George of Suelli

ON SAINT GEORGE

BISHOP OF SUELLI IN SARDINIA.

1117

George, Bishop of Suelli, in Sardinia (S.)

D. P.

Charles of St. Paul, author of the Sacred Geography, at the end of this most useful work of his wove a Parergon of ancient Ecclesiastical Notices, of which the last two from Latin Mss., one Royal, the other Thuan, The Episcopate is united with that of Cagliari. subject to the Archbishop of Cagliari in Sardinia three Suffragans, Sulci, Suelli, Dolia: but so that Suelli holding second place in the Royal Ms., in the Thuan is thrown back to the last. Now that See, lacking its own Bishop, is joined to the Archbishopric itself, from whose metropolis it is distant 30 thousand paces, but from Arborea or Oristano, a town of the Eastern region, 40 miles. Who were the Bishops there and from what time they began to sit; or when they ceased, with the records of writings lacking, we have hitherto been ignorant. This one St. George, most famous for miracles, the writers of that island celebrate: of whom John Arca in his little book on the saints of Sardinia, The Life was written by Paul: which printed at Cagliari in the year 1597 the Vatican library has given us, will give the Life such as he received from an ancient Ms. Codex with Paul as author, as the Prologue prefixed by him has. This Prologue we retain: but the notes which the same writer added from his own, we shall give taken from the context of the History itself, separately at the end among annotations.

[2] The same Life in the Chronicle of the saints of Sardinia was translated into Spanish by Dimas Serpt, of the Order of the Observants, acting as a paraphrast rather than an interpreter: which he concludes in almost this manner. Various churches consecrated to this Saint, "Because St. George, while he lived, was chiefly famous for the power given him against malignant spirits, by whom at that time Sardinia was marvelously infested; after his death several churches were built in his name, in one of which, which is in the district of Anglona, in the town called Perfigas, the same power is exercised, as often as the possessed are brought there, which happens very frequently. But it was reported to me by persons worthy of faith, who were present, when there was brought a certain one so furious, that unless his hands and feet were bound they could not bring him into the church; for whom when all were invoking the help of St. George, in which demons are put to flight. and passing the night in prayer, the demon leaped out, and so shook the whole place that the roof was thought to fall. Another church was built to the same in the town of Ossier, and another in the town of Anela de Gociano above a certain most high mountain in a plain, from which it has its name: where also the possessed are cleansed. In the town once called Dure a church of St. George was also built: and when with all the buildings renewed a new name had been given it, Bittimannu, the old appellation of St. George remained to the parish church, because the inhabitants remembered that his patronage had been most useful to them and to their ancestors."

[3] Thus far he: which sufficiently declare that George was truly honored as a Saint throughout the whole island: although his name is found in no ecclesiastical tables of other regions, except in Ferrarius in the Catalog of Saints of Italy, where one may read some compendium of the Life: Compendia of the Life in others. but a shorter memory of the same Saint occurs in the General Catalog of Saints who are in the Roman Martyrology, "At Suelli in Sardinia, St. George Bishop": and in the Annotations, before Arca and Dimas, of whom we have now treated, are cited the Ecclesiastical Tables of Suelli and Cagliari, and the book of Francis Fara on Sardinian matters, not yet seen by us. See another compendium of the same Legend in Dionysius Bonfant in the Triumph of the Saints of Sardinia book 13 chapter 41, which ends by asserting that it is the custom of the Sardinians in time of sterility to have recourse to St. George, and to obtain a notable abundance of fruits: but that his feast or birthday is celebrated on 29 April: in which whether by typographical error it was done that for 23 is placed 29, we leave to the Sardinians to judge; and meanwhile we hold to the day supported by more ancient testimony. Some things also for the sake of illustration we have taken from the aforementioned Dima Serpi, not doubting but that to him as a Sardinian those places which he names were best known, even if otherwise we can say nothing of their situation: because scarcely any knowledge of them is supplied by the chorographic table of Sardinia, which is at hand: which to be altogether most imperfect appears even from this, that not even a trace of the Suelli city itself, formerly Episcopal, is found in it: so that it is no wonder that many ignoble towns, or villages now almost deserted, are passed by.

