Zeno the Bishop

ON STS. ZENO THE BISHOP, GENESIUS, SODALIS, MARINUS, ZOTICUS, ELPIDIUS, EUTYCHIUS AND LUPICINUS,

MARTYRS IN LYDIA.

Zeno, Bishop and Martyr in Lydia (Saint)

Genesius, Martyr in Lydia (Saint)

Sodalis, Martyr in Lydia (Saint)

Marinus, Martyr in Lydia (Saint)

Zoticus, Martyr in Lydia (Saint)

Elpidius, Martyr in Lydia (Saint)

Eutychius, Martyr in Lydia (Saint)

Lupicinus, Martyr in Lydia (Saint)

G. H.

This is the third class of Martyrs, reported in four ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology thus: "In Lydia of Genesius, Sodalis, Zoticus, Marinus, Zeno, Hilpidius, Eutychius," to which Lupicinus is added in the Corbie codex printed at Paris. Three of these are commemorated in the Roman manuscript of Cardinal Barberini, and the Trier manuscript of Saint Maximin: and in Greven in the Additions to Usuard, "In Lydia of Genesius, Sodalis, Marinus." In the Prague manuscript, without the place indicated, the memory of Saints Sodalis and Marinus is reported. Lydia is a region of Asia Minor, neighboring on Ionia and Phrygia, for which in the Echternach copy is read "Libandia," which we think was done by the fault of scribes; since in seven other different manuscripts is read "Lydia." In the same Echternach copy the names are reported in this way: "Of Zeno the Bishop, Genesius, Maurinus, Sodalis, Eutychius, Zoticus, Hilpidius." In the place of Zeno and Eutychius in the Corbie manuscript is read "Zeto" and "Eutychius." In the Lucca codex is added "of Eppedius the Presbyter": but he belongs to the following class. Among the printed ancient Martyrologies, Notker reports them thus: "In Lydia of Genesius, Sodalis, Zoticus, Elpidius, and Eutychius": and this is the genuine writing of the last two names, as those skilled in Greek words know: and therefore we have used it alone in the title. Zeno, Bishop of Diospolis, one of the 70 disciples, the Greeks venerate on this day with Aristarchus and Mark; who also called John, though he is nowhere mentioned in the Latin calendars, yet I would not dare to assert that he is named here, nor to separate Zeno the Bishop from the class of Lydian Martyrs. Concerning the Apostle, as the Greeks call him, it will be more conveniently treated on September 27, when he is again commemorated with Mark.