John

ON SAINT JOHN,

Bishop of Naples.

THE YEAR 853.

John, Bishop of Naples (Saint)

BY G. H.

[1] Bartolomeo Chioccarello, in The Prelates of Naples, asserts on page 86, that in early times, by the Church of Naples and of certain neighboring cities, The ancient cult April 1, the feast of Saint John, Bishop of Naples, was accustomed to be celebrated on the first day of April: so he says he found it in many ancient manuscript Breviaries and ecclesiastical Offices: although in one of them it is found to be celebrated on April 2, and in another on the last day of March. Decio Carafa, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church and Archbishop of Naples, in the Catalogue of Saints who are venerated at Naples and through the diocese, and the modern, prescribes on the Kalends of April the feast of Saint John, Bishop of Naples, under double rite: and adds that it was formerly accustomed to be celebrated on this day, as is evident from a manuscript Calendar of the Church of Naples. Bonus the Consul, the author of his election, is said by Summonte to have taken office in the year 819: but he held it only a year and a half; and so John before his consecration administered the Episcopate with the title of Elect for more than twenty years. This is certain from the History of the Lombards by Erchempert, in Chioccarello page 86, the time of his election. that on the fourth day of the month of July, Indiction 19, the treaties of peace with John the Elect of the holy Church of Naples and Andrew the Master of soldiers (this latter succeeded Bonus after six months) were signed by Sicard, Prince of Benevento, and thus in the year 836. Moreover, because John is reported to have departed from this life on the Kalends of April, and indeed on Easter Eve, we think that the year 853 can be assigned to his death, when with the Lunar cycle 18, Solar 22, Dominical letter A, Easter was celebrated on the second day of April: and then, if with the said Chioccarello and Ferdinando Ughelli it is said that he lawfully sat eleven years, he would have been adorned with the Pontifical infula by Gregory IV in the year 842. And to this our calculation rightly agree and of his see, the time of Gregory IV, who died about January 25 in the year 844, the siege of Benevento, the sought and obtained aid of the Emperor Lothair, with Louis the son of Lothair leading the army.

[2] The Acts are given from John the Deacon, We give a double set of Acts, the first of which was written in a Chronicle

of the Bishops of Naples by John the Deacon of Naples, which he completed along with the Life of Saint Athanasius, Bishop of Naples (who had immediately succeeded Saint John), as a contemporary author. The later Acts were written from the earlier by John the Cimeliarch, and written by John the Cimeliarch. with some things omitted and added, by order of Archbishop Bernard, who is reported to have died in the year 1362: after whose death, as is clear from the Preface, he published this his lucubration, which posterity abridged and divided into Lessons to be read at Matins, as Chioccarello testifies it is had in the ancient Office. Both Acts were sent to us by our Antonio Beatillo, drawn from manuscripts. copied from codices of the Church of Naples. But the manuscript Chronicle of John the Deacon is preserved at Rome in the Vatican library.

