ON THE HOLY MARTYRS OF ALEXANDRIA.
DOROTHEUS PRIEST, RODOCIANUS DEACON, VIATOR, TERENTIUS, MARTINUS, MAJORICA, VICTOR, CLAUDIUS, SILVANUS, CLEMENS OR ORIMENTUS, HONORATUS, LIKEWISE VICTOR, REDUCTUS, LIKEWISE HONORATUS, TELESFORUS, PRIMOSUS, ROGATUS, FELIX LIKEWISE FELIX, LUCIANUS, COLOSUS, LIKEWISE ROGATUS, REVOCATUS, SEVERUS, COTIDIA, FORTUNUS, SPINICA, JOCUNDUS, DEMETRIUS, JULIUS, SECUNDINUS BISHOP, MERITUS, HONORUS, LIKEWISE SILVANUS, SATURNINUS, EMILIANUS, SATURNINA, APHRODISIUS PRIEST, DUGDUS PASTOR BISHOP.
CommentaryDorotheus, Priest, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Rodocianus, Deacon, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Viator, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Terentius, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Martinus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Majorica, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Victor, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Claudius, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Silvanus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Clemens, or Orimentus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Honoratus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Victor, another, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Reductus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Honoratus, another, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Telesforus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Primosus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Rogatus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Felix, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Felix, another, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Lucianus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Colosus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Rogatus, another, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Revocatus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Severus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Cotidia, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Fortunus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Spinica, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Iocandus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Demetrius, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Iulius, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Secundinus, Bishop, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Meritus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Silvanus, another, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Saturninus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Emilianus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Saturnina, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Aprodisius, Priest, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Dugdus, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
Pastor, Bishop, Martyr at Alexandria (Saint)
BY G. H.
After so various and illustrious Martyrs of Christ, whom we have shown throughout this whole month of April to have merited and carried off the triumph with their blood, Many Martyrs in the Martyrologies of Saint Jerome, on this last day an easy hundred and thirty noble athletes close the ranks, of whom ninety make the sacred Fasti more noble by their names. These are indicated in four copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, and are best arranged in their classes in a most ancient codex, written nearly a thousand years ago in the Teutonic character, which, received from the monastery of Epternach, we have hitherto produced throughout this whole work: their names on April 30 in the older codex, and thus there the first class is indicated. "On the day before the Kalends of May at Alexandria of Dorotheus the Priest, Rodocianus the Deacon, Viator, Terentius, Martinus, Majorica, Victurus, Silvanus, Orimentus, Honoratus, Victorinus, Reductus, likewise Honoratus, Talesforus, Primusus, Rogatus, Felix, likewise Felix, Lucianus, Colisus, Revocatus, Severus, Cotia, Fortunus, Spinica, Jocundus, Julius, Emeritus, Honorius, Silvanus, Saturninus, Emelianus, Saturnina, Afrodus, compared with others: Dugdus, Partor the Bishop." Thus far the primary copy: from which three other copies do not far disagree, namely the Corbey one printed at Paris, the Lucca one published by Florentinius, and the manuscript Blumian: in these "Rodocianus" is written, and "Victor" in the Corbey instead of "Viator," "Malorica" and "Claudius" in the Blumian, "Clemens" instead of "Orimentus" in the Lucca and Blumian. But by fault of the copyist, thence to Julius eighteen Martyrs' names are missing in the Parisian edition; and in place of all of them is placed the name of Demetrius, of whom no mention is made in the others. In the other two are written "Victori, Thelefori, Primosi, Colesi," which above are the names of Victorinus, Talesforus, Primusus, Colisus; and in the Lucca one the other Felix is omitted; and in place of Revocatus, in both is placed "likewise Rogatus." Likewise after Severus, the order being transposed, are placed the names Spica, Cotidia, Fortunus, Jucundus: which above in the Epternach are Cotia, Fortunus, Spinica, Jocundus. And here the names of the Martyrs are resumed in the Parisian edition: and after Julius is inserted in three copies Secundinus the Bishop, lacking in the Epternach one: in this also "Emeritus," in them is "Meritus." But "Emellianus" is "Emelianus" and "Emilianus" in others, in the Parisian is omitted. Also instead of "Afrodus," "Affrodus" and "Afferodus" are written; but in place of "Partoris," better is read in others "Pastoris" Bishop.
