ON SAINT PAPHNUTIUS OF JERUSALEM AMONG THE GREEKS.
CommentaryPaphnutius of Jerusalem, Hermit or Monk among the Greeks (St.)
By D. P.
Sirletus, in his Menology (which with too little care and no great accuracy he stitched together from the Greek Menaia—whence some errors also flowed down into the Roman Martyrology), referring Paphnutius of Jerusalem to the preceding day, adorned him with the title of Holy Martyr, sufficiently distinct from the Martyr of the preceding day whereas in the Menaia there is nothing else to read but these words: te aute hemera tou hosiou Paphnoutiou tou Hierosolymitou, "On the same day," namely April 20 (not 19, when another, most different from this, a Hiero-Martyr to be venerated with the solemn office of the whole day, is set forth in the title and Canon of that day), "on the same day," I say, "of Saint Paphnutius
of Jerusalem." The title Hosiou denotes a Hermit or holy Monk, according to the usage of the Greek Church; something more is indicated by the title he seems to be the same as the hermit of the following day added, as it seems, to this same one in the Synaxary of the College of Clermont at Paris on April 21: Mneme tou hosiou Patros hemon Paphnoutiou anachoretou, "The memory of our holy Father Paphnutius the Anchorite." For the title "of our holy Father" indicates a certain particular religion of one place, whose Synaxary it is, or a universal religion of the whole monastic Order towards some Saint; yet the nearness of the cult persuades us to believe the same the one who on the former day, with the title of Hierosolymite, is set forth in the Menaia.
[2] and perhaps he is the famous one in the Lives of the Fathers Further, we have no scruple that this is diverse, both from the one whom we have set forth as to be venerated from the Menaia on the 19th of this month, Paphnutius the Hieromartyr, consummated with the punishment of the sword; and from another, who, crucified in Egypt, merited to be venerated chiefly in the month of September. But by as much as we are solicited less on this side, by so much the more are we troubled that in none of the Greek or Latin calendars do we find that famous Paphnutius in the Lives of the Fathers, of whom Palladius in chapter 62 speaks in these words: "We saw, however, the place (Rufinus, book 2 chapter 16, calls it a Monastery) of Paphnutius the Anchorite, a great man and endowed with virtue, who not so long since was consummated, in the region which is around the Heracleotans of the Thebaid." Of whom many have narrated many things, which will generally occur to the one seeking them in the Lives of the Fathers collected and illustrated by Rosweyde. For having acquired some knowledge of the Greek Synaxaries, and taught by them that almost all anchorites or monks of celebrated sanctity, to whom elsewhere no day is assigned who are praised by the said authors, have also an annual commemoration in the sacred offices among the Greeks, we can with difficulty be persuaded that he was passed over in favor of many less memorable ones.
[3] Yet, lest we refer hither, as to his own proper day, what might be said of him, the title "Hierosolymite" which the Menaia prefer prevents us, and from the Menaia Maximus Bishop of Cythera en biois hagion. But today's is surnamed "Hierosolymite" But this one and whoever others are praised in the said Lives of the Fathers, to wit the disciple of Macarius the Alexandrian, and a certain one surnamed Scetiotes, and in others Cephala, as well as that Paphnutius who wrote the life of Saint Onuphrius—one perhaps of those indicated—all seem to have been Egyptians; at least they have nothing in the authors which would persuade us to believe that any of them is here noted.
[4] A Life or its epitome is wanting In the place where an epitome of the life should have been put, there is found only a distich of this sort, applicable to any Saint, especially an anchorite:
Ton Paphnoution taphoi kekrymmenon, Apeikos esti kai sige krypsai taphoi.
Paphnutius hidden in the sepulchre of the earth— It is not fitting to hide him in the sepulchre of silence.
If anyone should find a Life or Epitome of his Life in some manuscript more accurate than the one whence the Menaia are printed, and supply it to us, he will deserve well of the history of the Saints, well of the Saints themselves, and of this one especially, so little known; and yet, on account of his death precious in the sight of the Lord, numbered among others more celebrated.
ON SAINTS MAMERTINUS AND MARIANUS, MONKS OF AUXERRE IN GAUL.
5TH CENTURY.
PrefaceMamertinus, Abbot, at Auxerre, in Gaul (St.)
Marianus, Monk, at Auxerre, in Gaul (St.)
By G. H.
