ON THE HOLY MARTYRS MAXIMUS, QUINTILIAN, DADA, AT DOROSTORUM IN LOWER MOESIA OR BULGARIA.
UNDER DIOCLETIAN.
PrefaceMaximus the Reader, Martyr, at Dorostorum in Lower Moesia, or Bulgaria (Saint) Quintilian, Martyr, at Dorostorum in Lower Moesia, or Bulgaria (Saint) Dada, Martyr, at Dorostorum in Lower Moesia, or Bulgaria (Saint)
G. H.
[1] The memory of these Martyrs is celebrated among the Greeks, who first celebrate them on April 13; and they have this elogium in the printed and manuscript Menaea and in Maximus, Bishop of the Cythereans: "On the same day, Elogium of their life related on April 13, from the Menaea. the contest of the holy Martyrs Maximus, Cintillian, and Dada. These Saints were in the times of the most impious Emperors Maximian and Diocletian; when, captured in the region of Oxebia, they were handed over to the Consuls Tauricius and Gaius: by whom, being questioned about the faith, and freely confessing Christ, they were cast into prison. While they were there taking sleep, the devil came and sent them dreams and thoughts against the faith. But they, roused, at once rising, gave themselves to prayers, and mutually strengthened each other to constancy: and an Angel of the Lord coming greatly strengthened them. When day broke, they had risen up, and very many things they suffered from the impious: but they could never be forced to deny Christ, but openly and nobly confessed Him to be the true God and creator of all. Wherefore they were cruelly scourged and thrust back into prison, and again afflicted with other cruel tortures, and at last were beheaded." Thus that elogium: from which these few things have been translated into Sirletus' Menology: By Sirletus' Menology, "On the same day, of the holy Martyrs Maximus, Quintilian and Dada, beheaded under the Emperors Maximian and Diocletian." By the Roman Martyrology and Galesinius. They are commemorated in the present Roman Martyrology with the same Menology cited in the Notes. But Galesinius adorns them with a similar elogium as we have given, and calls the second also Cintillian, and reports that they suffered in Greece. But actually "in the Oxebian region," in Greek ἐν χώρᾳ τῇ Ὀξηβίᾳ. These matters will be further elucidated in what follows.
[2] April 28 That the proper birth-day of these Martyrs, on which they completed their glorious contest, is the 28th of this month of April, will appear below from the Acts themselves: on which day, in the Greek Synaxarium manuscript from the Synaxarium manuscript which belongs to the College of Clermont of the Society of Jesus at Paris, the following is read: "Contest of the holy Martyrs Maximus, Dada, and Cyntillian. These were in the times of Diocletian and Maximian, under the Consuls Gabinius and Tarquinius, originating from the city of Dorostolum in Second Moesia. Of these, Saint Maximus was a Reader of the holy Church, excellently exercised in the sacred Scriptures, who by his learning instructed and confirmed all the Saints there, and brought others to the faith of Christ. For which cause being denounced to the Consuls, he was with Dada and Cyntillian brought to examination: with whom, sincerely and without any fiction of mind, he declared his feeling, openly and before all confessing the faith of Christ. Soon therefore he was first cast into prison with his fellow athletes, where they soon were all filled with confident boldness by an Angel of God. Afterwards they were led out from prison, and stretched out naked on the ground, were torn with vehement rods, and were sentenced to have their necks cut off. At the command of the Consuls therefore they were transferred from there to their own possession, called Ozobia, whose inhabitants received the sacred head of Saint Maximus, and placed it, as a final consummation, in accordance with the command of the Consuls, in an iron crown girt