ON ST. ANASTASIUS, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR,
AT INTERAMNA IN UMBRIA IN ITALY,
In the VI or VII century.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
The distinction of the Saint from one of the same name, his deeds, the finding of his body, and his miracles.
Anastasius, bishop and confessor, at Interamna in Italy (St.)
BY J. B. S.
Of his cultus there is no need to inquire here; let it suffice that he is announced on this day in the Roman Martyrology. For the rest, since our predecessors, struggling through all the first five sacred months of our year with the shadows — nay, with the dense darkness — that attend the distinguishing, the doubling, or the confounding of the Saints of Umbria (a region more than once described), The much-entangled Saints of Umbria at last impelled Janning to explain, in a laborious dissertation prefixed to volume 1 of July, the difficulties so often discussed and destined to recur still more often, in such a way that there should be no need to cook over and over again an unwelcome cabbage. There you have the true or pretended Syrians, called the apostles of Umbria, reduced to their proper classes; and this St. Anastasius so distinguished, both in country and in age, from another of the same name, the leader of the rest, that it will suffice to bring his words hither for some acquaintance with this St. Anastasius, bishop and confessor. Thus he has it in chapter 1, number 7, page 20:
[2] That Anastasius, leader of the twelve Syrian companions, is also confounded with St. Anastasius bishop of Interamna, Janning has illustrated of whom Ughelli writes that he was a Syrian by nation, and was acclaimed bishop of Interamna by divine prompting about the year 606: others say he was elected
in the year 543, but to have died in the year 553. Angeloni, in his History of Interamna written in Italian, citing various writers, says that he came down from Syria into Italy about the year 516. Jacobilli likewise makes him a Syrian, and says that he came into Italy with his imaginary number of three hundred companions, that he was a bishop and died in peace, and that he is honored on the XVII of August. Hence it plainly appears that this Anastasius is not that one who is said to have come in the band of only twelve companions in the first or third century and to have died a martyr at Aquæ Salviæ: for the latter was not a bishop, and is honored, as Jacobilli said above, on the fifth day of December. I omit many other marks of distinction.
[3] They are also less the same in the opinion of others, who deny by a special dissertation, that Anastasius bishop of Interamna came from Syria, and say that he was of Interamna by birth also; and that to this day noble families flourish there which derive their origin from that Saint; which, however, that it should be proved by fitting tables of succession, others will more easily be persuaded than I. We have certain Acts of his, together with a public instrument concerning the finding of his body, its translation, and the miracles wrought thereafter. As worthy of credit as that instrument is, so obscure and uncertain are the Acts of his life. Meanwhile he is found inscribed in none of the ancient Martyrologies. He is absent also from the first edition of the Roman corrected under Gregory XIII; he was added in the following editions, at least from the year 1608, on the XVII day of August, in the last place, in these bare words: At Interamna, St. Anastasius, bishop and confessor. But these things will have to be illustrated in their own time, on the XVII day of August. Here it is enough to have shown that this Anastasius, bishop of Interamna, is by no means the Anastasius who was leader of the twelve companions.
[4] from which is understood who this man was. From what is there disputed, the great confusion of the Umbrian writers is rightly overthrown, no less than the affected kinship of the Castelli or of others with this and other Saints — besides those things which are here remitted for illustration concerning the Saint's deeds, his age, and the altogether wondrous finding of his sacred body, the miracles that followed, and his cultus thereupon so quickly growing that he was chosen, by the concurring wishes of all, as patron of the city itself. Moreover, as regards the Acts or Life, already above Janning, and before him others of our predecessors, rightly confessed that of this St. Anastasius scarcely anything survives beyond such things as could conveniently be applied, with only the name changed, to almost every holy bishop; so that to transcribe them from the various manuscripts which we have would be superfluous. From Ferrari's eulogy on today in his Saints of Italy you will understand the whole substance of the matter, such as it is, but entangled with anachronisms.
[5] Ferrari's eulogy does not explain much Anastasius, he says, sprung of the noble family of the Castelli at Interamna about the year of salvation 550, flourished in learning and in holiness of life. He was of incredible abstinence and of the greatest humility; but he excelled also in beneficence toward the poor, having spent almost all his means in relieving their miseries. Wherefore, when the bishop died, he is substituted in his place by the highest consent of all. Undertaking the pastoral office, he removed the remnants of the Arian plague; he reformed the Church by most holy institutions; he raised many churches throughout the diocese and restored those that had fallen; in the city he saw to the building of the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which he established the episcopal see. Renowned for these and other works, he departed from this life to the everlasting country on the XVI of the Kalends of September. Whose body, laid away in the church built by him, when it had long lain unknown, was found under the Sovereign Pontiff Leo VII about the year of salvation 1039, when he had shown in a dream to a certain countryman near Carsulæ the place where the body lay hidden. For when the earth had been dug away, a marble chest was found in which the body lay, and from which a most sweet odor was breathed forth; and in it the body of the holy bishop entire, still clothed in the sacred vestments: which was laid away within an altar most magnificently erected for it, Lintargus, bishop of Spoleto, having been called in.
