ON SAINT NEARCHUS, Martyr in Armenia.
ABOUT THE YEAR 260.
CommentaryNearchus, Martyr among the Greeks (Saint)
G. H.
[1] There flourished in the third century of Christ in Armenia two soldiers, joined by the greatest bond of friendship, both gaining the palm of martyrdom in the confession of the faith: of these, the one slain by the sword Nearchus, the intimate friend of Saint Polyeuctus, is the most celebrated Polyeuctus, whom the Greeks celebrate on January 9, the Latins on February 13: the other is Saint Nearchus, whom, consumed by fire, the Greeks venerate on this April 22. Each Martyr is recognized in the eulogy of the martyrdom, which is brought forward under the said January 9 in the MS. Synaxarion of the Greeks at Paris in the College of Clermont of the Society of Jesus, likewise in the Menaea both printed and handwritten, and with Maximus, Bishop of Cythera, in "Lives of the Saints." in his eulogy. That which is reported under February 13, although it treats chiefly of Saint Polyeuctus, we repeat here, and it is as follows: "The contest of Saint Polyeuctus the Martyr. He under the Emperors Decius and Valerian was a soldier at Melitene in Armenia, and was the first in that province to fall as a Martyr for Christ. For an impious edict was promulgated, by which it was commanded, that either they should abjure Christ, or those not obeying should be punished with death. This man, in no way terrified, freely professed Christ, and with great confidence broke the images which were worshiped by the unbelievers. Wherefore, when he was neither moved by the exhortations and flatteries of his father-in-law, nor stirred by the tears and laments of his wife, but steadfast in his covenant with Nearchus
the Martyr, his friend, who feared that he himself might fall away from the faith of Christ, and being strengthened, he persevered in his confession; and ended his life by the sword: whose festival is celebrated in the most holy temple of that Martyr himself." Thus there, which same things are read in the New Anthology of the Greeks, composed by Antonio Arcudio, Archpriest of Soleto, He is held as a Martyr. by commission and mandate of Cardinal Giulio Antonio Santori, and dedicated to Pope Clement VIII: and everywhere in the said eulogy it is so contained in Greek: "But strengthening his covenant with the Martyr Nearchus, his friend, who was fearing his falling away from the faith of Christ."
[2] We gave on February 13 a double Acts of the martyrdom of Saint Polyeuctus, one set shorter from a Latin MS., the other from a Greek MS. of the Vatican library: he instructed him in the faith: in which in the first chapter is described the friendship of Polyeuctus, still a Gentile, and of Nearchus the Christian; and the fear of the latter, lest the former, because of the edicts against Christians, should shrink back from it. Then in the second chapter is indicated the conversion of Polyeuctus, and his instruction in the faith by Nearchus, and the edict of the Emperor and the idols broken by him. In the third chapter is described the unconquered spirit of Polyeuctus amid the laments of his father-in-law and wife: he was present at the Martyrdom. who at last, not forgetful of the friendship of Nearchus, but looking upon him, said, "Farewell, Nearchus, and remember our covenant." With this word nobly left to his friend as a last gift, he proceeded to the sword, and through it, with a cheerful spirit, he underwent death. When therefore in this way the divine Polyeuctus had ended his life, those among the brethren who were more diligent lay his sacred body to rest at Melitene, a city of Armenia, and acquire an eternal inheritance for themselves. Nearchus also ministered there, and received the blood of his Martyr friend, with the Blood received, he departs to the city of the Cananeotae. and carrying it placed upon a clean linen cloth, carried it to the city of the Cananeotae, bringing to them the weapons of salvation and a truly blessed inheritance. So the Greek Acts. But the Latin ends with these words: "Polyeuctus, having at last turned to blessed Nearchus, admonished him that by the agreement he should follow: and bidding him farewell, he was consummated in a glorious death."
[3] But what that city of the Cananeotae is, in the Greek MS. "he Kananeoton polis," is so far unknown to us: that it was at least in Armenia seems probable: and perhaps there Nearchus the Martyr died. His martyrdom in the printed Menaea, and in the Chifflet MSS., and with Maximus, Bishop of Cythera, is touched upon in these few words on this April 22: "On the same day the holy Martyr Nearchus ends his life in the fire." His constancy is declared in an appended distich, in which he is introduced thus addressing Christ: "Because of the inflamed divine desire for you, O Savior, Nearchus cries out, the fire will not separate me from you." If, however, anyone should think that this Nearchus, consumed by fire, must be distinguished from the companion or friend of Saint Polyeuctus, not wishing to define that this one really died a Martyr; and should prove the distinction of the two from other documents, we shall willingly assent. So far we have not found anything but the veneration of one, and this seemed to us sufficient for this place.