Polychronius the Bishop

30 April · commentary

ON SAINT POLYCHRONIUS THE BISHOP.

Commentary

Polychronius, Bishop (Saint)

G. H.

[1] The most ancient copy of the Hieronymian Martyrology closes this month of April with these words: which on account of their antiquity we bring forward. It has it thus: "The deposition of Polycronius the Bishop." In the Corbey Ms. printed at Paris of the same Martyrology it is thus handed down: "The deposition of Polocronius the Bishop." In the Parisian Ms. of Labbé, it is written "Polochronius Confessor." In the Augsburg Ms. of Saint Udalricus is read "Polderonius Confessor." We have celebrated on February 17 Polychronius Bishop of Babylon and Martyr; and Saint Pulchronius Bishop of Verdun: but because we doubt, or rather judge, that neither of these is referred to here; because of the testimony of those four illustrious martyrologies, we have wished to propose the same for the judgment of the benevolent reader, and whatever he, having seen other Martyrologies, shall establish, to hold entirely ratified.

[2] Meanwhile we warn that in volume 1 of the new Labbean Library, there exists the Chronicon of Verdun, composed by Hugh, first a monk of Saint Vito of Verdun, then Abbot of Saint Peter of Flavigny in Burgundy about the end of the 11th century, where it is said that "Blessed Pulchronius, Bishop of the city of Clavi, the course of his life having been consummated, departed on the day before the Kalends of May, and passed to the Lord." Other things are added concerning his burial, and many things premised concerning his Life and deeds; which if they had been at hand for those working on February, we should have treated of this holy Bishop with greater satisfaction of ourselves and our readers; but now it is enough for these to be indicated here, to be more fully treated in the supplement of the work.

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