Blood
Gregory of Tours writes, “Through intercourse with her companion the woman (Eve) conceived and bore two sons. But when God received the sacrifice of the one with honor, the other was inflamed with envy; he rushed on his brother, overcome and killed him, becoming the first parricide by shedding a brother's blood." The blood is symbolic of the Abel's life which was lost after his brother Cain exterminated him. Essentially, Cain is the foremost murderer based on the Biblical accounts.
Antichrist
Gregory of Tours explains, “But as to the end of the world, I hold beliefs which I learned from our forefathers, that Antichrist will come first. An Antichrist will first propose circumcision, asserting that he is Christ; next he will place his statue in the temple at Jerusalem to be worshipped.” The antichrist will be a signal to the termination of the world. According to Gregory of Tours, the antichrist will emulate Christ by endorsing circumcision to uphold his believability but his intention would be to promote idolatry and to undermine Christ.
‘Threads’
Gregory of Tours elucidates, "Although I have every intention of picking up the threads of this history of mine from the point which I reached in the preceding books the feeling of reverence which I have for him compels me to begin by saying something about Saint Salvius." Threads are representatives of accounts which Gregory compiles to create a comprehensive historical account. The accounts are diverse and disjointed: Gregory of Tour's role is to join them.
‘Carnal Desires’
Gregory of Tours affirms, “Salvius used often to tell the story of how, during his long years as a layman and while he as busying himself with world affairs, he never permitted himself to be ensnared by the carnal desires which so frequently fill the minds of young people.” Salvius’ capacity to resist the desires depicts his uniqueness. He is destined to be a saint; hence, he does not pursue the bodily desires which would impede him from reaching sainthood. Salvius’ role in life is to be a religious figure that is not distracted by the worldly pleasures and indulgences.
Frugality
Gregory of Tours reports, “He (Salvius) chose for himself a cell which was still more remote…Now that he had been elected Abbot, he lived just frugally as before, devoting all this time to reading and to prayer.” Salvius’ frugality is symbolic of his dedication to God. He denies himself possession and pleasures for he feels that they would hinder him in his religious quest. He does not exploit his rank as an Abbot to secure positions because his mission is religious and it necessitates sacrifices.