[4] Seraphinus Squirrus in the Sanctuary of Cagliari book 4 chapter 2 brings forth fragments of certain instruments written in the Sardinian tongue, by which Benedicta de Lacono, in the years 1215 and 1225, Instruments of donations made to the church of Suelli, in her name and that of her son Domicellus William, had given or previously confirmed given possessions to the church of Suelli: which Benedicta had been the wife of a certain Torquedorus (for so he names him) freed from the pestilential disease through the invocation of St. George. But he makes this Torquidorus or Torquitorius son, or at least heir, and in the Judicial power successor, of the Judge of Cagliari, munificent toward the living Saint, who in the year 1217 on 13 March confirmed the donation of his wife. Then he labors to show that both Torquedors should be distinguished from another of the same name far more ancient, who was son of Comida Judge of Logudoro, and in the year 417 had taken care to build the church of Torres of St. Gavinus: although others say it was first built eight hundred years after the death of the holy Martyr, namely in the 12th century.

[5] It is no care to us to reweave things so badly sewn together: and we having already gained some skill in discerning ancient instruments, will hardly be persuaded that genuine are the documents there indicated, though they are said to be taken from the archives of Cagliari. not of sufficiently certain faith. For the Sardinians in this present century seem to have been moved by the same frenzy as certain Spaniards, and to have given themselves more eagerly to feigning antiquities; and those very things which are brought forth, as fragments of ancient instruments, have not few nor small signs of their being supposititious: about which however, until they shall have been brought forth entire, we prefer to be silent, rather than to refute an imposture not yet fully showing itself. When we once asked Ferdinand Ughellus whether, after the ninth volume of Sacred Italy was published, he had published the tenth on the churches of the Sicilians and Sardinians, in the year 1667 on 21 May he answered in these words: "This volume assailed by various difficulties I have not published, nor have I wholly completed: but what I shall do I am uncertain: for those Islanders so fight among themselves over the Primacy, and are so obstinate in their opinion, especially in respect to certain very recent inscriptions, freely invented by themselves, by which the diptychs of the holy Bishops are confused and their names multiplied; that I judged it safer to leave my labors manuscript among our people."

George, Bishop of Suelli, in Sardinia (S.)

BHL Number: 3410

By the Author Paul.

BY D. P. (THE AUTHOR)

ENCOMIUM.

From John Arca on the Saints of Sardinia, placed as a Preface before the Life.

[1] Promised divinely to sterile parents, Zacharias despairing of sons receives a messenger sent from heaven, that he would have a son John, greater than whom no one had yet come into the number of mortals. Lucifer was no less anguished along with his wife Viventia, because the hope of having sons was taken away; when he receives a message, that he would have such a son, with sterility removed, who in a short time would climb the highest summit of perfection by the steps of virtues. Great is that birth, which is announced with a great proclamation: great indeed was George before his birthday, who was held holy in his mother's womb: great after his birth, who shone so illustriously in marvelous things: great finally after his departure from life itself, celebrated in the heavens by the magnitude of so many miracles. A boy by age he was created Bishop; He excelled in every virtue, but grown old he was proclaimed by his deeds. For so did illustrious fortitude stand out in new dignity, that you would think the very image of sanctity expressed. Grave in gait, venerable in aspect, to be feared in severity, lovable in kindness, bearing the grave majesty of dignity, he tempered it with submissive gentleness; the threatening austerity of brow was softened by the tranquility of heart. So was a diversity of graces joined in this one, that you would say Paul in face and Peter in spirit. Of the former's gravity, of the latter's piety a solicitous emulator; so that, when you could scarcely bear his presence, you could not bear his absence for long.

[2] But of the goods within, as there is no true beholder, so is no one a sufficient explainer. Which virtues as he strove to exalt, especially in humility: so he labored to hide, that of such lineaments of virtue one may now usurp that: "All the glory of his is of the daughter of the King within." Ps. 44:14 Striving in the man, as in a narrow land, to extinguish all the motions and effects of the soul, he introduced and firmly planted virtues: and as with stone knives, by the strongest laws of divine power, he cut off all pleasures, and threw them off cut off, that with his breast aroused he might kindle the desire of the supreme inheritance. Amid these things he, when he wished to be increased, refused to be acknowledged, which is a condition of virtue and humility, that the more ardently one desires to be able to hide, the more he becomes known by bright proclamations. For ranging at large through all peoples, the illustrious fame of his works flew about, pouring far and wide the most fragrant odor of holiness. For he stood out to the admiration of all, like a city placed upon a summit: nor now could the lamp lie hidden under a small bushel, nor could the overflowing greatness of sidereal light be contained. and illustrated his country. And so George, always rising new to new merits, holds a perpetual shield against the darts of demons. And while he shines with admirable miracles, with radiant splendor he illumines the whole island, and what from himself alone he pours forth into the grace of all, is sent back again by all into his sole glory. Happy the land which bore such a one, which sent back a Patron from a nursling, an Angel from a mortal man, to its Author and Founder. The following history will narrate the short course of his Life.

