Quirinus Bishop and Martyr

ON SAINT QUIRINUS BISHOP AND MARTYR

DEPOSITED IN THE ROMAN CEMETERY OF PRÆTEXTATUS.

Quirinus, Bishop, in the Roman cemetery of Praetextatus (Saint)

G. H.

We proceed with the four ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology: in which, after the three classes of Martyrs already indicated, these things are read according to the Epternach codex. "At Rome, of Quirinus the Bishop." In the Lucca and Blumian Mss.: "At Rome the deposition of Quirinus the Bishop." In the Corbey Ms. printed at Paris: "At Rome the deposition of Quirinus, Secundinus." But Florus in the Arras, Tournai, and Liège Mss.: "At Rome the deposition of Saint Quirinus Bishop and Martyr." Rabanus, Notker, with the Aachen, Reichenau, and Rheinau Mss. have these things: "At Rome the deposition of Quirinus the Bishop." But "Quirici" is read in the Barberini, Saint Maximinus, and Saint Cyriacus Mss. The Trier Ms. of Saint Martin and Greven: "At Rome of Quirinus the Bishop."

[2] The place of deposition is so indicated in the Roman Ms. of the Duke of Altemps: "At Rome in the cemetery of Praetextatus the deposition of Quirinus the Bishop." To which is added "Via Appia," in the Ms. codex of the Queen of Sweden, and thus Lucas Holstenius published it in his Animadversions on the Roman Martyrology. Hence the Vatican Ms. of Saint Peter is to be corrected, where it is read "At Rome of Praetextatus, Quirinus." Namely, "in the cemetery of Praetextatus." In the Liège Ms. of Saint Lambert companions are added in these words: "On the same day of Quirinus the Bishop with twelve others." But these seem to be transferred to the following class, as Secundinus to the other Martyrs of this day.

[3] Of what place Quirinus was Bishop is not indicated: and no one among the Roman Bishops or Pontiffs marked with such a name appears. Nay, perhaps he was crowned with martyrdom elsewhere, and his body brought to Rome, was deposited on the Via Appia in the cemetery of Praetextatus. With the place not appended, Quirinus is placed among the other Martyrs in the Augsburg Ms., and Quirinus the Bishop in the very ancient Trier Ms. of Saint Maximinus. Saint Quirinus of Siscia in Pannonia was a Bishop and Martyr, whose body, on account of the incursion of the barbarians, was brought to Rome by the Christians, and deposited on the Via Appia, as will be said on his birthday, June 4.

[4] But concerning this Bishop Quirinus, how shall we judge it treated here? Since that translation perhaps was made long after the Hieronymian Martyrology was composed. Nor is this the one concerning whose Translation we had said would be treated on February 5 and 6, among the pretermitted there, and whom we promised to discuss in this place: because indeed Saint Quirinus the Tribune, whose acts we have discussed on March 30, many place on April 30; and to him belongs that Translation of relics: wherefore in the said place in February the name of the month will have to be changed, and instead of April, March must be set.