In San Germano Vercellese, about 10 km east of Santhià, is the church of the same name, dedicated to Germanus of Auxerre (Saint Germain in French). Germanus is said to have been born in Auxerre around 378 and died in Ravenna on July 31, 448 (or as early as 437). He was a late antique bishop.
Germanus came from a noble Gallo-Roman family from Burgundy. After studying law in Rome, he became a lawyer (advocatus) for the prefect of his hometown of Auxerre and possibly later also commander-in-chief (dux) of the Roman troops in his province. He later withdrew from political life, began a monastic and ascetic life, became a priest and in 418 Bishop of Auxerre. He was the teacher of St. Patrick, who later became the patron saint of Ireland, and worked against Pelagianism on a visit to the British Isles (429). Due to his military experience, he may have also been involved in military operations on the island. Together with his wife Eustochia he promoted monasticism in Gaul.
In Christianity, Pelagianism is the teaching that human nature was not corrupted by original sin, but ultimately, as created by God, must be good if one does not want to assume that part of God's creation is evil.
Source: Wikipedia