about with sharp nails: as if he had said many and grave blasphemies against the gods. Afterwards the precious relics of these Martyrs were transferred to Constantinople, and deposited in the Church of the Virgin Mother of God in Biglentium, in which the sacred solemnity of these Martyrs is performed." Thus there. So the homeland and arena of martyrdom of these men is Dorostorum, or Durostorum or Durostolon, the episcopal city of the Triballi in Lower Moesia, now ascribed to Bulgaria: from which Ozobia, above called Oxebia, does not seem to have been far. and by the Menology of Emperor Basil. Another elogium is had in the Menology of Basil Porphyrogenitus, which we add to these for its antiquity and some variety, and is of this kind, placed in first position: "Day 28 of the month of April. Contest of the holy Martyr Dada and his companions. The Martyrs of Christ Dadas, Maximus, and Cyntillian were under the Emperor Maximian, Tarquinius being Consul, from the city of Dorostorum in Macedonia: of these Maximus was in the holy Church of God a Reader, a notable interpreter of divine Scriptures, who in the name of Christ openly taught His religion. But Dadas and Cyntillian were his disciples, most dear to him. Accordingly they were denounced to the Governor of the city and seized, and brought to him. When, being interrogated by him, with the greatest confidence of mind they had professed Christ, they were thrust into prison: from which, afterwards being led out, and ordered to adore the idols, they constantly refused: Wherefore stripped and stretched on the ground, they were beaten by four attendants, and afterwards beheaded. Their Relics, transferred thence, were honorably deposited at Constantinople." Molanus mentions them in his Additions to Usuard.
[3] August 2, on account of the finding of the relics, A third day ascribed to the solemnity of these Martyrs is the second of the month of August, concerning which in the same Greek Synaxarium manuscript at Paris the following is had: "On the same day, the Finding of the sacred relics of Maximus, Dada, and Cyntillian, made through an Angel. from the Synaxarium manuscript, These were under the Emperor Maximian in the city of Dorostolum in Second Moesia: and when they had been offered to Tarquinius the Consul, and were unwilling to sacrifice to the gods, they were beaten and carried off to their own place, called Ozobia, where on April 28 they were beheaded. But when for many years their precious relics had lain hidden unknown, they were made manifest through an Angel on August 2: which to this day are deposited in the temple of the most holy Mother of God at Biglantium, where also their solemnity is celebrated." This there, which also is had in the Chifflet manuscripts and printed Menaea, the Menaea, in which on April 28 they are said to have been slain at Ozobia: but "Rhedostolon" is wrongly read for "Dorostolon." These verses on the finding are added in them:
Τρεῖς ἐκφέρουσα γῆ νεκροὺς ζωηφόρους Πόλῳ λέγειν ἔοικε σὺ κρύψας ἔχε.
"The earth, bearing forth three dead who give life, Seems to say to heaven: 'Keep them, having hid them.'"
This solemnity is also recalled in the Menology of Emperor Basil and the Emperor's Menology. and in the Turin Menaea manuscripts of the Duke of Savoy.
[4] Finally a fourth day ascribed to their solemnity is July 28, in the same Synaxarium manuscript and the Menaea, with a fourth companion added, in these words: July 28 from the same. "Contest of the holy Martyrs Cyntian, or Cyntillian, Dada, Maximus, and Callinicus. Their solemnity is performed in Biglantium." There were several Martyrs called Callinicus. Quite famous is Saint Callinicus Cilix, Martyr, who on July 29 also had a public cult at Constantinople. We treated more fully of Saint Callinicus the Martyr, companion of Saints Thyrsus and Leucius, on January 28.
