ON ST. APPELICUS OR AMPHELICUS
MARTYR IN SICILY.
CommentaryApelicus or Amphelicus Martyr in Sicily (Saint)
G. H.
Four copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology indicate this holy Martyr, Name variously written. with some variety of writing. The most ancient Echternach has it thus: In Sicily of Appelicus. The Lucensis writes thus: And in Sicily the birthday of St Amfelicus; in place of which in the Blumian codex is Amphelei. In the Corbey published at Paris there is some gap, Whether Jocundus is to be added and it seems to be ascribed to Terracina: but to this place is by others ascribed St Caesarius, of whom we treat among those Passed Over. Therefore that Caesarius being omitted by the copyists with the ensuing new heading, there follows the birthday of St Amphelicus, Jocundus. In the Ricbenoviensis Ms. or of Augia-Dives near Constance it is handed down thus: And in Sicily of St Amphelicus. Because the place in the Corbey Ms. is corrupt, we do not dare to conjoin Jocundus. Others imbibed the error of the Corbey copy, and especially the author of the Appendix to Ado in Mosander and Rosweyde, when he added these things: In Campania the birthday of St Amphelicis. Ferrarius followed: but with the name changed wrote Amphisius, and added from his own "Confessor." Hence Saussay in the supplement of the Gallican Martyrology writes thus: On the same day in Campania of St Amphisius Confessor. In the ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology these things were read: And at Terracina in Campania of St Caesarius. In Sicily of Appelicus or Amphelicus. In the Corbey codex, the words "St Caesarius and in Sicily" being omitted, the rest poorly connected gave others occasion for error. Whether he seems to be St Ampelus.
[2] Some scruple arises, whether perhaps this Appelicus or Amphelicus is Ampelus, who, crowned with martyrdom together with Cajus at Messina in Sicily, is venerated on November 20, inscribed in the same ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology: likewise in the Martyrologies of Ado, Usuard, and the modern Roman. But since he may be another, we wished now only to propose him; so that if the Sicilians see it otherwise, the whole matter may be more clearly set forth on the said November 20, since very little light is shed by Octavio Cajetano, who treats of the said SS. Ampelus and Cajus in volume I of the Lives of the Sicilian Saints, page 122.