Auxerre, an ancient Episcopal city of the Gauls under the Metropolitan of Sens, afterwards inserted into the kingdom or Duchy of Burgundy, of the many Saints it venerates on this day, venerates Mamertinus and Marianus The cult of both in the Breviaries; and in the more ancient Breviaries this Collect is recited of them: "Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that we who celebrate the solemnities of thy holy Confessors Mamertinus and Marianus, may by their intercessions be freed from all impending evils." In the same manner in the title they are called only Confessors; but they are also called Priests in various Martyrologies, and in the Martyrologies and indeed in the ancient manuscript of the Most Serene Christina, Queen of Sweden (which once seems to have belonged to those of Fulda or neighboring Germans), this elogium exists: "At Auxerre, the deposition of the holy Confessors Mamertinus and Marianus the Priests, and are called Priests of whom the first, while he was sacrificing to idols, suffered blindness of one eye and withering of his hand: who afterwards admonished by a wonderful vision, seeking Blessed Germanus, from him not only received baptism, but also deserved health; and joining himself to his congregation of monks, he both appeared conspicuous by the sanctity of his life, and succeeded Alodius, the Father of the monastery, who then by chance was in charge, by the merits of his life. The other indeed was a monk in the same monastery not long after, whose life also shone with miracles, and whose precious death nonetheless shone with miracles." These things there, which exactly the same are found in a very ancient parchment of the monastery of Saint Laurent among the Liégeois, augmented under the name of Ado; likewise, but somewhat more contracted, in the manuscript Florarium Sanctorum. But these former words, "At Auxerre, of Saints Mamertinus and Marianus or Marcianus the Priests," are read in the ancient Martyrologies of Centula of Saint Riquier, of Dijon of Saint Stephen, of the Carmelites kept at Cologne, and other manuscripts; likewise in Maurolycus, Felicius, and Galesinius. In an ancient manuscript under the name of Bede, instead of Mamertini, by a certain syncope is read Martini. Of this one alone, at the end of the ancient Martyrologies of Saint Jerome, in the manuscript codices of Lucca, the Blumian, and the Corbie published at Paris, these are added: "At Auxerre, the deposition of Saint Martin the Priest and Confessor," who in the manuscripts of Arras and Tournai is called a Bishop. But in the more ancient Epternach codex, instead of Martini is read "Merianus," and "Marianus" seems to be understood. Concerning both the same, Saussay in his Gallican Martyrology hands down this: "On the same day, at Auxerre, of Saints Marcianus and Mamertinus the Priests, who promoting the cradles of this nascent Church by holy preachings and the rest of the Sacerdotal offices, having begotten for Christ an abundant progeny of believers, at last with a blessed end hastened to glory." These things he asserts with boastful pen; but long before, the Christian faith had flourished among the people of Auxerre.
[2] Separately, Saint Mamertinus, Abbot of the monastery of Saint Germanus of Auxerre, Separately Marianus the Priest, or only Confessor, is referred is referred on March 30 by Peter de Natalibus, Greven, Whytford, Maurolycus, Felicius, Canisius, Wion, Dorganius, Menard, Bucelin, Saussay; but Saint Marianus or Marcianus alone, Priest of Auxerre, is celebrated on this day in the manuscripts of Alberg, Utrecht, Barberini, Leiden, Hagenau, Louvain, and others; likewise in the Basel Martyrology printed in the year 1584. But only as Confessor, in Bellinus of Padua and Molanus in the Appendix of Usuard, and of his Martyrology in the augmented edition published at Lübeck in the year 1475, where with letters transposed "Maritani" is read instead of "Martiani." In Peter de Natalibus, book 11, chapter 130, number 127, "Martianus Confessor rests at Auxerre on the 12th day before the Kalends of May": to which day, in the Hagiology of Franco-Gallia published by Labbé, he is called "Marinus Priest and Confessor." Again on April 29 Greven in the Appendix of Usuard has these things: "At Auxerre, of Saint Marianus monk and Confessor"; which also has Canisius in his German Martyrology, adding some things from the Acts to be given below. Many more from the same Saussay culled in his Gallican Martyrology in these words: also April 29 "On the same day, April 29, the deposition of Saint Marianus the monk, who coming from the parts of Bourges to Auxerre, out of love of religion, while the venerable man Mamertinus was ruling the monastery of Saint Germanus, asked to be associated with the brotherhood of ascetics; because the same monastery, retaining the state of ancient blessedness, was fragrant with the sweetest odor. Where received with the greatest charity, a fruitful tree repaying the fertility of the soil, he put forth flowers and most abundant fruits of exceptional sanctity; and at last, the course of the present life having been consummated to the good pleasure of God, he penetrated the shrines of the heavenly court, and numbered among the Blessed, left behind the monuments of his bright sanctity and glory: among which is the noble monastery, which, built in his honor near the walls of the city, still glories both in its name and in his sacred relics." Thus there. Relics and monastery of Saint Marianus But because he migrated to the Lord on the fourth feria of Easter, and was buried in the monastery of Saint Germanus, we judge this day to be of his deposition, or at least of his translation to the monastery already mentioned. The monastery of Saint Marianus of Auxerre is built outside the walls under the rule of Clerics in the 8th century, and afterwards transferred to the Premonstratensian Order, in which at that place shone Robert the historiographer, who died in the year 1214, who concerning Blessed Marianus has these things under the year 473: "At this time at Auxerre, with Blessed Alodius presiding, and the worthy and venerable man Mamertinus governing the monastery of Saint Germanus, Saint Marianus, coming from the parts of Bourges, asked to be associated with the said monastery; because the same monastery, retaining the state of ancient blessedness, was fragrant with the sweetest odor. Moreover, this blessed man, of how great sanctity he was, a little book on his life fully shows."