[5] Claimed for Spain. These things set forth at length will not suffice for certain Spaniards, who have thrust their names into the pseudo-Chronicles of Dexter and Julian: and in Dexter they have these things for the year 290: "At Octaviola in Vezozabia, the holy Martyrs Maximus and Dadas." And more fully in Julian in his Adversaria, no. 217, in these words: "Maximus, Dadas, and Quintilian are famous in Spain, who under the Judge Tarquinius Consularis, who by command of Dacius, Governor of all Spain, ruled Tarraconensis, suffered on April 28 in the city of Octaviolia of the Cantabri, in whose estate Okonia was." And so that nothing might be lacking, Tamajus Salazar added in his Spanish Martyrology some Acts from a Calahorra manuscript and others, Greek Acts in place of which we give the Greek Acts, rendered into Latin by William Sirletus at the wish of Aloysius Lipomanus, who edited them in volume 7 of the Lives of the holy Fathers, part 2. composed at Grottaferrata, Sirletus received them from a manuscript collection of Lives which he had found in the library of Grottaferrata, whence it was afterwards transferred to the Vatican. But this collection is not of Simeon Metaphrastes, as the said authors with Laurentius Surius have supposed: but after his death, with some centuries elapsed, it was compiled by the Greek monks of the said monastery: who, I know not whence, not without errors in noting the names of the Emperors, seem to have transcribed exemplars depraved by the fault of some unskilled copyist. For the first and last words are plainly corrupted, which are read thus: "At which time reigned Maximus and Maximianus, very impious men, Gabinius and Tarquinius being Consuls, in the second year of their reign, the fury of the devil broke out against Christian men." And again at the end: "The Saints suffered under the rule of Maximus and Maximian, Tarquinius and Galinius being Consuls."
[5] What is here called the "second year of the reign," in Greek ἐν τῇ δευτέρᾳ αὐτῶν ἀρχῇ, they are explained in some ways, ought to be the year of Christ 286, in which Maximian Herculeus was created Augustus from Caesar by Diocletian, and the Consuls were M. Junius Maximus and Vettius Aquilinus; and Junius Maximus was furthermore administering the Prefecture of the city: so that his name could seem to have crept into the place of Diocletian, who was then ruling in his second year. But Gabinius and Tarquinius can well enough be understood not to have been Consuls of Rome, but only Proconsuls or Consulares, men who were sent to consular provinces, such as are assigned in the Notitia Imperii as Illyricum, Dacia, Pannonia, Thracia, under one of which would be Dorostorum, a city of Lower Moesia.
ACTS OF THE MARTYRDOM.
From a Vatican Greek manuscript, translator D. P.
Maximus the Reader, Martyr, at Dorostorum in Lower Moesia, or Bulgaria (Saint) Quintilian, Martyr, at Dorostorum in Lower Moesia, or Bulgaria (Saint) Dada, Martyr, at Dorostorum in Lower Moesia, or Bulgaria (Saint)
FROM GREEK MANUSCRIPT.
[1] When Diocletian a and Maximian, most impious men, were ruling, A persecution being stirred up and when Tarquinius and Gabinius b held the Proconsulship, in the second year of their reign, the fury of the devil broke out against the Christians. Since they were managing the government of the whole world, c there was issued by them a decree which they had established in that same year, to this effect: "We find you, all who are subject to us, devoted to the worship of the Gods: in this second year of our d reign, therefore, bearing fitting care, we beseech and exhort all and an edict published, who in these our times inhabit that region, that they should strive by every means to lead all men to the worship and love of the gods: for if anyone shall be found, in whatever place, naming the power of Christ, against our
majesty, shall stir up our indignation against himself." Hearing these things, the people ran together to do what had been prescribed by them; and on the appointed day they saluted their Governors, saying: "Let our Lords, who so carefully provide for the honor of the gods, grant us a favor." and the whole populace running together for the sacrifice, Tarquinius the Consular answered: "Since I find so great readiness in you, at my urging and exhortation, come together tomorrow, and offer sacrifice to the gods: that since you have come from afar, you may rejoice with us, and so each of you may return to his own city." On the next day, therefore, all approached to sacrifice to their gods: and so Tarquinius the Governor dismissed them, as he had promised.
