A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Genevieve, St.
GENEVIEVE, ST.,
The patroness of the city of Paris, was born in 423, at Manterre, and died January 3rd., 501. Five years after her death, Clovis erected the church of St. Genevieve, where her relics were preserved with great care.
St. Germain, Bishop of Auxerre, observing her disposition to sanctity, when she was quite young, advised her to take a vow of perpetual virginity, which she did. After the death of her parents, Genevieve went to Paris; and when the city was about to be deserted, in consequence of the approach of the Huns under Attila, she assured the inhabitants of entire safety if they would seek it by prayers. Attila went to Orleans and returned without touching Paris; and this event established Genevieve's reputation. In a time of famine she went along the Seine, and returned with twelve large vessels loaded with grain, which she distributed gratuitously among the sufferers. This increased her influence, so that Merovæus and Chilperic, kings of France, paid her the highest respect. From her fifteenth to her fiftieth year, she ate nothing but barley-bread, excepting now and then a few beans; after her fiftieth year, she allowed herself milk and fish.