ON THE HOLY MARTYRS OF AVELLINO: MODESTINUS THE BISHOP, FLORENTINUS THE PRIEST, AND FLAVIAN THE DEACON.
PrefaceModestinus, Bishop and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.) Florentinus, Priest and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.) Flavian, Deacon and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.)
BHL Number: 5981
By G. H.
[1] Avellino is an episcopal city, formerly of the Hirpini, now in the Principato Ultra (as that province is called in the Kingdom of Naples), on the river Sabato. At Avellino the relics of St. Modestinus are preserved Here on the 14th of February the veneration of St. Modestinus the Bishop is celebrated, because his sacred relics rest in the cathedral church there, having been translated -- as will presently appear from the ancient Acts -- under William II, King of Both Sicilies. He reigned from the year 1166 to 1189. Under his rule, William, Bishop of the city of Avellino, obtained that sacred treasure. the history of the Translation We give the history of the Translation from an ancient manuscript codex transmitted to us at Naples in the year 1636 by our colleague Antonio Beatillo, to which this title is prefixed: "A treatise by the most illustrious and most reverend Lord Roger, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See, Bishop of the city of Avellino, concerning the translation of the holy Martyrs Modestinus and companions from Praetorium to the Cathedral of the same city." The author is contemporary, since he testifies in number 2 that he was able to receive truthfully from those who saw them the five miracles which occurred during the Translation itself. To these we add from the same manuscript codex three hymns, in which allusion is made to certain deeds and torments of Modestinus.
[2] Moreover, we have obtained twofold Acts of him and his companions, both procured by the same Beatillo, Acts in two manuscripts, suspect both suspect to us, because they contain throughout nearly the same things, and in almost the same words, as are read in the Acts of St. Erasmus the Martyr on the 2nd of June. We give the beginning of both. The Life of SS. Modestinus and companions in one manuscript thus begins: "In the city of Antioch a persecution of Christians was undertaken by the Emperor Diocletian, part of them related so that if anyone was found who would not sacrifice to the gods, he would perish by various torments. When Blessed Modestinus, who in those times presided there as Bishop, heard this, he sought the wilderness for seven years, in which he performed many marvels, beseeching the Lord day and night; and food came to him from heaven by means of a dove. Angels indeed also spoke with him, and wild beasts coming to his dwelling places paid him homage, licking his hands and feet. Then a voice from heaven was heard by him, bidding him descend to the city of Antioch; and as he went along the road, those who were vexed by unclean spirits met him. He, however, laying hands upon them in the name of the Lord, healed them all; and many were converted to the Lord through baptism."
[3] So far the Acts of St. Modestinus. Here now is the beginning of the Life of St. Erasmus, which we shall give in its proper place from several manuscript codices, the same in the Life of St. Erasmus and it agrees closely with the text published by Mombritius, which was inserted from him into the third edition of Surius. It begins thus: "In the city of Antioch a persecution of Christians was undertaken by the Emperor Diocletian, so that if anyone was found who would not sacrifice to the gods, he would perish by many torments. When Blessed Erasmus heard this, he sought the wilderness for seven years, where he performed many marvels on the mountain called Lebanon, beseeching the Lord day and night; for food came to him by means of a raven. The Lord indeed worked many miracles through him, so that Angels spoke with him. Various wild beasts also came to his cell and prostrated themselves at his feet and adored him. And a voice from heaven came to him, saying: 'Erasmus, descend to your city.' And immediately he arose and descended into the city of Antioch. And when he had descended, many who were vexed by unclean spirits came running to him. Then Blessed Erasmus laid hands upon them in the name of the Lord, and immediately they were made whole. He also converted many to the Lord through baptism."
[4] So read those Acts of St. Erasmus, which exist in somewhat abridged form in the Legenda other beginnings of both Lives printed at Cologne and Louvain in the years 1483 and 1485. Other versions were sent to us from Beauvais by Peter Louvet, the same from whom the published History of Beauvais comes. Their beginning is of this kind: "In the city of Antioch a grievous persecution was stirred up against the Christians by the Emperor Diocletian, and a decree proceeded from him that whoever would not sacrifice to the gods should perish by many torments. When Blessed Erasmus heard this, he sought the wilderness and dwelt in it for seven years," etc. A similar Life of St. Modestinus exists, differing slightly in wording, which begins thus: "In the city of Antioch, under the Emperor Diocletian, a persecution of the faithful of Christ was undertaken; and the command was given that whoever refused to sacrifice to the gods should die by harsh and various torments. Blessed Modestinus, at that time the Pastor there, hearing this, sought the wilderness and dwelt there for seven years," etc.
