CONCERNING THE HOLY ROMAN MARTYRS MAXIMUS, COUNT OF THE PRIVY PURSE, CLAUDIUS OF SENATORIAL RANK, HIS BROTHER, PRAEPEDIGNA, WIFE OF CLAUDIUS, ALEXANDER AND CUTIA, THEIR CHILDREN
A.D. 295.
Preliminary Commentary.
Maximus, Count of the Privy Purse, Martyr at Rome (St.) Claudius, of Senatorial Rank, his brother, Martyr at Rome (St.) Praepedigna, wife of Claudius, Martyr at Rome (St.) Alexander, their son, Martyr at Rome (St.) Cutia, their son, Martyr at Rome (St.)
J. B.
[1] These five Martyrs -- Maximus, Count of the Privy Purse, Claudius of Senatorial Rank his brother, Praepedigna wife of Claudius, Alexander and Cutia their children -- are celebrated with grateful commemoration on the twelfth day before the Kalends of March, The memory of these Martyrs in the Martyrologies: as nearly all the Martyrologies attest. The old Roman Martyrology published by Rosweyde has the following: "And at Rome, of the Martyrs Claudius, Praepedigna, Alexander and Cutia, and Maximus." The manuscript of the Monastery of St. Martin at Trier: "And the feast of Maximus, Claudius, and his wife, who by order of Diocletian were consumed by fire." More fully Usuard: "In the city of Ostia, of the holy Martyrs Maximus, Claudius, and his wife Praepedigna, with two sons, who, being of most illustrious birth, were seized by order of Diocletian and deported into exile; then consumed by fire, they rendered to God the fragrant sacrifice of martyrdom." Somewhat more distinctly the Roman Martyrology: "At Ostia on the Tiber, of the holy Martyrs Maximus and Claudius, brothers, and Praepedigna, wife of Claudius, with two sons Alexander and Cutia, who, being of most illustrious birth, etc." as Usuard; and then: "Whose relics, thrown into the river and sought out by Christians, were buried near that same city."
[2] With an even more elaborate encomium Bede the commonly received text, Ado, and Notker celebrate him, and they seem to indicate that St. Maximus was not burned along with the rest. For they read as follows: "And afterwards they were seized by order of Diocletian by the impious judge Julius. And Claudius with his wife and children was deported into exile, and then consumed by fire they rendered to God the fragrant sacrifice of martyrdom, and so afterwards at Ostia they were cast into the river; and the Christians, having searched out their relics, buried them near the city." The manuscript of Centula, also bearing the name of Bede, seems to indicate the same, for it reads: "At Rome, of the holy Martyrs Claudius and his wife Praepedigna, and their sons Alexander and Cutia, and the brother of Claudius, named Maximus; who, being of most illustrious birth, through the efforts of their brother Gabinius the Priest, were baptized by Pope Caius, and afterwards were put to death BY VARIOUS KINDS OF DEATH by Diocletian." the manner of martyrdom: More distinctly Peter de Natalibus, Book 3, Chapter 134: "And Maximus indeed received the capital sentence, while Claudius with his wife and children were deported into exile," etc. Canisius also writes that St. Maximus was beheaded. The opinion of Usuard is the same as that of nearly all other Martyrologies, expressed in different words, as also of Maurolycus and Galesinius. Felicius writes that they were burned after a long exile, which the Acts do not sufficiently support. In one manuscript their feast is assigned to February 19, by a copyist's error.
[3] The names of some are variously written by various authors: St. Cutia, names variously expressed: or perhaps Cutias, is also called Cuthia, Cucius, Cucianus, and in Canisius, Curia, who also writes Alexandria for Alexander. Maurolycus has Marinus for Maximus. Praepedigna is called Propedigna by Ghinius, Praedigna in a certain manuscript, Probedigna in another, and Praepidigna in some. Galesinius adds Primus to them, as he had read in a manuscript codex. Was Primus a companion? There is no mention of him in the Acts. The title of Clarissimus, which is attributed to St. Claudius, is given in the Register of the Western Empire to the Consulars of provinces and to the Correctores and Governors, except that of Dalmatia, who is called Perfectissimus. the title of dignity of the two: In the same Register the office of the Count of the Privy Purse, or of Private Affairs, is treated, which Guido Panciroli explains excellently. To that Count, however, the title of Illustris is given.
