A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

626 A Source Book for Ancient Church History[572]probably on Christmas Day, at Rheims, by St. Remigius.The place and date have been much disputed of late. Theearliest references to the conversion are by Nicetus of Trier(ob. circa 566), Epistula ad Chlodosvindam reginam Longobardorum(MSL, 5:375); and Avitus, Epistula 41, addressedto Chlodowech himself. (MSL, 59:257). A careful examinationof all the evidence may be found in A. Hauck,Kirchengeschichte Deutschlands, fourth ed., I, 595 ff. Hauckconcludes that “the date, December 25, 496, may be regardedas almost certainly the date of the baptism of Chlodowech.The connection as to time between the first war with theAlemanni and the baptism may have given occasion to seekfor some actual connection between the two events.” Theselection is therefore given as the traditional version and isnot to be relied upon as correct in detail. It represents whatwas probably the current belief within a few decades of theevent.Ch. 30. The queen (Chrotechildis) ceased not to warnChlodowech that he should acknowledge the true God andforsake idols. But in no way could he be brought to believethese things. Finally war broke out with the Alemanni. Then bynecessity was he compelled to acknowledge what before he haddenied with his will. The two armies met and there was a fearfulslaughter, and the army of Chlodowech was on the point of beingannihilated. When the king perceived that, he raised his eyes toheaven, his heart was smitten and he was moved to tears, and hesaid: “Jesus Christ, whom Chrotechildis declares to be the Sonof the living God, who says that Thou wilt help those in need andgive victory to those who hope in Thee, humbly I flee to Theefor Thy mighty aid, that Thou wilt give me victory over these myenemies, and I will in this way experience Thy power, which thepeople called by Thy name claim that they have proved to be inThee. Then will I believe on Thee and be baptized in Thy name.For I have called upon my gods but, as I have seen, they are far