Roman Martyrs Secundina

1 August · commentary

ON THE HOLY ROMAN MARTYRS SECUNDINA, DONATULA, SECUNDOLA, MAXIMA, JUSTA, MENANDER, PROFUNUS; AND PERHAPS SILVANUS AND DONATUS.

From the Hieronymian Martyrologies.

Commentary

Secundina, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

Donatula, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

Secondola, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

Maxima, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

Justa, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

Menander, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

Profunus, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

Silvanus, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

Donatus, Martyr, at Rome (S.)

J. B. S.

I cite only those codices, and indeed only two, namely the Lucca, or Fontanelle, and the Corbie, and these not sufficiently in accord with themselves, when in the latter Silvanus and Donatus are added, who in the former are unknown; besides that Funi is badly expressed for Profuni. Nor indeed in any other sacred Fasti does even a trace of the aforesaid Martyrs occur on this day; not even in the Little Hieronymian ones themselves, in one of which some Secundus is noted, as also in the most ancient Epternach codex. It will suffice therefore to transcribe the text of the said codices according to all the points expressed there. Thus the text of Florentinius has: At Rome, at the 30th milestone from the city, the birthday of the holy Secundina, Donatula, Secundola, Maxima, Justa, Manander, Profunus. The Corbie apograph differs somewhat in the enunciation of the names, and indeed in the very standard-bearer, when for Secundina it writes Secundinus, to which we have long been accustomed. Lo its words: At Rome, at the thirtieth milestone from the city, the birthday of the holy Secundinus, Donatula, Secundola, Maxima, Justa, Menander, … Funus, Silvanus, Donatus. Further light concerning these Saints I have tried in vain to find hitherto.

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