[3] The tables of the Roman Martyrology on June 22, on which is celebrated the feast of Saint Paulinus Bishop of Nola, have this toward the end: "At Naples in Campania, of Saint John the Bishop, whom Blessed Paulinus the Bishop called to the heavenly realms." Baronius adds in the Notes with Saint Paulinus he is inscribed on June 22, that it is established that he departed this life on the Saturday preceding holy Easter: but why his birthday was transferred to this day he says he does not know. On the contrary Chioccarello says it is sufficiently established that when the certain day of death of some Saint is not known, he seems to be inscribed on that day on which some Saint's day is celebrated, on account of his apparition: with whom he has some connection or affinity, even if very slight, or of name only: as here, because Saint John was called by Blessed Paulinus to the heavenly realms. But who this John was is disputed. which by others is attributed to John I. John the Deacon in the Chronicle asserts that that John was the first of that name, and 14th Bishop; and proves that that apparition happened to him from the Life of Saint Paulinus, which Uranius indeed, an eye-witness, wrote, which is found published by Mombritius and Surius, and which John the Deacon found in old manuscripts. Others understand John IV: but Pierre-François Chifflet, in Paulinus Illustrated, thinks that the Troyes manuscript codex from which he copied Uranius's lucubration on Paulinus is perhaps older than John IV himself. But since in that Life John is said to have been "buried with a great pomp of neophytes," the same Chifflet opines that those are to be understood whom he had brought from paganism or Judaism to the Christian faith, and had already initiated adults by baptism: and that no one, or hardly anyone, of the adults through the times of the reigning Lothair had survived who might come by the name of neophyte, and could in that state honor the funeral of John IV. But John the Deacon contradicts himself, when he says the said John I sat in the times of Popes Damasus and Siricius, but this one seems to others to have died before Paulinus. and of Emperors Valentinian and Valens, Gratian and Theodosius: while meanwhile Uranius, the eye-witness, says that Saint Paulinus died on the 10th day before the Kalends of July, in the consulship of Bassus and Antiochus, which was the year of Christ 431. Chifflet admits these things, and corrects that John I should be said to have flourished under the Pontiffs Innocent, Zosimus, Boniface, and Celestine; and the Emperors Arcadius and Honorius, Theodosius Junior also and Valentinian III. But this correction is very notable: in preference to which others prefer to say that by error the apparition which had been made to John IV was attributed to John I. The Apparition annexed to the Life of Saint Paulinus. Chioccarello adds that in the most ancient manuscript codices he saw, Uranius's relation of Paulinus's death is had, in which these things about John are lacking: moreover that Saint Gregory of Tours (who flourished in the sixth century, and reported nearly verbatim the departure of Saint Paulinus which Uranius had written) passes over these things about John the Bishop in silence. Antonio Caracciolo, in the Sacred Monuments of the Church of Naples, chapter 34, treats of Saint John IV, and also relates that he was called to the heavenly realms by Saint Paulinus the Bishop, and asserts that the narrative of an Anonymous author was joined to Uranius, in ancient Lectionaries. with the thread of speech in no way interrupted. For the form of the Lectionary, which rose from the narrative of the life, so required, that from several authors the reading might be continued as though of one only. For rarely was the writer of Acts or the author of History named in the public Offices of the Church: whence on that account the names of authors who wrote sacred histories have perished; and all knowledge of them, with great detriment to the Acts, has perished. These things Caracciolo has, as nearly the same Ughelli.

[4] Their opinion is favored by the fact that John I is not held among the Saints at Naples, The body of Saint John on the great altar as John IV is, whose body now rests in the church of Saint Restituta, on the great altar, on which his name is read written, as Chioccarello and Ughelli testify. Caracciolo thus concludes his elogium: "This finally must be added in praise of John, that he was formerly invoked, with Athanasius his disciple, in the ancient Litanies of the Capuan Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, his name in the ancient Litanies, which exist in a manuscript codex of prayers, written in Lombardic letters." Baronius suspects more things, in the Notes on June 22, in these words: "We know that at Naples there are most noble churches dedicated to God with the name of Saint John: but because none of them is named with the name of John the Bishop, but of John the Baptist, whether some church was once dedicated to him at Naples? I think this has been done by the injury of the times, and the poverty of old monuments, so that his church, called Saint John, has passed over into the name of Saint John the Baptist: of which matter we also find other examples in other places." Cesare Eugenio Caracciolo, in Sacred Naples, describes twelve churches dedicated there to some Saint John: whether any was formerly sacred to this Saint John, could be more accurately inquired by the Neapolitans.

LIFE

By John the Deacon as author.

From a manuscript codex of the Vatican Library.

John, Bishop of Naples (Saint)

BHL Number: 4416

BY JOHN DEAC. FROM MS.

[1] If I shall have tried to write his life or his morals, how from his youth he lived justly and piously, I shall be a burden not only to my own adolescence, whose senses are still shut up on account of age, but even to the more sagacious. Yet as much as my strength suffices, to spread his praise to posterity, we take care to relate somewhat of the acts of his life: first beseeching that it may in no way be mocked, because in the ranks of the world he did not descend from noble lineage; because he who is of right nobility, which flourishes in Christ, knew the Lord, from the beginning, in the company of the poor and needy. Born of poor parents, Therefore begotten of lowly parents, he passed a poor childhood. But when he grew up, he did not, as that age is wont, follow the allurements of the world, but rather chose to subject himself to the hands of teachers; that imbued with letters, he might know how to give himself to the Lord alone. But he sought masters not especially of the liberal arts, but chiefly of divine doctrine: for he desired to offer himself wholly to God. educated in sacred doctrine, Whose desire the Lord mercifully deigned to fulfill; for he shone forth as a distinguished teacher of divine doctrine, and especially he knew how to write in such a way that from the office he received the surname, and was called by all John the Scribe. His feet also rarely touched the public square. He always kept in his heart the simplicity of the dove with the prudence of the serpent. Surnamed the Scribe. For insults he exhibited not evil but obedience: and on this account sweet to all, dear to all, by heavenly nod he was promoted to the honor of the Diaconate.