[3] Life of Saint Marianus from a manuscript We believe the little book of the Life to be the history which is had in the manuscript of the monastery of Saint Marianus, and distributed in Lessons for the use of the sacred Office: which, together with the ancient Breviaries of the said Church of Auxerre, D. Peter le Venier, Canon and Penitentiary, transmitted to us, whose exceptional virtue and learning we beheld face to face at Auxerre in the year 1662, admiring the rare library there which he had procured for himself at great expense. Into these lessons we have inserted some things which the Reverend Don George Viole, monk of Saint Germanus, a man loving antiquity, communicated with us at Auxerre, who though bowed with age showed us all the ancient monuments of the church, and expounded them at length. The same we described at Rome in the Vatican library, from the manuscript codex 1198, and we had from the manuscript codex of the Queen of Sweden already mentioned.
[3] But because Saint Marianus was received in the said monastery by Saint Mamertinus, we set in front what we received from the already mentioned Don George Viole in a contracted version from the Life of Saint Germanus about this Saint, and what we found at Rome collected by Peter Calo, Life of Saint Mamertinus, from manuscripts by whom were added many things performed by Saint Marianus which were ascribed to another; as the same in some Breviaries of the Church of Auxerre are recited wholly intricate and confused: whether his birthday is March 31 and in these he is said to have rendered his spirit on the third day before the Kalends of April on Good Friday; to which day Peter de Natalibus, book 4 chapter 13, delivers him as having finished his life, and has with the said Breviaries the confused Acts of both Saints. On the same day Greven, Maurolycus, Felicius, Canisius refer him, and with this elogium in the supplement of his Martyrology Saussay: "At Auxerre, of Saint Mamertinus the Abbot, who at the sepulchre of Saint Amator, irradiated by the light of grace, and a little after baptized by Saint Germanus, having put off the old man, to preserve the new, and to walk before God in newness of spirit, made disciple of Saint Alodius the Abbot, in a short time raised himself up into a master of perfect piety and holiness, flourishing with miracles and the spirit"
of prophecy, and many sons having been gathered to Christ, excellent disciples formed by his holy instruction, endowed with the sheaves of justice, he departed the flesh, and seeking heaven open for him, obtained the reward of his labors fully earned." Thus Saussay.