[2] But the next day a certain raging man, coming to Tarquinius, said: "There are three men, who yesterday were unwilling to obey your commands and sacrifice to the gods, saying that they worship only Him who is in heaven, God." these Saints denounced and seized, Then Tarquinius sent his ministers to seize them: but going forth they found them in their estate, which is called Ozobia, supplicating their God; and having seized them they bound them with iron fetters, and immediately led them to Dorostolum. Entering in the evening, they reported to Tarquinius that those men had been seized, who say they are Christians: to whom Tarquinius the Governor said: "At this hour indeed I do not at once receive them, they spend the night in prison in prayer; but I deliver them to your good faith to be kept until tomorrow." Therefore the soldiers, as had been commanded them, kept them until morning; but they prayed the whole night, saying: "Grant us, Lord Jesus Christ, Thy heavenly power as aid, that we may be able to overcome our adversaries, and in Thy kindness make us worthy to carry back the crown of victory."
[3] When day had come, Tarquinius commanded the Saints to be brought before him: and when he had seen and looked at them, he said: on the next day before the Proconsuls "Are these the ones who, despising our commands, hold to their own will in religion?" And turning to them, he said: "First tell me your names." Saint Maximus answered: "I indeed according to the faith of Christ am a Christian, as are these my brothers: but according to man, I am called Maximus." To whom the Governor Tarquinius: "You have answered," he said, "as befits a cleric, serving not the gods, but someone else. their names and faith having been professed, But that other one who follows you and resists me in this, what is his name?" He answering, said to him: "Dadas; and we also are what our brother is, who answered first." Then Tarquinius: "And who is the third?" Saint Quintilian said: "I am called Quintilian, but I am a Christian."
[4] And to Magnilianus the Notary, taking down the words of both sides, the Proconsul Gabinius said: they reject the priesthood of the mother of the gods offered to them, "Have you taken down the names of all?" Magnilianus the Notary answered: "If your power commands, let the text be read." Gabinius the Proconsul said: "Let it be read." Then Magnilianus the Notary reading said: "These are the names I have received from all: Maximus, Dadas, and Quintilian." Then said the Governor Tarquinius: "Behold, your dearness is in our hands: if therefore you wish to live, go and sacrifice to the mother of the gods, and you shall be her priests: since the priest who honored her has died, and has departed to great Jove and the heavenly king to serve him." Saint Maximus answered: "Most unjust and most shameless of men, do you not fear the name of the Lord, calling an adulterer by the name of God, and styling him a heavenly king? Know, O senseless ones, that Christ is the heavenly King, providing for all, and holding all things in His hand. Know therefore that we cannot fulfill that destructive command: for we absolutely adore the God of heaven, as those who are the workmanship of His hand."
[5] But the Proconsul Gabinius, calling to himself Dada and Quintilian, as if wishing to counsel them, tried with many vain words whether he could deceive them, and refute the madness of the judges, and draw them to his pernicious will. But the Saints Dadas and Quintilian said to him: "We agree with the things which our brother Maximus said: since he is the Reader of the Catholic Church, and understanding the divine Scripture very well, knows what is fitting for us to do: but you, deceived by diabolical madness, are ignorant of what is profitable to you: but if you were willing to hear this, you would behold the one heavenly light." Gabinius the Proconsul together with Tarquinius said: "Behold, in how many ways we counsel you: but you will not be persuaded, but persevere in your madness." Maximus answered: "You yourselves are mad, who wish to drag men who live rightly, and adore one God, to the worship of demons: what therefore shall seem good to you, do; for you shall not draw us from our purpose."