[2] In his heart patience and simplicity persevered, grieving more at the insults of others than his own, He is ordained deacon: especially at the captivity of Bishop Tiberius, so that he fell sick, afflicted. But, as we have above related, when Bonus the Consul was afflicting Tiberius with a dark prison and execrable famine, he grieves over the captivity of his predecessor Tiberius: he ordered all the Clerics to be gathered three and four times, that he might offer them one Elect. But he alone, when some were trying to take up, indeed invade, that same See, absent went against it. At last, afflicted with many insults, he was led before Bonus the Consul; who with fierce breast and garrulous mouth began to threaten him. After a little while, moved by fury, he swore to make none Elect but him. But he cried: "With my Prelate living, I will not be an invader of the See." Whence the Duke very angry said he would cut Tiberius's throat, and confiscate all the servants and possessions of the whole episcopate. Then he, distressed on all sides, led his mind through various paths; on this side fearing the heavenly examination for the Prelate's murder and the ruin of the pontificate; on that side the Apostolic sentence and the infamy of the people. lest he be killed he deals with Bonus the Consul or Duke, But when out of regard for mercy he preferred to suffer human rather than divine detriment, he said to the Consul: "If you shall be willing by oath to ratify that I may have license to enter to Bishop Tiberius, and by no means lead him out of that very Episcopate, nor make any stain on his body; although at peril of my head, I will give consent." This promise immediately having been received, elected and exalted; he is elected Bishop, to Bishop Tiberius finally how much quiet and how much humanity he showed, I cannot easily say.

[3] Meanwhile Bonus the Consul, with the circle of one year and six months completed, with Bonus dead and Leo his son, died: whom Leo, his son, succeeded. But this Leo, after six months' days, his father-in-law Andrew drove out, and he himself was made Consul. This Andrew, at the request of this Elect, lifted up Bishop Tiberius from the pit of misery and darkness, He obtains that Tiberius be led from prison. and placed him under guard in a chamber, before the church of the martyr Januarius. But meanwhile against this Andrew, Sicard, Prince of the Beneventans, son of Sico, devised innumerable invasions. For which things Duke Andrew, disturbed, sending an Apocrisiarius, summoned a most powerful host of Saracens. By whose dread Sicard terrified, with a treacherous peace made with him as for a time, returned all the captives to him. And amid the Lombardic and Saracen inroads, Not much later, when those Saracens were returning, he broke the peace and enlarged his hostilities against Naples. Then Andrew the Consul sent to Francia, entreating the Lord Lothair, that at least by his precept Sicard might be lulled from such great evils. Wherefore he sent Contard, his faithful man, that if he would not cease to persecute the Parthenopean people, he himself might heal his insane fury. But when this Contard had come to Naples, hearing that Sicard had been slain by his own fellow citizens, he wished to return to his lord. Whom Andrew the Master of soldiers, because of the imminent Lombard hostility, took care to detain, promising to give him his daughter Euphrasia in marriage, who had been the wife of the aforesaid Leo, son of Duke Bonus. This promise having been received, remaining, the dukes Andrew and Contard slain in the Episcopate, he scorned to return. But when the same Contard learned that this union was being prolonged by mockery, he conspired with the enemies of Consul Andrew, and struck him with the sword in the place of the basilica of Saint Lawrence, which is called "at the fountains," and taking up the consulate, married the same Euphrasia. and Contard in the Episcopate, The Neapolitans

indeed, disturbed by the most shameful death of their Duke, after three days rushed unanimously upon the Episcopate, in which he was staying; and having taken up Sergius, and after a fierce battle waged, slaughtered Contard and his wife and his men: and then taking counsel, placing Sergius, son of Marinus and Euphrasia, with willing mind as duke, they sent messengers ahead to Cumae, that they might hasten him to be made a useful Consul. For at the dawn of the same day on which Duke Andrew was slain, he had directed him as legate to Sichenolph, Prince of Salerno, who was then besieging Benevento. (For indeed in those very days the Principate of the Lombards was divided.) Who when he was returning in the Suessulan territory, heard that Contard had been killed. But in order to learn the truth thence, he proceeded to the Cumaean Castle. Hence therefore having called him, they appointed him Master of soldiers.

