ON THE FIVE HOLY MAIDENS
FROM LESBOS, MARTYRS.
CommentaryFive Maidens, from Lesbos, Martyrs (SS.)
G. H.
The aforementioned Menology of Guillelmus Sirletus, already corrected by us in the case of St. Zeno, hands down these things concerning these five Martyrs: On the same day, of five Martyrs, young men, from the city of Lesbos. Lesbos is an island, and in it a city, in the Aegean Sea, between Chios and the Troad: To some, young men, but it seems rather to have been the homeland than the arena of the Martyrs. According to this Menology, as cited before, these things are read in today's Roman Martyrology: On the island of Lesbos, the passion of five Holy Martyrs, where by the word "Saints," placed in place of "Youths," it is indicated that they were of the male sex. Galesinius went before, who in his Martyrology has these things: On the island of Lesbos of the five Holy Martyrs, who, although very young, by the strength of Christian virtue underwent martyrdom constantly and bravely. Greek tables are cited in the Notations; but what they are is not indicated. The monks Servites of the city of Bologna in the great square also looked to this, among whom, according to Masinus, are said to be preserved the relics of the Five Martyrs. But that they were maidens is proved by the Menaea, in which these things are held: more probably they were maidens, "On the same day, memorial of the holy five Martyrs, maidens from Lesbos." Perhaps in place of νεανίδων, maidens, the word νεανίσκων, young men, was taken. But the reading of the Menaea is confirmed by the Chiflet Synaxary MS.: in which they are called κόραι, maidens or virgins; and the kind of martyrdom is expressed, since they are said to have consummated their martyrdom by the sword. All of which is explained slain by the sword by the distich added in the Menaea.
The sword made the Lesbian maidens contestants — One, two, three, four, five.