Note 446 — Chapter I · THE CHURCH’S YEAR (continued 3)

Remigius, a monk of St Germain, a diligent exegete who lived at the end of the ninth century, attempted to give an allegorical interpretation to the rites observed at the consecration of a church. The custom of writing the letters of the alphabet in Greek and Latin on the floor of the church seems to have presented difficulties to him. He commences his explanation of this rite by the words: “Quæ res puerilis ludus videretur, nisi ab apostolius viris instituta crederetur.” He interprets it as meaning that the Church instructs the unlearned in the elements of faith. His tractate in seven chapters is in Migne, Patr. Lat., cxxxi. 846-866. G. Mercati, however (Studi et Testi, Roma, 1902, 9) attributes it to Ivo of Chartres.