[2] various in other Martyrologies: Several of these are expressed in other Martyrologies. In the ancient Barberini, with which we have also compared the genuine Martyrology of Bede, and in the Trier manuscript of Saint Maximinus, these are read: "In Alexandria of Dorotheus the Priest, Rodocianus the Deacon, Clemens, Honoratus, Reductus, Secundinus the Bishop." The same, with the last omitted, are in the Prague manuscript of the metropolitan church; and there "Redactus" is written, who in others is "Reductus." In the Reichenau manuscript are expressed the names "Dorotheus the Priest, Rodocianus the Deacon, Viator, Martinus, Majoricus, Victor": of these the second to last is called "Majorica" in others. In the manuscript of the Queen of Sweden, also praised by Holstenius in his Animadversions on the Roman Martyrology, these things are held: "In Alexandria the birthday of Saints Dorotheus the Priest, Rodocianus the Deacon, Terentius, Martinus with 52 others." But these belong to several classes. In the Cologne manuscript of Saint Mary ad Gradus these are repeated from the preceding: among whom is Saint Pastor, Bishop. "In Alexandria the birthday of Saints Dorotheus the Priest, Rodolianus the Deacon, Clemens, Reductus." In other manuscripts Dorotheus alone is named, or is conjoined with the Saints of the following classes. In the Roman manuscript of the Duke of Altemps toward the end are reported these names: "Secundinus the Bishop, Pastor the Bishop." In the small but most ancient Trier manuscript of Saint Maximinus, these things are held: "Pastor the Priest; Demetrius, Quirinus the Bishop, Saturninus." Of Quirinus we treat separately below. The Trier manuscript of Saint Martin and the Utrecht one of Saint Mary with Usuard add the kind of martyrdom in these words: "In Alexandria of Pastor the Bishop, with 24 others burnt with fire and drowned in the sea": and these same words on March 30 are had in Greven and Canisius. But these 24 are rather to be referred to the third order of Martyrs.
[3] Finally, the one who above is written "Afrodus, Affrodus or Afferodus," seems to be called by others "Aphrodisius the Priest." Thus Rabanus: "In Alexandria the birthday of Afrodisius the Priest with thirty others." and Saint Aphrodisius the Priest. The same has Notker, and the author of the Martyrology falsely given under the name of Bede, but the latter calls him "Ephrodisius"; but "Effrodisius" is said by Greven and Canisius and in the Aachen manuscript. In the Reichenau and Rheinau manuscripts: "At Alexandria of Frodilus the Priest." Finally, in today's Roman Martyrology: "At Alexandria of the holy Martyrs Aphrodisius the Priest and thirty others." We do not affix the number thirty for the companions, because besides Aphrodisius thirty-nine are expressed by their names. On March 22 is venerated Saint Afrodisius, Bishop of Béziers: another than Saint Aphrodisius, Bishop of Béziers. whose Life Peter Calo of the Order of Preachers wrote, and with a title not duly expressed the day April 30 was assigned for his cult, whence we had set down that Life to be given on this day: but we now lay it aside for the Supplement to March 22, if perhaps some miracles may seem to be brought to light from it. For concerning the Life it is the same fabulous narrative, which we have there and above on April 28 refuted as related from Peter Calo and Peter de Natalibus. Concerning Saint Secundinus the Bishop, omitted in the Epternach copy, and Saint Secundinus the Bishop. but related in the other three copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, likewise in the Roman Barberini and Altemps manuscripts and Trier of Saint Maximinus, it was doubtful for us whether he is the one who is venerated below with Saint Agapius, who suffered at Cirta in Numidia: whose Acts of martyrdom are soon subjoined, inserted in the Acts of Saints Marianus and Jacobus: and whether rather he is to be joined with these; or finally whether he is the same as the one adjoined to the third class. With this admonition made, we leave him, found among these Martyrs.
ON SAINTS AGAPIUS AND SECUNDINUS BISHOPS, THEODORUS
PRIEST, MARIANUS LECTOR AND JACOBUS DEACON, ÆMILIANUS SOLDIER, TERTULLA AND
ANTONIA VIRGINS, AND ANOTHER WOMAN WITH TWO TWINS. LIKEWISE SECUNDIANUS,
CONCORDIUS, FLORIANUS, GABER, GAIANUS, POSTUMUS, MOMMINUS, QUINTIANUS,
CASSIUS, FASILUS, FLORENTIUS, DEMETRIUS, GUDUDUS, CRISPINUS, LIKEWISE CRISPINUS,
DONATUS, ZEON, AND MANY OTHERS BOTH CLERICS AND LAYMEN
MARTYRS AT CIRTA AND LAMBAESA IN NUMIDIA,
ABOUT THE YEAR 259.