[4] by Tiberius on the day before his death he is praised: These things being so done, to Bishop Tiberius, placed in the aforesaid custody, his last day approached: who on the day before he died, sitting in the Pontifical Cathedra, made such a speech to the people concerning Lord John the Elect. "You know, dearest brothers, that pressed down by the mass of my sins, by just judgment I have been delivered to men without mercy. But the Lord, who leads to the depths of tribulation and brings back, and who with the temptation makes a way out to bear it; permitted this my present son, Lord John, to enter our See, that I might have the consolation of the greatest tribulation. And therefore we do not wish your charity to be ignorant, that for such humanity as he has bestowed on me, even if I should speak with all my members, I could in no way give him thanks. Yet because more moved by mercy of my consolation than by presumption, with me living, he has assumed the Episcopate, let no condemnation threaten him either from the Roman See or from other men. For of this profession, which I have freely made for him, we have determined to have you as witnesses of the truth, before God and all powers." When he had said this, he rose from the throne, ordering himself to be carried to his little bed: where for two days praising the Lord, and imploring pardon of his sins, he migrated from the world. Whose body Lord John buried with veneration in the church of Saint Januarius: Sergius the Consul likewise, animated by the profession which Tiberius the Bishop had made, sending his Apocrisiarii to Rome, more earnestly asked John the Elect to be enthroned. But Lord Pope Gregory of Romulus deferred a petition of this kind so long, until, a legation having been sent, he canonically investigated, and by the authority of Pope Gregory IV lest he should have invaded the Pontifical See. But when he had received the sworn satisfaction of the clerics and laymen and also of the Duke himself, that he had neither taken the See willingly nor invaded it, nor had done anything against Tiberius but for Tiberius, and, he is appointed Bishop. as he himself had confessed before all, had taken care to bestow many good things on him in his peril; immediately having been summoned, he adorned him with the pontifical infula.

[5] He excels in virtues, especially humility and charity: Moreover having been made Bishop, what and how great he showed himself, no tongue of flesh could tell: for he made himself all things to all, that he might gain all. He reverenced the aged as fathers, he loved the young as brothers, he never returned to any one evil for evil, he rebuked no one except for his own crimes. Whom mourning did he not console? With whom sick was he not sick? So he presided over all, that he himself seemed rather subject. So he was a Pontiff according to the Apostle, that he had also a good testimony from outsiders; for he was seen through all things as nothing but pious, nothing but just, nothing but holy. 1 Tim. 3:7 To what end are these things? Are we of such great genius that we can express his praises? Does it not escape us that we professed to be able to speak somewhat of him? What then? Let us gird ourselves to other things; and these, because they are most eminent, let us leave.

[6] He orders sacred vessels to be made: For confecting the holy Chrism therefore he made one gilded ampulla, on the lips of which he inscribed his name: he also acquired thymiateria of gold, of excellent workmanship, and with similar labor wrought a golden Cross: and with his own hand he copied many useful codices. He raises the bodies of the Bishops: The bodies also of his predecessors, from the tombs in which they lay, he lifted up; and placing them one by one in the Stephania church, he fitted each an arched tomb, and painted above them their effigies.

[7] These things running their course, as we have intimated, Lord John the Bishop, a man of all sanctity, He dies piously: felt the day of his dissolution to be at hand for him, on which he might receive the grace of his name: for he rejoiced that dissolved in a short space of time, he would make an end to his struggle, and be much better with Christ in perpetuity. For seven days also held by the force of infirmity, watching assiduously in prayer, he returned thanks to the Lord. These being passed, he rested in peace. The whole people plainly mourned, He is buried. bereft of so great a Pastor: but the choir of Angels exulted, because it received its fellow-citizen in the heavens. Both sex and every age, leading his noble funeral to the basilica of Saint Januarius, placed him officially.

