African Martyrs

Commentary

Victor, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

Pamphilus, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

Donatus, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

Januarius, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

Micion, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

Domnus, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

Turemunus, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

Syricus, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

Priscianus, Martyr in Africa (Saint)

G. H.

[1] These nine African Martyrs are referred in the third place,

in four copies of the Hieronymian

Martyrology, in these words: "In Africa of Victor,

Pamphilus, Donatus, Januarius,

Micion, Domnus, Turemunus,

Syricus, Priscianus." In place of Pamphilus, in one

Manuscript is read "Pamphilici"; for Turemunus there is also "Turemonus,

Turimunus," and "Turemimus." In the Tallaght Manuscript

among the Irish, the names are expressed: "Victor,

Pamphilus, Donatus, Januarius, Micion, Domnus,

Turinus, Mumus, Siricus, Priscianus" and fifteen others.

But in others "Turini, Mami," of one Thremunus is the name.

Notker, content to bring forward Victor, thus passes over the rest:

"In Africa of Victor with his companions." Of these some

are proposed in the ancient Manuscript of the Queen of Sweden, which Holstenius

praised: "In Africa of Victor, Pamphilus, Siricus,

Priscianus." Of these, with Siricus removed, the three remaining are read

in the Roman Manuscript of Cardinal Barberini, from which and

from others we gave the genuine Martyrology of Bede, which is vacant on this day.

But Florus in the Arras and Laeti Manuscripts has this:

"In Africa the natal day of Saints Victor and Donatus." In the

Rheinau Manuscript it is read: "In Africa of Victor, Pamphilus."

To these is added in the Reichenau Manuscript: "Donata," who to others

is "Donatus"; and apart from the others he is mentioned in

Greven in the addition to Usuard, in the Augsburg Manuscripts of Saint

Ulrich and of Labbé's Paris. These are what of these African

Martyrs we have been able to bring forward, having learned thus far.

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