PrefaceAgapius, Bishop, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Secundinus, Bishop, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Theodorus, Priest, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Marianus, Lector, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Jacobus, Deacon, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Aemilianus, soldier, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Tertulla, Virgin, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Antonia, Virgin, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Likewise a woman with two twins, Martyrs at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saints)Secundianus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Concordius, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Florianus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Gaber, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Gaianus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Postumus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Momminus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Quintianus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Cassius, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Fasilus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Florentius, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Demetrius, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Gududus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Crispinus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Crispinus, another, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Donatus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Zeon, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Many others, Martyrs at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saints)
BY G. H.
The most eminent Baronius in his Ecclesiastical Annals, at the year of Christ 262 no. 34, writes that among the butcheries of the whole province of Africa, carried out in the persecution of the Emperors Valerian and Gallienus, that one seems fiercer than the rest, which is found to have taken place in Numidia. That there exists, he says, concerning it an epistle written by one of those Confessors, already designated as a Martyr, The most solid Acts of these Martyrs who himself a fellow prisoner, composing chiefly the history of Jacobus the Deacon and Marianus the Lector, also makes mention of other Martyrs, namely of Agapius and Secundinus the Bishops, of Aemilianus a most illustrious man, of Tertulla and Antonia the Virgins, and of a certain mother with her twins, and of many others. As far as it is possible to conjecture from the style, the same Baronius says he seems to have been a disciple of Cyprian, whose diction he imitates somewhat in his writing; a noble monument of antiquity, recognized by us, and diligently corrected with great zeal applied (as much as was possible in matters so very ancient and in corrupted codices). This therefore, both for the remarkable knowledge of the matters transacted, inserted in the Ecclesiastical Annals: and also that from those things which have been faithfully written down, we may be able to contemplate the other Acts of the Martyrs which have not been written or have perished through the injury of time, we judge it worth the labor to describe in the Annals. Thus Baronius. The same Acts Lawrence Surius published on this day, April 29: here they are given from various manuscripts: which we give again taken from four manuscript codices, namely from the Passional of the Cathedral Church of Saint Lambert at Liège, formerly of Saint Victor of Paris, written six hundred years ago; then from a perhaps older manuscript of the Trier monastery of Saint Maximinus; moreover from the notable parchment manuscript of the monastery of Boddeken, of the Order of Canons Regular of Saint Augustine in the diocese of Paderborn; finally from the Utrecht manuscript of Saint Salvator; except that the same Acts in the last two codices are more contracted.
[2] These Martyrs are celebrated in the ancient Martyrologies, partly on April 29, partly on April 30, and sacred cult, of others April 29, on the former day these things are read in Usuard: "In Numidia, at the Cirtensian colony, the birthday of the holy Martyrs, Agapius and Secundinus the Bishops: who in the persecution of Valerian, after a long exile, in the aforesaid city (in which then especially the fury of the Gentiles was gaping to test the faith of the just), from their illustrious Priesthood were made glorious Martyrs. In their company suffered Aemilianus the soldier, Tertulla and Antonia the sacred Virgins, and a certain woman with her twins." Similar or even more things are held in Ado, Notker, Bellinus, Maurolycus, Felicius, Galesinius, Canisius, with several manuscripts, and especially in today's Roman Martyrology. But
Galesinius, with the pseudo-Bede and the Burgos Breviary, refers all these Martyrs to March 30. The author of the manuscript Florarium also on April 29 of the same month places the memory of Tertulla and Antonina Virgins and Martyrs, with a certain woman having two twins, not brothers as wrongly printed in the Pretermitted for that day. Before the other Martyrologists cited, Wandelbert celebrated the two Bishops with these verses:
The third, to Pontiffs dedicated by altar and by merit, Venerates Agapius and Secundinus together.
But because none of the ancients indicated in what place the Bishops were, they seemed to be public property and of the first who takes them. Hence the one who patched together the Adversaria of Julianus Petrus attributes them to Spain, no. 533, in these words: "The bodies of the holy Martyrs Agapius Bishop of Carthage of Spain, and Secundinus or Secundus of Braga, sent from Spain to Cirta, city of Numidia into exile, where they suffered under Valerian, by whom they suffered exile. Secundus preceded Calidonius the Bishop of Braga: the bodies of these were brought back to the Spains, sent as a gift to Count Raymond, son-in-law of the Emperor Alfonso VI." Hence Tamayo de Salazar inscribed them in his Hispanic Martyrology, and wrote the Life of each; yet he confesses he does not know in what place the remains of these Pontiffs are now kept. Cardoso also inscribed Secundinus in the Lusitanian Hagiologion. We also willingly confess that we do not know whether they were ever, either alive or dead, in the Spains, and unless more certain documents are given, we will never believe it. The relics of Saints Antonia and Tertulla are said by Masini to be at Bologna. Perhaps brought from the Roman cemeteries, and of Martyrs most different from the Numidian ones. We have joined Saint Theodorus the Priest, because in a very old Monte Cassino manuscript in Lombard script these are read: "The birthday of the holy Martyrs Theodorus the Priest, Agapius, Secundinus."
