Despite the challenges caused by “devaluation”, Sainte-Euphemia attracts new residents in search of tranquility.
Sainte-Eupémé-sur-Rivière-du-Sud is not the most passing village. Located a little away, between the roads 283 and 281, this small municipality of the MRC de Montmagny shines by its calm and its tranquility.
On the day of our visit, we only met two people on the street, as well as a type on a balcony with his dog. The immediate region has few industries and less and less agriculture or forestry. As for the local convenience store, it closed its doors. Ditto for the petrol station.
“We are devalued,” says the deputy mayor, Styves Laprise, a former soldier who returned to live on the scene of his childhood. “When I was young, it was more dynamic. We even had three hockey clubs. »»
Sign of times: The church was desecrated and renamed the heritage, a big step on the symbolic level. “It is an emotional, complex and expensive file,” said Laprise.
He explains to us that opinions are very “shared” with regard to the future of the building. Some would like to put it on the ground, others keep it. But it takes money for maintenance, and its heritage value is not sufficient to justify subsidies.
Photo Lilia Mestre, special collaboration
The Church of Sainte-Euphemia, which has been desecrated and renamed the heritage
The good news is that the place is still used: once a month, the municipality is organizing in the heritage of 5 to 7 to bring the world together and strengthen social life. To the right of the entrance, we also installed a bar for these informal meetings, which, we agree, is a little bizarre at the first glance. A little mass wine with your beer?
Despite these challenges, Sainte-Euphemia remains a charming and peaceful place. This is undoubtedly why the municipality is growing instead of raping. In one year, the population would have gone from 307 to 387 people. “Not huge, but a lot for us,” says Laprise.
Photo Lilia Mestre, special collaboration
Laprise styves, deputy mayor of Sainte-Eupémie
According to the deputy mayor, these new residents come from as far as Quebec, Montreal and even France. Some bought a piece of land, many take advantage of the advantages of telework. Most have one thing in common: “They came for tranquility,” notes Mr. Laprise.
The whole challenge is to integrate them into the social fabric and the reality of life in the region. Besides, it is also for this reason that these 5 to 7 have been organized in the old church. Combined exercise if any, but not 100 % effective, according to Jean-Claude Giroux, 81, secretary-treasurer of the factory. “It brings out a few …”, he says, avoiding finishing his sentence.
Whatever these little downsides, Sainte-Euphemia saw a discreet second breath. As proof: we even surveyed citizens to find out if they wanted a new convenience store. As these lines were written, the result was not yet known.
Miracle in the tomb
The parish of Sainte-Eupémie would have been officially founded in 1907. His name would come from a certain Bernier euphemia, which was nothing less than the mother of the first parish priest in residence, Joseph-Westlan Proulx!
As for euphemia, the saint, you have to be told. Because here, it is serious.
Image taken from Wikipedia
Holy euphemia of Chalcedon
According to Wikipedia, Saint Euphemia of Chalcedon is what is called a “megalomartyr”. Experts interviewed by The press admitted that they did not know this term, but agree that it translates the importance of the character.
This means that it is significant. Basically, she is in the top 40 !
Robin Jensen, theology teacher at the University of Notre Dame
What did she do to appear in this list? Well, it happens in two stages. First his death around 305, under the reign of the Diocletian emperor. Then his miracle, which occurred in 451.
Convicted for his religious beliefs, Euphémie is delivered to wild animals after being tortured. But surprise: they soften and begin to licked his wounds. Subsequently, the versions differ. The poor young woman will either be pierced with a spear, or beheaded or bitten by a bear, which will finish him.
And now that Euphemia is talking about her 146 years later, during the fourth ecumenical council which takes place in her hometown of Chalcedon (today a district of Istanbul).
You should know that this important assembly takes place in the basilica where its tomb is located. Several theological questions are on the agenda, including that of the double nature of Christ (100 % God or God and Man at the same time?). In the absence of a consensus on this crucial subject, God is asked to decide. The two camps deposit in the tomb of Saint Euphemia of rollers containing their profession of faith.
After eight days of prayer, when you reopen the tomb, the “heretical” thesis (100 % God) is in the dust with the feet of the saint, while the “orthodox” thesis (both man and God) rests brilliant on his chest, ready to enter his heart. The answer is quite clear.
To have helped the council to choose a dogma which is fundamental until today for the Catholic Church and for the Christian churches, this is what makes it quite important.
Sébastien Doane, professor of biblical studies at Laval University
According to legend, an earthquake of great magnitude struck Chalcedon at the time of the death of Euphemia, which today makes it the holy protector of earthquakes.
The relics of that which is more readily associated with the Orthodox dogma that Catholic would be mainly at the church which bears its name in Rovinj, in Croatia. But other small pieces would be kept at the Saint-Georges church in Patriarchate in Constantinople and Ravenne, Italy. Unlike the church of Sainte-Eupémé-sur-Rivière-du-Sud, there is no bar by entering right.
Sainte-Eupémie-sur-Rivière-du-Sud
- Foundation year: 1907
- Number of inhabitants: 387
- Point of interest: at the exit of the village, a small path leads to the otter waterfalls. Located in the Appalaches Regional Park, this well -kept secret is a must in the region.