LIFE

By the Author Paul … From an ancient Manuscript Codex.

[3] a At the time when all Sardinia was divided into four parts, In the 11th century of Christ into Cagliari, Arborea, Gallura, and Logudoro, each entrusted to separate judges; it happened by the gift of God, while Torquitor Judge of the Province of Cagliari held the principate, that Blessed George entered this light. His parents were Lucifer and Viventia, pressed down by the weight of servitude; but gifted not only by the nobility of their son, not only freedom, but much more illustrated, honest in life and morals, and never abstaining from divine offices. In the family of a celibate matron, They served Graeca of Surapen, who lacking husband and sons, led a celibate life, flowing with wealth and a supply of male and female servants; studious of virtues, she loved the virtue of her servants. Because of that Lucifer with Viventia gave no less care to virtue than to the service of their Mistress; but there was perpetual grief of mind, the offspring despaired of. For a long time they had lived together without sons, because with Viventia's sterility hindering, from the fellow-servants sterile, the hope of begetting sons, snatched away with their age itself, was wholly gone. But because trusting in the Lord, they assiduously prayed for that which age and sterility had always refused them (for the assiduous prayer of a just man avails much, which as a faithful messenger carries out with God his commands, penetrating swiftly where flesh cannot come) the Lord fulfills the eager desire, with such a son granted, who would be as light to the world; and that it might be clear how dear he was to be to him, through an Angel sent before he makes the thing open to Graeca; what we read was done concerning Zacharias about his son John. "It is told you," he said, The birth of George is announced by an Angel: "that your handmaid Viventia shall receive a son, who by the name of George, by the marvelous splendor of holiness and by illustrious deeds shall be adorned before the Lord: in his mother's womb he shall be sanctified, and shall be for the salvation of the fatherland. Take care that you relieve his mother of burdensome labors, and observe her as a sister." These things said, he withdrew, leaving the chamber illumined with light. Graeca, loosed from sleep, marvels that the chamber had been made so luminous: and having given thanks to God, she diligently executes the command. She freed Viventia from every care of labor, and placed her with her little bed near her own chamber, so that the birth might be of greater care to her. With incredible joy Viventia conceiving affects the household; and all the greater by how much that birth was sent from heaven, with their age now despaired of. b

[4] Brought forth into the light, the Saint was immediately c baptized, having obtained that same name, The infant begins to fast: which through the Angelic messenger had been foretold. About to be the most loving of all harshness, he takes his beginning from the very first cries: for on the fourth and sixth day he abstained from milk, and only once and after sunset was refreshed with his mother's breasts. Which thing brought such admiration to wise men, that they considered that infant not indeed human, but divine. His tender age passed, he was handed over to the studies of Latin and Greek letters: He is initiated into the Priesthood, in which in a short time he profited so much as should be sufficient, that he might be illustrious among all: and having received his freedom, d he is enrolled in the order of Priests. Then more studiously and alertly he pressed on in fastings, prayers, and other pious things. So excelling in most preeminent virtues, in the twenty-second year of his age he is consecrated e Bishop of Suelli. Having received the new dignity, with his habits in no way changed, but increased with divine ones: He is consecrated Bishop: he judged this the rest of salvation for himself, that from the first entrance of dignity he should vigilantly seek out those things which chiefly pertained to the duty of a true Pastor, consoling the afflicted, relieving the poor, raising the prostrate, and most humanely confirming those distrustful of affairs, and other things of that kind, which through such a Prelate, with all looking on, turned out most pleasing. Hearing that many of his province were laboring under the weight of poverty, he did not fail them with whatever wealth he could: for counting the poor and recording them in a tablet, that memory might hold them, he distributes all his riches, helping them more in spirit than in things themselves. f The fasting and abstinence loved from infancy he embraced to the very last end, always joining assiduous prayers; all which to enumerate would be far too prolix.

