ON THE HOLY MARTYRS CHRYSOLIUS, BISHOP, AND HIS COMPANIONS, AT COMINES AND VERLINGHEM IN FLANDERS
IN THE YEAR OF CHRIST 302.
HISTORICAL COMMENTARY.
Chrysolius, Bishop, Martyr, at Comines and Verlinghem in Flanders (Saint) Companions, Martyrs, at Comines and Verlinghem in Flanders
By I. B.
Section I. The birthday of Saint Chrysolius, Bishop and Martyr.
[1] Comines is a town of Flanders on the river Lys, still quite elegant, formerly also wealthy, but lacking walls, three leagues from the city of Lille. Many distinctions of it are recorded; among them a splendid castle, and the birth of Philip de Comines, Ogier Ghislain de Busbecq, and other eminent men: Saint Chrysolius, Patron of Comines, but its chief glory comes from Saint Chrysolius, the Apostle of the people of Comines and Martyr. He, born of royal stock among the Armenians, and adorned with the episcopal fillets, having left these too together with his native soil, either compelled by the fury of persecution or from zeal for sowing the faith elsewhere, came by the authority of the Roman Pontiff with other Apostolic men into Belgica Secunda, after he had preached for some time in Celtica: and there he joined very many to Christ, especially at Comines. Here he is said both to have founded a sacred building and to have erected an altar for performing the most holy mysteries; and finally to have chosen this place for his burial. For when he had been scourged at Verlinghem and the crown of his head cut off, he came here, a journey of two miles. Thereafter his sacred remains were the protection and ornament of that place, a great multitude of the neighboring peoples flocking together frequently to venerate them.
[2] His feast is observed on February 7. Concerning which, Molanus in his additions to Usuard: At Comines, the feast of Saint Chrysolius, who came hither sent by Pope Marcellus to preach. Galesini: venerated on February 7. At Comines on the Lys, of Saint Chrysolius, Bishop and Martyr. He, having set out with Quintinius, Crispinus, Piatus, and others from the city of Rome into Gaul for the sake of preaching the Gospel, after he had propagated the faith at Tournai and other places of the Belgae, for that reason suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Diocletian. Ferrarius in the General Catalogue of Saints: At Comines in Flanders, of Saint Chrysolis, Bishop and Martyr. In his notes, however, he calls him Chrysolius. Other Martyrologies also mention him: those of Ghini, Boetius, and Willot. Saussaye disagrees with the others about the place of martyrdom: At Comines on the Lys, he says, in the diocese of Tournai, of Saint Chrysolius, Bishop and Martyr, who, as a companion of Saints Quintinius, Piato, and Eubert setting out from Rome into Gaul for the sake of preaching the Gospel, announced the name of Christ to the people of Tournai and other peoples of Flanders: and when he had illuminated many places with the saving light, having entered Tournai after the triumphant struggle of Saint Piato, while he was striving there to consolidate the foundations of religion that had been shaken by a recent storm and to enlarge the edifice of the house of God, he was seized by the ministers of Diocletian and cruelly tormented; since he could in no way be restrained from the confession of Christ and the proclamation of the faith, he was first mocked, spat upon, and scourged, and at length, on account of his steadfast testimony to the Divine glory, condemned to death; with the crown of his precious head cut off together with his brain, he flew to the heavenly triumphs and received the diadem of honor and the robe of glory from the hand of the Lord. He rests at Comines in the temple of the Canons of the Most Holy Mother of God, to which place he himself, relying on the Divine will and guidance, bore his severed head in veneration. But the temple at Comines is sacred not to the Mother of God, in the church of Saint Peter: but to the Prince of the Apostles: and it was not the severed head but the upper part of the head that Saint Chrysolius carried; nor did he come to Tournai after the death of Saint Piatus, but labored strenuously there with him and with Saint Eubert, as we said on February 1, and especially in the neighboring region of the Menapii, which is enclosed by the Scheldt on one side and the Lys on the other, about which we have spoken elsewhere: finally, the death was inflicted upon him not in that city, nor (as Meier writes under the year 484) at Comines, but at Verlinghem, or Vrelingehem.
