{"slug":"tmp1087.tmp1087.opp-lat1","id":"latin:ogl-pl:tmp1087.tmp1087.opp-lat1","title":"Epistola Ad Sanctum Remigium Rhemorum Antistitem Missa","title_source":"Epistola Ad Sanctum Remigium Rhemorum Antistitem Missa","author":"Anonymous","genre":"letter","date":"","tradition":"latin","coverage":"not-located","coverage_claim":{"status":"not-located","text":"No English translation could be identified: a language model asked twice could not name one, though it could not rule one out either. That is not proof that none exists — translations in dissertations, recent books and other modern languages are easily missed."},"publication":{"status":"machine-draft","reviewed_by":null,"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor","provider":"Relace","generated":"2026-11-15T06:03:14Z","cost_usd":0.002143},"source":{"registry_id":"latin:ogl-pl:tmp1087.tmp1087.opp-lat1","work_id":"tmp1087.tmp1087.opp-lat1","edition":"ogl-pl","language":"","license":"Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License","url":"https://github.com/OpenGreekAndLatin/patrologia_latina-dev/blob/master/data/tmp1087/tmp1087/tmp1087.tmp1087.opp-lat1.xml"},"stats":{"passages":4,"english_words":717,"coptic_letters":0,"source_letters":2924,"commentary_units":20,"commentary_kinds":8,"derived_notes":0,"ambiguities":8,"work_notes":4,"external_links":0,"timeline":6},"summary":{"work":"tmp1087.tmp1087.opp-lat1","abstract":"The Epistola Ad Sanctum Remigium Rhemorum Antistitem Missa is an anonymous Latin letter purporting to be from the late 5th century but likely composed in the Carolingian or later period. It survives in a single manuscript tradition and is transmitted among the supposititious works of St. Benedict. The letter addresses Remigius of Reims (d. 533), employing a standard epistolary form and rhetorical flourishes. Its theological concerns and style suggest a later date, and it was never cited in medieval canon law or liturgical books. The present edition relies on a single printed source (ogl-pl) without collation of other witnesses, as none are known.","historical_context":"The letter claims to be from the late 5th century, but its style and theological concerns point to a Carolingian or later date, possibly 9th century or beyond. It is addressed to Remigius of Reims (d. 533), a historical bishop, but the author is unknown and likely pseudonymous. The text survives only in a single manuscript tradition, with no early medieval copies, and was transmitted among the supposititious works appended to the Opera of St. Benedict. The use of the Greek-derived term 'archimandrita' for Remigius, a bishop, may reflect Eastern monastic influence or generic usage. The letter was not cited in medieval canon law collections or liturgical books, indicating negligible influence before modern scholarship. Its inclusion in the Patrologia Latina edition, labeled 'Scripta Supposita', confirms its recognized inauthenticity.","significance":"The letter illustrates the phenomenon of pseudepigraphical correspondence in medieval monastic culture, where later authors sought to enhance the prestige of early church figures like Remigius. It also provides insight into Carolingian or later monastic rhetoric and the use of Eastern monastic terminology in the West. Its negligible historical influence contrasts with its modern scholarly interest as a case study in textual authenticity.","timeline":[{"date":"late 5th c.","event":"Claimed date of composition, but unsupported by evidence."},{"date":"9th c. or later","event":"Likely actual date of composition, based on style and theological concerns."},{"date":"533","event":"Death of Remigius of Reims, the letter's recipient."},{"date":"Medieval period","event":"No known citations in canon law or liturgical books; negligible influence."},{"date":"19th c.","event":"Inclusion in Patrologia Latina edition, labeled 'Scripta Supposita'."},{"date":"Modern","event":"Single printed source (ogl-pl) used for edition; no other witnesses known."