[5] Shining with miracles, But let us come to the miracles, which are many, and almost incredible; by the magnitude of which the Lord willed to adorn the marvelous holiness of George, so that he who was preeminent in holiness might excel also in miracles, healing the sick, putting demons to flight, raising the dead: nay, imitating Moses himself, in most dry places burned by the heat of the sun, he made springs to burst forth gushing. When he was traversing his province with his Clerics, to deal with those things which were of his office, he came into a deserted place, where with them he was wearied with thirst, he elicits a spring for the thirsty. because he had no stream nor spring, by which he might be relieved of the trouble of thirst, and the labor more grievous with the summer heat pressing upon them g. George is not a little solicitous seeing the weariness of his companions; but relying upon the most pious facility of God, with hands lifted to heaven, suppliant he asks God for a remedy. Then for the sake of the most holy Trinity, three times striking the ground with his staff, he draws forth those waters, by which his companions sufficiently refreshed, might more alertly continue their journey. Which spring, that it may proclaim the praises of the most holy man, remains to this present day. Nor did that event alone find a remedy with the Saint: but many others also, that it might be clear with what authority and grace he prevailed with God.

[6] When he was going to the church in the town of Gallim, he had a demoniac meet him, He frees one possessed: who not containing himself cries out with most bitter voices: "I am cast out by George; I am cast out by George; I am burned by his prayers." But the Saint, taking pity on the man tormented by such a spirit, immediately drives out the demon by command. Seeing himself freed, cast at the feet of the saint, he gives such thanks as he can. h So shone the piety of George, and so great his holiness, that from him all the diocese, as from a father, sought remedy in their necessities. Asked at Logorano to visit a certain sick man, he, once asked, is not burdened, who gladly came to the help of all: He raises the dead: he finds him already dead. The father, exhausted with grief, fills the house with cries, begging the Saint not to fail his misery. George, moved by such bitter tears, on bended knees asks God, and intent on prayer, recalled to the living the young man already mingled with the dead. All those present marveled at the miracle, they find no gratitude they could render to God: and chiefly the father, who saw his despaired-of son restored to him. i Then crossing to the town of Vigullis he works other miracles no less great. A blind man in this town hearing that the Bishop was coming, He illuminates a blind man! makes himself a meeting, not doubting that he would receive the light of his eyes: "Having pity on me," he said, "give back the light of the eyes." The Saint having laid on his hands, and touched his eyes with the sign of the Cross, illuminates the one darkened, that in all God might always be praised, who created darkness and light. k Not without a miracle he settled a dispute among chief men about dividing fields. The matter was agitated before the Governor, He settles a controversy about boundaries by a miracle: the fields were divided without lawsuit, and they themselves at last peaceably reconciled, with a great heavenly miracle shining forth. The boundaries of the fields were to be marked with certain signs: therefore the stakes set in for this purpose give back, to their cultivator, the fruit which they owe. For immediately, with branches and flowers sent forth, they were turned into trees.

[7] l He makes frogs grow silent; God seemed to subject all things to him, demons, infirmities, death itself, and brute animals devoid of reason. Passing through the place Brisense m, it happened at the approaching night that he rested near a marsh, with his little bed spread: but since that marsh teemed with innumerable n frogs, with continuous croaking garrulous voice, it allowed no part of rest to the holy man. But when through the Deacon he laid down a command upon them not to croak more that night, they soon grew silent, as if no frog existed in the marsh; that men may learn to be obedient to the word of Saints, when they pervert divine and human things, and turn the broken most holy laws to their own will. o Not less to be marveled at is what he did for the most rugged mountains. There was a road, He cleaves an impassable mountain, which because of the height of an intervening mountain and its great ruggedness made great labor for those making journey; going through it George, moved by the labor of the travelers climbing, by the sign of the Cross commands that that inaccessible mountain should submit itself easily to the traveler: it is immediately cleft, and made level. And not content with these things, that there might be some refreshment for the weary travelers, he draws forth a perennial spring of water, which to this day flows copiously. He elicits a spring once, p The piety and mercy of this holy man, so great, was poured out not only to men, but also to the flying birds. and again; The sparrows were panting, boiling with thirst in a place exceedingly dry without any hope of refreshment, because that place is most empty of waters; he strikes the rock with his staff, and a spring gushed forth so copiously, which neither grows from the inundation of rains, nor decreases from the dryness of the sun, because the Lord greatly loved this Saint.