[6] There follow three miracles wrought after the finding, especially in what concerns the dates; of which a little more fully below. Here I would have you observe that Ferrari did not dare determine the year of his death — prudently enough, since concerning the Saint's age it is more possible to divine than to establish anything certain, as you will presently perceive from Ughelli. This I wonder most that Ferrari did not observe, how far Leo VII, who died in the year 939, is distant from the year 1039; as also that Lintargus or Luitardus, bishop of Spoleto, belongs to the middle of the ninth century. Nor did Ughelli disentangle the matter more happily, when he makes St. Anastasius a Syrian, and will have him besides and at the same time to have been bishop of Narni, that by that reasoning he may persuade us that he was present at the Roman council under Pope Martin in the year 652 (for 649), while meanwhile he hints that he was acclaimed bishop of Interamna in the year 606 — besides other things attached to definite years, which in what manner they are finally to be reconciled I frankly confess I do not understand. Hear him:
[7] Anastasius, a Syrian by nation, was acclaimed bishop of Interamna and of Narni by divine prompting about the year 606. which not even Ughelli could distinguish. Others contend that he was elected in the year 542, but died in the year 553. He was certainly present at the council under Pope Martin in the year 652. Holily and piously he ruled the church of Interamna for many years; he put to flight and routed the remnants of the Arians, held his flock together by more wholesome laws, most magnificently repaired the churches that were falling throughout the diocese, and in the city raised a cathedral church consecrated to the Virgin Mother of God assumed into heaven. In this bishop's times Sigismund and Attilius, princes of that province, undertook to rebuild Interamna, which had been destroyed, and which afterwards, by the examples and holiness of life of the holy pastor, grew little by little into a city. Meanwhile Anastasius departed in peace in the year 653, on the XVII day of the month of August, and was buried in the cathedral built by himself. His sacred body was first found entire by divine revelation in the year 939, and was laid away in a magnificent tomb beneath a chapel dedicated to his name; whose finding incredible miracles wrought made illustrious. A second time it saw the light in the times of Gregory XIII, in the year 1575, on the XV day of the month of June, and was carried into a chapel most munificently consecrated to his name.
[8] These summaries of his deeds being premised, arranged as best they might be, What is narrated of the finding and of the miracles may be admitted. there remains the public instrument, of which Janning said above at number 3 that it is worthy of credit as regards the finding of the body, its translation, and the miracles, but that what is narrated of his life, however little, is uncertain. The instrument consists of 32 pages in folio, a third part of which is taken up with formulas attesting the truth of the transcription. But omitting both these and the synopsis of the Life, as well as the wordy exhortations subjoined, we shall here excerpt only those things which pertain to the heads praised, divided into Lessons, which will be for us so many numbers. Of the elegance of the style nothing need be observed; the wordy Italianate phrasing is plain to the eye, sometimes obscure enough and contorted, yet in such wise that what the writer means is understood, so that we have judged that grammatical annotations may be spared. The beginning is taken from an anachronism, since Lothair is connected with Pope Leo VII, cited in the same place. Of these things enough has been said above; we proceed to the matter.
Annotations* and of Narni.
CONCERNING THE FINDING, THE TRANSLATION, AND THE MIRACLES,
From a manuscript of Interamna.
Anastasius, bishop and confessor, at Interamna in Italy (St.)
BHL Number: 0407
FROM A MANUSCRIPT.
The long-unknown sacred body Lesson I. In the time of Lothair the magnificent king, Christ already reigning through the water of baptism and the redemption of His precious blood, almighty God would not leave the city of Interamna void of the pledge of its pastor; but that desirable and health-bringing treasure, which through many courses of years lay unknown, the same wondrous God deigned to bring forth and to make manifest, for the salvation of all the faithful and the defense of souls. For it is written: Because it is good to hide the secret of a king, but it is glorious and honorable to make manifest the works of God; for it was no longer fitting that the lamp should lie hidden under a bushel, but, set upon the candlestick, it should furnish clear light to all who had come into the house. And so the more precious treasure is the works of virtues and the bodies pleasing to God, since it is written: A desirable treasure rests in the mouth of the wise man; truly in the heart and in the mouth of our father and bishop Anastasius it rested, since by following Christ he came to His kingdom, and by loving His doctrine he obtained eternal rewards. Let us rejoice, therefore, and feast in Christ, since for the defense of his and our city a patron and an inestimable defender has by the divine mercy been uncovered and declared.