[4] The history of their conversion and martyrdom has been set forth in summary in the Acts of St. Susanna, Virgin and Martyr, from where these Acts are published. which Surius published for August 11, but in polished language. We have these Acts written in their original style in two very old exemplars of the best quality, one of which belonged to the College of Fulda, and we have collated them with a third manuscript from the Monastery of St. Maximin at Trier, and with Boninus Mombritius. Baronius reviews the same in Volume 2 of the Annals, at the years 294 and 295, from four manuscripts. We, omitting the last chapter, which deals specifically with the martyrdom of Susanna herself, give here all the earlier portions which pertain to these saints in common.
[5] When they completed their martyrdom can be understood from the pontificate of St. Caius. For after the death of St. Susanna, from that same day (as is stated at the end of her Acts) Blessed Caius the Bishop began to enter the same house martyrdom in the time of Pope St. Caius where she had been struck with the sword, and to offer sacrifice to the Lord his God in commemoration of Blessed Susanna and for the people; because the houses of Blessed Gabinius the Priest and of Caius the Bishop were joined together. From that same time such was the sign assigned to the Christians and their station: "In the Two Houses." By which they signified to one another where the assembly was to be held. However, St. Caius was not long permitted to perform the sacred rites there; for, as the Book of Roman Pontiffs states concerning Caius, "he, fleeing the persecution of Diocletian, dwelling in the crypts, was crowned with martyrdom." He is asserted to have held the See from the fourteenth day before the Kalends of January, from the consulship of Carus the second and Carinus, until the tenth day before the Kalends of May, under Diocletian IV (indeed VI) and Constantius II, that is, from December 19 of the year 283 to April 22 of 296; for in this year the Consuls were Diocletian VI and Constantius Chlorus Caesar II. It appears therefore that Claudius with his wife and children, and his brother Maximus, were converted in the year 294, and completed their martyrdom on February 18 of the following year; while Susanna in the same year 295 on August 11; A.D. 295. and Caius, her uncle, eight months and nine days later. Concerning St. Gabinius, the father of St. Susanna, we shall treat on February 19. The others mentioned in the Acts are inscribed in the Roman Martyrology: St. Serena Augusta on August 16, and St. Thraso the Martyr on December 11.
[6] The struggle of these five Martyrs is narrated, besides the cited writers -- Mombritius, Surius, Baronius, Equilinus -- elsewhere written about them, by the second part of the Legend printed at Louvain in the year 1485, and in the Catalogue of Italian Saints by Ferrarius, but briefly. More fully and accurately by Jean Tristan in his Augustan History, which he published in French, Volume 3, page 343, under Serena; and finally by all who have committed the deeds of St. Susanna to writing.
ANCIENT ACTS,
which are part of the Acts of St. Susanna, Virgin and Martyr, from three ancient manuscripts and Mombritius.
Maximus, Count of the Privy Purse, Martyr at Rome (St.) Claudius, of Senatorial Rank, his brother, Martyr at Rome (St.) Praepedigna, wife of Claudius, Martyr at Rome (St.) Alexander, their son, Martyr at Rome (St.) Cutia, their son, Martyr at Rome (St.)
from the manuscript Acts of St. Susanna.
CHAPTER I
St. Susanna encouraged to guard her virginity by her father St. Gabinius and her uncle Pope St. Caius. The conversion of Claudius the Clarissimus.