[5] And these are indeed the Acts of both, which, with very few exceptions, are the same throughout. From them Marius Vipera published an epitome concerning SS. Modestinus and companions in his Catalogue of the Saints of the Church of Benevento, printed at Naples in the year 1635, an epitome of the Life of St. Modestinus published by others and before him Ferrarius in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, who notes that this history is most suspect to him because it contains precisely the same things that are read in the Acts of St. Erasmus, Bishop and Martyr, and that he has omitted many things which did not even seem probable. We omit those complete Acts, although prepared for the press, fearing that the people of Avellino may have adopted, with a few changes, the same Lessons which the Church of Formia in maritime Latium was accustomed to recite concerning St. Erasmus in the Ecclesiastical Office, perhaps on account of certain identical torments inflicted upon both. Concerning St. Modestinus and his companions there is deep silence among the ancient Martyrologists. But the very ancient Martyrologies, both manuscript and printed, of Bede, Usuard, Ado, and others, as well as the Roman Breviary and very many others, furnish some eulogy of St. Erasmus drawn from the ancient Acts; so that these seem to be claimed for him rather than for St. Modestinus -- although even they are not free from all difficulty, for Ferrarius, cited above, writes under the 2nd of June that they are confused with the Acts of another Erasmus who suffered at Antioch. That two Erasmuses -- one of Antioch, the other Italian -- were posited by Michael Monaco, a Canon of Capua, was indicated to us by his nephew through his sister, D. Sylvester Aiossa, when he transmitted other Acts of St. Erasmus, Bishop and Martyr, in which it is reported that after the Saracens destroyed Formia, the body of St. Erasmus was brought to Gaeta and concealed in the church of the Virgin Mother of God, and that thirty years later, in the time of Pope John VIII, it was discovered by Bonus, Bishop of Gaeta -- which Ughelli indicates occurred in the year 880 in volume 1 of his Italia Sacra, under the Bishops of Gaeta. These matters will be treated more carefully on the 2nd of June. Felix Renda reports, in his Life of St. William, Founder of this Order, that the body of St. Modestinus, Bishop and Martyr -- though which one he is, is not established -- is preserved in the great Sanctuary of the monastery of Montevergine.
THREE HYMNS
Modestinus, Bishop and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.) Florentinus, Priest and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.) Flavian, Deacon and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.)
In the rosary of the Martyrs and the heavenly host, A most resplendent rose shines forth: Modestinus with his companions. In his passion he is a rose; He is compared to a rose in his life, a brilliant lily; He shone wondrously, following Christ the Son. This rose was translated from Praetorium to Avellino, So filling the nostrils of all that they spurn the dream of night. The city of Avellino, breathing this fragrance, Gives itself to forsake ancestral errors and attend to sacred customs. O rose full of dews, pour your dew upon our ways; Grant that, with wickedness extinguished, we be joined to your host. O rose fortified by divine dew and the word of God, Make each one such in faith as to belong to God. May the supreme power of the Father and the wisdom of the Son And the kindness of the Spirit make us kind. Amen.
II
The Translation of the Martyrs, Modestinus and his companions, Let the people of Avellino jointly honor today with propitiation. This most brave man was an emulator of Christ even unto death; he suffered various torments at Antioch Chains, punishments, and prisons he endured at Antioch. He came to Italy, attended by a company, An Angel conducting him, whom the Most High had sent. Arriving at length at the place he died with his companions at Praetorium called Praetorium, He completed with his fellow citizens the goal of his contest. In which place his most sacred relics Rested happily for very many ages. Afterward they were translated to Avellino, translated to Avellino where they lie; Their illustrious benefits flourish day by day. Let us store up these heavenly gifts with a grateful heart, That by the merits of this Saint we may enjoy celestial rewards. Praise be to the all-powerful Father, and to the Only-begotten Son, And to the Paraclete Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
III
The feast of the unconquered Martyr let us all sing together as companions, And to Bishop Modestinus let us pay our due vows. This Pastor at Antioch taught the word of salvation, Preaching the Son of God, he teaches the people of Antioch the faith he underwent a cruel martyrdom. The crowd rages with clubs, tearing with hooks; His sacred sides are pounded with cruel leaden balls. The renowned Martyr is clothed in a tunic of glowing bronze; he suffers dire torments He bears all things unterrified, possessing these gifts from heaven. O noble victory, new triumph of glory, A wondrous martyrdom now and forever. We all humbly beseech you, O renowned Bishop and Martyr, That you may obtain for us pardon of our grievous sins. To God the Father be glory, praise and honor to the Only-begotten, And to the gracious Spirit, praiseworthy forever. Amen.