0[3] On the day before his feast, Molanus had recorded in his earlier edition these words: The feast of Saint Chrysolius, who, known to Dionysius, came hither sent by Pope Marcellus to preach. In the margin he explains "hither" thus: did he preach at Bruges? To Bruges, where he rests at Saint Donatian's, and at Comines near Courtrai. Canisius followed Molanus in the second edition of the German Martyrology, writing thus: Likewise the feast of Saint Chrysolius, who, known to Saint Dionysius, was sent by Pope Marcellus to preach at Bruges (he erroneously has "Burgas"), where he rests at Saint Donatian's. But whether the name of Bruges, which is known to have been derived from a bridge, had been given to any fort or village in that age, we have found no monument from which it might be conjectured: five hundred and sixty years later it began to be more densely inhabited: still less can it be proved that seeds of the Christian religion were sown there at that time. Concerning the relics of Saint Chrysolius that were brought there, we shall speak presently.
Section II. The Acts of Saint Chrysolius. His Companions.
[4] Our confrere John Buzelin testifies in his Gallo-Flanders, book 1, chapter 10, that the old account of the martyrdom of Saint Chrysolius is preserved at Verlinghem and at Comines. We give it from a manuscript codex of the Church of Comines, in which it was distributed into very short Lessons to be recited throughout the entire Octave. The Life from the Office of Comines: We have collated it, however, with a manuscript copy of the Canons Regular of Rouge-Cloitre. Buzelin cites some passages from it at the place mentioned, and Cognatus in volume 1 of his History of Tournai cites more, which are found here in the same words. We shall append another Life of Saint Chrysolius published by Arnold Raisse, a Canon of Douai, in 1623 from a manuscript Lectionary of Lens. another from Lens: That it was not interpolated by him is evident from the fact that in section 4 he annotated in the margin: "for 'intellexit' perhaps read 'intelligens'": which is an indication that he faithfully counted every word he found. And indeed Buzelin in Gallo-Flanders, book 1, chapter 28, cites some passages from the lessons of the old office of the Church of Lens, which are the same as those found in that Life.
[5] Buzelin also treats of him, as we have already mentioned, in Gallo-Flanders, book 1, chapter 10, and book 2, chapter 2, and much more extensively in the Annals, book 1, where he reports that he was sent into Gaul by Pope Caius together with Dionysius, Quintinius, Piato, Eubert, and other apostolic men in the year 286, and again, as above, records that he was descended from the Kings of Armenia, but that having spurned the inheritance of so great a kingdom, which was meant for him, he hastened to the law and poverty of Christ: a summary of the Acts: that he was made an Archbishop; that when the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian then raged, he was forced to leave his homeland and came to Rome: that in the city of Tournai he also lent his services to Saint Piato, together with Eubert, in cultivating the minds of men and performing the duties pertaining to the pontifical office: but that he extended his labor more widely outside the walls, and particularly cultivated the region which lies under the name of Lille: that God favored his efforts, especially since, on account of the constant storms of wars, the Emperors raged less against the Christians in Belgium. At length, in the year 303, at Verlinghem, formerly a town, now a village, he was captured at the command of a cruel judge, subjected to atrocious injuries, his limbs beaten with rods, and when he relaxed nothing of his steadfastness, and rather smiled sweetly amid his torments, the top part of his head, which was marked with a tonsure, was cut off and his brain poured out on the ground: but the Martyr gathered up his brain and the top of his head: and as he thus made his way toward Comines, and was burning with a tremendous thirst, at his prayers a spring suddenly burst forth and provided water to quench his burning: after he arrived at Comines, he there placed the crown and brain upon the altar, with many looking on: then, resembling one who smiles, he gently breathed forth his soul: his body, buried in that place, was once famous for many wondrous healings of men: and was therefore chosen as Patron by the people of Comines and Verlinghem. These are the words, nearly verbatim, of Buzelin.
