Saint Corcodome of Auxerre (english version)
Saint Corcodome of Auxerre
I met this saint a little by "chance." Visiting Auxerre, in the sacristy of the cathedral, I was lucky enough to be able to venerate the reliquary of Saint Corcodome. But the priest like me did not know who he was. His name came up very often in my head and heart during prayer without knowing why for several weeks. But the curiosity was too strong so I did a lot of research on him. He is not a saint of whom we know much, I could have information about his life mostly in the lives of other saints: Saint Mamertin, Saint Pèlerin, Saint Germain d'Auxerre and Saint Marcellin. I was also able to find some information in the Acta Sanctorum and in the work of Abbé Paul Guérin (the Little Bollandists). It is wonderful to discover a saint, especially a martyr. And then I tell myself that it has been centuries and centuries since anyone prayed to him, so he has a lot of "free time" and believe me, his intercession is certain. I invite you to pray him, to discover him and to get to know him!
I share with you the fruit of my research, the prayers I wrote to him, the iconographic drawings of the saint since there is no real representation of Saint Corcodome, the illuminations representing Saint Pilgrim sent on mission with surely Corcodome with him, and especially the Acathist hymn that tells his life and praises him that I composed! On the advice of a Georgian iconographer, having no information about his death, I studied how the martyrs of the region were executed so that the iconographic illustration of his death has a more legitimate historicity.
I also ask those who will pray to Saint Corcodome of Auxerre to contact me to tell me how he was able to respond to your requests in order to compile the intercessions of this saint to further spread his devotion. Please, send your testimony to this adress : saintcorcodome@gmail.com.
Life:
Saint Corcodome (or Corcodème), a Greek of origin, was deacon in Rome, and was sent in the year 258 by Pope Saint Sixtus II, from whom he received the diaconal ordination, with the priest Saint Marse, the sub-deacons Saint Jovinien and Saint Alexander and a reader also named Saint Jovinien, to accompany Saint Pèlerin to Auxerre, of which the latter would become the first bishop. They landed in Marseille and passed through Lyon to reach Auxerre. Some writings tell that they also evangelized during their journey. Of his life little is known except that he helped to evangelize the region with his companions. Saint Marcellin, second bishop of Auxerre, attended the martyrdom of Saint Corcodome and other companions of Saint Pèlerin in the year 300, under the emperor Diocletian (Saint Pèlerin himself was martyred in 304 at Boüy). All were buried in the public cemetery at Mont-Artre, on the outskirts of Auxerre. We would have known where the companions of Saint Corcodome, Saint Alexander and Juvinien, the sub-deacons, and the reader Saint Jovinien were buried when Corcodome came out of his tomb to tell to saint Mamertin. The relics of the saint were exhumed to be exhibited in the basilica of Mont-Artre.
We also read in the Vita Secunda of Saint Germain d'Auxerre, a work by Constance de Lyon reworked in the ninth century, an episode on a miracle by Saint Corcodome. Saint Mamertin, a former pagan who was very attached to his beliefs, was once in deep sadness because, because of his blasphemies, he had lost the use of one eye and one hand. He wanted to go to the temple of Jupiter to find comfort, but on his way he met a clergyman from Auxerre, Savin. Seeing his sadness and error, Savin advised him to go see his bishop, saint Germain of Auxerre, so that he could turn away from his spiritual errors. Convinced, Mamertin set off, but a violent storm broke out and he had to take refuge in a cemetery, he found shelter in a vault without having who it might well belong. Sheltered from the rain, Mamertin fell asleep and saw in dream Saint Corcodome, to whom this tomb belonged. The saint warned him that he was at risk of being eaten by snakes under the slab, but that he was protected from them by his intercession. He invited him, in this mystical vision, to attend a holy mass in the presence of Saint Pèlerin, Saint Amartre, Saint Marcellian, Saint Elladius, Saint Valerian, Saint Jovinien, Saint Alexander and Saint Jovinien the reader. This mystical liturgy, although very beautiful, is to be taken with a pinch (I am talking here only of the part where Saint Corcodome invites Mamertin to the mass) because it closely follows one of the missions of Saint Germain who was to disseminate the cult of the saints, and a vision where there are all bishops and clerics martyrs of Auxerre goes well in this direction. This miraculous vision had a great impact on the conversion of Saint Mamertin. This miraculous vision had a great impact on the conversion of Saint Mamertin. Once he arrived in Auxerre to see Saint Germain, the bishop, already knowing what had happened in the vault by the Holy Spirit, gave thanks, baptized Mamertin and returned him to use his members. Germain sent him to the monastery of Saint Côme and Saint Damien, of which he later became the second superior, succeeding Saint Alodius. But knowing the danger that was at the tomb of saint Corcodome, saint Germain wanted to make the snakes go away. Arriving at the vault, Saint Germain found eight snakes. He spoke to the greatest of them, asking him: “Go without being disturbed, and do not risk lying down where men live. Let the heart of the forest or the vastness of the desert be your dwelling place. And if on the way you find dwellings, do not harm or hurt anyone.” The serpent, recognizing in the saint his Creator, prostrated and left with the other serpents.
