ON THE HOLY MARTYRS MAURICE, PHOTINUS HIS SON, THEODORE, PHILIP, AND 67 OTHER SOLDIERS, AT APAMEA IN SYRIA II
UNDER THE EMPEROR MAXIMIAN.
Preliminary Commentary.
Maurice, Martyr, at Amasea in Syria II (St.) Photinus his son, Martyr, at Amasea in Syria II (St.) Theodore, soldier, Martyr, at Amasea in Syria II (St.) Philip, soldier, Martyr, at Amasea in Syria II (St.) Another 67 soldiers, Martyrs, at Amasea in Syria II
By the author G. H.
[1] Of the leader of these most holy soldier-martyrs, Maurice, Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, makes mention in Sermon VIII on the Cure of Greek Afflictions, or the Knowledge of Evangelical Truth from Gentile Philosophy. In the prologue of this work he asserts that those addicted to the fables of the Greek Gentiles say it is ridiculous that we should honor the Martyrs, and a mark of outstanding folly that the living should strive to obtain any benefit from those who have departed this life. Theodoret mentions St. Maurice among the foremost Martyrs Therefore in the eighth disputation or sermon he says that he will set forth the objections of those who accuse us of honoring the Martyrs, and at the same time encompass a defense. In this defense, having set forth the various kinds of torments, he adds that immortal glory was conferred upon those Martyrs, and a memory that would end in no age of time: "And the noble souls of the victors," he says, "now walk through heaven and are present among the choirs of Angels. Their bodies, however, are not each deposited in individual monuments, but cities and villages, having divided them among themselves, call them the saviors of souls and physicians of bodies, whose bodies are held in veneration and venerate them as presidents and guardians of their cities, and through their intercession with the God of all things they obtain divine gifts through them. Though their bodies be divided, the grace remains whole and undivided; and those tiny, so very small relics have a power equal to a Martyr who has been divided into no parts whatsoever. or even tiny relics For the grace that attends distributes the gifts, and measures its liberality by the faith of the supplicants... We do not, however, make these Martyrs gods, but we honor them as witnesses of God and His most beloved servants, who pursued their Creator and Savior with such love that they deemed death undertaken for His sake desirable, and themselves delivered their own bodies for Him who delivered His body to the cross for us... These are truly the leaders and defenders and helpers of men, and the repellers of evils, keeping far away the injuries inflicted by demons."
[2] "The temples of the victorious Martyrs are seen to be brilliant and conspicuous, outstanding in greatness and illustrious with every kind of ornament, spreading the splendor of their beauty far and wide. for whom illustrious temples have been erected And we do not approach these once or twice or six times a year, but we celebrate frequent assemblies; often even on individual days we sing praises to the Lord in honor of these saints. in which, to obtain their patronage And those who are in good health petition that it be preserved for them, while those who are afflicted by some disease ask that it be driven away. Those who lack children make petition, and those who are barren ask to become mothers; those who have obtained this gift request that it be kept safe for them. Those who embark upon some journey ask of them to be companions on the way and guides of the journey; those who have returned safely, not approaching them as gods but praying to them as divine men and asking that they be intercessors for them. votive offerings presented That those who ask faithfully obtain their vows is publicly testified by their votive offerings, which indicate their cure. For some hang up images of eyes, others of feet, others of hands, made of silver and gold. For the Lord of these saints accepts even small gifts of little value, measuring the gift according to the means of the giver. These things indicate the expulsion of diseases, to attest which they have been placed by those who have recovered their health. Indeed, they are eager to impose upon their newborn children the names of the Martyrs, thereby obtaining for them security and protection... Finally, when the festivals of the gods have been abolished, now the solemnities of Peter and Paul and Thomas and Sergius and Marcellus and Leontius and Panteleimon and Antoninus and Maurice and other Martyrs are carried out, and feast days established and modest festivities are celebrated, presenting divine canticles, the hearing of sacred sermons, and prayers adorned with praiseworthy tears."