[6] Miraeus also treats of him in the Belgian Annals, Molanus in the Feasts of the Saints of Belgium, and in his Index and Chronicle; the Life of Saint Piato, to be given on October 1. Anthony Sander in book 2 of his Hagiography of Flanders. William Gazet in his Ecclesiastical History of Belgium; writings about him. James Meier in the Annals of Flanders, book 1, under the year 484, where he writes that he was killed for his piety under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian above the river Lys, where Comines now is, which is refuted from the Acts and other writers. Our confrere Heribert Rosweyde also treats of him in his Ecclesiastical History of Belgium; John Cognatus in the History of Tournai, volume 1, chapter 22.
[7] Molanus, our confrere Andreas Boetius, and Anthony Sander write that he was sent into Gaul by Pope Saint Marcellus. This is less approved by John Cognatus and others, because he is said to have completed his martyrdom under Diocletian and Maximian, by whom and when was he sent to Belgium? although in the last year of those Emperors, that of Christ 304, Saint Marcellinus was killed; to whom Saint Marcellus succeeded when Maximian Galerius and Constantius Chlorus were already in power. Cognatus therefore holds that Chrysolius and his companions were sent by Marcellinus: Buzelin by Caius. Those must agree with the latter who acknowledge that he was compelled to leave Armenia by the persecution of Diocletian. But once this is established, those things which are commonly reported by others must fall, namely that he was a companion of Saints Dionysius, Quintinius, and Crispinus along with Piatus; and of Piatus, Chrysolius and Eubert were companions: unless they are said to have been companions in the sense that they were sent by the same Apostolic See to the same sowing of the Gospel which others had already begun from the time of the Emperors Decius or Valerian, they themselves being sent in the times of Claudius, Aurelian, Carinus, or Diocletian. Just as the helpers and companions of Saint Xavier in the Indian vineyard will rightly be called those who, even though they did not sail to India with him, nevertheless followed afterward and entered into partnership in the noble labor.
[8] Just as with Saint Piato, besides Eubert and Chrysolius, several others are believed to have suffered martyrdom at Tournai, so also with Chrysolius others were killed at Verlinghem, although no monument of them survives. This is asserted in the Life published by Raisse: companions in martyrdom. Very many others are also reported to have been crowned with martyrdom together with him. And Buzelin in book 1 of the Annals: I understand that many others as well, whose names are not at all recorded, were afflicted with torments for the name of Christ at Verlinghem together with this most holy Pontiff.
Section III. The Relics of Saint Chrysolius. The Spring.
[9] Concerning the relics of Saint Chrysolius, Meier writes thus: Comines is still famous for his relics. Miraeus likewise: The relics formerly at Comines, He rests at Comines in the temple of the Canons of the Blessed Virgin. Sander has the same, and Saussaye above. But by the more reliable testimony of Buzelin and Cognatus, we have shown that the basilica of Comines is sacred not to the Virgin Mother of God but to Saint Peter. Nevertheless that his relics still rest in it, elevated by Saint Eligius: and that they were elevated by Blessed Eligius a thousand years ago, Molanus is our authority, and Ghini after him. The elevation of his body by Saint Eligius is indeed mentioned in the Life, and its venerable and honorable placement in a silver casket.
[10] thence removed: But Cognatus writes that this casket and the relics were taken from the people of Comines during wartime, and that there is no one among the inhabitants, however old, who remembers having seen them: nevertheless there is great veneration of him there, as the Apostle of the place: his help is reverently implored in difficult matters: the feast is celebrated on February 7 and for the following seven days, with great solemnity: in solemn processions his silver statue is carried about: but the casket of Saint Chrysolius is now at Bruges in the church of Saint Donatian; a part exists at Bruges, and in the catalogue of relics of that church he testifies that he read the following: A great part of the body of Saint Chrysolius, Archbishop of the Armenians. This catalogue exists in volume 1 of the Illustrated Flanders of Anthony Sander, on the Affairs of Bruges, book 2, chapter 1. Miraeus also acknowledges that a portion of the bones was translated to Bruges to the cathedral basilica of Saint Donatian. The feast was formerly accustomed to be celebrated by the Church of Bruges with a semi-double office; now it is a double.