ANNOTATIONS.

ANOTHER LIFE

By John the Cimeliarch of the Neapolitan Church as author, from a manuscript codex of the same Church.

John, Bishop of Naples (Saint)

BHL Number: 4417

BY JOHN CIMELIARCHA.

PREFACE.

[1] On a certain day, Archbishop Bernard of good memory (whose soul may paradise possess) was having with me, as with one most familiar and his subject, At the suggestion of Archbishop Bernard, in his consistory a conversation about divine things; concerning the holy bodies, which hitherto have been placed in the Neapolitan church, with divine clemency inspiring, it happened that mention was made. Among which we remembered to be the venerable body of Saint John, Bishop of the same Church, who is commonly called ad Acquarolam; which holy body is said to have been placed from of old in a tomb which is before the small door of that church, on which his image is seen painted; but now is firmly placed on the altar which is beside the gate by which one goes to the church of Saint John at the fountains, which altar is called the altar of the Trinity. And since his Life, from the Chronicle of John the Deacon. and how he was taken up to the episcopate, and how he laudably conducted himself in it, was had in the ancient Chronicle; and yet no Legend that might be read in his honor on his feast appeared to have been written, the said Bernard the Archbishop said that he would consider it good if the Legend of that most holy John were composed and written by someone, with the matter and form taken from the aforesaid Chronicle: which he himself had proposed to do, he wrote the Life of Saint John. had he not been prevented by death. Now because what seemed good and useful to so great a Father, ought the more to seem necessary to me; therefore I John the Cimeliarch, John the Cimeliarch. though least of all the clerics, following the will and affection of the aforesaid my Lord Archbishop, having invoked the divine help of Jesus Christ, with Saint John himself helping, not for boasting, but for reverence and devotion to him, took care, according to the ability of my small genius, to compile his life and conversation and death (according to what I found in the Chronicle) to the honor of the Church of Naples and of the Chapter.

ANNOTATIONS.

HISTORY OF THE LIFE

[2] Therefore begotten from the lowest parents, he passed a poor childhood. Born of poor parents. But when he grew up, he did not (as that age requires) follow the allurements of the world, but rather chose to subject himself to the commands of teachers; that imbued with letters, he might know how to give himself to the Lord alone. For he sought masters not of the liberal arts, but of divine doctrine: and he desired to offer himself wholly to God. Whose desire the Lord mercifully deigned to fulfill: for he shone forth as a distinguished teacher of divine doctrine: especially he knew how to write in such a way and educated in sacred doctrine, that from the office he received his surname, and was called by all John the Scribe. His feet also rarely touched the public square. He always kept in his heart the simplicity of the dove with the prudence of the serpent. For insults, he exhibited not evil but obedience: and on this account sweet to all, dear to all, by heavenly nod he was promoted to the honor of the diaconate.

[3] He is ordained Deacon: But in his heart the same patience, the same simplicity persevered; grieving more at the insults of the clerics than at his own; especially from the captivity of his predecessor Bishop Tiberius, so that he fell sick, afflicted. He grieves over the captivity of Bishop Tiberius: For the aforesaid Bishop Tiberius had been captured by Bonus, Consul of the city, who against the Church of God, to the heap of his own perdition, began to perpetrate evils: to whom when the same Tiberius did not hesitate to offer resistance, choosing rather to incur the wrath of the earthly than of the heavenly Judge; he continually threatened him with divine examination. This Bonus the Consul, laying hands on him, seized the same: and having bound him in the darkness of prison, tightly wasted him with bread and water. And when thus he was afflicting him, he ordered all the Clerics to be gathered three and four times, that they might offer him Saint John as Elect. But he alone, when many were trying to take up, indeed invade, that same See, absent was against it. At last, afflicted with many insults, he was led before Bonus the Consul; who with fierce breast, garrulous mouth, began strongly to threaten, and after a little, driven by fury, swore to make no one Elect but him. But he contradicting cried: "With my Prelate living, I will not be an invader of the See." Whence the Duke very angry, by sentence ordered the same Tiberius