[3] Concerning Saints Marianus and Jacobus the same Martyrologists treat on April 30, of others April 30: of whom one, Ado, composed this elogium about them: "On the day before the Kalends of May. The birthday of the holy Martyrs Marianus and Jacobus, of whom the former was a Lector, the latter a Deacon. And when Marianus had already long before overcome the attacks of the Decian persecution in his confession of Christ; again with his beloved colleague he was seized at the Cirtensian colony: where after dire and exquisite tortures (so that Marianus was hung by the tops of his thumbs, and bound with great weight on his feet, he was most cruelly tortured), for a long time they were macerated in prison. But wondrously strengthened by divine mercies, then directed to the Prefect to the Lambaesitan city, there again for a long time they were consigned to the prison dungeon: but again alleviated by divine reliefs, finally with many others they were consummated by the sword." Thus Ado, and the other Martyrologies and the Acts themselves agree with him. Among the many others, of whom mention is made everywhere, are to be counted the Martyrs, who are named with Marianus and Jacobus in the four ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, and there constitute the second class of Martyrs, Martyrs joined from the ancient Martyrologies. and are indicated in these words in the most ancient Epternach codex: "And elsewhere of Secundianus, Concordianus, Concordius, Marianus, Jacobus, Gaber, Gaianus, Postumus, Mominus, Quintianus, Cassius, Fasilus, Florentius, Demetrius, Gadudus, Crispinus, likewise Crispinus, Donatus, Geon." There is some difference in the other copies, where the names of Concordia, Marcianus, Floria, Galanus, Starilus, and Zeno are brought out, but once, in place of Concordius, Marianus, Florianus, Gaianus, Fasilus and Zeno. In some manuscript, not ancient, there is "Zonus Bishop Martyr," perhaps this Zeon or Zeno. Of these, Secundianus is in the Trier manuscript of Saint Martin, Crispinus in the Aachen, Augsburg of Saint Udalric, Parisian of Labbé manuscripts, and in Greven's Auctarium to Usuard. It is also no obstacle that, the city of Lambaesa being omitted, it is said, "and elsewhere": for this is very common to the said Hieronymian Martyrology, when less-known places occur. On May 6 are also venerated among other African Martyrs Marianus and Jacobus: on which occasion Rabanus and, under doubt, Notker speak of these two.
[4] Now the cities of Numidia, once Episcopal, are Cirta or Cirtha and Lambaesa: the place the former was the Metropolis, and is said today to be called Constantina; the other, in Ptolemy, Lambaesa, the Third Augustan Legion, is distant from Cirta eastward 24 miles. These Martyrs suffered after Saint Cyprian, who had appeared to Saint Marianus in a vision, already made a Martyr before, in the year of Christ 258, on September 14: and the time of martyrdom. so that the martyrdom of these seems able to be referred to the following year 259, and thus preceded the captivity of Valerian, and the almost final ruin of the Roman Empire, when in it many tyrants arose in various places, numbered thirty by Trebellius Pollio. And this near vengeance of just blood Saint Marianus dying seems to have predicted.
[5] The bodies of Saints Jacobus and Marianus the Martyrs rest at Gubbio in Umbria at the foot of the Apennines, Relics and cult of Saints Jacobus and Marianus at Gubbio, in the Cathedral church built under their invocation: to whose translation May 10 is sacred, as Ughelli in volume 1 of Italia Sacra asserts among the Bishops of Gubbio. But when or on what occasion they were translated from Africa to Italy, nowhere is it committed to memory. Jacobillus in the Additions to April 29 and 30, On the Saints of Umbria, and On the Relics of Umbria p. 4, and Ferrarius in his General Catalogue on the said May 10, attest to Ughelli.
LIFE
By a contemporary and eyewitness.
From various Mss. and the edition of Baronius and Surius.
Agapius, Bishop, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Secundinus, Bishop, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Theodorus, Priest, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Marianus, Lector, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Jacobus, Deacon, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Aemilianus, soldier, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Tertulla, Virgin, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Antonia, Virgin, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Likewise a woman with two twins, Martyrs at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saints)Secundianus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Concordius, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Florianus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Gaber, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Gaianus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Postumus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Momminus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Quintianus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Cassius, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Fasilus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Florentius, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Demetrius, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Gududus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Crispinus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Crispinus, another, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Donatus, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Zeon, Martyr at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saint)
Many others, Martyrs at Cirta and Lambaesa in Numidia (Saints)BHL Number: 0131
BY A CONTEMPORARY FROM MSS.