[11] Thence a portion was given to the Church of Tournai in the year 1611, concerning which Buzelin writes in book 12 of the Annals: In the month of October, some honor and glory were given to the relics of Saints Chrysolius and Eleutherius among the people of Bruges and Tournai. The Canons of Bruges had at Saint Donatian's no small portion of the bones of Blessed Chrysolius, a Martyr among the Gallo-Flemings, a part at Tournai, most famous throughout this region for his cult and Patron of the people of Comines: they lacked the relics of the holy Bishop Eleutherius, Patron of the people of Tournai. On the other hand, the Canons of Tournai had nothing of the Blessed Chrysolius. Therefore an agreement was made between both Bishops and Chapters that a certain exchange of those bones should take place: and when those relics were being conveyed to their new resting places, each Church should accompany them with no small honor, to win the souls of the Saints over to granting their aid. Cognatus also mentions this Translation and recites the words of Charles Philip
[1] the testimony of Rodoan, Bishop of Bruges, by which he certifies that he took from the bier of the relics of Saint Chrysolius, Bishop and Martyr, resting in the Cathedral Church of Saint Donatian, a notable portion of a rib of the same Saint, and this in the presence of the Right Reverend and Venerable Lords the Dean, Cantor, and Archpriest, and other Canons of the said Cathedral Church, and sent the same to the Right Reverend, Venerable, and Distinguished Lords the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Tournai ... in the year 1611, on the 28th day of the month of September. They were received at Tournai on October 7, with distinguished reverence and honor, as the same Cognatus testifies. A commemoration of him is now made in the Ecclesiastical Office at Tournai on February 7, as is evident from the Offices printed in the year 1626. Arnold Raisse mentions both Translations of Saint Chrysolius in the Belgian Sacred Treasury.
[12] At Lens also, a town of Artois, in the collegiate church of Saint Mary, Raisse reports in the Sacred Treasury and in his Notes on the Life of the same Saint that a part of the body of Saint Chrysolius is preserved. a part at Lens: "And the bier itself with the sacred head in a very ancient silver casket," he says, "which the Canons still today religiously and piously preserve, testifies to this." He also recites some verses about the relics resting in that church, which read as follows:
The church of Lens, the cell of Mary, contains Bodies of Saints concealed beneath illustrious biers; Of the exalted Vulganus, who was once born of the English, And of Willibrord, the nourishing Bishop of Maastricht, The body of Chrysolius, the distinguished Martyr, etc.
Concerning the relics of Saint Willibrord, we shall treat in connection with his Life on November 7.
[13] a chapel, The Church of Comines, as Buzelin writes in book 1, chapter 10, of Gallo-Flanders, obtained no small fame from the once most famous chapel of Saint Chrysolius, Patron of the town. a temple, At Verlinghem, moreover, the parochial church is dedicated to him, and next to it, as the same author writes in chapter 28, there springs the fountain a spring salutary against fevers. which God suddenly supplied to the same holy Martyr as he was making his way after his head had been cut off and was burning with violent thirst: and many seek a remedy for fevers by drinking its water. This spring is mentioned in the Life published by Raisse, section 6. Cognatus writes that it is enclosed by walls, and says it is established as certain that James Philip de Rasseghem, Count of Iseghem, upon returning from the French expedition which he had undertaken under the command of Alexander Farnese, Governor of Belgium, after he had been afflicted with a troublesome fever for six weeks in his castle of Lomme, or Ulm, drank water drawn from this spring, although the physicians advised against it, and soon recovered his health.
ACTS
from the manuscripts of Comines and Rouge-Cloitre.
Chrysolius, Bishop, Martyr, at Comines and Verlinghem in Flanders (Saint) Companion Martyrs, at Comines and Verlinghem in Flanders
BHL Number: 1798
By an Anonymous Author, from manuscripts.
Lesson 1.
As the historians relate, to whose words it is pious to lend benevolent ears Saint Chrysolius was of royal birth, and to accord faith, Blessed Chrysolius was a native of the regions of Armenia. For the King and Queen of Armenia are said to have truly been the parents in the flesh of the same Blessed Chrysolius.
Lesson 2.
While still in the years of boyhood, Blessed Chrysolius was entrusted by his parents to the study of letters, he studies letters: to be truly imbued with their nectar.
Lesson 3.
