Volksfrömmigkeit in der spätantiken Hagiographie. Potential und Grenzen eines umstrittenen Konzepts

The paper deals with the notion of »Volksfrömmigkeit« (»popular piety«) with regard to its usefulness for investigating certain conflicts within late antique Christianity. The cult of the martyrs and saints is a case in point of such discussions about illegitimate, even »pagan« practices of piety. Augustine's writings in particular display how bishops reac ted to this challenge not by prohibiting such practices but by educating their flock to omit popular customs.