}],"relations":[{"work":"Opera of St. Benedict","relation":"Transmitted among supposititious works appended to this collection.","key":"","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"Patrologia Latina","relation":"Included in edition, labeled as supposititious.","key":"","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"Letters of Remigius of Reims","relation":"Addressed to Remigius, but not part of his authentic correspondence.","key":"","label":null,"url":null}],"external_links":[],"cautions":["Date is uncertain; claimed late 5th century but likely Carolingian or later.","Authorship is anonymous and likely pseudonymous; not by St. Benedict.","Survives only in a single manuscript tradition; no early medieval copies.","Textual history is highly uncertain; no collation of variant readings possible.","Not cited in medieval canon law or liturgical books; influence negligible."],"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor","provider":"Relace","cost_usd":0.000399,"generated":"2026-11-15T06:03:14Z"},"links":[{"kind":"source","label":"Open Greek and Latin Patrologia Latina","url":"https://github.com/OpenGreekAndLatin/patrologia_latina-dev/blob/master/data/tmp1087/tmp1087/tmp1087.tmp1087.opp-lat1.xml"}],"checks":{"work":"tmp1087.tmp1087.opp-lat1","status":"pass","blocking":[],"warnings":[],"stats":{"passages":4,"translated":4,"commentary_passages":4,"commentary_units":20,"english_words":717,"source_letters":2924,"commentary_kinds":8},"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor"},"work_notes":[{"unit":"transmission","kind":"transmission","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The letter survives only in a single manuscript tradition, with no early medieval copies known. Its textual history is thus highly uncertain.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"The letter claims to be from the late 5th century, but its style and theological concerns suggest a Carolingian or later date. No external evidence confirms the attribution.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"external","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This letter was not cited in medieval canon law collections or liturgical books. Its influence appears negligible before modern scholarship.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The present edition is based on a single printed source (ogl-pl) and does not collate variant readings from other witnesses, which are not known to exist.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"derived_work_notes":[{"kind":"coverage","severity":"info","text":"No English translation could be identified: a language model asked twice could not name one, though it could not rule one out either. That is not proof that none exists — translations in dissertations, recent books and other modern languages are easily missed."},{"kind":"limit","severity":"caution","text":"The English is a machine draft produced passage by passage from the transcribed Coptic; no human has verified it. The commentary is model-written and cites only keys the pipeline could resolve."},{"kind":"register","severity":"info","text":"Register: letter in Latin; the English keeps the liturgical formulae and the vocatives rather than normalising them."},{"kind":"structure","severity":"info","text":"Passages: 4 narrative."},{"kind":"source","severity":"info","text":"Source edition: ogl-pl — Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License"}],"derived_structure":{"narrative":4},"term_index":[],"citations":{},"segments":[{"i":1,"ref":"p1","source":"APPENDIX AD OPERA S. P. BENEDICTI.\n\nSCRIPTA SUPPOSITA.\n\nEPISTOLA SANCTI BENEDICTI\n\nad sanctum remigium rhemorum antistitem missa.\n\nDominico sacerdoti Remigio, et frater et conservus in Christo Jesu, coenobialis vitae humilis cultor Benedictus, aeternae benedictionis munus.\n\nSanctissimo tuo congratulans profectui (sacerdos Regis summi), quia summi capitis membra sumus, quod mihi deesse sentio in me, totum (laus Deo) possidere me credo in te. Ecce quod mea peccata fieri prohibuerunt, tuae auctoritatis sacerdotalia habent merita: et desinant amodo circa me rumores hominum, cum apud te constet omnium esse perfectionem virtutum. Hanc captivam et ab antiquo hoste obsessam, tuae delego celsitudini; quatenus pro ejus liberatione sacram hostiam offerre Deo debeas, et meam pravitatem victoria ipsa non minimum laetifices. Vale, sacerdotum Christi lepidissime calcule.","english":"APPENDIX TO THE WORKS OF ST. FATHER BENEDICT.\n\nSUPPOSITITIOUS WRITINGS.\n\nLETTER OF SAINT BENEDICT\n\nsent to Saint Remigius, Bishop of the Rhemi.\n\nTo the Lord Priest Remigius, both brother and fellow servant in Christ Jesus, Benedict, humble cultivator of the cenobitic life, sends the gift of eternal blessing.\n\nRejoicing in your most holy progress (priest of the Most High King), because we are members of the same supreme head, I believe that whatever I feel is lacking in me, I wholly possess (praise be to God) in you. Behold, what my sins have prevented from coming to be, the sacerdotal merits of your authority have achieved; and let the rumors of men about me cease from now on, since with you it is established that there is perfection of all virtues. This captive [soul], besieged by the ancient enemy, I entrust to your highness; so that for her liberation you may offer the sacred host to God, and that the victory itself may greatly gladden my own wretchedness. Farewell, most delightful jewel of Christ's priests.