In which he advanced so greatly, and applied such great diligence in his studies, he becomes a Bishop: that both on account of his most illustrious learning and his most holy life, as well as his most fervent faith, he at length deserved to become Archbishop in Armenia.
Lesson 4.
While Blessed Chrysolius was Archbishop there, and living piously and holily, on account of persecution, there arose a most violent persecution of Christians.
Lesson 5.
For by the command of Caesar, then Emperor of the whole world, those who worshipped Christ, wherever they were found, were compelled to worship idols, and were pressed by his officers to offer them victims and sacrifices.
Lesson 6.
But those who refused to do these things were deprived of their own possessions and were put to death by the infidels through various torments. Seeing this, Saint Chrysolius, and knowing by divine revelation that he would receive the palm of martyrdom in the regions of Gaul, left Armenia,
went to Rome, fulfilling that saying of the Lord: "If they persecute you in one city, by divine prompting he leaves his country: flee into another."
When Blessed Chrysolius had arrived at Rome, he approached the Pope, and presented himself to him as a well-disposed and Catholic son. Matthew 10:23
Day 2, Lesson 1.
The Pope kindly received him as a most Christian son, rejoicing exceedingly at his coming. he goes to the Pope:
Lesson 2. Lesson 3.
And when the supreme Pontiff had found his fame most bright, and his life most holy and true, he honored him so greatly he is honored by him, that he deigned to bestow on him d the canola of Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, as a sign of his particular love.
Day 3, Lesson 1.
Having received from the Pope the authority to preach, Blessed Chrysolius, first distinguished with the Papal blessing, and is sent into the Gauls left Rome and betook himself to the regions of Gaul.
Lesson 2.
And when he was going out from the city of Rome, he was joined to the most blessed Martyrs of Christ, e Dionysius, Quintinus, Piatus, Lucianus, and very many others, with other Saints, whose names are written in the book of life, who had been destined for the Gauls to preach the faith of Christ.
Lesson 3.
And that Dionysius preached at Paris, Quintinus at Amiens, Piatus at Tournai, and Lucianus at Beauvais, to the Apostles of the Gauls: there is no doubt among the moderns.
Day 4, Lesson 1.
Now what each of them did in the said places in preaching the Crucified, his own deeds and the outcome of the matter show more fully.
Lesson 2.
Because it is difficult to set forth separately the places, regions, and peoples among whom Blessed Chrysolius preached, sowing the word of salvation, and lest a too lengthy discourse should weary the ear of the hearers, he preaches in various places, let us see briefly how and where Blessed Chrysolius attained the palm of martyrdom.
Lesson 3.
For Saint Chrysolius, meditating in his heart that precept of the Lord, "Fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul," and also fulfilling it to the best of his powers, constantly preached the faith of the life-giving Trinity to the nations, coming through all Gaul. Matthew 10:28.
Day 5, Lesson 1.
And at length, by preaching and converting very many peoples from their errors, at Verlinghem he arrived, untroubled and fearless, at the place commonly called f Vrelenghehem, situated in the territory of Lille, not fearing to encounter the ferocity of an unbelieving people.
Lesson 2.
When he had arrived there, and, working countless miracles, had preached by his word the oft-mentioned name of the Trinity, and when a fame grown more celebrated had brought his holiness and condition to the ears of Caesar, at once soldiers, he is seized, attendants, and officers were sent, and scourged: and by Caesar's order the blessed Martyr is held, mocked, spat upon, scourged, and at length his precious crown, with the brain, is cruelly cut off.
Lesson 3.
A wonderful thing, and most worthy of a great miracle. For after the crown of the blessed Martyr, with his precious brain, had been cut off by the enemy's sword, the top of his head, cut off with the brain, and, scattered, had fallen upon the ground, the Martyr of the Lord gathered it up with the brain in his own hands.
Day 6, Lesson 1.
Then the blessed Martyr, departing from the place in which he had suffered martyrdom, and carrying his crown with the brain, he gathers it, and carries it to Comines: together with the canola of Blessed Peter named above, in his hands before his breast, is not said to have stopped until he came to the place which is now called g Comines.
Lesson 2.