His relics are now in the sacristy of the cathedral of Auxerre.
Saint Corcodome of Auxerre is celebrated on 4 May.
Prayer of intercession:
Saint Corcodome, you who protected Saint Mamertin from the serpent that wanted to devour him, protect me from the evil lurking around me, like a beast ready to devor me. That by your intercession the enemy may not have any dominion over me, and I may not succumb to temptation. Saint martyr Corcodome of Auxerre, pray that the darkness of my soul will give way to the undiminished Light which comes from God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Troparion :
Through the zeal of your preaching, holy deacon of Christ Corcodome, you have converted the peoples of Gaul. Perfect cup receiving the Holy Spirit, you were made victorious by your martyr, and remembering your life given for the glory of the God Philanthropist, we hope your intercession with him so that we receive his Divine Mercy.
Kondakion:
Prayer rising like incense before the Lord and a vessel of virtues, we sing the holiness of your life and death, for you were obedient to the example of Christ until death, carrying your cross to the end out of love for the Lord. Now that you have been received into the house of the saints, with whom you pray without ceasing, pray that our sins may be forgiven.
Rejoice, companion of saint Pèlerin, apostle and evangelizer of France. Rejoice, holy Corcodome of Auxerre, witness to the glory of God by your blood shed for your faithfulness to the Lord.
Acathist hymn to Saint Corcodome of Auxerre:
Kondakion 1:
Martyr of faith, bearing witness on earth to the Glory of God who fills all things, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre, you who have shown the way of holiness by your life and death to the people of Auxerre, pray our Lord Jesus Christ that we may enjoy here the wonders of grace that God gives us, we who sing to you:
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre!
Ikos 1:
You were born in the first centuries of the Church in Greece, a homeland that knew many apostles and saints. Even before you were born, God knew what works He would call you to. The angels and saints, seeing you grow up, already gave thanks to God by singing:
Rejoice, recognized as righteous by the Lord,
Rejoice, you who loved God to the end,
Rejoice, who gave your life for the glory of his Name,
Rejoice, glorious citizen of heaven,
Rejoice, pure trust in Jesus Christ,
Rejoice, receptacle of Grace,
Rejoice, confession of true faith,
Rejoice, spiritual athlete of God,
Rejoice, depth of humility,
Rejoice, preacher pious of the one God,
Rejoice, you who have been called to eternal life,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 2:
It was in Rome that you were ordained a deacon by the holy Pope Callixtus II. Devoting your life to service, you became a servant of God through the liturgy and of your brothers and sisters through your good works. Participating in the celebration of God’s Holy Mysteries, your prayer rose like incense before the Lord when you sang before him:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 2:
The patriarch of Rome, His Holiness Callixtus II, in the year 258 sent you on a mission to Gaul to accompany Saint Pèlerin, and with you the priest Saint Marse, the sub-deacons Saint Jovinien and Saint Alexander and a reader named Saint Jovinien. Called to evangelize the land of Gaul, like a harvester who must clear the land in order to plant with courage and trust in God, you gave thanks for this call. Your companions, seeing your zeal, proclaimed:
Rejoice, you who received the diaconal ordination,
Rejoice, incense of God,
Rejoice, you who have made yourself a servant of the Lord,
Rejoice, you who were clothed with the Holy Spirit,
Rejoice, anointed with the oil of grace,
Rejoice, evangelizer of France,
Rejoice, apostle of Gaul,
Rejoice, zealous missionary,
Rejoice, companion of saint Pèlerin,
Rejoice, harvester of the Divine Love,
Rejoice, mustard seed of the Lord,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 3:
It was in Marseille that you, your companions and the saint pilgrim, had landed. Travelling towards Auxerre, you passed through Lyon. Evangelizing and preaching on your way, you began your apostolate in a country that was only waiting to find true faith in God. Like Christ and his Apostles, you proclaimed the Good News of salvation to the peoples of Gaul, saving souls at every step. Giving thanks for these wonders, we sing with the angels:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 3:
You have arrived in Auxerre at the end of this journey, as saint Pèlerin became the first bishop. And under the obedience to this holy successor of the Apostles of Christ, you continue your mission as a fishermen of mens, bringing many souls to Christ, praising God and celebrating his divine mysteries. Gratified by the diaconate, you assisted the priests in liturgical services, and the pious faithful, admiring your recollection, prayed to the Lord saying:
Rejoice, holy example of piety,
Rejoice, traveler in the midst of the pagan lands,
Rejoice, conversion of the people of Auxerre,
Rejoice, sower of truth in the midst of error,
Rejoice, you who have overcome heresy,
Rejoice, witness of the Truth,
Rejoice, example of prayer,
Rejoice, deacon embellishing the liturgy,
Rejoice, sweetness of prayer,