PROLOGUE.
[1] As often as the most blessed Martyrs of God Almighty and of His Christ, Acts written at the request of the Martyrs hastening to the promises of the kingdom of heaven, more modestly enjoin something upon their dearest ones, they are mindful of the humility which is always wont to make men greater in faith: and the more modestly they have asked, the more effectively have they obtained, and have left to us, as witnesses of the noblest things of God, this office of proclaiming their glory: I mean Marianus, one of our dearest brothers, and Jacobus; whom you know to have been bound to me, beyond the common religion of the sacrament and the fellowship of life, by domestic affections. Who, about to have so sublime a combat against the raging pressures of the world and the assaults of the Gentiles; their battle, which they entered upon by the instinct of the heavenly Spirit, they ordered to come, through us, into the knowledge of the brotherhood. Not that they wished on earth that the glory of their crown be proclaimed by boasting; but that with the preceding examples, the multitude of the people and the people of God might be armed with the example of faith. And not without reason familiar confidence enjoined me, who was to publish them: for who doubts, but that there was community of life with us in peace, when the time of persecution found us living together in undivided love?
[2] For we were proceeding into Numidia together, as always before, having entered the way with fellow and equal companionship: which was leading us to the desired service of faith and religion, them already to heaven. And they came to a place which is called Muguas, which is in the suburban vicinity of the Cirtensian Colony: in which city at that time especially, by the blind fury of the Gentiles, and by military duties, the onsets of persecution, like waves of the world, were swelling; and with avid jaws, to test the faith of the just, the madness of the raging devil was gaping. Whence Marianus and Jacobus, most blessed Martyrs, In cruel persecution, held most certain and desired signs of the divine favor toward them, who, being led in that region in which the tempest of persecution was raging more turbulently, as the hour now ripened, understood their steps, with Christ steering, to be directed to the very place of the crown. For the fury of the bloody and blinded Prefect was seeking all who were beloved to Christ through military bands. Nor was the insanity of cruelty exercised only against those who in the earlier persecutions unshaken had freely lived to God: but against those too the devil stretched out his insatiable hand, whom long since sent away into exile, although not yet by blood, already in mind Martyrs, the fierce madness of the Prefect had crowned.
[3] Among these were led from exile to the Prefect Agapius and Secundinus, Bishops, Saints Agapius and Secundinus Bishops both praiseworthy in spiritual love, the one also in the sanctity of carnal continence. They were being led, I say, not from punishment, as it seemed to the Gentiles, to punishment, but rather from glory to glory, from one contest to another: that they, who had subjected the captives from the pomps of the world in obtaining the name of Christ, should also tread upon the stings of death by the virtue of consummated faith. For it was not right that they should too tardily seek victory in the earthly wrestling, whom the Lord was already hastening to have with Him. a And it happened, brethren, received in the lodging of the writer, that Agapius and Secundinus, from their illustrious Priesthood Martyrs glorious, in that passage by which they were proceeding to the blessed battle of their passion, by the Prefect's temporal power indeed, but by Christ's election, should meanwhile deign to grace our hospitality. In whom so great a spirit of vivification and grace was present, that for such holy and illustrious witnesses of God it was too little that they themselves had destined their precious blood to martyrdom, unless also they had made others Martyrs by the inspiration of their own faith. they animate others by their words: among whom Saints Marianus and Jacobus: So great was their charity toward the brothers, and so great their love,
that although even silent they could have built up the faith of the brotherhood by the examples of so devoted and obstinate virtue, yet, consulting more widely for the stability of perseverance, they were pouring into our hearts the dew of saving discourse: nor could they be silent, who saw the word of God. Nor is it wonderful, if in those few days so bountifully the salutary discourse of those animated the minds of us all, in whom already Christ, with gleaming grace, was flashing from the imminent passion.