When he had come to that place, and had offered there upon the altar the canola of Blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and his own crown and brain, he dies: that he might make the place of Comines illustrious by his martyrdom, at once the blessed
[2] Martyr, falling asleep, living in Christ, sweetly breathed forth his blessed soul.
Lesson 3.
And the place of Comines, in which the venerable body of Blessed Chrysolius rests, is distant from the place in which he suffered almost two miles.
Day 7, Lesson 1.
The most blessed Confessor of Christ and wonder-worker h Eligius, the most vigorous Shepherd of the Church of Noyon, having heard of the life of Blessed Chrysolius and of his venerable triumph, he is elevated by Saint Eligius: ordered the little body of the same Martyr, after many years, to be raised from the earth and placed venerably and honorably in a silver casket.
Lesson 2.
he is enclosed in a silver casket: And so it was done. For the bones of the same glorious Martyr are raised up in a silver bier: which is shown at present, in the said church of Comines, to all who wish to see it.
Lesson 3.
In which place, through the relics of the Blessed man, and through the merits of Blessed Chrysolius, he is renowned for miracles, many miracles are worked daily by Him who lives and reigns, God, through infinite ages of ages. Amen.
AnnotataBorn of the blood of the Kings of Armenia, so it is enough for the truth of the statement to stand, if he was sprung from royal blood. Nor will anyone wonder at this who has read, in the Acts of SS. Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugenius, etc., published by Lipomano, that it was reported to Diocletian and Maximian that all Greater Armenia and Cappadocia were resisting their edict, and were already with one mind looking toward revolt, where Christians were many. having an unchangeable mind toward our Lord Jesus Christ. But although Greater Armenia is named, it is clear that the talk is of the Lesser, because Lysias, whom the Emperor had ordered to have the charge of all the frontier troops, πάντων τῶν λιμιτα νέων ἐπιτροπέυειν, is nevertheless said, τὰς διατριβὰς ἐν τῇ σαταλέαν ποιουμενος, while staying at Satala, a city of Lesser Armenia, to have held inquiries concerning the Christians. And Saint Chrysolius in the 2nd Life is said to have been a native of the regions of Lesser Armenia.
Canola. Bzovius, volume 1 of his Annals, at the year 1280, number 5, from the records of the Vatican Church, lists among other gifts of Pope Nicholas III "a silver Canolum for keeping the body of Christ." Whence it can be conjectured that it was some small casket with relics of Saint Peter, given by the Pontiff to Saint Chrysolius.
OTHER ACTS
from the manuscript of Lens, published by Arnold Raissius.
Chrysolius, Bishop, Martyr, at Comines and Verlinghem in Flanders (Saint) Companion Martyrs, at Comines and Verlinghem in Flanders
BHL Number: 1799
From manuscripts.
[1] Blessed a Grisolius, born of royal stock, was a native of the regions of Lesser Armenia. The country and family of Saint Chrysolius, From earliest infancy, renewed by holy baptism, he is imbued with the study of letters: in which he exercised himself so far, and applied such great effort, that both on account of his most illustrious learning and his most holy life, and also his most fervent faith, his episcopate, he at length deserved to be made Archbishop in the same region.
[2] When, then, the Archbishopric had been taken up by Blessed Grisolius, a most violent persecution of the Christians arose. For by order of Diocletian, Prince of the Romans, wherever Christians were found, they were led to worship idols, and were pressed by the officers to offer them victims and sacrifices: and those who refused to do this were first deprived of their possessions, and were most harshly put to death by the infidels. Seeing these things, Blessed Grisolius, admonished by divine revelation, left Armenia and betook himself to Rome: journey to Rome, fulfilling that saying of the Lord: "If they persecute you in one city, flee into another." And when he had come to Rome, he went to the Pontiff, and presented himself to him as a most Christian son. Matthew 10:23 Having been most graciously received, and his most illustrious fame and most holy life being known, he was so honored, that from him the Canola of Blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, as a sign of love,
[3] Having received the authority to preach, Blessed Chrysolius, first distinguished with the Pontifical blessing, left Rome and betook himself to the regions of Gaul. into Gaul When he was leaving the City, he was joined with the Blessed Martyrs of Christ, Dionysius, Quintinius, Piatus, Lucianus, and very many others, with other Saints. whose names are written in the book of life. That Dionysius preached at Paris, Piatus at Tournai, and Lucianus at Beauvais, there is no ambiguity among the moderns. For whatever each of them accomplished in the said places by preaching the Crucified One, their deeds and the outcome of the matter more fully make manifest.