ACTS OF THE TRANSLATION
by Roger, Bishop of Avellino.
Modestinus, Bishop and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.) Florentinus, Priest and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.) Flavian, Deacon and Martyr, at Avellino in Italy (St.)
BHL Number: 5982
From manuscripts.
By Roger, Bishop of Avellino.
PROLOGUE
[1] To recount more frequently the deeds and merits of the Blessed has always been not only praiseworthy but also eminently meritorious for salvation, By the example of the holy Martyrs so that by them the minds of the faithful of Christ may be rendered more devout from day to day, and may be raised up more eagerly to the contest of martyrdom and eternal glory. For what can we render to the Lord in return for so many and such great benefits conferred upon us, unless we take up the saving chalice, invoking the name of the Lord? For according to the opinion of Augustine, nothing is more pleasing to Christ the Lord, nothing more delightful, than to shed one's blood and die for His name -- which He Himself did not hesitate to do for us. as also of St. Modestinus and his companions This is the reason which moved me to narrate the most illustrious deeds of the holy Martyrs Modestinus and companions, whose memory we will never set aside while we enjoy this light, which, inscribed with a pen of iron from heaven, shall always flourish. Wherefore, when the mother of the sons of Zebedee had entreated the Lord that one of her sons might sit at His right hand and the other at His left in the kingdom of heaven, she received the answer that they would not pass from tribulations to joys, from this frailty of our common nature to the memory of eternity, unless they drank the cup of sufferings and miseries by suffering much which Christ was about to drink for the redemption of the human race. She herself desired that her sons should not undergo inexorable death, to which, on account of the sin of our first parent, the human race without exception is subject; and not heeding what is said through the Prophet, "A voice was heard in Ramah, Rachel weeping daily for her children" Jeremiah 31:15, she asked that they be transferred to the glory of perpetual happiness, etc. But, as the sacred Scriptures attest, the Church has been so fecundated by a fertile inundation of the blood of the Saints in the progress of time, that, not differing from the Psalmist, we may say: "As the fat of the earth has been poured out upon the ground and overflows upon it most abundantly, so are our bones scattered at the mouth of the grave" Psalm 140:7. For just as the earth is excessively enriched by earthly fatness (so inferior to the heavenly that in comparison with it, it appears to be nothing), so too those who have easily allowed themselves to be separated from this common vanity of all things possess excessive richness in the most high dwelling place of God. one arrives at heaven Moreover, the cause from which the faith of the Church sprang forth was this death of the Saints, which is held as nothing by mortals but is precious in the sight of the Lord. For God chose the contemptible things in order to exalt them; and the more abject they are on earth, the more illustrious they sit in heaven.
[2] Wherefore I, Roger, by the grace of the all-powerful God and the Apostolic See, Priest of the basilica of Avellino, the author treated the Translation of St. Modestinus have taken care to carry out the Translation of the holy Martyrs Modestinus and companions to his honor and glory, with the greatest piety and the most magnificent preparation possible, so that the memory of the Saints may be held as celestial and all may be drawn to the threshold of the church. and the miracles performed therein For the five miracles which Christ the Lord demonstrated to His faithful during that very Translation, as I was able truthfully to receive from those who saw them, I have taken care to append here, so that thereby the glorious merits of the Martyrs may shine forth, and God, powerful in His Saints and wonderful in majesty, may be venerated; to whom be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER I
The history of the Translation.