to be killed, lest he be killed, he deals with Duke Bonus and to confiscate all the servants and possessions of the whole Episcopate, unless he should acquiesce to him. Then Blessed John, distressed on all sides, was led in mind through various paths; on this side dreading, for the Prelate's death and the ruin of the pontificate, the heavenly examination; on that side the Apostolic sentence, and the infamy of the people. But when out of regard for mercy he preferred to suffer human rather than divine detriment, he said to the Consul: "If you shall be willing to ratify by oath that I may have license to enter to Bishop Tiberius, and that you will not take him out of his episcopate, and permits himself to be elected Bishop. nor make any stain on his body; though at peril of my head, I will give consent." This promise having been received, he was elected and exalted. But to Bishop Tiberius how much quiet, and how much humanity he showed, is not within our faculty to unfold. Meanwhile Bonus the Consul, when the circuit of one year and six months was completed, died: to whom Leo his son succeeded.

[4] by Tiberius on the day before his death he is praised: These things being so done, to Bishop Tiberius, placed in the aforesaid custody, his last day approached. Who on the day before he died, sitting in the pontifical Cathedra, made such a speech to the people concerning Blessed John the Elect: "You know, dearest Brothers, that pressed down by the mass of my sins, by just judgment I have been delivered to men without mercy. But the Lord, who leads away to the depths of tribulation and brings back, and who with the temptation makes a way out, to bear it; permitted this my present son, Lord John, to enter our See, that I might have the consolation of my greatest tribulation. And therefore we do not wish your charity to be ignorant, that for such great humanity as he has bestowed on me, even if I should speak with all my members, I could in no way render him thanks. Yet because more moved by mercy of my consolation, than by presumption, with me living, he has assumed my episcopate; let no condemnation threaten him, either from the Roman See, or from other men. Of this profession, which I have made for him before God and all powers, I have decreed to have you as witnesses of the truth." With this said, he rose from the throne, ordering himself to be carried to his little bed; where for two days praising the Lord, and imploring pardon for his sins, he buries him honorably after death: he migrated from the world: whose body Blessed John buried with veneration in the church of Saint Januarius.

[5] So Sergius, animated by the profession which blessed Tiberius the Bishop had made, sending his apocrisiarii to Rome, more earnestly asked that Blessed John the Elect be enthroned. But Lord Pope Gregory the Roman so long deferred the petition of this man, until a legation having been sent he canonically investigated by Pope Gregory IV whether he had snatched the pontifical See. But when he received the sworn satisfaction of the clerics and laymen, and also of the Duke himself, that he had neither willingly invaded the See, nor had done anything against Tiberius, but for Tiberius, and (as he himself had confessed before all) had taken care to bestow many good things on him in his peril; he is appointed Bishop: immediately having been summoned he adorned him with the pontifical infula. Moreover, made Bishop, what and how great he showed himself, no tongue of flesh could tell. For he made himself all things to all, that he might gain all for Christ. He reverenced the aged as fathers; he loved the young as brothers: he never returned to anyone evil for evil, he rebuked no one except for his own crimes. He excels in virtues, Whom mourning did he not console? So he presided over all, that he himself seemed rather subject. So he was Pontiff according to the Apostle, that he also had a testimony from without. For he was seen through all things as nothing but pious, nothing but just, nothing but holy.

To what end are these things? Are we of such great genius, that we can express his praises? Does it not escape us, who have professed, that we can say very little about him? What then? He makes golden ornaments for the church: Let us gird ourselves to other things; and these, which are most well known, let us leave. For confecting the holy Chrism he therefore made one ampulla of gold, on the lips of which he inscribed his name. He also acquired two censers of gold, of excellent workmanship: and with similar labor wrought a Cross. And with his own hand he copied many useful codices. He elevates the bodies of the Bishops: The bodies also of his predecessors, from the tombs in which they had lain, he raised up; and placing them one by one in the Stephaniae church, he fitted each an arched tomb, and painted above their effigies.