[3] So far the excerpts from Theodoret's sermon on the Martyrs. That these things pertain to St. Maurice and his companion Martyrs we are all the more inclined to believe because these saints completed their glorious contest during the greatest heat of summer, and yet they were assigned other feast days, either the 21st of February or the 27th of December, as will shortly be evident -- these things are to be understood of St. Maurice of Apamea perhaps because their relics were translated on those days, or because churches were dedicated in their honor. For that Theodoret is speaking of the St. Maurice of Apamea and his fellow countryman is sufficiently indicated by the companions listed above. Among these, in the same persecution of Maximian, Antoninus with his companions suffered at Caesarea in Palestine on the Ides of November; Pantaleon or Panteleimon the physician suffered at Nicomedia on July 27th; Sergius on October 7th in the province of Euphratesia (in which both Sergiopolis takes its name from him and the city of Cyrus had Theodoret as its Bishop). Also, though later, in the same Apamea, Bishop Marcellus suffered on August 14th, some of whose deeds the same Theodoret narrates in book 1 of his Ecclesiastical History, chapter 19. But Baronius observes in his Notes to the Martyrology that the Leontius mentioned above was a soldier who suffered at Tripoli in Syria on June 18th, and on September 22nd, the day on which St. Maurice of Agaunum, leader of the Theban soldiers, is venerated, not the Maurice of Agaunum and leader of the Theban soldiers he admits that he once not unprofitably adhered to the opinion of those who considered both Maurices to be one and the same Martyr. But he was compelled by the authority of Theodoret to withdraw from that opinion, and it did not seem plausible that Theodoret would have passed over in so small a number of Martyrs the almost countless most illustrious ones who suffered in Syria, and would have wished to adduce as an example those who were foreigners so far away.
[4] We have obtained, from a most ancient manuscript Greek codex, the Life of St. Maurice of Apamea and his seventy companions, elegantly and accurately written, [the Life of these Martyrs is given from a Greek manuscript, collated with Metaphrastes] which Metaphrastes, with some alterations here and there, inserted into his work on the Lives of the Saints. The Latin translation, rendered by Gentian Hervet, was published by Lipomanus under the 21st of February, and by Surius in the month of July. We have collated this Greek Life with that version. The title prefixed in the manuscript is as follows: "The Contest of the holy great-martyr Maurice and his seventy disciples." These words are read in Latin in Lipomanus as follows: "The Martyrdom of the holy and glorious Martyr of Christ, Maurice, and seventy soldiers, who were also his disciples."
[5] Epitome of the Life from the Menaea for February 21 The Greeks venerate them with special cult on the 21st of February, and touch upon the more excellent of their deeds with this eulogy: "On the same day, the memory of the holy Martyr Maurice and his seventy companion Martyrs. They lived under the reign of Maximian, before whom, while he was passing through the city of Apamea, they were accused of being Christians. Brought therefore before him, they professed themselves Christians. They were immediately stripped of their military belts, confined in prison, and after three days were summoned to the tribunal and examined. Since they remained steadfast in the faith, they were severely beaten and thrown into fire; then they were suspended on the rack, and their sides were scraped with iron. When Maximian wished to afflict St. Maurice more grievously, he ordered his son Photinus to be beheaded. But when he saw that they remained unmoved in preserving the faith they had embraced, and would not do what was commanded, he sent them to a wooded place situated between two rivers and a lake, full of wasps, flies, and various gnats. The executioners, therefore, when they had reached the forest, stripped them of their clothes, bound them with chains, and tied them to stakes, and anointed them all around with honey -- for which punishment to be inflicted the season of the year was most opportune. They also pierced the body of St. Photinus with javelins before the eyes of his father Maurice, and so departed. But those blessed and noble athletes endured for ten days and nights, afflicted by intolerable sufferings and torments, and at last, amid prayers poured forth to God, they ended their lives."
[6] So the Greeks in the Great Menaea for the 21st of February, under which date the same is read in Maximus of Cythera, in his Lives of the Saints. Metaphrastes also, as we said, assigned the Acts of these Martyrs to the same 21st of February, as may be seen in Lipomanus. Another day consecrated to their veneration is December 27th, a commemoration on December 27 as is clear from the Menologion published by Canisius, in which the following is read: "On the same day, the commemoration of the holy Martyr Maurice and his seventy companions, who suffered under the Emperor Maximian in the city of Apamea." On the same day in the Great Menaea and in Maximus of Cythera the eulogy given above is repeated, but in a greatly abridged form.