[8] He repelled injuries, if any were done. This is manifest by many examples; which for the sake of brevity we omit: He punishes a harsh master, but this one at least. An exceedingly violent man, Peter of Sinosa, seized by senseless anger, attacks a slave with whip in hand; but the slave, to flee the kindled fury, had nowhere to turn except to St. George q. But the most insane man, impatient of anger, without any consideration of the holy man, snatches the slave from his bosom and beats him with whips. God not suffering this injury done, looks to the honor of the Saint; and frees the penitent one: who, with a most fierce demon sent, vexes the most audacious man, that he might hence learn to value more the servants of God: yet brought back to the Saint, he obtained to be released from the torment; and being made free, that he might render himself grateful for the benefit, he offered several servants to the well-deserving man.

[9] A most grievous and wretched calamity was suffered by Torquitorius Judge of Cagliari, He averts a diabolic infestation, which he was thought to drag out to the last day of his life: at the hour of supper or dinner, the table filled with courses of food, was covered with most foul beetles, and with various hornets, with which were mingled toads and horrible snakes; which thing was indeed most foul, not only to the eyes beholding, but even to hearing. Various remedies being sought, they profit in nothing, but rather the blow of such affliction grew more and more. But by the authoring of most clement God, at length a salutary medicine was reached. With the famous fame of the holiness of George flying about because of the frequent miracles, great hope is infused in the Judge that he might find with him a certain medicine of salvation: and having approached him, and having related his misery, he begs with the highest prayers that he may ask God for him. If George was gentle to all, to this he was not harder, who was wont to be bent by pity. Invited to dinner, when he stood at the table r of the Judge, behold there leap forth in the usual way unclean frogs with snakes: the Saint, in no way moved, sending forth a blessing in the name of the most holy Trinity, with his word alone kills those serpents, He is given dominion of the city of Suelli: and so threw down those slain, that they no more approached, nor appeared. The Judge, grateful for the benefits, freely concedes to him and his successors the town of Suelli, the Episcopal See, with certain male and female servants added, and all domestic furnishings for more convenient use. Nor less grateful for the benefit was his wife, called Semispella, who bestows Simieri, a village adjacent to Suelli, to be possessed by the same right as the Judge had given s.

[10] With these and other things done by divine power, the last end of his life is foretold. Which thing George, calling together the Clerics, making known to them, Forewarned of his death, consoles them afflicted, and raises them to bear hard things for Christ. Many flow together, commending their health of body and soul. And now having taken the Lord's Sacraments, and said farewell to the world, he departs to the heavenly throne, on the twenty-third day of April t, and the year of Christ the Lord 1117. He piously dies and is honored with miracles. He was buried in the Cathedral Temple of the Church of Suelli; and kept there, he still shines with innumerable miracles: by which it appears how acceptable he was living to his most high Lord, which to be able to enumerate would demand whole volumes.

[11] We excerpt one or two, by which the most eager Reader may be strengthened with pleasantness: and first that which is reported as worthy of faith about Sergius brother of Mariano the Judge. He was laboring under such a disease, that for nine months he passed the time in bed with constant shouts. At the tomb a desperate disease of 9 months is cured. Anxious physicians were present, but inept in curing: and the disease grew, with continuous torturing pain. At last this counsel was taken, that with human medicine failing, divine should be sought; and through him especially, who living and dead had obtained such admirable things from the Lord, and was bringing salvation to pious men. Therefore brought to the sepulcher of the most blessed Saint, with a clamorous prayer he asks to be made well through his merits with the Lord. Much could this briefest prayer do, because it proceeded from affection; but more the pleasing merits of the Saint, by which he immediately obtained health. Thus he raised himself healthy from the tomb, as if he had not been broken by any weakness. He gave thanks to God, gave thanks also to the Saint himself, whom he had had as so great a Patron with God u.