[3] In the time when King William the Second of the Kingdom of Sicily was reigning and governing no less happily than peacefully, and in the Church of Avellino the venerable Bishop William, a man of extraordinary holiness and piety, was presiding -- By the Bishop of Avellino at the place called Praetorium, three miles distant from the city of Avellino, where the glorious bodies of the holy Martyrs were resting -- the aforesaid Bishop was divinely inspired and admonished concerning the illustrious Translation of those same Saints to the Cathedral of Avellino; and he revolved the same for a long time in his mind and heart. When he was living in peace and without any commotion of the people, so that he might attain his desire and the holy and pious work might be carried through to its end, he convened the Clergy and the people and announced the will of the all-powerful God. Having seized the occasion of removing a certain column that was very useful to the Bishop, which at that time was at the place where the said Martyrs rested, all the people gathered there with the intention after excavating the column of carrying away those heavenly gifts with them. And when all were unanimously engaged in transporting the column already excavated, the aforesaid Bishop, together with certain religious Priests and some others, concealed themselves in the place where the column had been dug out, and searching carefully for where the relics of the Saints might lie hidden, immediately at the strike of one of them the place resounded on account of its hollowness -- as if God, who grants speech to mute creatures and changes insensible things so that they feel, were more openly indicating that the tombs of the Martyrs were there. The Bishop therefore, kneeling and with upraised hands, praying earnestly to God and after prayers were poured forth that through the bowels of His mercy He would deign to reveal the tombs of the Saints, promptly, as the others searched, a coffin was found in which the body of Modestinus the Martyr was resting, the body of St. Modestinus is found with a silver dove having a silver dove before his breast, so that what is read in the account of his deposition might be more clearly demonstrated. For when he was dwelling in the wilderness, heavenly food was brought to him by a dove, by which the title of that Martyr's merits is spiritually exalted, to whom the Spirit deigned to appear outwardly. And I say this with regard to the infusion of charisms, with which that valiant soldier, clad in armor, in no way feared martyrdom. For the dove, as Augustine asserts, feeds innocently, and its sustenance is harmless; but ravens are nourished on death-dealing things.
[4] God thus granting the long-desired discovery of the bodies of the Martyrs, the said Bishop, having taken up the relics without any outcry, after an exhortation to the people since he could by no means keep silence any longer, burst forth with one voice of all into this song: "Rejoice, and again rejoice, and exult in the Lord, dearest Brothers; let your modesty be known to all men, for the flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning has come. Therefore, beloved brothers, establish this day as solemn with constant celebrations. This day, which the Lord has made for us and for our posterity, let it be forever celebrated, holy and salutary, on which new songs resound. Let us therefore cut away and root out the depravities of our not-rightly-formed conscience, so that we may be able to gather the flowers and lilies of the Saints." When the Bishop had thus addressed his companions and exhorted them, and when all had unanimously promised to render faithful the due veneration to the relics of the Saints, he gave the body of St. Modestinus the Martyr to be carried it is borne by William de Archidiacono to a certain man conspicuous for his goodness and known to all, William de Archidiacono, planning and revolving in his mind that if perhaps any of the citizens of the nearby town of Mercogliano should rush upon them, they would not detain the Bishop -- who was not carrying the relics of Modestinus with him -- even though he had been provoked by no injuries, but would permit him to proceed.
[5] And when the said William, leaving behind those crowds, had come to the place called Terminus, placed on a cart, which was soon rendered immobile and there, safe and free from all suspicion of danger, had placed the relics entrusted to him on a cart in order to transport them to the city, marvelously the cart was burdened with such great weight that it could by no means be moved at all. Meanwhile, the Bishop, who had been following, arrived at that place; and when he saw that the cart on which the said relics had been placed could not be moved, but after thanks were given to God he began devoutly and reverently to walk before it, commanding the men, women, and the rest who had flocked there from the city to give immortal thanks to God, intoning praises and hymns with tears. it moved most swiftly When they stood thus, from the united harmony of all, with heaven resounding with praises and songs, the immobile cart was rendered most agile and, as if of its own accord, began to tend toward the city.
[6] Here, then, venerable old age with solemn modulation, youth with full voice, and children with drawn-out tones began to produce diverse sounds, hymns, and songs. The women, moreover, multiplied their prayers; it is brought into the city with the greatest triumph the entire Clergy modulated exultations from their throats; the common folk, finally, made joyful noise with their voices. The streets were strewn with flowers and branches, and fragrances were wafting from every direction; thence resounded an innumerable multitude of singers, harpists, and musicians of every kind. What more? All rumor was banished and driven out, all fugitive joy arrived; songs succeeded songs, the minds of each and every one danced with delight; all and each vowed to render worthy veneration to the Martyrs. Thus, therefore, the relics of the Saints were most honorably brought to the Cathedral church, placed in the cathedral church built in honor of the Blessed Mother of God, and there deposited with the greatest honor possible. When the divine praises were concluded and the entire people blessed, each person joyfully sought his own home, earnestly praising the all-powerful God, who is blessed forever. Amen.
CHAPTER II
Miracles performed during the Translation.