[4] Saint Mamertinus ascribed to the Benedictines Arnold Wion inscribed the same in the Benedictine Martyrology on the said March 30 in these words: "At Auxerre, of Saint Mamertinus the Abbot, a man of admirable virtue and humility," and in the Notes: "He was," he says, "a monk of Saint Germanus at Auxerre under Saint Alodius the Abbot, whom he succeeded in the government." Following Wion, Benedict Dorganius, who in his Benedictine Calendar, printed in the year 1622, has this: "Of Saint Mamertinus the Abbot, a man of great humility." But Gabriel Bucelin, in his Benedictine Menology published in the year 1655, brings in a very great elogium; in which, among the rest, he asserts that Saint Mamertinus was baptized at Auxerre by Saint Germanus, was the disciple of Saint Alodius the Abbot, and created Abbot of his own monastery. Then he heaps together many things from the Acts of Saint Marianus, as we said above that Peter Calo, Peter de Natalibus, and others had done. In the same way on April 29 Wion ascribes Saint Marianus to his Benedictines in these words: "In the monastery of Fontanetum in Gaul, the deposition of Saint Marianus the monk, who was a disciple of Saint Mamertinus the Abbot of Auxerre." Following him again Dorganius sets forth Saint Marianus the Confessor. Who then would dare to deny that these were Benedictines, and not fear to be accused as if he were diminishing the honor of the Benedictine Order, although they appear to have died before Saint Benedict was born? but they died before Saint Benedict was born Certainly Saint Germanus (who baptized Saint Mamertinus already grown up) was with Saint Lupus, Bishop of Troyes (in whose time he is said in the Acts to have lived), in the year 426 sent to Britain by Pope Celestine: about whose death Baronius and Spondanus treat under the year 435. But others more probably assert he migrated to the Lord in the year 448, which will have to be examined on July 30 at his Acts. While Saint Germanus held the Episcopate, the Abbot Saint Alodius instructed Saint Mamertinus, whom he also later, namely in the said year 448, had as successor, when he himself, substituted in place of Saint Germanus, had taken up the Episcopate. Saint Alodius is venerated on April 28. and in what years Under him Saint Marianus was made a monk, who afterwards died on the fourth feria of Easter on April 20. Therefore, if the Paschal Canon of the Alexandrians was preserved, either in the year 466 or 477, in which years Easter was celebrated on April 17 with Sunday Letter B. But Saint Mamertinus is reported to have died on Good Friday, March 30; therefore either in the year 462 or 473, when with Sunday Letter G Easter fell on the Kalends of April.
LIFE OF SAINT MAMERTINUS
From various manuscripts.
Mamertinus, Abbot, at Auxerre, in Gaul (St.)
Marianus, Monk, at Auxerre, in Gaul (St.)
BHL Number: 0000
FROM A MANUSCRIPT.
[1] Mamertinus lived in the time of Saint Lupus of Troyes. When he previously, as a Pagan, worshipped idols, he lost one eye on a certain day and incurred a withering of one hand. Thinking he had offended the Gods, and going to the temple to adore the idols Saint Mamertinus a Pagan, having lost one eye, and with withered hand, and to ask pardon from them, one day there met him a certain man, Savinus by name, tonsured on the head and clothed in religious habit. When he asked him whence so great an infirmity had befallen him, he answered: "I have offended our Gods, and therefore I always ask them with tears, and go to pray that, reconciled to me, they may restore appeased what they took from me in anger." Then he said: "You err, because you think demons are gods; sent to Saint Germanus but go to Saint Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre; and if you acquiesce in his counsel, you will at once be well." Immediately taking the road, he came to the tomb a of Saint Amator and of many other Saints; and compelled by rain, that night he withdrew to a certain little cell placed above the tomb b of Saint Corcodomus, and when, tired by the journey, he had fallen asleep, a wonderful vision appeared to him: sleeping over the tomb of Saint Corcodomus namely that a certain most beautiful man came to the feast which c Saint Peregrinus and Saint Amator were making with other Bishops. To whom he answered from the tomb: "I cannot now come, because I have a guest whom I must guard in a vision he is led lest he be killed by the serpents which are here." That one went to announce what he had heard, and returned saying: "Saint Corcodomus, rise and come, and bring with you d Vivianus the Subdeacon and e Jovinianus the Lector or Acolyte, that they may perform their office; for Alexander, who is with you, will guard your guest." It seemed therefore to Mamertinus that Saint Corcodomus, having taken his hand, led him with himself, to Saints Peregrinus and Amator and showed him Saints Peregrinus and Amator, and two other Bishops. And when Saint Corcodomus had come to them, Saint Amator said to him: "Who is this who entered the church with you?" He answered: "He is my guest." and by the command of this one And that one: "Cast him out, because he is polluted with idols, and cannot be with us." And as he was being cast out, prostrating himself before them, he obtained the grace of Saint Amator, who commanded him to go hastily to Saint Germanus. he narrates the visions to Saint Germanus Soon therefore waking and certified by the vision, he came to Saint Germanus, and prostrate before him asked pardon. And when he related to him, who was inquiring, what had happened, they went both together with many others to the tomb of Saint Corcodomus, where the serpents were, and the stone being removed and the serpents having been driven away, they saw eight serpents, which each exceeded f ten feet in length, and when all present fled for fear, Blessed Germanus standing immobile ordered them to withdraw thither where they could harm no one at all: baptized he is healed and after this Mamertinus was baptized and healed, and became a monk of the monastery of Saint Germanus, and afterwards was Abbot of the same Church after Saint Alodius g. At the urging of the Brothers on Palm Sunday he solemnly celebrated Mass for them, and that same evening beginning to sicken, on Good Friday he sent forth his spirit, the third day before the Kalends of April.