[2] by the apparition of the Saint himself Lesson II. Now, since it is time, I exhort you to receive with attentive ears and open senses in what manner almighty God made him manifest. A certain tiller of the soil from the Castle of St. Geminus, which is situated in the county of Narni, while he slept, there appeared to him in a dream a man of great power and comeliness, saying: At dawn, when thou risest, carry with thee a mattock and a winnowing-fan, and go in haste to the city of Interamna, and seek out the house of the holy Mother of Jesus Christ, and look carefully to the left side of the entrance of the church, where my body rests; and tell all the citizens to help thee, and bring me forth above the earth, since almighty God is about to work many signs and prodigies through me among the people, to the praise of His name and power.
[3] repeated three times to a certain countryman Lesson III. And when the pious man, cautious and trembling, answered the words of that unknown and so great a man, he said to him: Who then art thou, my lord, who commandest such things to so slight a poor man and sinner? And he said to him: Fear not, for I am Anastasius, who once held the bishopric of Interamna; do not therefore neglect the command of this matter, if thou wilt have fellowship with the Saints; and straightway he withdrew. And the sleeper, awaking on the spot, related this to his wife; but because he was given over to poverty, he put off doing what he had heard, and neglected to go. For when on the following night he slept in like manner, that same Saint appeared to him and again commanded like things with great sharpness; and he, persisting even to the third time in contempt, gave his assent and rose swiftly, sought that place, and began to dig, as had been commanded him. But because he could not find it, when through weariness he could not finish the work, he withdrew and returned home. But after a little time a cause arose that in this order the holy body should, by Christ's granting, be revealed.
[4] Lesson IV. A certain man of the aforesaid city, of no small wealth, it is found wondrously fragrant and is raised by the bishop of Spoleto. bearing a name like that of Anastasius, coming to his last, expired; and because it seemed good to his neighbors and kinsfolk that they should find a fitting place for burial in the hall of the Mother of Christ, they began to labor; and while they were digging diligently, they found a coffer of shining marble, carved with wondrous beauty; at which, rejoicing exceedingly, they suddenly announced this to the citizens of the city, whereupon straightway an innumerable people was gathered there.
The tomb, therefore, being surrounded, was uncovered by a multitude of clerics. And when it had been uncovered, so great a fragrance of odor and sweetness burst forth from it that it filled not only the bystanders but even all the buildings of the said city; and when they had been sated with the exceeding odor, they took up the holy body, and found it lying with its vestments entire, clothed even with gold and its adjuncts, and arranged as had been his custom while living when he handled the divine ministries. And straightway, seeking carefully, they found a very great part of his flesh, together with the hair and the sandals. And presently with unspeakable joy, chanting with lifted voices, they praised God the eternal Father. And at once, ministers of the clergy being appointed, they took care to guard it, honorably covered, performing assiduously the divine ministry; which being done, they resolved with great speed to announce it to Lintargus, bishop of the city of Spoleto. And he, hearing this, with a throng of clerics accompanying him in their sacred orders, thronged to the holy place, and, as was worthy and fitting, dedicated the venerable altar with great exultation. But since it is long to relate how many and what kind of signs and prodigies were wrought there from that day, let me be zealous, out of the love of charity, to set down a few of his miracles, according as it has been related to me by the clerics and citizens of the aforesaid city, for the profit of Christian believers. For even if I should attempt to relate all that almighty God has done through him, days and time would fail me — which can be firmly believed, since they would suffice for the writing labor of a Jerome, an Augustine, an Ambrose, and a Gregory.
[5] Lesson V. A certain man, therefore, enfeebled and destitute in all his limbs, Many paralytics are cured, in no way able to walk, but set upon a cart which a dull brute beast drew, was returning to Rome; and when, many pointing it out, he came near the city where the Saint was, lying in the cart, the beast, leaving the track along which it was going — as though it were vigorous with human sense — came by a straight road, without any companion, before his tomb. And being taken down by the bystanders, he was cast from the framework of timbers before his altar, all twisted and rolled up. But as soon as he touched his threshold, he rose up sound and unharmed, by Christ's help; and that a token of so great a power might be given to all, he dwelt there many years, serving the Saint. Nor must it be passed over, but faithfully related, how countless cripples and paralytics were healed by the merits of the aforesaid holy man. There was one from the mountain districts who from his mother's womb had never been able to look upward or to see the ornaments of heaven; but going along the ground upon his knees alone, with his haunches fixed fast, coming at eventide before the tomb of the holy body, he lay prostrate a little while; and when he had begun with inmost sighs to entreat for health, suddenly, being seized with horrible gnashings, standing upon his feet, while the clerics were still singing, he appeared whole.
