Portal of St Firmin

walwyn Sun, 08/10/2014 - 17:28
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The portal of St Firmin opens into the north aisle of Amiens Cathedral. The tympanum shows the discovery of his remains outside the city, and their transport to the cathedral. On the lower lintel six bishops sit on a bench.

 

 

 

According to legend St. Firmin founded the first church in Amiens in the 3rd century. Having converted the inhabitants of Amiens to Christianity. He was killed after having been report to the Roman authorities. In the 7th century his burial place was unknown and the then bishop St Salve got the local inhabitants and the bishops of the surrounding dioceses to pray for a sign as to where he might have been buried. After three days of pray a shaft of light shone through a monastery wall and they found a body there. As the relics were carried into the city a number of miracles happen: trees and meadows flowered and came into leaf, the sick were healed, and the rich released their servants and serfs from servitude.

 

 

The lintel below the main scenes shows six bishops, perhaps those that prayed for a sign as to the location of Firmin's burial place.