Eusebius

ON ST. EUSEBIUS, MARTYR,

IN PALESTINE.

His cult from the Martyrologies.

Under Maximian.

Eusebius, Martyr, in Palestine (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR J. P.

Far more famous is the memory of St. Eusebius the Roman priest, whom we are to give today with the Roman Martyrology, than that of St. Eusebius the martyr in Palestine. In the new Thesaurus of anecdota which Edmund Martène published, volume 3, from column [ ], his Acts are brought forward under this title: The Passion of St. Eusebius, which is on the XIX of the Kalends of September. When we had read these there, we thought that his public cult must be established from the Martyrologies before we should enroll him here with the other Heaven-dwellers of this day. The announcement in the Hieronymian Martyrologies published by Florentinius is distinguished, or, if you prefer, confused, by such marks that in it a Eusebius different from ours seems to shine out. For it has it thus: At Vembera of Syria, the birthday of the holy Eusebius, Titulus, Conditor, and Prospolinus. Meanwhile what Florentinius observed on this announcement may be seen. But other announcements suit our Martyr of today more clearly, which we transcribe hither. Among the supplements to Usuard illustrated by us, at the XV day of August, from the Centula codex these words are said: In Palestine, of holy Eusebius the martyr. Then from the Lübeck-Cologne edition these words are recited in the same place: In Palestine, of holy Eusebius the martyr, beheaded for Christ. The same things Maurolycus also has on the same day, but does not add "martyr." From these Greven dissents, who adds the title of priest in this manner: In Palestine, of holy Eusebius, priest and martyr, beheaded for Christ. But whence Greven added that title I am neither ready to say nor pleased to admit, especially because the Passion of St. Eusebius, and the additions to Usuard which I cited, do not have it. But since these agree as to the kind of death, the day of the cult, and the name of the Martyr with the Acts (whatever be the case as to the slight difference of one day which is prefixed to them, as has been said), we have thought that the same Saint shines out in these and in the Martyrologies. For the rest, following the same Acts, we have placed him under Maximian.

THE ACTS

By an anonymous author, published in the new Thesaurus of anecdota in Edmund Martène, volume 3, from column [ ], from a Ms. of St. Ouen of Rouen.

Eusebius, Martyr, in Palestine (S.)

BHL Number: 2739

BY AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR.

The Saint, by the governor Maxentius While Maximian was reigning, a certain Maxentius, governor of the province of Palestine, led by cruelty of mind rather than by fear of the laws in the matter of the prince's command, is reported to have spoken thus to the bystanders: It behoves us to be mindful of the king's mandate, who willed that the name of Christ be torn away from the worship and the memory of men, threatening punishment, and commanded that this be avenged capitally. At that time a certain Eusebius, placid in mind, a Christian in religion, often imploring this name in prayer, gave to those who heard it occasion for accusation. Information is given to the governor, the crime is set forth, he is instructed

by report, because he rather often invoked Christ. When he had been brought forth, Maxentius said: If you are mindful of the mandate, sacrifice, lest you be compelled. Eusebius answered: That law is to be embraced which says: You shall adore the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve. Far apart therefore from one another are the mandate of a man and the divine law, because the one is temporal, the other eternal, especially since that law proceeded written by the hand of God, and your very mandates of a man have not even been written by a man.

[2] is tried in vain with words Maxentius said: You have been ordered either to sacrifice or to be punished: it is yours to choose which you will follow. Eusebius answered: You err, governor, if you think that you know anything. What is baser than a stone? What is more helpless than an image? What is more brittle than wood? Since you command that these be worshipped, know how foolish you are, things which can neither perceive anything nor be moved when deprived of the service of a worshipper. Maxentius said: Most hard is the race of Christians, to whom it is sweeter to perish than to live. Eusebius answered: Impious are the pagans, who, light being despised, follow darkness and clouds, and cannot see what they worship or what they despise. Maxentius said: If nature had given me to you as a father, I should have deserved continually to obtain by your entreaty what I was asking; now, my honor being laid aside, with all the authority of a governor, I prefer nevertheless to persuade rather than to compel: but you have been made harder while you are asked. In anger I pronounce: Sacrifice, lest you be given over to the fire. Eusebius answered: No care of this troubles me. For I know that there is a great reward for these excessive torments.

