Cyril

ON SAINT CYRIL,

MARTYR AT AXIOPOLIS IN LOWER MOESIA.

Cyril, Martyr at Axiopolis, in Lower Moesia (St.)

G. H.

[1] Axiopolis, an ancient city of Lower Moesia or Bulgaria, is situated on the right bank of the Danube river; and it is noted among the ancients that the Danube from Axiopolis onward is called the Ister, up to the mouths by which it flows into the Euxine Sea. The Epternach copy of the Hieronymian Martyrology, written nearly a thousand years ago, which we have hitherto used throughout this whole work, thus begins this day: "On the 6th day before the Kalends of May. At Axiopolis the birth into heaven of Cyril." The same is read in manuscript Martyrologies also very ancient, namely of the monastery of Reichenau, near Constance in Swabia, and of the monastery of Rheinau in Switzerland.

[2] In other copies of the same Hieronymian Martyrology, because of a dropped mark, to the said Axiopolis is added "the Martyr Aurelius"; but he is said to have suffered at Rome in the aforementioned most ancient one, where these things are had consecutively thus: "At Axiopolis the birth into heaven of Cyril. And at Antioch of Euthymia. And at Rome of Primitivus, Aurelius. Again at Antioch of Leonides," etc. In more recent ones, therefore, where the words read thus, "At Axiopolis of Aurelius, At Antioch of Leonides," etc., the mark must be supplied. That titles may not be multiplied, we shall join the Antiochene Martyrs, and substitute for St. Cyril two Roman Martyrs.

ON SAINTS PRIMITIVUS AND AURELIUS,

MARTYRS AT ROME.

Primitivus, Martyr at Rome (St.)

Aurelius, Martyr at Rome (St.)

G. H.

The memory of these Martyrs has been preserved, as we said, in the most ancient copy of the Hieronymian Martyrology, and is thus expressed: "And at Rome of Primitivus, Aurelius." A certain Primitivus, in some copies Primitiva, Martyr in the Roman port, is referred to February 25, but had as companion Paul, likewise Martyr. Another St. Primitivus, Roman Martyr, is venerated on June 10, having suffered with SS. Getulius, Cerealis, and Amantius under the Emperor Hadrian: from both of these we think the present one to be distinct. The Martyr Aurelius is mentioned on this day by three other copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, and by a certain manuscript of Trier of St. Maximinus, and they ascribe him to Axiopolis. But this happens, as we have shown above, by the fault of copyists, by whom the dash was omitted in transcribing. With no place of struggle indicated, mention is made of Aurelius in the manuscripts of Paris (Labbe) and Aachen; but in the latter "Aurinus" is written: likewise in Greven's Supplement to Usuard. In the Augsburg manuscript of St. Ulric "Africa" is prefixed: but that name ought to be referred to the African Martyrs soon to be presented.

ON SS. EUTHYMIA, LEONIDES, VINDEUS, MARIUS,

MARTYRS AT ANTIOCH IN SYRIA.

Euthymia, Martyr at Antioch in Syria (St.)

Leonides, Martyr at Antioch in Syria (St.)

Vindeus, Martyr at Antioch in Syria (St.)

Marius, Martyr at Antioch in Syria (St.)

G. H.

Already in the preceding, the most ancient copy of the Hieronymian Martyrology mentioned presents these Martyrs, but as if distinct, in this way: "At Antioch of Euthymia." Then these are inserted: "And at Rome of Primitivus, Aurelius," of whom we have already treated, and then is added: "Likewise at Antioch of Leonides, Vindeus." Whom we report together under the same title. The last two are indicated in three other copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology: likewise in the Rheinau and Reichenau manuscripts, and with the Syrian city Antioch expressed, in the Aachen, Augsburg, and Labbe manuscripts. In the ancient manuscript Calendar before the works of St. Isidore, the memory of St. Leo is celebrated at Antioch, which is better, with others, in the Trier manuscript of St. Maximinus, and in Greven's Supplement to Usuard, Leonides: and so the one who in this Supplement is added as Guideus, in others is Vindecus. The fourth, Marius, is added in the Corbie manuscript of the Hieronymian Martyrology printed at Paris.