Library › Eddius Stephanus › Life of St Wilfrid

Life of St Wilfrid

Eddius Stephanus, tr. Colgrave, 1927

23. Of the Boy Who Was Healed When at the Point of Death

Now while the masons were constructing the highest part of the walls of this building, a certain young man among the servants of God slipped from a pinnacle of enormous height, fell to the ground and was dashed upon a stone pavement. His arms and legs were broken, all his limbs were out of joint and he lay breathing his last; the masons, thinking he was dead, quickly carried him outside on a bier in obedience to the commands of the holy bishop who was tearfully praying. Forthwith, at a signal, the whole brotherhood gathered together, and our bishop stood in the midst of the brethren and said, “Let us all with one accord seek God in full confidence, that He may send the soul of the lad back into his body and that he may live, even as was granted to the Apostle Paul.” So they prayed God that he who scoffs at all good might not have the joy of victory in this building; and while they bent their knees, our holy bishop, after the manner of Elijah and Elisha, prayed and gave his blessing, and the boy recovered the breath of life. The physicians bound the broken limbs with bandages and he grew better gradually from day to day. He is still alive and gives thanks to God. His name is Bothelm.