ON ST. PRIMIANUS, MARTYR,
AT SPOLETO IN UMBRIA, AS IT IS REPORTED,
From Ferrarius's Catalogue of the Saints of Italy.
Under Diocletian and Maximian.
CommentaryPrimianus, martyr, at Spoleto in Umbria, as it is reported (St.)
BY J. P.
Spoleto, an episcopal city of Italy in Umbria, venerates this holy Martyr; whose cult is asserted in Ferrarius, in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, on this day, where in a brief narrative of the martyrdom from the records of the church of Spoleto — which we there read, says Ferrarius — are these words: His relics are preserved in the greater church. Then in the Annotation: That Primianus suffered at Spoleto, his ancient images painted upon the walls, and the very old custom of celebrating his birthday in the church of Spoleto, seem to persuade. Now Ferrarius narrates his martyrdom thus: Primianus (whom they relate to have been born at Spoleto, and there to have undergone martyrdom for the confession of the faith) was seized in the persecution of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian on account of the Christian religion, and experienced divers kinds of torments. For first, hung upon the rack, he was torn with iron claws. Then burning lamps were applied to his sides. Finally, when he could not be moved by these torments from his purpose of faith, being beheaded he consummated his martyrdom on the day before the Kalends of September. His relics are preserved in the greater church. Concerning his birthplace, the manner of his martyrdom, the arena, and the emperors, I have nothing at all ascertained from elsewhere by which I might confirm or weaken those things which I have reported of these matters from Ferrarius.