Cantidius

ON STS. CANTIDIUS, CANTIDIANUS, AND SOBEL,

EGYPTIAN MARTYRS.

Their cult among the Greeks and Latins.

Cantidius, Martyr in Egypt (S.)

Cantidianus, Martyr in Egypt (S.)

Sobel, Martyr in Egypt (S.)

J. P.

Those three Martyrs are indeed commemorated on this present day both in the Menology published in Canisius from Cardinal Sirleto's Latin version, In the Roman Martyrology, in the Menology of the Greeks, and in the great printed Menaea, and in the Roman Martyrology; but not in the same way: for the Roman has thus: Likewise of the holy martyrs Cantidius, Cantidianus, and Sobel, Egyptians; where it both joins all under one announcement and makes all Egyptians; to which announcement I have conformed my own expressed in the title above; although I do not know on what foundation the most Eminent Baronius, founder of the Roman Martyrology, attributes all three to Egypt; since the Menology which I mentioned, and the Menaea, name only Sobel an Egyptian, and form the names of the two former Martyrs also a little differently. The Menology thus

has it: On the same day (the fifth of August), of the two holy martyrs Cattidius and Cattidianus, who, being stoned for the confession of the Christian faith, ascended into heaven. Observe moreover that, besides the kind of death which is here added, both these are announced separately from Sobel: concerning whom, after the interposed commemoration of St. Nonna, whose festive memory also recurs among us on this day, these things are subjoined there: On the same day, the birthday of the blessed martyr Sobel the Egyptian, who, persevering in the confession of Christ, was consummated.

[2] and these Martyrs are inscribed in their printed Menaea. The printed Menaea agree both in the writing of the Martyrs' names and in the mentioning of the first two separately from the third Martyr, these little verses being added besides:

They set up lofty heaps of stones, O Word, By which two, of one dust, ascended to you.

Most lofty heaps of stones, O Christ, they raise, By which these two from the same dust climb to you.

To Sobel, who is there said to have been "pierced by an arrow," it is then sung thus:

If you be spelled backward, O Sobel, You will gather "belos" — the instrument of your end.

With its syllables drawn backward, Sobel is "belos," An arrow, O Martyr, the instrument of your end.

For "Sobel" by anagram, or transposition of letters, is "belos," in Latin a javelin or arrow, by which instrument, that is, by the blow of that implement, this Martyr of like name put an end to his life.

ON STS. IRENAEUS, HERACLAS, AND DASIUS,

MARTYRS OF AXIOPOLIS

From the Hieronymian Martyrologies.

Irenaeus, Martyr at Axiopolis (S.)

Heraclas, Martyr at Axiopolis (S.)

Dasius, Martyr at Axiopolis (S.)

J. B. S.

I follow here the text of the most ancient Epternach codex: At Axiliopolis, for Axiopolis, of Irenaeus, Heraclas, Dasius; since the other codices are dislocated and disordered. Florentinius' list is so framed that it easily appears the writer plainly stumbled, when he wrote thus: The birthday of the holy Herenentus, Heraclas, Dassus. At Acsiopolis, of Herennus, Dassus, Heraclas: which is a mere doubling of the same announcement, which it is remarkable is found also in the Corbie one, in this manner: The birthday of the holy Herentus, Heraclas, Dassus, or Bassus. At Axiopolis, of Herenus, Heraclas, Dassus. And this passed also into the Centula codex; it is rightly emended in the more abridged codices of the Queen of Sweden, in the Reichenau one, and others, to all which we have judged it safer to adhere.

ON STS. FLORIAN AND PHILISTINUS,

MARTYRS.

From the Hieronymian Martyrologies.

Florian, Martyr (S.)

Philistinus, Martyr (S.)

J. B. S.

The Saints named close today's text in the chief codices; as in the most ancient Epternach one: And elsewhere the birthday of Florian and Philistinus; in which way also, the title "holy" being inserted, they are reported in the Florentinian list: And elsewhere the birthday of the holy Florian and Philistinus. The variation in the Corbie one is that it expresses "martyrs"; but for "Philistinus" it substitutes "Philistina": with no setting anywhere added. Florentinius notes that the published Martyrologies which he had seen are silent about them, except Notker, who calls Florian's companion Caelestinus, not Philistinus, venerated likewise in an uncertain place. Raban also should have been consulted, in whom he would have found another expression: And elsewhere the birthday of the holy Florian and Philistina: which of the two should be preferred is uncertain. True are Florentinius' last words, to be applied both to this text and often — nay, everywhere — to others: That the rest is in obscurity, and quite hidden from us.