptised by St Pope Clement I. He became the Bishop of Evreux in around 385.
A number of miracles were associated with Taurinus. His legend states that he raised a girl, Euphrasia, from the dead after she died in a fire. After he had done so, there was no trace of burn or wounds upon her flesh. These wondrous miracle led to many conversions . He also resurrected a Marinus, the son of the local Prefect, who had fallen into a hole and died from the impact. After a short prayer, Taurinus revived the young man. At once, Marinus requested Baptism for himself and his entourage,and hundreds of others.
After Taurinus’ death, Maximus of Evreux was sent by Pope Damasus I to continue his predecessor’s immense success.
A Monastery dedicated to Taurinus was built around the 6th Century; it was restored in the 10 Century at the instigation of Richard I of Normandy/
Bishop Landulphus is credited with having discovered, in answer to fervent prayer, the Relics of Taurinus and built a Basilica to house them. In 1035, the Abbey of Saint-Taurin was placed under the jurisdiction of the Abbey of Fécamp which also claimed the body of Taurinus. The Monks of Saint-Taurin claimed that they owned a part of the Saint’s Relics. In 1247, Gislebert de Saint-Martin, Abbot of Saint-Taurin, had a Reliquary built to house the remaining Relics. See below.
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