[3] and with torments, that he may worship the idols. Stirred by these words, Maxentius orders his limbs to be stretched on the rack, and the pitiless executioners to sweat about his sides. Amid which evils Eusebius is reported to have said only this: Lord Jesus Christ, do you preserve me; for whether we live or whether we die, we are yours, if you deign to be mindful of your servants. To whom the governor, his constancy being proved, ordered the torments to be withdrawn; and said to him: Do you know the decree of the senate established concerning sacrifices? Eusebius answered: The command of God cannot be overcome by a human will. Then the angered governor ordered him to be delivered to the fire. He said to him: Do you see that a decree of the senate rescinds the laws given to you?

[4] The emperor also Hearing this, Eusebius went secure to the flame. To whom, as he went out, Maxentius said: With a stubborn mind you go on to a superfluous death; change at last your opinion. Eusebius answered: If the emperor has commanded this, that, God being despised, we should serve metals, I ask that you bring me in to the king. Maxentius said: Let him be kept until tomorrow; and betimes he himself went to the king, and said: Great emperor, I have found a seditious man, and, what is graver, one not obeying your laws, who even today repeats that those we worship are not gods, nor have any power: in short he does not sacrifice, but only shudders at those who sacrifice. He scorns also to adore your image. Which being heard, the emperor said to the governor: Let this rebel be brought before my eyes. Then I know not who, standing near, said: If you look upon him, you will be bent by his words. The emperor said: Is he such that he should lead me on and change me? And the governor said: Not you alone, but he will convert the whole crowd. For if you look upon his face, you will follow also his desire.

[5] But, all resisting, the emperor ordered him to be brought. interposes his authority, As he arrived, all beheld the brightness of his countenance, the grace of his eyes, and, after the likeness of the waning moon, the incredible grace of his hair. So composed did he walk, by God's gift. At once a voice also sent from heaven thundered to him: Be strong, Eusebius, for a crown is prepared for you, and victory over the enemy. Looking upon whom, and beholding something divine in his eyes, the emperor thus spoke: Old man, answer why you have come to me; do not fear. And when he was silent, he said: Break your silence, answer what is asked, for I desire that you be safe. Eusebius answered: If I hope for safety from a man, I can no longer hope for it from God. For if you are more excellent in power, yet the condition or nature of mortality is equal for us. For the rest, those things which a little before I had foretold to your men, emperor, I will not deny. This I am, a Christian; and I can adore neither stones nor wood; but I hasten to obey God, whom I have known and have experienced.

[6] The emperor said to the governor: What evil does he intend, if he worships the God whom he names, unequalled by all? but with vain effort. Maxentius answered: Be not deceived, most unconquered emperor, for he does not assert that God whom you supposed, but I know not what Jesus, of whom neither our ancestors nor any nation makes mention. The emperor said: Go out, and hasten to hear this Old man, as justice enjoins, for I cannot be judge of this matter. Maxentius, having gone out from the emperor, ascended the tribunal, and commanded Eusebius, being brought before him, to sacrifice. Eusebius answered: I will not sacrifice to these, which it is agreed have neither hearing nor sight. Maxentius said: Sacrifice, if you wish to avoid torments, or hasten to escape the fire; for he whom you fear cannot exempt you from punishment.

[7] Then indeed he is beheaded. Eusebius answered: Neither fire nor sword can call me back from this judgment; therefore do you tear my weak body with cruelty as long as you will. For the rest, the soul, which pertains to God, shall not be hurt. From my first cradle to this age I persist in this law. Stones and wood I know are wont to be appointed for building, not for worship: but you, ignorant of salvation, hasten to precipices, and commit grave sins to that stone which you worship. Hearing these things, the governor in anger ordered his head to be cut off. Then Eusebius with the sound of his voice cried to the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, I give thanks to your power, that you have deigned to prove me too among the rest of the sheep. And at once a divine voice sounded: Unless you were worthy of the court of Christ and the seat of the Just, you would not have been worthily admitted. He, according to the order of the writings, having placed his knee and being beheaded, fulfilled the glorious gift of life, to be sought by the happy, and at once, stripped of earthly stain, passed by a welcome exchange to the heavenly kingdoms. But Maxentius, who so obstinately burned for his destruction, being tormented with manifold punishment, could please neither the world nor Christ.