[6] Then Gabinius and Tarquinius the Proconsuls, having conferred with one another about what the Saints had answered them, ordered the Martyrs to be led back into custody: and strengthened by an Angelic address who went away, talking with one another about their salvation. Around midnight Saint Maximus reading instructed Dada and Quintilian with many things from the divine Scriptures. Then when they had fallen asleep, they saw the devil girded with weapons and fighting against them: but when they had roused from sleep, an Angel of the Lord appeared, saying: "Do not fear: for God, to whom you have delivered yourselves, will receive you, and is not far from you." Confirmed therefore by this word, they blessed the Lord until morning. The Proconsuls ordered the Saints to be led forward and set before them: which, when the ministers had done, they scorn the punishments threatened against them: Gabinius the Proconsul said: "Behold, you stand before us: now therefore we exhort you, that going you should sacrifice to the gods, about to gain no small honors from us; but if you do not obey, you procure death for yourselves: for our gods commanded us this in dreams this night." The holy Martyrs answered: "Our God too deigned to reveal Himself in a dream, that for His name we should endure all torments." Then Tarquinius said to Gabinius: "Unless these men are subjected to torments, they can never be persuaded." Gabinius answered: "If they themselves choose it, let them ascribe the fault to themselves."
[7] Then they commanded the ministers to strip them of their garments: which done, Gabinius said: after blows inflicted "Binding them, stretch them on the ground and thus scourge them." Hearing which, the ministers at once did as had been commanded them. Tarquinius said: "Ask them whether they are willing to obey and sacrifice to the gods: if not, we shall still prepare other torments for them, that most wretchedly tortured we may deprive them of life." But the holy Martyrs, being questioned by the ministers, answered as if from one mouth: "We, strengthened by God, despise your torments, nor do we consent to your perverse counsels, so as to sacrifice to demons." The ministers reported to the Proconsuls as they had heard from them. Tarquinius the Proconsul said: "Since they refuse to obey, cast them into prison, for it is now the hour of dinner."
[8] After the seventh hour had passed, they commanded the Saints to be brought to the tribunal: and when they had been brought, Gabinius the Proconsul said: "Have you not, Maximus, deliberated profitably to sacrifice to the gods?" constant in their confession, Saint Maximus answered: "We do not take up such counsel; but as we have already said to you, we adore no one else but our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Father and the Holy Spirit." Then angered, Gabinius said to the holy Martyrs: "If you will not act prudently and adore the gods, I shall destroy you, and cause you to be carried off to barbarian places, and there your heads to be cut off." "We adjure you," said the holy Martyrs, "that you prove your words by deeds." they are condemned to be beheaded Then the Proconsuls commanded them to be carried off to their own place, and there to be decapitated. But the holy Martyrs, having received sentence, glorified God, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, who hast delivered us from this present evil age, receive us into Thy rest, that we may be made worthy to attain Thine eternal and heavenly kingdom, Thou who art blessed unto the ages. Amen."
[9] and they are beheaded in their own estate, on April 28. When they had said these things, the ministers received the sentence, and took counsel to place the head of Saint Maximus in an iron ring, after they had decapitated him with the rest, because he had spoken many things to them. f But the Saints, coming to the place which is named Ozobia, signed their bodies with the sign of Christ, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, according to the sentence of the Proconsuls were decapitated by the executioner; and thus delivered their souls to God, in whom they had believed. The holy Martyrs Maximus, Dadas, and Quintilian suffered on the 28th day of the month of April, in the place called Ozobia: under the reign of Diocletian and Maximian, in the Proconsulship of Tarquinius and Galinius; but according to us, in the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and power unto the ages of ages. Amen.
ANNOTATIONS.
ON SAINTS EUPHEMIA, EUCAPIA, AND SECUTOR,
MARTYRS AT CHALCEDON IN BITHYNIA.
CommentaryEuphemia, Martyr at Chalcedon in Bithynia (Saint) Eucapia, Martyr at Chalcedon in Bithynia (Saint) Secutor, Martyr at Chalcedon in Bithynia (Saint)