[1] In the times of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian there was a certain Priest named Gabinius, of the city of Rome, uterine brother of Caius, Bishop of the city of Rome, learned in the divine books, a lover both of divine wisdom and of secular letters. He frequently conferred with Caius his brother, so that he composed books of Treatises against the Pagans, Gabinius the Priest, learned and noble: and he was trained in every study of secular arts and letters; yet he was also very famously known to be of noble lineage, because he was of the family of Diocletian Augustus. For the same was said of Caius. This Gabinius the Priest had an only daughter, most dear and most beautiful, he teaches his daughter Susanna: whom he had raised in the learning of secular arts and letters, and likewise had imbued with the divine books; by the skill of her talent she became the equal of her father.
[2] Diocletian, hearing this about the maiden, that she was distinguished both in beauty and wisdom, sent to Gabinius and sought her in marriage for his son, the Augustus Maximian. And sending to Gabinius a certain man who was of his family, his cousin named Claudius, out of the affection of kinship, so that he might obtain everything peaceably from Gabinius the Priest. Claudius, coming to Gabinius, addressed him thus, saying: "Were it not that a feast day had occurred as prescribed by our Lords the Emperors, Claudius seeks her in marriage for Maximian Caesar: he would have directed me to your charity sooner; yet you ought not to have remained far from the recognition of the sweetness of your kindred. What is it better or more worthy to choose than that the nobility of our union be restored through the glory of our Lords the Emperors?"
[3] Gabinius the Priest replied, saying: "We humble ones -- how are we worthy to be called kinsmen of the great?" Claudius replied, saying: the father, having requested a delay, "Holy brother, are you not the son of Maximinus, whose son Caius the Bishop, your brother, also is -- of that most famous Senator and Consul, our uncle and cousin of our Lords the Emperors?" Gabinius replied: "It is so. Yet we, the last and insignificant of these times, are not worthy to be called such." Claudius said to him: "As the fruit of our common birth, having taken wise counsel, our Lords the Princes and Diocletian Augustus have decreed this: that your daughter, whom we have known to be learned in all wisdom, should be given in marriage and united to his son Maximian Augustus; for it is just that shoots born from a firm root should not be separated, and this is what we should always hope for with joy." Gabinius the Priest replied: "Grant me a delay, that I may dispose the mind of the maiden toward this bond of affection." And having exchanged the peace of greeting, they departed.
[4] Then Gabinius the Priest, coming to his daughter, named Susanna, embraced her and said to her: "I desire that you be brought to the holy Father and our brother, your uncle Caius the Bishop, the daughter reveals it before Pope Caius: so that what the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon you may not be rendered void." At the same time he asked the holy Bishop Caius to come to him, and he told him first everything that had transpired; and entering the house, they said to the maiden with tears: "Diocletian Augustus has sent to us our cousin Claudius, who, coming to us, has declared that he seeks you, dearest daughter, in marriage for his son Maximian."
[5] Susanna replied to her father and said: "Where has your wisdom gone, that you did not know me to be a Christian, just as you yourselves are teachers? Why have you defiled your mouth and your ears by hearing polluted words, she refuses. so that I should be joined to a cruel pagan, whom you according to the faith of the Lord did not fear to deny was connected to your nobility? Nevertheless, glory be to almighty God, who has deemed me worthy to be joined to the company of the Saints; for so I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that through this act of contempt by me, I shall ascend to the palm of martyrdom." Gabinius the Priest replied: "Therefore, daughter, be constant in the faith which you hold." Caius the Bishop replied and said: "And may we deserve to offer the Lord Jesus Christ the fruit of an oblation from your constancy; since at her father's urging she embraced virginity: for I know that his piety extends to all men, and that the Lord Jesus Christ is merciful." Susanna replied to Caius the Bishop, her uncle, and to her father Gabinius the Priest, and said to them: "My lords, I know that from your mouth I have been taught to strive always to preserve chastity and to offer purity to the Lord Jesus Christ. And having been established in his fear, I shall never be defiled by the contact of a man through the pursuit of love; but to him to whom you once gave me, him I serve, and in him