NOTES.
LIFE OF SAINT MARIANUS
From a manuscript ecclesiastical Office and other manuscripts.
Mamertinus, Abbot, at Auxerre, in Gaul (St.)
Marianus, Monk, at Auxerre, in Gaul (St.)
BHL Number: 5523
FROM A MANUSCRIPT.
[1] In the time of the most blessed Bishop Alodius, successor of the most reverend Germanus, the same monastery, retaining the state of ancient blessedness, was fragrant with the sweetest odor. For by the nectar of this inspiration Marianus, drawn, Saint Marianus came to the same monastery from the borders of Bourges. Now in these lands the possessors at that time were Goths, having left his homeland of the Berry region most evident enemies of the doctrine of the Christian religion. Shunning then their nefarious pollution and abhorring their perfidy, the said man, with girded loins and strengthened arm, at once having gone forth from his land and his kin, migrated from his own hearth. He went, however, under the habit of a pilgrim, a citizen of heaven, higher in humility, more powerful in poverty than the world, and under his secular garment girded with the stole of spiritual grace. For he was kindled with the fire of divine love, he comes to the monastery of Saint Germanus and imbued with zeal for evangelical perfection. When by God's leading he was brought to the vestibule of the glorious monastery, he began in the manner of those departing the world to ask that he might be received to dwell under the roof of the same monastery. But the Superior of the monastery, and the various inhabitants, seeing the constancy of his perseverance (for he had been often repulsed, and tried with roughness of words and contumelies), agreed to his petition, which he had long demanded, setting before him the severity of the rule. he lives holily Received there therefore into the house of God, and fully enjoying the wholeness of his desire, he began to use the rule of the monks so most constantly that he would have been an example of good conversation even to the veteran monks.
[2] All admired the moderation of his obedience and abstinence. Mamertinus then the Abbot, wishing most diligently to test the acts of the man, committed to him a mean office of the monastery, appointing him shepherd of the buffaloes and heifers. The most blessed Marianus therefore, anticipated by divine piety, hastened with the highest cheerfulness to fulfill the commanding Abbot's precept, he is made keeper of the herds as if he were bestowing on him the honors of some most sublime order. He set out then a for the place whose name is Meziclae, in which he had been commanded to furnish pastoral care to the herds of oxen. The herd was multiplied that same day with offspring, and the foaming milking-pails overflowed with the yield of milk.
[3] He excelled in such holiness that b also the wild birds coming to him he fed with his own hand. he cherishes wild birds On a certain day when he was in the woods, the dogs rousing a boar with their barkings, when they were now more heavily pressing it, it fled to the cell of Saint Marianus; he sets free a boar who when he heard the dogs barking, leaving the oxen and hurrying thither, both checked the dogs and permitted the boar to depart unharmed.
[4] On one of the days, when the same man, the most blessed Confessor, was walking not far from the flocks, robbed by bandits behold, a band of plunderers unexpectedly rushed in and surrounded him with drawn swords. They, laying hands on him, stripped him, so that they left nothing of his clothing except the cloak. And as they were going away leaving him stripped, he cried out: "Return, c most ferocious men, there still remains in my body he freely offers a denarius what can profit your robberies. Behold, a denarius tied to my cloak; you must also take this away in your purses." They, immediately returning, having seized the cloak with the denarius, left him wholly naked. The bandits indeed, withdrawing, strove to betake themselves to their hideouts, and were borne about through the space of the whole day fatigued; but by Christ's providence, about sunset they were found near the cell of the most reverend man. Whom when he had espied, he called them to his cell, kindly received them, returning he receives them, washes their feet and pulling off their boots washed their feet with water, and prepared pastoral food and most elegant nourishments, and administered hospitality as much as he could. Whence, all repenting of their deed, one of them was converted to the faith, he converts one and, baptized by the same, he became a most distinguished preacher.
[5] A certain she-bear, her throat dry of blood from her whelps, had been accustomed in the night hours to creep within the pens to the yokes of oxen, and to lie in wait for yearling calves.
