ON SS. SILVANUS AND SABINUS AND PANTHERIUS MM.
IN THRACE.
Under Diocletian.
CommentarySilvanus, martyr in Thrace (St.)
Sabinus, martyr in Thrace (St.)
Pantherius, martyr in Thrace (St.)
BY J. P.
These three holy Champions I have not found marked elsewhere, save in the Synaxary of Basil, in which on this day they are announced with a eulogy. The Greek text, which was printed at the foot of volume one of this month, page 667, I thus render into Latin: In the same month, on the XXIII day, the combat of the holy martyr Silvanus and of his Companions. The holy martyrs of Christ Silvanus, Sabinus, and Pantherius were from the region of Thrace, while Diocletian reigned. And since they were Christians, they taught in the name of Christ. Whence, being seized by the idolaters, they were delivered to the governor of the province; and being questioned and having confessed Christ, they were first indeed vehemently beaten: then, being delivered to prison, they were worn out with hardships in the same, tormented by hunger and thirst: and after many days, being cast out of the prison, they were again driven to deny Christ and to sacrifice to idols. And when this could not be persuaded to them, being hung up they are tormented with scrapers, so that their bowels appeared. And after that unspeakable torment, sentence being received that they should be beheaded, they were led bound to death; and when they had come to the place of martyrdom, and had prayed, they were beheaded. These are the few things concerning these Martyrs which have come to me; nor have I more to add to them.