[4] At length, thus setting out, they left Marianus and Jacobus disposed by their example and teaching, that they might leave the most recent traces of their glory to those who were to follow in their path. For scarcely had two days passed, behold, its own palm was seeking Marianus and Jacobus our dearest ones, nor, as in other places, was this carried out by one or another stationary soldier, b but by a whole century. For a violent hand and a wicked multitude had flown together to the villa which held us, as if to a famous seat of faith. O incursion to be desired by us! O trembling happy and worthy of exultation! Since they came to us for this alone, that the just blood of Marianus and Jacobus might fulfill the divine favor. Scarcely in this place can we, dearest brothers, restrain our heaped-up joys: we who two days before had sent off some from our embraces to the very exit of the passion, still had others with us who were to be Martyrs. Whom when now the ripe hour of divine favor more strongly sought, being carried off to Cirta they profess the faith: it also grazed us with some part of fraternal glory, because we were being dragged from Muguas into the Cirtensian Colony. But those dearest to us, and chosen for the palm of the passion, followed — whom both our love was leading, and the ripe favor of Christ. Thus in a wondrous way and with the order of proceeding changed, those were following who had been about to go before. At length there was no long delay for them: for while they exhorted us more exultingly, with a freer joy they revealed that they too were Christians. Soon interrogated, when they persisted in the strongest confession of the name of Christ, they are led to prison.
[5] they are cruelly tortured: Then they are attacked with numerous and hard tortures by the stationary soldier, the butcher of the just and pious, with the magistrates of the Centuries c and of the Cirtensians, that is, the priests of the devil, being called in to the aid of his cruelty; as if faith, for which the care of the body is cheap, would be broken by the laceration of the limbs. And Jacobus indeed, as he was in the virtue of faith always more austere, who also had overcome the assaults of the Decian persecution once before, wished to confess himself not only a Christian, but a Deacon: but Marianus was made liable to torments, because he confessed himself only a Lector d, as he had been. What torments! how new, Marianus is suspended by the tips of his thumbs with weights added to his feet, how exquisite were the tortures of the devil with his poisoned sense and arts of casting down? Marianus hung for wounds, and what grace was present to the Martyr even in the very lacerations, he was tortured so that even the punishment exalted him. But the knot, which held him hanging, had bound not his hands, but the extreme tips of his thumbs; namely, so that the thin slenderness of the fingers might labor more in bearing the other limbs. Unjust weights also were added to the feet, so that, torn apart by discordant pains on each side, and loosened by the convulsion of the bowels, the framework of the whole body might hang from his own nerves. You have done nothing, wickedness of the Gentile, beside the temple of God, beside the co-heir of Christ. Though you suspend the limbs, shake the sides, rend the bowels; our Marianus, trusting in God, was growing in mind as much as he was tortured in body. At last, the ferocity of those torturing having been conquered, he is brought back to prison. he is again enclosed in prison, much rejoicing in his triumph; and there with Jacobus and the other brothers celebrated the joy of the Lord's victory with frequent prayer.
[6] What now, Gentiles? Do you believe that Christians feel the punishments of prison, and shudder at worldly darkness, for whom remains the joy of eternal light? The spirit, with faithful hope of coming grace embracing the heavens in mind, is no longer present in his own punishments. Though you seek a secret and hidden place for torments, and the heavy horrors of a gloomy cave, and a house of darkness; to those trusting in God no squalid place, no sad time is felt. The brotherhood of Christ cherishes them dedicated to God the Father by day and by night. he is refreshed by a vision, For Marianus, after that torture of the body, having been more deeply relaxed in the tranquility of sleep, what divine favor showed him for the confidence of saving hope, having awakened thus himself narrated to us: "There was shown to me, brothers," he said, "the exceedingly lofty top of a high and exceedingly white tribunal, on which a certain one sat in the place of judge. There was a scaffold; not with a low platform, nor climbable by one step alone; but arranged with many steps, and the ascent far sublime: and the classes of individual Confessors were being led up, which that judge ordered to be led to the sword. Then I heard a clear and immense voice, saying: 'Bring Marianus up.' And I was climbing upon that scaffold: and behold, unexpectedly to me, sitting at the right of that judge, Cyprian appeared, and stretched out his hand, and lifted me into a higher place of the scaffold, and smiling said: 'Come, sit with me.' And it happened that the other classes were heard, me also sitting by: and that judge arose, and we were leading him to his praetorium. But our way was through a place pleasant with meadows, and clothed with the joyful foliage of green groves, shadowed with cypresses rising into the heights, and with crests beating the sky, so that you would think that place crowned all around the circuit with greening groves: but in the middle was a bay of a transparent fountain, overflowing with abundant veins and many streams. And behold suddenly that judge withdrew from our eyes. Then there Cyprian took up a vial, which was lying above the edge of the fountain; and when he had filled it from the streams of the fountain, he drank, and filling it again held it out to me, and I gladly drank. And while I was giving thanks to God, having been aroused," he said, "by my own voice, I arose."