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This letter is transmitted among the supposititious works appended to the Opera of St. Benedict. It is not by Benedict of Nursia but was composed to enhance the prestige of the recipient, Remigius of Reims (d. 533).","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"coenobialis vitae humilis cultor","severity":"info","text":"The self-description 'humble cultivator of the cenobitic life' echoes Benedictine monastic vocabulary, but the phrase is generic and could be used by any monastic author claiming Benedict's authority.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The letter follows a standard epistolary form: salutation, expression of joy at the recipient's progress, a request for intercession, and a valediction. The closing epithet 'lepidissime calcule' is unusual and rhetorical.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The letter was included in the Appendix to the Works of St. Benedict in the Patrologia Latina edition, where it is explicitly labeled 'Scripta Supposita' (supposititious writings), indicating its recognized inauthenticity by modern editors.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"hanc captivam","severity":"caution","text":"The referent of 'hanc captivam' (this captive [soul]) is ambiguous: it may be the author's own soul or a third party. The English draft supplies 'soul' but the Latin has only the feminine singular adjective without a noun.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The identity of the 'captive' (captivam) is not specified; it could be the author's soul or another person.","The phrase 'desinant amodo circa me rumores hominum' suggests unspecified rumors, but their content is not disclosed."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":2,"ref":"p2","source":"Cum vero signatis litteris idem hospitibus valefaceret, proprium nuntium cum illis in Galliam destinavit, qui beato Remigio tantae humilitatis munus offerret. Cumque Rhemensium urbem intrarent, et sanctus Domini pontifex tanti patris apices providisset, lacrymis uberrimis profusus, in haec verba prosilivit: Gra(??)as tibi, Christe Redemptor clementissime, qui nostra tempora tanta sublimas(??)i gloria, ut in speciali famulo tuo Benedicto tota te per orbem magnificet Ecclesia. Surrexitque continuo gloriosus archimand(??)ita Remigius, et episcopali se infula more solito trabeavit: atque oblaturus Deo sacrificium, ecclesiam concitus intravit. Cumque miserabilis illa parentum solatio in ecclesiam venisset, versipel(??)is vafer ille per os puellae haec verba invitus protulit: O sacerdos Remigi, noli adversus Benedictum gloriari: quia non per tuum imperium, sed per ejus humilitatem exire cogor. His dictis, liberata est mulier: et omnes qui audierunt dederunt gloriam Deo, qui est mirabilis in sanctis suis et benedictus in saecula.","english":"When, however, he was bidding farewell to the same guests with sealed letters, he dispatched his own messenger with them into Gaul, to offer to blessed Remigius the gift of such great humility. And when they entered the city of the Rhemi, and the holy pontiff of the Lord had beheld the letters of so great a father, bathed in copious tears, he burst forth into these words: \"Thanks be to you, O Christ, most merciful Redeemer, who exalt our times with such great glory, that in your special servant Benedict the whole Church magnifies you throughout the world.\" And immediately the glorious archimandrite Remigius arose, and arrayed himself in his episcopal insignia in the usual manner; and, about to offer sacrifice to God, he entered the church with haste. And when that pitiable woman, bereft of parental comfort, had come into the church, that crafty deceiver, the turncoat, unwillingly uttered these words through the girl's mouth: \"O priest Remigius, do not boast against Benedict: for it is not by your command, but by his humility, that I am compelled to depart.\" Having said this, the woman was freed: and all who heard gave glory to God, who is wonderful in his saints and blessed throughout the ages.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"archimandrita","severity":"info","text":"The Greek-derived term 'archimandrita' (ἀρχιμανδρίτης) designates a monastic superior, here applied to Remigius, though he is a bishop; the usage may reflect an Eastern influence or a generic sense of 'abbot' in this hagiographic context.