[12] Paralysis, A Priest in the town of Furtei, minister of the church of St. Barbara, dissolved by paralysis, was shaken with such great tremor, that he could not hold the Chalice with his hands. No human remedy being found, he finally found a divine one at the tomb of George: going to that holy place, he asks with tears for health; and having obtained it, he departed firm in his limbs x, giving the thanks which he owed God. With an eye-witness of our time it is also related, of a frenetic woman, and frenzy. who lying at the sepulcher of George, leaves freed from insanity. You will find innumerable other things about this most blessed Saint, demons put to flight, sick cured, those taken in eyes restored to light, which the Lord on each day deigns to work through his merits. We being content with these, will give an end to the history. May he be always a propitious Patron for us with God, that freed from every worst attack, we may enjoy the perpetual life of the heavens y.

ANNOTATIONS.

A digression was added, which we altogether judge to be of the Interpolator, and, as far as suspicion suggests, of the same one who composed the Prologue: wherefore we have here reported this and similar scraps taken from the context of the history. It is such:

"Never should one despair of God, who is powerful from stones to raise up sons to Abraham. Tibullus knew the virtue of true confidence, when he consoled those despairing of things with these words:

'Hope favors, and always says it will be better tomorrow. Hope feeds the farmers: hope entrusts to the plowed furrows The virtue of trust. Seeds, which the field returns with great interest.'

More clearly that supreme Spirit, raising all souls to confidence: Ecclus. 2:11 'Look, sons, upon the nations of men: and know that no one has hoped in the Lord and been confounded. For who has continued in his commandments, and been forsaken? or who has called upon him, and been despised by him?' Whence sweet Bernard: 'The Author of all, God, abounds with such inward parts of piety, that to the supreme grace of confidence we can extend our bosom: which confidence the stronger and more pressing it is toward God, the more securely and abundantly obtains what we desire.' Not vain this confidence in Viventia with her husband Lucifer, who fervent with God and insistent in prayer, obtained a copious fruit, with such a son granted, who living might penetrate heavenly mysteries."

"About which I asking him who had seen it in the mountains of Ogliastra, understood that the spring lasts even today, and never seems to be increased or diminished: and the Sardinians call it 'Samisam of St. George.'"

"Almost the same we read of St. Martin, who when he saw in a river fishes being devoured by mergansers, commanded that they leave the river where they were swimming: who soon going out from the sea, seek dry and deserted places."

p The same adds: "That place thence is called the staircase of St. George."

q "When he was going out to his church of Suelli," says Dimas.

r On the contrary Dimas writes that the Judge himself with his wife set out for Suelli: whom when the Saint had placed at his table, foul insects appeared indeed before the windows of the dining room, but were in no way able to enter, and finally altogether disappeared by the Saint's command.

s The Interpolator adds: "The gift stands open, in this very present time of ours, in the possession of the Bishops of Cagliari: The boundaries are marked by a staff turned into trees: and the diploma of donation exists in the archive of Cagliari": which should rather have been sought, than a new one feigned under the name of a son or successor, about whom we treated above. Dimas further adds: "But the Bishop asked Torquatus (for so he himself writes) to define a pomerium for the city, in which the flocks might be pastured: and having obtained it, he marked the boundaries with the staff he bore in hand: and soon two trees came forth, which even today remain living but fruitless: nor are they violated with impunity, and from that time no one has dared to touch the boundaries of the Suelli city, except in this most recent war: in which, when a suit was stirred between the Sisinensians and the Suellensians, a certain Captain of those, whose name I spare, seized a hoe; and wishing to transfer the ancient boundaries, with all his limbs suddenly dissolved, by the death that followed within twenty-four hours he was punished, as is known by example to all. Again the same Dimas after certain other things: "Once he was going with the Lord of Trexenta to define the boundaries of the Suelli territory, Another spring produced: which had been increased by his gift; and when all were pressed with much thirst, the Bishop struck with his staff the mare on which he was sitting, and immediately from the hoof of the same mare a spring stood forth from the rock, still holding the imprinted form of half of a horseshoe, the water bursting forth from the other half which does not appear: which spring the Sardinians, from a boundary marker near which it is situated, call Samizam Gilemniensis. The same staff with which he had struck the mare, being planted in the ground, grew into two trees, the staff changed into trees. and it sets the limits of twin pastures for the inhabitants of the Curatoria and Trexenta, about which they were previously quarreling: and they are still seen today, and though they have the form of cherry trees, yet they bear no fruit, and are called in the Sardinian tongue 'su prunu de sa Cruxi' (the thornbush of the Cross)."