[7] Then to Jacobus also it returned to memory, that the showing of divine favor had signified this crown to him. For in the earlier days, when Marianus and Jacobus, as also Saint Jacobus, and with them I, were making our way together in the same wagon-conveyance; about the middle of the day, amid those rough parts of the journey, being caught by a wondrous and deep sleep, after, interrupted and awakened by us, he had roused himself; "I was troubled," he said, "not without my own joy, brethren; but you also should rejoice with me. I saw," he said, "a youth, of indescribable and ample magnitude, whose garment was ungirded, in so great a white light, that the eyes could not look upon it steadily: whose feet did not tread the earth, and the expression of whose face was above the clouds. When he ran past, one to you, Marianus, and one to me, he cast purple girdles into our bosoms, and said: 'Follow me quickly.'" O rest, stronger than all vigils! O rest, in which he sleeps happily, who watches in faith! which only puts to sleep earthly limbs! since nothing but the spirit will be able to see God. How exultant, how sublime must we believe the souls of the Martyrs to be, to whom, about to suffer in the confession of the holy name, both to hear Christ fell before, and to see Him offering Himself to His own at any time? The restless tossing of the moving wagon was no hindrance, nor was mid-day, which was then bright under the heat of the sun: no secrets of night were waited for: by a new kind of grace the Lord chose a new time of vision for His Martyr.
[8] Nor was this favor given to one or another: for Aemilianus, although he was held a gentleman by the equestrian order, yet was one also from the brothers in prison, who had come to almost the fiftieth year of his age with continence of the flesh, continuing his fasts in prison with a twofold imposition, and with prayers often repeated, through which the devout mind fed f, on another day also was being prepared for God's sacrament: lying to sleep in the middle of the day, and soon, quiet shaken off, and Saint Aemilianus the soldier: he revealed to us such secrets of his vision: "As I was being led," he said, "from prison, a pagan man, that is, my own brother according to the flesh, met me. He, very curious, inquires about our matters with insulting voice, asking how we endured ourselves in those penal darknesses and in the starvation of prison. I answered him: 'The soldiers of Christ in darkness have most bright light, and in fasting satiating food, namely the word of God.' And when he heard these things, he said, 'Know that all you, whoever are held in prison, if you persist firmly, a capital punishment awaits you.' But I, who feared that a concocted lie might deceive by fraud, wished to confirm my desire: 'Truly,' I said, 'shall we all suffer?' But he again affirming said: 'The sword and blood is at hand for you. But I would know whether to all of you, who despise life, distinct or equal rewards of heavenly gifts are paid.' To whom I answered: 'I am not fit to pronounce sentence on so great a matter. Lift up,' I said, 'to heaven your eyes a little; now you will see an innumerable crowd of gleaming stars. Do all the stars shine with equal honor of light? and yet to all there is light.' To this, that curious one found again what to ask. 'Therefore if there is some distinction,' he said, 'which of you are more powerful in meriting the will of God?' with others shut up in the prison at Lambaesa: 'Certainly,' I said, 'beyond the others, two, whose names are not to be told to you and are known to God.' At last, as he pressed more keenly and searched more annoyingly: 'These are they,' I said, 'who, the more difficult and the more rarely they conquer, the more gloriously are crowned: and concerning these it is written: "It is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle, than a rich man into the kingdoms of heaven."' Matt. 19:24"
[9] After these visions, after they had stayed for a few days in prison, they are brought out in public, that the magistrates of the Cirtensians, having honored them with the declaration of their confession, might send them with part of the condemnation to the Prefect. And behold, one of the brothers standing around turned the eyes of all the Gentiles to himself, because already through the grace of his imminent confession Christ was shining from his mouth and face. And when it was asked from him, with minds turbulent and fervent, whether he also was of the same religion and name, he snatched with most ready confession so sweet a company. Thus the blessed Martyrs by their own declarations acquired more witnesses of God, while they themselves were being prepared for martyrdom: and now sent on to the Prefect, they hastened along a busy and difficult journey with pleasure. Then the Lambesitan prison, now twice known to them, twice accustomed, received them again as they were brought to the Prefect. For these alone among the Gentiles are the lodgings of the just.
[10] Meanwhile for very many days a numerous brotherhood was being transmitted to the Lord by the shedding of blood, with the laymen slain, nor could the rage of the raging Prefect come to the victim of Jacobus and Marianus and the Clerics, occupied with so many wounds of laymen: for so craftily had the cruelty divided among itself the grades of our religion, that it thought laymen, separated from Clerics, would yield to the temptations and terrors of the world. Therefore our dearest and most faithful soldiers of Christ, and the rest of the Clergy, began to be somewhat saddened,
that while the laymen had performed the praise of their contest, so slow and so late a victory was being kept for them.