Rejoice, defender of the Holy Trinity,
Rejoice, revelation of the Holy Wisdom,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 4:
In the year of God 300, Saint Marse, Saint Jovinien, Saint Alexander, the reader Saint Jovinien and you were favored with the glorious crown of the Martyr under the repression of Diocletian. Saint Marcellin, successor of Saint Pèlerin after his martyrdom in the year 304, was witness to your glorious birth to true life through the baptism of blood. He will bury you in the cemetery of Mont-Artre. Seeing new saints martyrs ascend to heaven, the saints praying incessantly to God gave Him glory by singing:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 4:
Knowing that you have arrived in the eternal glory of Paradise, having become worthy of veneration, the faithful wanted to know the location of your holy relics and those of your companions. For the spiritual comfort of the faithful, you came out of your tomb and showed to the pious Christians where your body was as well as those of your fellow martyrs. Being able to come at last to you to pray, the faithful of Auxerre sang together in joy:
Rejoice, crown of the martyr,
Rejoice, you who loved to death,
Rejoice, you who gave your life for your Lord,
Rejoice, comfort in the trial,
Rejoice, icon of the divine inspiration,
Rejoice, shield of faith,
Rejoice, fearsome sword of love,
Rejoice, armor of trust,
Rejoice, perseverance in prayer,
Rejoice, sent by God to guide us,
Rejoice, consolation of the faithful,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 5:
Saint Mamertin, when he was still a pagan, on his way to visit Saint Germain d'Auxerre in order to receive baptism, was caught in a terrible storm and had to take refuge from the rain. Without knowing it, it was in your vault, saint Corcodome, that he had taken refuge to spend the night. He saw you in a dream, you revealed to him who you were and what danger you protected him from, a great serpent hidden under the slab was ready to devour him, but by your intercession, he passed the night safe. Seeing himself protected from evil by you, he sang his joy to the Lord proclaiming:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 5:
Having reached Auxerre, saint Mamertin who made the rest of the journey under your protection, visited saint Germain. And he, inspired by the Holy Spirit, knew what had happened and what role you had played in the conversion of Mamertin. He baptized him, and he later became superior of the monastery of Saint Côme et Saint Damien. Giving thanks, the holy bishop of Auxerre, seeing the wonders that God works through his saints, prayed to you with a song:
Rejoice, blessed intercessor,
Rejoice, protection from the forces of evil,
Rejoice, victor on the enemy,
Rejoice, defense against the attacks of the evil one,
Rejoice, wonderworker of Auxerre,
Rejoice, shelter in the storm of our sins,
Rejoice, lighthouse in the darkness of our errors,
Rejoice, thou who in thy death found life,
Rejoice, guardian of the clerics of the Yonne,
Rejoice, you who have converted Saint Mamertin
Rejoice, thou who was revered by Saint Germain,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 6:
Saint Germain, knowing the danger that was at your tomb, came to worship you and drive away the reptile. He found eight serpents in your vault, and spoke to the greatest of them, telling him to go away, to not hurt anyone, and to stay in the desert. The serpent, recognizing his Lord in his holy one, bowed down and leaved with the seven others. Seeing the power of God over the forces of evil, from above Heaven, you gave thanks with saint Germain d'Auxerre by shouting:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 6:
In order to venerate you, your holy relics were exhibited in the Basilica of Mont-Artre. The faithful, knowing the glory which you enjoyed before God by the gift of your life to the Lord, came in great numbers to pray with you, and seeing their prayers answered by your holy intercession, they proclaimed their joy by praying to you:
Rejoice, help of the pagan in error,
Rejoice, appease the pain of iniquity,
Rejoice, consolation in the depths of our weakness,
Rejoice, advocate triumphant against the demons,
Rejoice, roof that protects us from the rain of sadness,
Rejoice, refuge of the lost travelers,
Rejoice, home of those who convert,
Rejoice, fortress against the attacks of the devil,
Rejoice, strong bulwark against the pitfalls,
Rejoice, joy of those who pray to you
Rejoice, hope in our discouragements,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 7:
Saint Corcodome, brilliant fighter of faith and great intercessor to the Lord, we offer you this hymn of praise, and we ask you to pray for us Jesus Christ our Lord and our God so that we may be delivered from all afflictions, misfortunes and dangers, we who sing with you:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 7:
The Creator of all things has made you a martyr worthy of veneration through the ages, for by you who let Christ live in you, it is our Savior and our God that we pray. Thou hast known how to crucify the old man in order to make room for the new man, teach us by thy prayer to be wise so that we may not run out of oil when the Bridegroom appears before us, we who pray to thee singing:
Rejoice, thou whose blood waters the earth of our souls,