[6] one in particular, the Mother of God appearing: Lesson VI. Then all with one voice, praising the Creator of all the Saints, went forth with him who had been made whole; and he, when he was asked how he had been healed, said with tears: I saw, he said, upon the altar a certain most beautiful one in a woman's habit, clothed in white raiment, seated honorably as a queen, who commanded two young men standing by her to stretch me out; and presently at her command they seized me and drew with what strength they could, and thus, when the gnashing seized me, I was healed. And they, looking carefully about, found him bloody, as though he had been cut with iron; his health was so repaired and restored that it seemed as though he had long since given such commands. And this many who were present related to me, and I rejoiced with such exultation that they stirred me more and more to zeal for your charity; and it is worth the labor to relate this, that he who thirsts the more may drink more and more, and being filled may exult.
[7] likewise a wretched little boy wholly crippled. Lesson VII. A certain noble married woman from the borders of Campania was bringing a paralytic foster-child whom, for the remedy of her own soul, she cherished as a son; and when she had heard the fame of so great a power, entreating with inmost devotion the almighty Lord and the help of St. Anastasius, she said: Succor me, O God, and help me, a wretched sinner, through the intercession and merits of Thy most holy confessor Anastasius; and give the health of Thy mercy to this wretched and destitute foster-child, whom for the desire of Thy love and the help of my salvation I love as the son of my own womb: and if Thy loving-kindness shall deign to succor him, I shall not neglect to send something of my own by the hand of my foster-child to his tomb. But in the silence of the night that was to come the holy man Anastasius appeared to her, saying thus: Since thou hast asked me in the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord, do not neglect what I command thee. In the morning, when thou risest, go to the church of blessed John, and bring thy guest with lights and with the odor of incense; and, fire being kindled, make haste to anoint him with fat and to stretch him out, and thou shalt see the power of the glory of Christ. And when she urgently inquired the name of so great a man, he said: I am Anastasius, bishop of the city of Interamna, whom yesterday thou didst invoke for the health of thy foster-child. And when the most devout woman had risen in the morning, she was zealous to perform all as had been commanded her; and straightway the young man sprang up so sound as though he had never suffered such things; and presently the noble matron with many Christians sent her servants with the greatest exultation to his threshold, though it was set far away. And this too we have heard and seen from very many who recalled and beheld these things, as is written above. Nor is this to be passed over through the sloth of negligence.
[8] Lesson VIII. A certain poor woman, knowing that it was the festival of the holy man Anastasius, went to work and busied herself with her hands, and suddenly became withered, so that, being driven out of her wits, [A woman working on the Saint's festival becomes withered, but is cured; likewise a blind man from afar:] she could not lift her hand to her mouth; and being straightway urged on by those near her, coming thus to his memorial, she returned home in perfect health. A blind man also, journeying about from distant regions, when he had heard of the might of his power, sighing and entreating the help of the holy man, said: Holy Anastasius, confessor of God, since I am not worthy to call upon thee for the help of my blindness, grant me comfort and a guide, that I may be able to reach thy venerable tomb. To whom presently one gently answered, saying: When thou risest in the morning and shalt attempt to take the road, the Most High Judge will be with thee, who will make haste to bring thee by a straight road to what thou desirest. And when morning had come, the man began to go, awaiting the promise which he had heard; but when he had gone a little way and found no guide, he stood sighing, and gazing earnestly toward the rising of the sun, suddenly as it were a spark of fire appeared in one of his eyes; and presently, his eye being opened, he began to see a little, and prayed with inmost heart that the Lord would furnish him the promised guide; and presently he heard the voice which he had perceived before, saying: Thou hast guides; if thou wilt go, go. And he, presently trembling and blushing, asking his way now and then, came and frequented his memorial; and as soon as he sought the help of the holy body, suddenly, his eyes being opened, seeing perfectly, he said: To Thee be praise and glory, most high God, who through the merits of St. Anastasius hast deigned to give me light. For it is to be believed that the things written above were heard from him himself. Of those seized or possessed by unclean spirits, I ought not to be silent as to how even one of a thousand was raised up and freed.
[9] then a raging demoniac. Lesson IX. A certain man, when he was suddenly hindered by a demoniac spirit, ceased not in his rage to tear or scatter whatever he could; and whenever he was able to reach a human body, he did not cease to wound it with bites and blows. But counsel being taken, his neighbors and kinsfolk bound him fast and led him tied to his tomb; and as soon as he touched his threshold, with great cries he was freed and loosed by the merits of the most holy man, and went out glad and whole. Of the feeble and the fever-stricken, no one's wit avails to set forth in order the record: whoever should presume alone to undertake so great a publication would furnish weariness to the hearers rather than display capacity of understanding. For, as the Lord says, every tree is known by the savor of its fruit; for when we see the world shine and the earth bring forth fodder for those living in the flesh, what else is this than to praise and magnify the works of God, who makes His sun to rise for our profit, and rain upon the just and the unjust, and daily invites all to the inheritance of eternal life, saying: Turn ye to Me, and I will turn to you.