Five Virgins of Sirmium

ON THE FIVE HOLY VIRGINS

MARTYRS AT SIRMIUM IN PANNONIA.

Five Virgins, Martyrs, at Sirmium in Pannonia (SS)

G. H.

That the ninth day of April may rightly and deservedly be called the feast of virginal blood writes Francis Mary Florentini in his Notes to the Hieronymian Martyrology, "when," he says, "the Church of old rejoiced for a twofold choir of holy virgins and martyrs." The said Martyrology of Saint Jerome begins with the first choir, in these words: "5th day before the Ides of April. In Sirmia the birthday of five Virgins, whose names God knows." So the apographs of Lucca and Blumianum, Corbie, and the ancient Epternach, which we have hitherto used; in this last, however, the addition of "God's notice" is lacking. In another only four were noted, but by a copyist's error; for in another Corbie Martyrology, written eight hundred years ago or more, five Virgins are named. The same things are found in the very old Martyrology of Saint Maximinus, and another of the Queen of Sweden much praised by Luke Holstenius; also in a manuscript Calendar found before some works of Isidore in the Vallicelliana library of the Congregation of the Oratory. But for "Sirmia" was written "Syria." The same five are commemorated also in the manuscript Martyrology of Tamlact, and in Notker. And from these five are distinguished another seven Virgins, who are reported in many calendars together with other holy Martyrs, as will be clear from the following class of Martyrs. For the rest, what is here called Sirmia is commonly called Sirmium, a city once most illustrious in lower Pannonia, and most famous as the arena of very many Martyrs, as we have said many times.