Pope Benedict XVI in English - Weekly General Audience
Dear Brothers and Sisters, In our catechesis on the early Christian writers of
East and West, we turn to Saint Germanus, Bishop and Patriarch of Constantinople,
whose feast day is celebrated in the Greek Church on 12 May. In 717, while Constantinople
was under siege by Saracen armies, Germanus led a procession with the venerated image
of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, and relics of the Holy Cross. The siege
was lifted, convincing him that God had responded to the people’s devotion. Some
time later however, Emperor Leo III initiated his campaign against the use of sacred
images, judging them to be a source of idolatry. When Germanus opposed the Emperor
publicly in 730 he was forced to retire in exile to a monastery, where he later died.
His memory was not forgotten, and in the Second Council of Nicea, which restored devotion
to sacred images, his name was honoured. The writings of Germanus, steeped in an
ardent love of the Church and devotion to the Mother of God, have had a wide influence
on the piety of the faithful both of the East and the West. He promoted a solemn
and beautiful Liturgy and is also known for his insights in Mariology. In homilies
on the Presentation and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Germanus extols her virtue
and her mission. A text which sees the source of her bodily incorruption in her virginal
maternity was included by Pope Pius XII in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus
Deus. I pray that through the intercession of Saint Germanus we may all be renewed
in our love of the Church and devotion to the Mother of God. * * * I offer
a warm welcome to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors from England, Scotland,
Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Canada and the United States. Upon all of you I
cordially invoke the Lord’s Easter blessings of joy and peace!