I trust, for he himself knows my conscience." Caius the Bishop said: "Therefore, if you have once been given to God, keep his commandments, for he has deemed it worthy to show us his servants the way through the teaching of the Gospel: 'When you stand before Princes and Governors, do not premeditate how you shall answer, for it will be given you in that hour what to say, because it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit who speaks for you.'" Matthew 10:19 Susanna replied with tears and said: "So I hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, that through your prayers I may be made a temple of God, as the blessed Apostle Paul admonishes us, saying: 'For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are; let no one deceive you.'" 1 Corinthians 3:17
[6] While they were conferring with one another about these things, suddenly Claudius came to them after three days, and he entered the house of Gabinius with joy and found them sitting. Although he had come with a great retinue and attendants, he did not enter with any of his military attendants, but alone by himself. And at his entrance there was joy, and in each other's presence they embraced, kissing one another with peace. Claudius the Clarissimus said: Claudius again seeks her: "Your holinesses know for what joyful reason I have come to you." Caius the Bishop replied and said to him: "Even if there are other reasons, yet at least on account of our common genealogy and the bond of our kinship, we deserve to be presented to our kindred." Claudius said: "Then let your holinesses now know that our Lord Diocletian Augustus desires to embrace the friendship and affection of your kinship. Wherefore I urge, and also request, your holiness to fulfill the will of the Lord and Prince of the whole world, and to fill his heart with joy." Gabinius the Priest replied and said: "Declare to the holy Bishop the command of the Emperor." Claudius said: "I will declare it with joy and glory." And Claudius said: "Our lord, the most merciful Augustus, seeks your daughter, my niece, in marriage for his son and Caesar, Maximian Augustus, because he has learned many good things about her learning. For we know nothing better than that our family should hasten to ascend to the insignia of empire, and that our race should be increased and rendered illustrious by such eminence." Gabinius the Priest said: "Nothing foreign to us obscures or impedes us; yet let us together inquire into the mind of the maiden."
[7] Then the maiden Susanna was called into the presence of Claudius and Gabinius the Priest and Caius the Bishop, so that no one else should be judged to be present with them. she turns away from his kiss, Then Claudius, seeing Susanna, wished to embrace and kiss her with tears, because he was closely joined to her by affection and kinship. Susanna replied and said to Claudius: "Do not defile my mouth, because my Lord Jesus Christ knows that no man has ever touched the mouth of his handmaid." Claudius replied and said: "I indeed wished to kiss you, my lady and my niece, out of the affection of charity." Susanna, in the presence of Gabinius the Priest, her father, and Caius the Bishop, said thus: "Not only do I refuse your kiss, but I will continue to refuse it, because your mouth is polluted from the sacrifices of idols." Claudius said: "And what shall I do so that my mouth may be purified from this uncleanness?" she exhorts him to baptism: Susanna said to him: "This is what you must do: repent and be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
[8] Claudius said to Caius the Bishop: "Then purify me, if it is better that a man be clean who believes in Christ, than in the gods whom I have worshipped and to whom I have offered sacrifices, before whom even our Princes humble themselves." Caius the Bishop replied and said to Claudius: Pope Caius expounds the faith to him, "Brother Claudius, hear me. What I admonish you of is good. But as for the business you came to transact, the Lord wishes to redeem you through the maiden's petition, so that our family may be saved; for the Lord himself deemed it worthy to say in the Gospel: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 No burden of sins is worse than that a man should be defiled by idols, a man whom the Lord God made, for whom he deemed it worthy to descend to earth and to be born of a virgin and to humble himself and to die for man, whom by rising again the Lord himself deemed it worthy to raise from hell -- man who was held by the chains of sins, that is, of those serving idols -- and to lead him, raised up, to the heights of heaven." Claudius, receiving all things with joy, said to Caius the Bishop: "Most reverend sir, I will do all things that you preach to us; only let the petition of Diocletian Augustus not be delayed." Caius the Bishop said: "You, brother, first fulfill our petition, and all good things will be granted to you who ask."
