ON ST. DOMITIAN, BISHOP,
AT CHÂLONS IN GAUL.
Fourth century.
CommentaryDomitian, Bishop, at Châlons in Gaul (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR J. B. S.
Here recurs that third Bishop of Châlons, concerning whom nearly all has already been said that can be reported by us, The other companion of St. Memmius where above at the V of this month we tried to illustrate the deeds of St. Memmius, and at the VII treated of St. Donatian. That pertains chiefly to St. Domitian which the Life of St. Memmius reports at the beginning: namely, that he was sent with the apostles destined for Gaul, and, being overcome by a sudden sickness eighteen miles from the city of Rome, died; whom St. Memmius, being called back to life by the help of St. Peter, led with him to Châlons, discharging the office of subdeacon; where, laboring most steadfastly with his most holy master, he merited to succeed in the same see after St. Donatian, being now without doubt weighty in years: where you have whatever can contribute to the praise of this Saint. Whether this be the certain day of his death, we do not inquire; in the order already stated they have been placed in the Roman Martyrology after Molanus. We shall add here, as we have done in the others too, the eulogy of Saussay, to be understood according to the rule of those things which we said of St. Memmius: for what some will have, that he subscribed to councils, we freely confess is not sufficiently ascertained by us; to which may be added those things which the more recent writers rather involve than explain.
[2] praised by Saussay, Thus therefore the praised Martyrologist, after his manner, not inelegantly celebrates the Saint: At Châlons, the birthday of St. Domitian the bishop, who, with St. Memmius the bishop and Donatian the deacon, being sent by St. Peter into Gaul, and that city being converted to the Gospel of Christ by their common labor, third Prelate in order—namely after Donatian, who had succeeded next to B. Memmius—governed it in the fear and love of God: and, most holy religion being enlarged round about, being quite weighty with old age, but more vigorous in apostolic spirit and priestly force, having entered upon the path of blessed eternity, he brought back from the Lord the full remuneration of his pious labors.