[11] Then Agapius, who long ago by his consummated martyrdom had perfected the sacraments of faith, who himself, [Jacobus grieving that the Clerics are delayed, is refreshed by a new vision of a Martyrs' banquet,] when for two girls, Tertulla and Antonia, whom he loved as dearest to him in place of pledges, was praying with oft-repeated prayers, that with him they also, by the divine favor, might become Martyrs, had brought back confidence of his merits by such a revelation: "Why do you assiduously ask what you have merited by one prayer?" This Agapius therefore, to Jacobus acting in prison, appeared during a time of rest. For under the very blow of the passion, while the executioner was being awaited; "And well," said Jacobus, "I go to the banquet of Agapius and the other blessed Martyrs. For on this night," he said, "I was seeing our Agapius, more joyful than all the others whom the prison of Cirta had enclosed with us, celebrating a certain solemn banquet full of gladness. When I and Marianus, as it were to an agape g, were being caught up by the spirit of love and charity; a boy ran to meet us, who was clearly one of the two twins, who with their mother had suffered three days before, crowned with a rose crown about the neck, and in his right hand bearing a most green palm: and 'Why do you hasten?' he said. 'Rejoice and exult: for tomorrow you also will sup with us.'" O great and illustrious favor of God toward His own! O truly paternal piety in Christ Jesus our Lord, who to His beloved both indulges such great benefits, and declares in advance the gifts of His clemency which He will bestow! The first day had dawned from the vision, and now the sentence of the Prefect was serving God's promises: which, as for Marianus and Jacobus and the other Clerics, now at last restored with glory to the Patriarchs, sent forth the sentence of animadversion from the pressures of the world. And they were led to the place of the crown, which was lofty on this side and that with hills of the banks, sunk in the middle valley of a river h, but the high altitude of the embankment on either side was also for spectacle. and he is beheaded at the river. The channel itself drank the flow of blessed blood in its middle bay. Nor was the kind of each sacrament lacking, when they were both baptized in their own blood, and washed in the river.
[12] Wondrous then and exquisite compendia of raging were seen there. For when a numerous people of the just surrounded the hand of the executioner and the sword itself, owed to so many necks, artful cruelty was reducing the arranged ranks of the lines into order, namely that the blow of the sacrilegious striker, as by a certain impetus of fury, might run through the pious necks; then, that that bloody and barbarous ministry might not be expectable, it found for itself this expedition of crime. For if the executioner were to stand in one place to strike, a heap of bodies would pile up an immense mass: and the channel itself, filled with so great a slaughter, would deny the space. with a great crowd and Marianus, Then with the eyes veiled under the blow of the iron as is customary, no darkness however closed the edge of the free mind, but a generous and inestimable splendor of immense light shone. For very many, with the Brothers nearest to them and those assisting them, although to carnal sight no vision was open, said that they saw wondrous things; and that horses appeared to them, gleaming white from above with snowy color, on which white-clad youths were riding. Nor were lacking from the same number of Martyrs those who attested to their colleagues' report by their ears, and recognized the heard noise and sounds of the horses. There also Marianus, now filled with the prophetic spirit, confidently and bravely predicted the imminent vengeance of just blood; and threatened various plagues upon the world, as if now from the summit of heaven: plague, captivity, famine, earthquakes, the tormenting venoms of the fly-gnat cynomyia. By which prediction not only was the faith of the Martyr insulting to the Gentiles, but also to the Brothers he was sounding the vigor of virtue to be emulated, and as it were a trumpet call, that amid such great plagues of the world, the occasion of so good and pious a death might be snatched for the just of God. These things accomplished, whom his mother Mary applauds with Maccabean joy Mary the mother of Marianus exulting, and secure about her son after the completed passion, began to congratulate not only him, but herself also who had produced such a pledge. She embraced in her son's body the glory of her own bowels, and religious piety frequently fixed the kiss on the very wounds of the neck. O you happy by merit i Mary, O you blessed, both mother to your son and by name. Who would believe that in her the happiness of so great a name had been mistaken, who so adorned the fruit of her womb? The inestimable mercy, indeed, of Almighty God and of His Christ toward His own, who those trusting in His name not only strengthens by the bestowal of grace, but also vivifies by the redemption of His blood. For who could measure His benefits with a worthy estimation? who in this always works with paternal indulgence, that in us even this very thing, which we believe to be paid back by the blood of our God, may be conferred: to whom glory and power for ages of ages. Amen.