[9] Claudius said: "Declare to me all things that I must observe, and I will do your precepts. But as for what must be done regarding Diocletian Augustus, instruct me about this immediately, and how I should present my report to him." Caius the Bishop said: and exhorts him to repentance: "You, brother, follow my counsel, and be faithful to God, and do penance for the blood of the Saints which you have shed, and receive baptism, and all things will be provided for you. For our Lord has deemed it worthy to admonish us, saying: 'When you stand before Governors and Kings, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to resist.'" Luke 21:15 Claudius said: which he, in the hope of the remission of sins, "And when I have received baptism, will all the crimes of my heart be blotted out?" Caius replied and said: "All crimes will be washed away; only believe faithfully." At that very hour Susanna, casting herself at the feet of Caius the Bishop, said to him: "Lord, I implore you by Christ, do not delay baptizing him, but redeem him." Caius the Bishop said to her: "Let us make inquiry whether he hastens to believe with his whole heart." Claudius said: "I believe in your promise, if all my offenses are forgiven me." Caius the Bishop said: "In the name of Jesus Christ and almighty God, all your sins are forgiven you." On that same day he cast himself on the ground before the feet of Caius the Bishop, humbly pledges. and throwing himself down and sprinkling the dust of the earth upon his head, he spoke thus, saying: "Lord God, eternal light, forgive me all things that I have done against your Saints, for I did them unknowingly; and the idols to which I, wretched, vain, and empty, offered sacrifices, I reject. Fill me with your grace, so that all my children and my wife may know that you save all who hope in you." Then he made him a catechumen, and gave him instruction, and dismissed him.
Notesp. The Fulda manuscript and Mombritius: "in years."
q. So the manuscripts of St. Maximin and ours. In the Fulda manuscript, "And" is missing. Mombritius and Surius: "So the Lord commanded," etc.
r. So the three manuscripts; but Mombritius: "so that the daughter."
s. So Mombritius and the manuscripts of Fulda and ours. St. Maximin: "a shoot."
t. The Fulda manuscript: "in charity."
u. So frequently below; an Italian word.
x. The manuscripts of St. Maximin and ours add: "and to her uncle."
y. The manuscripts of Fulda and St. Maximin: "through this contempt." Mombritius: "through me, this being despised." Surius: "by this contempt." In our manuscript: "this contempt," with the accusative used absolutely, as often, for the ablative absolute.
z. This word is absent from the Fulda manuscript; it is found in ours and in St. Maximin's. In Mombritius it is "uncle" (avunculum).
aa. So the manuscripts of St. Maximin and ours. The Fulda manuscript: "by manly contact." Mombritius: "by manly contact through pursuit." Surius explains: "I will never be defiled by the embrace of a man through the pursuit of love."
bb. The Fulda manuscript: "The same conferring with each other."
cc. The same manuscript: "of attendants."
dd. The same: "alone."
ee. Our manuscript and Mombritius: "commonly."
ff. The Fulda manuscript: "are not."
gg. Our manuscript: "holiness."
hh. Mombritius: "illustrious." The manuscript of St. Maximin: "more illustrious."
ii. The manuscripts of St. Maximin and ours: "not be delayed by tardiness."
CHAPTER II
The baptism of Claudius, and of Praepedigna his wife, and their sons Alexander and Cutia.
[10] Claudius, coming to his own house, told all things to his wife, how through the petition of the maiden his niece he had come to the grace of the Lord. Then his wife, named Praepedigna, upon hearing this, was astonished and said to her husband Claudius: "Who gave you these counsels?" Claudius replied: "Caius the Bishop, my kinsman, and Gabinius the Priest; and indeed the maiden, a Virgin outstanding in all things." At that very hour Praepedigna mounted the covered seat of her litter and came to the house of Gabinius the Priest, and entered alone to Caius the Bishop. Praepedigna his wife seeks baptism Caius the Bishop, seeing her, gave thanks to God. When she came, she cast herself at the feet of Blessed Caius the Bishop and held his feet and kissed them with tears, saying: "Save your servant, and me, and my sons." Hearing this, Susanna, coming out of her chamber, embraced Praepedigna with joy. Following after by night, Claudius himself also came with his two sons to the house of Gabinius the Priest and cast himself at his feet, saying: "By the Lord Jesus Christ I implore you, and their two sons: do not delay to baptize me together with my wife and my sons."
