ON STS. FLORIAN AND PHILISTINUS,
MARTYRS.
From the Hieronymian Martyrologies.
CommentaryFlorian, 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.