Rejoice, balm on the wound of our fall,
Rejoice, softening the burn of trial,
Rejoice, relief from the weight of our cross,
Rejoice, spiritual warrior,
Rejoice, fighting in the invisible,
Rejoice, you who received the palm of martyrdom,
Rejoice, bandage on the wounds of our sins,
Rejoice, like the wise virgins,
Rejoice, you who put your hand to the plough
Rejoice, you who have not looked back
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 8:
Taking the perfect communion to the mystery of the Incarnation and Sacrifice of Christ by your martyr, venerable deacon Corcodome, with the angels we sing your exploits, because you have not despair of the help of God. Blessed were you when they insulted you, persecuted you and said against you all kinds of infamy because of Christ. So pray that we too may find our true joy in the trial, and then we can sing and pray with you saying:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 8:
You bring us the Light of God by the example of your life, wonderful witness to the unspeakable Grace of Almighty God. We who are in darkness, come to us as a candle guiding us on the way of salvation. In suffering we call upon you, Saint Corcodome, that through your prayer our passions may be extinguished and our love for God may grow ever more, we who sing:
Rejoice, humble soul before God,
Rejoice, icon of the Lord,
Rejoice, salt of the earth,
Rejoice, light of the world,
Rejoice, O faithful servant of the Lord,
Rejoice, love for your enemies,
Rejoice, pardon given to your oppressors,
Rejoice, you who abandoned yourself to the Providence,
Rejoice, love in insult,
Rejoice, joy in persecution,
Rejoice, glory in the infamy,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 9:
Your heart was purified by the Blood of Christ, glorious Corcodome of Auxerre, when you accepted, in perfect obedience, the cup that God gave you to drink, for it was not your own will that you wanted, but that of your Father. We who fear in trial and flee from adversity, we come to you to pray that you teach us to be patient and gentle in trial, that we let the will of the Father work in our lives and that we surrender ourselves entirely to him, We who sing without ceasing:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 9:
You are a living hymn to the Holy Trinity, Saint Corcodome, because you have shown the Love of the Father, proclaimed the Word of the Son and acted with the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit. You came to God and tasted as good as He is, for there is no better aroma than that of the Lord. You who serve the church during the liturgy, that through your intercession the Divine fragrance of the Lord be revealed to us, and we pray to you by singing:
Rejoice, myrrh blessed by God,
Rejoice, flower of inexhaustible fragrance,
Rejoice, broken spirit given in sacrifice,
Rejoice, humble heart beloved of God,
Rejoice, you who were sprinkled with hyssop,
Rejoice, you who have become whiter than snow,
Rejoice, to whom the mysteries of God have been revealed,
Rejoice, spirit of righteousness,
Rejoice, you who were strengthened by the Sovereign Spirit,
Rejoice, contemplation of the Holy Face of Christ,
Rejoice, return of the wicked to God,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 10:
Desiring to save the souls that perished in idolatry, you gave your life to redeem these souls and bring them back to their Creator. We who idolize God by not seeing him as He is, wanting to use Him to satisfy our own interests, saint Corcodome, martyr and deacon of Auxerre, teach us a more humble prayer, a deeper contrition and a more sincere repentance. Trusting in your intercession, we sing to God with cries of joy:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 10:
Venerable martyr Corcodome, you have traveled to evangelize the world, see in our century how peoples are far from God. That through your prayer the unbelievers become believers, that people filled with hatred discover love, that times of bland become ardent. May all, at last being with their Father through you, thank you by singing:
Rejoice, fight against idolatry,
Rejoice, victory against heresy,
Rejoice, wonder of faith,
Rejoice, confessor of the Trinitarian faith,
Rejoice, guardian of divine dogmas,
Rejoice, triumph of abandonment,
Rejoice, wonder of self-giving,
Rejoice, rule of zeal,
Rejoice, model of sacrifice,
Rejoice, high praise of the martyrs,
Rejoice, protector of those who honor your memory,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 11:
Knowing the graces which God has favored you, we come to you in trial, for having triumphed in battle ourselves, we place our trust in your holy prayer before our Lord and God Jesus-Christ, that we might not fall into the trap of error and heresy. You who have defended the faith handed down from the Apostles by singing:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 11:
By chanting hymns to thy glorious end, Saint Corcodome, by which God hath raised thee, we call for thy help. The serpent of evil is about to devour us, and without the help of the Holy Grace of God we would be lost, also by your prayer, that we may be made worthy to receive the delights of the Lord’s grace, for pearls are not given to the swine. Come to our aid, we who sing to you:
Rejoice, you who enlighten the faithful of the church.
