The church of Saint Denis’ claims that the French kingship is based upon saint Denis. Denis is taken to be the prince of France and the saint Denis church is built in the place where his relics were buried. Saint Denis wanted to establish a tie with the ruling dynasties. The French kingship system is closely related to the church. It therefore has its origin from Saint Denis’ church.
The pagans were Saint Denis’ rival. Every act by Denis made the pagans to hate him. They even went ahead to the extent of chopping off his head. King Louis VI was another rival. It is believed that he is responsible for the chopping of Saint Denis’ head. However, Saint Denis faith is so strong and he refuses to denounce his faith. As a way of countering their prestige, Denis created a community that was devoted to propagating the word of god. He established a church which later served as a missionary center.
Abbot Suger build one of the most luxurious churches of their times. He managed to do this by mobilizing other believers to do the work and also using revenue to finance the building of the church. He says that he build the church so that thanks might be given to the almighty god and that future may have a place to praise the almighty god. It was also constructed as a way of remembering and acknowledging the great work that was started by Saint Denis, Eleutherius and Rusticus three great martyrs before they were executed. Secondary sources asserts that he build the luxurious cathedral to seek mercy from god.
Discussion question: what is the reason behind Saint Denis decision to pick his head and walk for 6 miles preaching the gospel? How could he do that?
Bibliography
Wilson, Stephen. Saints and Their Cults: Studies in Religious Sociology, Folklore, and History. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]: Cambridge University Press, 1985.
Constable, Giles. Suger's Monastic Administration. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1985.
Gerson, Paula Lieber. Abbot Suger and Saint-Denis: A Symposium. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1986.