[11] Then he made his wife and her sons Alexander and Cutia catechumens according to the custom, and gave them the instruction of wisdom. At that very hour, catechizing them and bringing water, he blessed it according to the fear of the Lord, Claudius is catechized and baptized Claudius, to whom he spoke thus: "Do you believe in God the Father almighty with your whole heart?" And Claudius, standing unclothed over the wooden basin, answered: "I believe." And again he said to him: "In Christ Jesus our Lord?" And he answered: "I believe." "Who was born of the Holy Spirit?" And he answered: "I believe, Lord." And again he said to him: "Who was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary?" And Claudius answered: "I believe." he is baptized: And he said to him: "And I, a servant of God and priest, baptize you in water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, for the remission of sins and the resurrection of the flesh." And when he was raised from the basin, Claudius began to say: "I saw a light more brilliant than the sun illuminating me. Wherefore I believe entirely in God, the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Lord." he sees a heavenly light: At that same hour, Blessed Caius the Bishop anointed him with chrism, and baptized his wife Praepedigna and his sons Alexander and Cutia, his wife and sons are baptized; all receive communion: whom Gabinius the Priest received from baptism as godfather. Then he offered sacrifice for them in that same house, and consecrated the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; and milk and honey and the font, and shared the mystery of the Lord with all.
[12] From that same day Claudius began to sell all his possessions and distribute them to poor Christians. And seeking hidden and secret places where Christians dwelt, Claudius gives his goods to the poor: he went about distributing money and clothing; or in whatever prisons he himself had ordered persons to be confined, he went to them in person with food and clothing and released them all, casting himself at the feet of each one who was held in custody, doing penance, and as much as he had, he releases the captives: he ministered all things to them daily with joy during the nighttime hours.
[13] After one month and sixteen days, Claudius was sought by the Emperor Diocletian. While he was searching for him on account of the maiden named Susanna, he was told that Claudius was held by illness. And he sent to him his brother, to Maximus his brother, sent to him, he reveals the cause of his penance, named Maximus, Count of the Privy Purse, to visit him and to speak to him about the maiden Susanna, his niece. When Maximus came to Claudius, he found him praying in sackcloth, and immediately a great trembling seized him, and he said to Claudius: "Most beloved brother and my dearest friend, who deemed it worthy to raise me from the cradle, from what cause have you become so thin?" Claudius said to his brother Maximus: "If you would consider listening, I would tell you from what cause I am thus feverish." Then Maximus embraced him and said to him: "Tell me, my lord, the sorrow of your body." Claudius said to him: "I am doing penance, because I heard the command of the Prince and shed the blood of the innocent; yet I did it unknowingly, for I shed and butchered the blood of holy Christians."
[14] Maximus said to him: "My lord Diocletian the Prince has sent me to you for this purpose: that we should receive the daughter of our kinsman Gabinius the Priest to be united in marriage to the most reverend Caesar and Augustus, his son: because such favor has been given him that our family might be increased in eminence, and not be separated from our common kinship. And you put such things into my mind?" Claudius replied, saying: "I too sought my dearest lady, my niece, and that he was converted through Susanna: concerning whom Diocletian Augustus had given me instructions; but I found her holy, and most illustrious in the sweetness of her prudence and beauty, and dedicated to the eternal God, through whom I have been redeemed from my sins. But so that you may know that almighty God can save all men, let us go by night to the house of our kinsman and father Gabinius the Priest, and you will see the eternal light." Maximus said: "Whatever you command me, I will do."
NotesCHAPTER III
Maximus, Count of the Privy Purse, brother of Claudius, is converted. All are burned for the faith.