[7] When that man of blessed memory, William de Archidiacono, was transporting the venerable relics to Avellino, because he had secretly retained for himself a small particle of one of the bones, on account of stolen relics he greatly desired to enshrine it in a certain altar erected by him in the same basilica. But when he had placed it in the chest of his bedchamber, various terrors were inflicted immediately and increasingly, day and night, he heard what seemed like rushing about through the room, and he repeatedly felt the chest and his own room struck. Moreover, seeing what seemed like a flame of fire and scattering sparks, nearly burning down his house, struck with terror, he arose before daylight, went to the church, and restored the stolen relics, narrating to the Bishop the events as they had happened. And when he had paid the penalty for so great a sacrilege committed, those tumults and visions of this kind ceased, and through the prayers of the Saints he obtained pardon.
[8] At almost exactly the same time, when people were flocking from every direction to the city of Avellino in nearly infinite numbers to see the bodies of the holy Martyrs, a swelling of the throat was inflicted the Countess Serena, under the pretense of kissing the casket of the said relics, stole a certain bone, and as she was carrying it away, before she could set foot outside the gates of the city, her throat swelled up. And when she refused to acknowledge the crime and arrived home in a worse condition, with the vexation of a demon the swelling of her throat equaled the size of her head; and persisting with an obstinate heart, she began to be openly vexed and tormented by a demon. After being tormented for a long time, recognizing her sin, with a contrite heart she returned to the basilica of the Saints, and after spending three nights there, by the gift of God and the Saints she merited to be freed from both the swelling of the throat and the vexation of the demon, health restored through the patronage of St. Modestinus giving immortal thanks that even when angry He does not cease to have mercy. When these things had become known to the Countess Serena, in order to display her piety and devotion, she sent a linen curtain in praise of the Saints, so that the bodies of the Saints might rest in it.
[9] Furthermore, not long after, the most illustrious Lord William de San Severino, of a most noble family and easily a Prince among the Magnates, the infirmity of the arm of a Prince was removed suffering from a severe infirmity of the arm, which is commonly called "wildfire," and having paid a great deal to physicians to recover his health, could nonetheless by no means be freed from the prolonged ailment. Therefore, accompanied by a great retinue, when he had come to Avellino and entered the principal basilica, with a contrite heart, pouring forth prayers to God in pure tears, humble and suppliant, he merited to obtain the healing of his arm. Not unmindful of the benefit received, he returned home, publicly proclaiming the merits of the Saints. He testified that God works wondrous things through their merits, and he caused an arm fashioned of the purest silver to be sent to the basilica in which the venerable memory of the Martyrs is honored, and ordered it to be hung at their tabernacle so that it would be concealed from no one; from which miracle another also arose.
[10] For when the Clergy of Avellino were traveling to Salerno for the needs of the Church, they carried with them the silver which had come from the offerings of the faithful; and, wearied by the journey, they sat down on the road and forgot the money together with the silver and left it behind, and the loss was never made known to them until, having entered Salerno and setting down their baggage at the inn they had arranged, they found neither the money nor the silver and began to grieve deeply and be sorrowful. money lost And when, attempting to devise some credible excuse by which they might clear their foolishness before the Bishop and their colleagues, they could find none, they resolved to retrace their steps homeward, intending to compensate for that loss from their own goods. And being sorrowful on that account, they set out on their journey, multiplying their prayers, earnestly beseeching the Martyrs and begging with all their vows that they might find the lost silver. What more? With sorrowful and, from grief, slow steps, when they had come to the place where, while traveling toward Salerno, they had sat down -- a place that was open to all and sundry -- through the merits of the Martyrs it so glistened that none of the passersby could see the lost silver. But when the aforesaid Clergy had arrived there, it is recovered wearied by much sorrow, they caught sight of the silver they had despaired of finding; lifting it up with joyful hearts, giving immortal thanks to God and the Saints, they guarded it more carefully and, upon entering their homeland, announced to their fellow citizens how many and how great were the benefits that had been conferred upon them by God through the intercession of the Saints.
[11] Above all the other miracles committed to memory, this one especially seems worthy of celebration: pain of the belly is healed by touching the column that the column which had rested beside the tombs of the Saints, at that time serving in the building of the Bishop's residence, was endowed with such power that whoever, afflicted with pain of the belly, caused the same column to be girt with his own belt, and then girded himself with the same belt, trusting in the merits of the Martyrs, would have the pains driven away and be restored to his former health. Glory to God; may worship and honor be His forever and ever. Amen.