At a certain time therefore the monks, who with him had been appointed to the watch, by youthful will were lying in wait for the she-bear with her whelps, and wished to catch them with snares. When those young men of the Mezicliani, armed against her, desiring to put her to death, had set their snares by night; Saint Marianus foreknowing this, rose from his bed, and secretly directs his steps swiftly, and goes to the place in which the raging beast, contriving death for the flocks, falling into the snares was held. And when he had stood before her, he said: "What are you doing, she-bear? what are you doing here, wretched one? Rise quickly, he sets free the captured she-bear and leave the treacherous hiding places." Then the she-bear, with neck bent back, as if giving thanks to God, humbly and meekly departed, nor was ever seen again. Marianus, finding the monks who had followed, rebuked them, and announced that the she-bear had gone away unharmed.
[6] he goes with a companion to the church Marianus was accustomed every Sunday to go forth to a nearby church; to whom nothing was hidden, the Lord revealing. When on the Lord's day he wished to go to the church in the village, he admonished one of the brethren, named Olinitius, that he should associate with his company. To whom the monk said: "I cannot, for my lot is to serve at the table of the Brothers and to prepare the food." Then the elder said to him: "The things of God are prior to the needs of men"; and under compulsion of the sacred man's command he went. whom trying in vain to flee home When they had come to the most sacred place, it was imposed on the companion monk that he should sing the Alleluia. When the office was finished and the Gospel ended, immediately with rabid haste he went out of the church; and seizing the reins of his horse, mounting he strove to return more swiftly home d… But when he could not move the horse from there, although he was goading it hard with spurs, understanding the cause, confused he returned to the church. And when the Mass was finished, Saint Marianus said: after Mass he admonishes "Tell me, brother, did you reach where you wished, you who, leaving me, desired to depart? Behold, the horse obeyed God, whom you were resisting." When the Masses were completed, of its own accord the horse took the road to the cell.
[7] When the day of Easter arrived, the Brothers begged him that he should celebrate the day of Easter at the monastery of e Fontanetum; which when he had done, the first day of Easter having passed, on the following day he is seized by the pain of fevers, celebrating Easter at Fontanetum he falls ill and dies on the 4th feria and began to be pressed by the goads of death, and on the following fourth feria dying he migrated to the Lord. And when his most holy body was being conveyed by the Meziclienses to the city, passing through the town of Leviatica it was brought in. Now in the same village there was a criminal man. And as the crowd pressed on, he sent to Canomenus, who at that time held the centurion's power, saying: "Absolve him who is held in chains"; who refused. he frees a captive While he was still speaking, the chains on the feet of the accused are loosed, and the bonds of his hands are rent, and before the holy body, which they had been by no means able to move thence, the one who had been guilty is set forth free on every side. When they had drawn near to the city, the Bishop f who then was over the Church, gathering together the Clergy and people, and with ranks joined, received the most holy body with solemn procession, received with solemn cult, buried in Saint Germanus's and placed it in the spot prepared by the Bishop, in the church of Saint Germanus: where by daily movements innumerable miracles of cures are shown, he is famous for miracles our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, to whom be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
NOTES.
HYMN.
From a manuscript ecclesiastical Office.
Mamertinus, Abbot, at Auxerre, in Gaul (St.)
Marianus, Monk, at Auxerre, in Gaul (St.)
FROM A MANUSCRIPT.
Let the devout people of the faithful exult with all joy, At Vespers and Matins While we press on with the praises and encomiums of Marianus. He indeed spurning the glory of the world and all flowing things, Left his ancestral hearths with his people perfidious to Christ.
Admitted into the house of God, soon he shines by charity, And by abstinence crushes the head of the ancient serpent, Always provident in quiet, chaste and tenacious of his vow; Mild in heart to himself, that shortly he might be an example to the rest. At Lauds
Then by chance ordered to go forth, he reckons no mean office, Preferring to follow obedience rather than the laws of the flesh. Hence the flock grows with milk and offspring, hence the fierce beasts, The silent dogs, the birds too yield to the Saint's will.
Stripped by bandits, he repays evil with thanks, While he cherishes these washed with food, he calls them to the faith of Christ. Now while he is lifted on the bier, strange! it resists on the way: Until the guilty is seen loosed of himself from his chains.
Now Christ, most pious King, we ask by his prayer, That you wash our guilt and correct our fierce ways. Praise, honor, and victory to God the Father with the Son, And to the Holy Spirit together, forever and ever. Amen.