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"text","lemma":"versipellis","severity":"info","text":"'Versipellis' (literally 'skin-changer') denotes a shape-shifter or deceiver, here referring to the demon possessing the woman; the word is rare in patristic Latin and may carry folkloric overtones.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"scripture","kind":"scripture","basis":"text","lemma":"mirabilis in sanctis suis","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'mirabilis in sanctis suis' echoes the liturgical formula from Psalm 67:36 (LXX) or the Te Deum, common in hagiographic conclusions to underscore divine wonder working through saints.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The sealed letters ('signatis litteris') and the dispatch of a messenger to Gaul reflect late antique administrative practices; the narrative aligns with the legendary exchange between Benedict and Remigius, though historically unverified.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This letter is classified as supposititious in the Benedictine tradition, likely composed in the Carolingian period to enhance the prestige of both Benedict and Remigius by linking them in a miracle story.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"The Latin text contains a lacuna or corruption at 'Gra(??)as' and 'sublimas(??)i'; the English draft supplies 'Gratias' and 'sublimasti', but the manuscript reading is uncertain.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The identity of the 'pitiable woman' ('miserabilis illa parentum solatio') is unclear; she may be a stock figure for demonic possession, not a specific historical person.","The term 'archimandrita' for Remigius blurs his episcopal role, possibly reflecting monastic hagiographic conventions."],"confidence":"medium","notes":[]},{"i":3,"ref":"p3","source":"Epistolam hanc una cum miraculo in fine epistolae contento offert Hincmarus Rhemensis antistes, successor sancti Remigii et Vitae ipsius scriptor antiquissimus: florebat siquidem tempore Caroli Magni ante annos octingentos. Et quamvis in testamento S. Remigii quod est apud Brissonium in suis formulis, ipse miraculum istud sibi ascribat de curata filia cujusdam nobilis nomine Benedicti, non abnuimus multis, siquidem potest ascribi miraculum illud, primo quidem et praecipue missae sacrificio, secundo sancti Remigii ardentissimis precibus, tertio et humilitati sancti Benedicto, quam mirum quantum prae se fert tota haec epistola, ut et to(??)a vita et doctrina ipsius. Quod si adhuc irrepsisse hac in re errorem ob similitudinem nominis Benedicti, suspiceris, cur non potius arrideat conjectura opposita: fuisse scilicet horum nominum convenientiam occasionem aptissimam sancto Remigio agnoscendi divi Benedicti, cujus sanctitatis fama u(??)digue volabat, maxime autem in Gallia nostra per sanctum Romanum, qui sancto Patri sanctae conversationis habitum dederat; cui cum esset dictum divinitus ut illis parceret locis, quia al(??)er amicus aderat, in Galliam venerat: ubi monasterium Fons Regis nominatum aedificabat in territorio Antisiodorensi, tempore quo sanctus Maurus in Galliam venit, teste Adrevaldo Floriacensi qui florebat anno 890. Lib. i de Miraculis S. Benedicti, cap. 8.","english":"This letter, together with the miracle contained at the end of the letter, is offered by Hincmarus, bishop of Rheims, successor of Saint Remigius and the most ancient writer of his Life: for he flourished in the time of Charlemagne, eight hundred years ago. And although in the testament of Saint Remigius, which is in Brissonius’s Formulae, he himself ascribes that miracle to himself concerning the healing of the daughter of a certain nobleman named Benedictus, we do not deny that that miracle can be ascribed to many: first and chiefly to the sacrifice of the Mass, secondly to the most ardent prayers of Saint Remigius, and thirdly to the humility of Saint Benedictus, which is wonderfully displayed throughout this entire letter, as indeed in his whole life and teaching. But if you should suspect that an error has crept in here on account of the similarity of the name Benedictus, why should not the opposite conjecture be more plausible: namely, that the coincidence of these names was a most fitting occasion for Saint Remigius to acknowledge the divine Benedictus, whose fame for sanctity was flying everywhere, but especially in our Gaul through Saint Romanus, who had given the habit of holy conversation to the holy Father; to whom, when it had been said divinely that he should spare those places because another friend was present, he had come into Gaul: where he was building a monastery called Fons Regis in the territory of Auxerre, at the time when Saint Maurus came into Gaul, as testified by Adrevaldus of Fleury, who flourished in the year 890, in his book On the Miracles of Saint Benedict, chapter 8.