[15] That same night they came to the Arches of the Salarian Gate near the palace of Sallust, he leads him to Gabinius: where Gabinius the Priest was residing. And it was announced to Gabinius the Priest that Claudius and Maximus, your brothers, standing before the doors, wish to greet you. Then Gabinius the Priest, going out, met them and brought them into his house. And when they had entered, Gabinius the Priest offered a prayer, saying: "Let us pray." they are received piously and kindly: And while they lay prostrate on the pavement, Gabinius the Priest said: "Lord God, who gather together the scattered and look upon the gathered, look upon the works of your hands, and enlighten all who believe in you, for you are the true light for ever and ever." And all answered: "Amen." And rising from the pavement, they embraced and kissed one another.
[16] At that same hour Claudius began to kiss the feet of Gabinius the Priest with joy. Seeing this, Maximus Susanna is summoned: began to marvel, and asking, he began to say that Susanna be presented to him. Gabinius, entering the chamber, called her. Susanna, coming out of the chamber and adoring the Lord, said to her father: "Give us your blessing." And at her arrival, Gabinius the Priest prayed again, saying: "May peace be given us by our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father almighty for ever and ever." And all answered: "Amen." Then Maximus, seeing the constancy of Susanna's humility and modesty, took the hand of Susanna and kissed her hands. But she scorned this being done.
[17] And while they wept for a long time from joy, it was announced to St. Caius the Bishop, then Pope Caius, who was near the dwelling of his Church, which he himself had built near the palace of Sallust, because he was residing there. And coming quickly to Gabinius the Priest, hoping that they had come to him for the palm of martyrdom, and therefore he came in haste. He entered with such eagerness that at his entrance all fell upon the pavement. To whom Blessed Caius said: who is received with honor: "Be of constant heart, in the name of the Lord." At that same hour he offered a prayer, saying: "Let us pray. Lord God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who have sent to all men our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life, that you might deliver us from the darkness of the world, grant to these your servants constancy of faith, for you reign for ever and ever." And all answered with one mind: "Amen." And sitting, they heard the words from Blessed Caius the Bishop. But Susanna never wished to sit with them, but stood praying.
[18] Then Caius the Bishop said: "I give thanks to my God, brother Maximus, that you have deemed it worthy to visit us." Maximus replied and said: "I indeed have not come to you on my own merits, yet I will kiss your feet. You know better for what reason I have come." He tells Maximus that Susanna is betrothed to Christ: Caius the Bishop said to him: "Tell us." Maximus replied, saying: "Diocletian Augustus, our kinsman, sent me to my brother Claudius, because he heard that he was detained by illness; he had however sent him to seek the daughter of our kinsman the holy Priest Gabinius in marriage for his adoptive son Maximian Caesar. And therefore I too dared to come to you. Behold, this is the reason I was sent." But Caius the Bishop said: "This maiden has already received Christ as her spouse from God the Father almighty. Know this." Maximus replied and said: "Whatever is given by God is everlasting."
[19] Caius the Bishop said: "Then receive you also everlasting life." Maximus said to him: "And what is everlasting life?" Claudius replied: "As I have come to know." Maximus replied: he is exhorted to receive the faith: "Truly, what you have come to know, I also desire. Yet our family ought not to be estranged from the eminence of the Emperors." Caius the Bishop said to him: "We admonish you to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is God, the everlasting Son of God. For this eminence which we see is known to be temporal; but that which we preach is everlasting, harmless, and beloved." Hearing this, Maximus received it with joy. Caius the Bishop said to him: "You know, brother, all that we have left behind, what we have told you, how much we have committed to you, and we have hoped for nothing except our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we live and glory." he prescribes a fast for the one seeking baptism: Maximus replied and said: "Do not delay in my case, Lord, but whatever you know to be expedient for me, as in your own case, do it more quickly." Then he prescribed a fast for Maximus and ordered him to go to his own house.
