ON ST. PHILAGRIUS, BISHOP IN CYPRUS, MARTYR.
1st Century
CommentaryPhilagrius, Bishop in Cyprus, Martyr (St.)
I. B.
[1] This Cypriot bishop Philagrius, unknown to the Latin calendars, is celebrated by the Greek Menaea and Maximus of Cythera on this day, but together with St. Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina, the feast of St. Philagrius, who is venerated on April 3, and St. Marcellus, Bishop of Sicily, whom we suspect to be Marcianus, Bishop of Syracuse, who is reported to have come to Sicily with St. Pancratius. The words of the Menaea are these: On the same day, the commemoration of the holy Martyrs Marcellus, Bishop of Sicily, Lives from the Menaea, Philagrius, Bishop of Cyprus, and Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina.
Having shed their blood, these three men, freed from the flesh, Share in the delights of Eden.
These men were disciples of St. Peter the Apostle. While Christ was still on earth and working miracles, Marcellus heard about him and set out from Antioch to Jerusalem with Pancratius to see him. Thus Pancratius became known to St. Peter at that time; after Christ's ascension he attached himself to Peter, and having been appointed by him Bishop of Taormina, he was secretly killed by the pagans for the name of Christ, whom he served. Marcellus was likewise ordained Bishop of Sicily, and after converting many to Christ, met a similar death. In the same way Philagrius, Bishop of Cyprus, martyrdom, himself also preaching the name of Christ, after enduring many trials for the true faith, departed to the Lord. So much for this. Maximus of Cythera has the same account.