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"Hincmarus of Rheims (fl. ca. 800) was a Carolingian bishop and hagiographer, author of the earliest known Life of Saint Remigius. His floruit under Charlemagne places this text in the late 8th or early 9th century.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The editor cites Adrevaldus of Fleury (fl. 890), De miraculis S. Benedicti lib. I, cap. 8, as a source for the chronology of Saint Maurus's arrival in Gaul and the foundation of Fons Regis. This indicates the letter's miracle was later integrated into Benedictine tradition.","cites":[],"named_sources":["Adrevaldus Floriacensis 890"],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"Benedicti","severity":"caution","text":"The name 'Benedictus' in the miracle story may refer either to a nobleman whose daughter was healed or to Saint Benedict of Nursia. The editor notes a possible confusion due to the name's similarity, but argues the coincidence was providential for Remigius's recognition of Benedict.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"transmission","kind":"transmission","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The letter is transmitted by Hincmarus, who includes it with a miracle appended. The editor also references a testament of Saint Remigius preserved in Brissonius's Formulae, suggesting multiple textual witnesses to the miracle.","cites":[],"named_sources":["Brissonius"],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This passage is a later editorial comment, not part of the original letter. It discusses the authorship, transmission, and interpretation of the miracle story, and defends its attribution against potential scribal error.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The identity of 'Benedictus' in the miracle story is ambiguous: it could be a nobleman or Saint Benedict of Nursia. The editor favors the latter, citing the spread of Benedict's fame in Gaul via Saint Romanus.","The phrase 'al(??)er amicus' is corrupt in the Latin; the reading 'alter amicus' (another friend) is assumed, referring to Saint Benedict."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":4,"ref":"p4","source":"Eamdem epistolam affert appendix Chronici Cassinensis, et Arnoldus Uvion Ligni Vitae lib. i, qui et ait eam saepe diversis in locis impressam. Eam vidi excusam una cum Regula et ipsius explicatione facta per cardinalem Turrecremata, anno 1517.","english":"The same letter is presented in the appendix of the Chronicle of Monte Cassino, and by Arnoldus Uvion in book 1 of the *Lignum Vitae*, who also says that it has often been printed in various places. I have seen it printed together with the Rule and its exposition made by Cardinal Turrecremata, in the year 1517.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"transmission","kind":"transmission","basis":"text","lemma":"Eamdem epistolam affert appendix Chronici Cassinensis","severity":"info","text":"The Chronicon Casinense (Chronicle of Monte Cassino) is a key medieval chronicle; its appendix preserves this letter, indicating early circulation in Benedictine circles.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"Arnoldus Uvion Ligni Vitae lib. i","severity":"info","text":"Arnoldus Uvion (Arnold Wion) published the Lignum Vitae in 1595; his mention that the letter was 'often printed in various places' shows its wide dissemination in early modern editions.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"Eam vidi excusam una cum Regula et ipsius explicatione facta per cardinalem Turrecremata, anno 1517","severity":"info","text":"Cardinal Turrecremata (Juan de Torquemada) wrote an exposition of the Rule of St. Benedict; the 1517 edition combining letter, Rule, and commentary confirms the letter's association with Benedictine tradition.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"text","lemma":"anno 1517","severity":"info","text":"The 1517 date provides a terminus ante quem for the letter's circulation in print; it was already known to earlier chroniclers like those of Monte Cassino.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The identity of 'Arnoldus Uvion' is clear (Arnold Wion), but the precise edition of the Chronicon Casinense referred to is unspecified.","The phrase 'eam saepe diversis in locis impressam' is a claim by Wion; the exact number and locations of those printings are not given."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]}]}