Rejoice, for your name is praised in our hearts,
Rejoice, eternal life won in torment,
Rejoice, you who glorified the name of Christ by your life,
Rejoice, you who have won by the power of Christ,
Rejoice, great miracle-maker,
Rejoice, goblet of the delights of Paradise,
Rejoice, disciple of the Messiah,
Rejoice, torch of the divine fire,
Rejoice, lamp lit on the pagan lands,
Rejoice, guardian of the unalterable treasure,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 12:
Zealous preacher and messenger of the Holy Spirit, like Christ, you came out from the tomb, showing us the truth of the resurrection announced by the Lord. May we not be, through your intercession, like the servant who is tired of waiting for his master and falls asleep and into sin, but with you, stay vigilant, watch and pray in a confident expectation of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, we who sing in chorus:
Hallelujah!
Ikos 12:
The people of Auxerre, witness to your martyrdom, understood more deeply the veracity of your holy teaching by seeing the fervour and endurance of your faith. Supported by your intercession, they prayed without blush and confessed true faith in Jesus Christ. Through your help, may we also have the courage to proclaim our faith without shame, for you show us that glory is not in the world but in Heaven and we sing to you:
Rejoice, holy martyrdom,
Rejoice, you who now dwell with the angels,
Rejoice, tree giving good fruit,
Rejoice, grain fallen to the ground,
Rejoice, sheep of the Good Shepherd,
Rejoice, abundant source of grace,
Rejoice, you who softens our souls,
Rejoice, teacher of the lost,
Rejoice, speaker of sublime theology,
Rejoice, joy of angels and men,
Rejoice, wise pilgrim on earth,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 13:
Vase that was filled with abundant grace, protect and help all those who sing to you and pray to you, saint Corcodome, may they never be disappointed in your friendship and prayer, for you were a friend of the Lord, and He recognized you as His disciple, because you knew how to love us as He loves us. Teach us to love our neighbour unconditionally and without interest, so that we may be recognized by the Lord as His friends, we who sing with you and the angels:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Ikos 1:
You were born in the first centuries of the Church in Greece, a homeland that knew many apostles and saints. Even before you were born, God knew what works He would call you to. The angels and saints, seeing you grow up, already gave thanks to God by singing:
Rejoice, recognized as righteous by the Lord,
Rejoice, you who loved God to the end,
Rejoice, who gave your life for the glory of his Name,
Rejoice, glorious citizen of heaven,
Rejoice, pure trust in Jesus Christ,
Rejoice, receptacle of Grace,
Rejoice, confession of true faith,
Rejoice, spiritual athlete of God,
Rejoice, depth of humility,
Rejoice, preacher pious of the one God,
Rejoice, you who have been called to eternal life,
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre.
Kondakion 1:
Martyr of faith, bearing witness on earth to the Glory of God who fills all things, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre, you who have shown the way of holiness by your life and death to the people of Auxerre, pray our Lord Jesus Christ that we may enjoy here the wonders of grace that God gives us, we who sing to you:
Rejoice, Saint Corcodome of Auxerre!
Prayer to Saint Corcodome of Auxerre:
Saint martyr Corcodome, you who were crowned with eternal glory by the baptism of blood, we pray you, intercede for us before God so that, like you, we may never be afraid to proclaim the Good News to our brothers and sisters. Be for us a companion in our pilgrimage on earth, so that our foot never hits the stone and that trials strengthen us and make us worthy to know salvation, so that we may, in your presence, to contemplate the face of the Lord in the life of the world to come. Protect us from the evil that lurks, cloaked in the shadow of our faults, show us the way of humility and repentance, for this is the way to eternal salvation. Be a spiritual guide in our torments, so that we may be ever closer to God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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