Materne of Cologne
Originating in Lombardy, Materne was bishop of Cologne, Trier and Tongres at the end of the 3rd century and at the beginning of the 4th century of our era. Considered for its wisdom, near to the emperor Constantin, it would have taken part in the Concile of Rome in 313 and in that of Arles in 314. It would be deceased in 325 or 344.
Many legends allot to Materne the evangelization Alsace (construction of a place of worship in Ehl, old Roman garrison town under the name of Ellelum or Helvetum (today Benfeld); sanctuary of Dompeter to Molsheim; church Saint-Pierre-the-Old man with Strasbourg…) as well as towns of Tongres, Huy, Dining, Ciney, Namur and Walcourt, on the territory of current the Belgium. Materne would have also been at the origin of the foundation of the town of Waremme, as well as construction of places of worships to Namêche (Andenne), to Leffe or Foy-Our-Lady. It is also announced to Maastricht.
An old legend affirms that holy Materne would have rather lived at our era. He would have been the son deceased of the widow of Naïm, ressuscity by Jesus. Sent by holy Pierre in company of two disciples, Valère and Eucher, in order to évangéliser the north of the Gaulle and the Germanic, Materne according to the legend, would thus, always have imported the Christianisme in these areas as of, flux of many places of worships and évangélisant a great number of cities, in particular in the area mosane. The popular tradition allots to Materne several marvellous miracles and facts. Thus, with Ciney, it would have ressuscity the five children drowned of certain prince Clément, who controlled the condruzienne city then, thus causing conversion with the Catholicisme of this one and all its family. Another legend tells that Materne, of passage in the county of Salm, in the Ardenne S, would have brought back to the life the young person wire deceased of a relationship of the count, involving here also the conversion of the family. In Ehl in Alsace, Materne, exhausted by its voyages, died. Its disciples, not being able to do without its presence, turned over to Rome to seek the stick of holy Pierre, thanks to which they could ressusciter Materne for the second time. With Walcourt, Materne would have carved its own hands a statue of the Virgin Mary. With Namur finally, Materne would have been at the origin of the name of the city. It would have indeed reduced to silence a baptized pagan idol Nam, thus giving to the city the name of Nam-Mutus (Nam dumb), which was going to become later Namur.
Whatever the veracity of all these legends, it is clear that they testify that Materne was undoubtedly one of the pioneers of the evangelization of the Gaulle of North.
Saint Materne is venerated locally in September (the 14, 20 or 25 according to the places).
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