[20] When Maximus came to his house, he confessed nothing to anyone, but was entirely held by the love of the brotherhood; he was so detained by the desire of love for Caius the Bishop and Gabinius the Priest that, even with death set before him, he would confess the Lord. And in those very days he took counsel with them, and within five days he began to sell his possessions and distribute them to poor Christians. after five days he baptizes the one fervently seeking it. After the fifth day, coming purified, he cast himself at the feet of Caius the Bishop, saying: "I implore you, my Lord, by him through whom you illuminated our brother Claudius, do not delay to illuminate me, because I have felt the compunction of our Lord Jesus Christ in my heart, whom you preach, from the day on which you deemed it worthy to give me the word of edification." Caius the Bishop said to him: "Then incline your heart to the invocation of our Lord Jesus Christ." Maximus replied and said: "I, wretched and unhappy, beseech your holiness to save my soul and deliver me from the deep darkness of idols and to deem me worthy to be led to the true light." Caius the Bishop said: "Hear me, brother. Do you believe with your whole heart and renounce the pomps and angels of Satan?" Maximus replied: "I have renounced once and for all, because I wish to live by your example." Then Gabinius the Priest catechized him and revealed all the mysteries to him. And St. Caius the Bishop performed the rite according to custom, as is the practice, and baptized him; and when he was raised from the basin, he anointed him with the sacrament of chrism, and offered an oblation for him to the Lord, and all partook; and from that same day they all began to dwell together with joy and hymns.
[21] Maximus moreover sold his possessions every night through a certain friend of his, Thraso, a most Christian man of the toga, who was secretly present in public life, Maximus gives his goods to the poor through St. Thraso. holding the Christian religion in his heart with reverence, whom Caius the Bishop had baptized many years before; he was more concerned with collecting and adorning the deeds of the holy Martyrs, and distributed all things to poor Christians during the nighttime hours, going about through the streets and prisons and places of custody.
[22] At the same time, after fifteen days, the report was spread to Maximian by a certain pagan, an assistant of the Count of the Privy Purse, named Arsicius, who spoke to Diocletian Augustus as if for his glory, saying: "Most sacred Prince and ever Augustus, great fame declares concerning your servant the Count of the Privy Purse, that he assists many destitute persons with sustenance. For many by their report declare his generosity in doing so." Diocletian Augustus said to Arsicius: "Investigate for me he is accused before Diocletian: whence he is known to have this supply of money." Arsicius replied and said: "Most sacred, ever August, victorious one, if I may be permitted to speak, I suggest the following." Diocletian said: "Speak boldly." Arsicius said: "He is selling his possessions by transacting them, and from that he seems to be doing this. For he is also known to have become a Christian, through Caius and Gabinius." Upon hearing this, Diocletian Augustus kept the secret within himself and reported it to his wife Serena, because he had sought the daughter of Gabinius as a wife for Maximian. Serena, hearing this, was all the more strengthened and gave glory to God, because she herself was secretly a Christian. The Empress Serena replied, saying: "Whatever has been commanded you by the heavenly majesty, do."
[23] Then Diocletian Augustus scorned his wife and summoned to himself a certain cruel pagan named Julius, and having held counsel with him, said to him: "I sent my dearest kinsmen to a certain person to seek a wife for my son; but they, despising my commands, who were mine, have instead become Christians." Julius replied and said: "All who scorn the Princes, even if they command unjust things, are punished. But your Piety and Prudence had commanded what was just, and it should have been done. Wherefore let them be brought to judgment without delay, he is burned with Claudius and the others. and let the contemptible ones be punished." And Diocletian Augustus ordered Julius to direct soldiers and seize them all, provided only that they should not seize Caius the Bishop. But they seized Gabinius the Priest with his daughter Susanna, and Claudius with his wife and children, and ordered them to be deported to the city of Cumae, where he ordered them to be consumed by fire: Claudius and Praepedigna and Alexander and Maximus were cast into the river at Ostia. Gabinius and Susanna are committed to custody. But Gabinius the Priest and Susanna he caused to be confined in the bonds of custody.
Notesd. Mombritius: "is."