G. H.
Euphemia, who is here placed at the head of the remaining Martyrs, has drawn our mind and thoughts into different opinions. For Saint Euphemia, celebrated on September 16 in the Greek as well as Latin calendars, is most famous, who at Chalcedon, after various tortures endured in the theater, rendered her spirit to God. We have therefore been in doubt whether the Euphemia who is recorded on other days as Martyr at Chalcedon Various Martyrs Euphemia should be considered one and the same. Thus in the Martyrology of Saint Jerome, on August 17 is celebrated "At Chalcedon, Saint Euphemia with Saint Macarius," and on September 17 "At Chalcedon, Saint Euphemia with Saint Saleosus," as on this April 13 she is placed in the first place: "At Chalcedon, the birth of Saints Euphemia, Eucapia, and Secutor." Similarly, in the already mentioned Martyrology of Saint Jerome, Euphemia is celebrated with 24 companions—whose names are expressed—suffering at Constantinople on July 3; another at Nuceria on September 19, with four companions; another also at Milan on November 27, crowned with four other athletes: but with no place indicated she is mentioned on April 12 and September 3, always with different companions, and this in the indicated Martyrology of Saint Jerome: and Saint Euphemia Virgin and Martyr is celebrated on April 15 in the illustrious Vatican Martyrology of the Church of Saint Peter. In a manuscript Breviary for the parts of the Rhine, which we have, as well as in that printed at Worms in the year 1576 and that at Ratzeburg in the year 1506, Saint Euphemia is prescribed to be venerated on this April 13, with this prayer everywhere: "Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we may rejoice in the merits of Thy holy Martyr Euphemia, and be lifted up by the suffrages of her benefits."
[2] These things being laid down, why should not the sufficiently honorable name of Euphemia have been common at Chalcedon to several women, and why should not several of them have been put to death in hatred of the Christian faith! Certainly in most ancient Martyrologies and many Breviaries Saint Euphemia is found referred to these Ides of April. Eucapia, The one who is first joined to her as companion in martyrdom is written in the Luccan and Blumian copies "Eucapia," in the Corbey "Evapia," in the Epternach "Eucapus"; in the Reichenau, Augsburg, and Aachen "Eucarpus"; in the Arras, Tournai, and Liétry manuscripts, and indeed in the Roman Vatican of the Church of Saint Peter and the Barberini, in the Supplement of the genuine Bede, again it is written "Eucapia"; in Notker "Eucarpia," Secutor, and she is said to have rested after many torments. "Secutor" is in four copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, as also in the manuscripts Reichenau, Cassino, Augsburg, Tamlacht, Labbé, Roman of the Church of Saint Peter, Arras, Tournai, and Saint Sabinus in the territory of Tarbes. In some manuscripts, certain of the Martyrs belonging to the following class are added. In some, though not so ancient, is added the elogium which is attributed to Saint Euphemia on September 16: whom, if some wish to be one and the same, we do not wish to pull a contentious rope. Baronius, in the Notes to September 16, hints that it would please him more if we say there were several Euphemias: Relics in Gaul. of whom one would be this one, of whom today in the Gallican Martyrology of Saussay it is said in these words: "At Maclovium, memory of Saint Euphemia Virgin and Martyr, because of certain sacred pledges of her received there: of which an illustrious portion is also preserved at Paris, in the Sorbonne school celebrated through the whole world, transmitted by the Knights of Malta or Rhodes as a precious gift, and received with a solemn convocation of the Academy on December 28 in the year of salvation 1606." From a similar cause perhaps the veneration of Saint Euphemia Virgin and Martyr took hold at Tarbes, at the foot of the Pyrenees, concerning which it is written in the supplement of the same Martyrology: indeed, that some Relics of the companion Martyrs were also brought into the same region, is suggested by the most ancient Martyrology of the monastery of Saint Sabinus or Savinus of Levitania in the Pyrenean mountains in the territory of Tarbes, whence the said Saussay edited excerpts concerning lesser-known Saints belonging to Gaul: for thus it is read there: "On the same day, the birth of Saint Solutor." Cardosus, carried away I know not by what dream, ascribed Saint Euphemia to the Portuguese, because in the pseudo-Julian, a recently fabricated chronicle, no. 58, are read these words: "On November 1, Eumelia is venerated in the city of Abrobinga in Galicia."