t This day since it is sacred to the great Martyr George, Dimas observes it happened that the holy Bishop was commonly confused with him, and in all churches sacred to him he is now found painted, not in Episcopal dress, but on horseback, as the former is wont to be depicted.

u Miracles at the sepulcher, The same Dimas also narrates this, perhaps passed over by the hastening Arca and to be found elsewhere in the original: "A certain wealthy man, Constantine of Ruqueda by name, recovered in a similar way from a similar and even longer infirmity: moved by whose example, his son, himself also infirm, had himself carried to the same sepulcher, and returned healthy, and in thanksgiving gave to the church the slave that he owned." Of those who dismissed at the sacred tomb the fevers by which they were vexed, the number cannot be computed.

x The manner of the cure Dimas thus explains: "He had himself carried to Suelli, The health-giving tree of St. George. and in the cemetery of the church to be tied to one of the trees existing there, which is believed to persist there from that time: and having thus recovered some little strength, so that he could enter the church by himself, he at length obtained full health. I myself," says the same Dimas, "heard from the elders of Suelli about the said tree, that sick animals tied to the same are wont to be cured from any evil: and I myself saw animals in like manner bound to the door-hinge of the Stampach church standing, which were said to be sick, and were led back healed." For, as he had said above, the Calaritan suburb inhabitants the Stampachini, among whom the Saint was born, and who acknowledge him as special Patron, have converted his birth house into a church, and the very street in which it is situated they still name after St. George. His birth house at Cagliari, "And all my contemporaries know that there was a church there, in which on the day of the feast of this Saint several Masses were said every year, and also usually one was sung: I saw it and remember it. Although the place is now profaned, converted to the use of secular habitation; yet the tower that stands there and the walls painted with images show that it was once sacred. Therefore returning from Spain, where I had stayed for 24 years, and seeing the change of the place, once a church was there, I dealt with the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord, D. Francis de Valle, Archbishop of Cagliari, that, since he possessed the city of Suelli by the benefit of St. George, he should order the aforesaid church to be restored. He acquiescing to my counsel, wanted me to give a sermon to the people in the church of St. Anne about the Saint, which I did with him assisting; then he concluded that by diligent inspection all things should be noted, which would give testimony of a place once sacred. Therefore I and D. Mag. Monserratus Rossellon, Assessor of the Most Illustrious; Augustine Zapaterus, Notary of the Archbishop; and some Canons went; and we found the bell tower, and the walls painted, as is wont to be seen in ancient churches. But lest this place be restored to its ancient worship, as the aforesaid Archbishop intended, his death intervening prevented it. After this I pressed his successor D. Alfonsus Lassus Sedenius, that he take up the work intended by his predecessor; which he promised to do. That it is not pleasing to God that a house once sanctified with such prodigies be turned to profane uses, I knew when I still lived in my father's house, now turned to profane uses, adjacent to that profaned one. For while there one evening wedding dances were held, the flooring sank with the beams failing, and turned all joy into mourning. I heard also from my grandfather, who lived beyond a hundred years, that formerly the care of that church was held by the Franciscan Brothers, namely those who are called Conventuals; and every year on the day of the feast of St. George they were coming to celebrate Sacred Rites there. But when the roof had fallen, the lot was sold, and by him who had bought it was turned into his habitation. But as he himself died poor, with harm to its inhabitants. so also many misfortunes came upon the heirs of the paternal curse rather than of the goods; until they restored their house in the manner of profane buildings already roofed, again to sacred uses, in which it persevered until twenty years ago, when it was again and wholly profaned. My father too, still surviving and scarcely less than a centenarian, inhabiting the house of my said grandfather, near the Georgian house, as I said; testifies that he saw the people coming frequently there for the sake of prayer, because many there are freed from fevers, and adds that the same door-hinge of the door is that which was when it was a church. The same asserts Joannotus Murja, himself also near a centenarian, a witness of several misfortunes coming upon those who presumed to dwell there, nor foreboding lighter things for today's inhabitants." Thus far Dimas: he then goes on to other temples of this St. George through Sardinia, about which we have treated from himself above.

y His name in the Litanies. Here we judge the Life as written by Paul to end: but the words that follow: "This Saint the church of Cagliari holds among the Confessors, and implores his help in her litanies," these we refer here, as added afterwards by the Interpolator.