[4] But lest a long discourse weary the ears of the listeners, let us briefly see how and where Blessed Chrysolius obtained the palm of martyrdom. When the Diocletian persecution raged against Christians, a certain Prefect Fescenninus was sent to Paris to search for the Martyr of God, Dionysius, together with his companions: to Beauvais, however, three most ferocious men, Latinus, Jairus, and Antor, were sent to destroy the man of God, Lucianus: and to the lower regions, a certain Prefect of no less cruelty and malice, by the name of Decius, was sent to remove the holy Archbishop Chrysolius. But Decius, rejoicing in the power given to him to rage against Christians, learned that the blessed man of God, Chrysolius, had by his exhortations and most salutary admonitions led very many back to the light of truth and subjected them to the faith of the most holy Trinity and the will of God; his intrepid preaching of the faith, and that the holiness of his life was made known by report; and he hastened thither at a swift pace. But Chrysolius, most acceptable to God, in no way feared to face the ferocity of the unbelieving people: he more often meditated in his heart on that precept of the Lord: "Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul." Matthew 10:28
[5] Decius immediately, with his soldiers and cruel executioners, pursued the blessed man and found him preaching fearlessly near a certain pagan shrine, in the place commonly called Verlinghem. This blessed Martyr, imbued with the virtue of charity, stood like an immovable column: by the raging officers he was bound with little chains like a most gentle lamb, beaten most harshly with scourges like a slave, and struck most savagely with clubs like the most wicked of all; although he was the exemplar of all virtue and honesty, his tortures, the model of good morals and of living well. But the man filled with God, in all the injuries inflicted upon him, like another patient Job, said with the royal Prophet: "You are my patience," and remembered the word of the Lord: Psalm 70:5 "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone: but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24 The ministers of the devil led him to the western side of the shrine, and drew the impious sword against the most pious man, the top of his head amputated, and amputated the precious crown of his head, scattering his brain upon the ground. Very many others are also reported to have been crowned with martyrdom together with him.
[6] his companions. When, therefore, the crown of the holy Bishop's head had been amputated, divine miracles began to shine forth: for a most beautiful spring burst forth from the earth. A wondrous thing, indeed, and worthy of a great miracle: after the crown of the blessed Martyr had been amputated by the enemy's sword, with the brain dashed and scattered on the ground, a miraculous spring, he himself, rising up, gathered the brain together with the crown with his own hands. Then, departing from the place where he was made a Martyr of God, with steady step he came to the town now called Comines, carrying the sacred relics with his own hands, the carrying of the crown of the head, namely, the crown stained with blood together with the brain, and the noble little vessel of the Blessed Apostle Peter before his breast: where he had very often and most diligently sown the word of God, and had consecrated the church of that place in honor of the relics of the Blessed Apostle Peter, which he had brought with him when coming from Rome.
[7] Then, having entered the church of Comines, the man of God approached the high altar, upon which he offered the aforesaid relics, by which and by his martyrdom he would distinguish the place of Comines, his death, and at last, having bent his knees, his prayer completed, having commended himself and his own to God, suddenly this blessed Martyr, falling asleep to the world, living in Christ, released into a glorious death, sweetly breathed forth his holy soul.
[8] his elevation, The most blessed Confessor of Christ, Eligius, Bishop of Noyon, having heard of the life of Blessed Chrysolius and his venerable triumph, ordered the little body of the same Martyr, after many years, to be raised from the earth and to be placed venerably and honorably in a silver casket. Which was also done: for the glorious bones of the same Martyr are elevated in a silver bier, which is displayed in the aforesaid Church of Comines to all who wish to see it at the present time. In which place, through the relics of Blessed Peter, miracles. and also through the merits of the blessed Martyr, many miracles are performed daily, in Him who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit through infinite ages of ages. Amen.
AnnotationThe manuscript of Comines also read thus. We have left it here because Raisse had also published it so.