[7] In that time finally with Theophilus dead, and his son Michael reigning, many ships of the Saracens began to pirate through Italy… Then Sergius the Consul, The Saracens at first conquered, together with the Nobles of Naples, Amalfi, and Gaeta, not in the multitude of the peoples, but trusting in the mercy of the Lord and the prayers of this Bishop, undertook war with them: which Saracens being conquered, with the Lord protecting, he swiftly triumphed. And because he had the victory over those pagans, and also over the Ishmaelites who dwelt at Licosa; a great army of the Palermitan Saracens arriving, afterwards increased with new forces, took the castle of Misenum: and then the Africans, desiring to devastate this whole region with a strong arm, came upon Rome; and with judgment hastening from heaven, plundered the church of the Apostles, and all they found outside, with lamentable ruin and horrible captivity. On this account King Lothair, moved, They overcome by cunning the Franks sent by Emperor Lothair: sent the fierce people of the Franks against them: who hastening quickly, pursued them as far as Gaeta. But these Saracens, devising their usual trick, in narrow places and on a steep hill hid some bolder ones. The Franks, ignorant of their cunning, were trying to descend upon them manfully. But those, leaping from the hiding place, with God angry, first struck their standard-bearer: which being slain, with all turning their backs, they were most powerfully killed; and unless Caesarius, son of Duke Sergius, who had come with the ships of the Neapolitans and Amalfitans, had engaged in a shore conflict with them, they would in no way have desisted from pursuing. Rejoicing therefore, afterwards compelled by a storm, as most pagan, in so great a triumph, they were threatening to take the city of Gaeta: but Caesarius, son of the aforesaid Sergius, from the opposite side with his rafts in the port of the same city, turning aside more as guardian than assailant, by the Lord's protection resisted them.

[8] Meanwhile the omnipotence of the Savior, who humbles those exalting themselves, and glorying in their own strengths, stirred up a timely tempest, threatening shipwreck to the prows of such great pride: and terrified, they asked Caesarius for a pact to be given to them, with pacts made they depart. that they might bring their ships to land, and when calm weather was made, they might hasten more quickly to their own. This being immediately reported to Duke Sergius, he ordered it to be done under oath, fearing lest with the ships wrecked they should take the land. Which being done, and calm weather restored, they began to go. As they were entering the vastness of the sea, the Lord stirred up the south wind, by which dispersed and sunk, very few of them returned to their own seats. In that same year also, at the supplication of this Duke Sergius, and of the Lombard princes, and by the counsel of the same Blessed John, Emperor Lothair directed his son Louis, a young man of good adolescence, Others are coerced by Louis the son of Lothair. because of the bands of Saracens staying under the King of Apulia, devastating the borders of all. Who coming, accompanied by heavenly aid, triumphed over those Ishmaelites: and coming sagaciously, with the division of the princes of Benevento and Salerno calmed, returned a victor.

[9] These things being so done, Blessed John the Bishop, a man of all sanctity, felt his last day to be at hand, about which, rejoicing and exulting, he desired to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Yet these things also, which before his end he saw concerning Blessed Paulinus of Nola, I have thought necessary to annex. For on the third day before Saint John migrated from this world to the Lord, he told all his Clerics that he had seen Saint Paulinus, Before his death Saint John is visited by Saint Paulinus appearing. clothed and adorned with Angelic dignity, all snowy, all starry, and shining with a rosy fragrance; holding also in his hand a most white honeycomb, and saying to him: "Brother John, what are you doing here? Loose the bonds of your weariness, and come to us: for this food, which I hold in my hand, is with us in great abundance." And when he had said this, he embraced him, and put into his mouth part of that honeycomb: he received a honeycomb. whose sweetness and fragrance Saint John said he so desired, that if in that same revelation it had been possible for him, he would in no way have departed from his footsteps. For awakened from sleep, on that same day, that is, on Thursday, according to his custom, having rewarded all the clerics and the poor, whole he celebrated the Lord's Supper. Having saluted the people he dies on Holy Saturday. But on Saturday, at the sixth hour of the day, he went joyful to the church; and ascending the tribunal, according to custom saluted the people: resaluted by the people, he gave the prayer; and the prayer being collected, on the altar he breathed out his spirit: and at length through the whole night he was watched in the church. But the next day, that is, of Easter, with lamps and candles lighted, with a great pomp of neophytes, with a multitude of peoples also following, being brought to the tomb, he received a glorious and laudable burial. In which also to the present day he does not cease to heal the bellies of the faithful from pains, and to shine forth with other various miracles, to the honor and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen. But Blessed John sat in the Episcopate seven years and nine months and twenty-two days: and was the forty-fourth Bishop of Naples.

ANNOTATIONS.