[7] Concerning the time of year at which they suffered martyrdom, the following is read in the Acts at number 18: "This is the time of the greatest heat, for the month of Panemus has now arrived." They died in the month of Panemus, that is, July Concerning this and other months of the Eastern peoples, various writers have written, and after Scaliger and others, our Petavius has written accurately in book 1 of the Doctrine of Times. In chapter 29 he reports the Greek, or Syro-Macedonian, months, which he believes to be fixed and to have taken their beginning from the Kalends of the Julian calendar, and that Panemus among the Syrians -- which is what we are seeking here -- corresponded to the month of July of the Romans. In which month, on the 26th day, Maurice is named among other Saints in the Menaea. But it is difficult to know to whom these words should be understood to refer: whether the 26th day "On the same day, the commemoration of our holy Father Simeon Stylites, Priest and Archimandrite, and of St. Ignatius Tzeronetes, and the Dedication of the Archangel Gabriel across the strait at Chalcis, and of St. John Palaeolaurites, and of St. Maurice, and of Saints Appion and Jerusalem." So it reads there. John Palaeolaurites is venerated in the same Menaea on April 20th and adorned with some eulogy. Whether the birthday or some other solemnity of Maurice of Apamea is indicated in a similar manner cannot be determined from the bare name.
[8] Lawrence Surius, finding the history of the martyrdom of St. Maurice and his companions assigned by Lipomanus to the 21st of February, moved it to July, and then after reporting the Lives of St. Philastrius, Bishop of Brescia, and St. Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht, assigned to the 28th day, whence they were assigned to July 18 he appended the Acts of St. Maurice and his companions with this marginal note: "These Martyrs suffered in the month of July, but on which day is uncertain." In the third edition the same words are retained, but July 18th is added, on which day Galesinius, as he says from a manuscript and from Metaphrastes (as found in Surius), inscribed in his Martyrology with these words: "At Apamea, the holy Martyrs Maurice and seventy soldiers, who, under the Emperor Maximian, through various and diverse marks of torment, underwent a noble martyrdom, giving illustrious testimonies of the Christian religion." Ferrari also enters them in his General Catalogue, citing the authority of Galesinius.
LIFE FROM A GREEK MANUSCRIPT,
collated with Metaphrastes.
Maurice, Martyr, at Amasea in Syria II (St.) Photinus his son, Martyr, at Amasea in Syria II (St.) Theodore, soldier, Martyr, at Amasea in Syria II (St.) Philip, soldier, Martyr, at Amasea in Syria II (St.) Another 67 soldiers, Martyrs, at Amasea in Syria II
From a Greek manuscript.
CHAPTER I
The journey of the Emperor Maximian into Syria. The captivity of these Martyrs. The disputation of St. Maurice with the Emperor.
[1] Where there is the memory of Martyrs, there a solid piety toward God is displayed, and a mind that loves wisdom is united to God. Even bodily things pass over to a spiritual inheritance, and an immovable peace is obtained, by which the perturbations of the soul are restrained, while heavenly spirits and earthly bodies are reconciled by a mutual bond. The memory of the Martyrs is beneficial For who, beholding their contest with the eyes of the mind, will not be removed from the flesh and the world, when from their piety toward God alone he understands their flesh to have been trampled underfoot? For the flesh does not lust against them, nor does the dust of the earth rebel against the image of God, but whoever judges that whatever is inferior is governed by something more excellent obtains an immovable mind directed toward the heavenly goal.
[2] Such a contest is set before seventy Martyrs, whose precious and Christ-loving blood the metropolis of the Apameans, receiving it, sent forth as a holy and God-pleasing sacrifice, namely that of the 70 Apameans who suffered under Maximian anointing the whole body of Christ, that is, the holy Church, with their blood as with precious ointment. For Maximian, that most impious and wicked Emperor, striving to surpass every cruelty however great, was eager that all who were subject to his Empire should offer sacrifice to the execrable and unclean demons, so that through the adoration of them and the false religion of the so-called gods, he might acquire protection and magnificence for his Empire. Having therefore resolved to do this, he appointed himself as a diligent and industrious minister for the task. dedicated to the worship of demons For he did not wish, as the Emperors who preceded him had done, to write orders to the Governors of the provinces to take care of the worship of idols, but he himself energetically and diligently traversed the world, becoming a swift minister of the altars of demons, the wretch hoping that through his own coming he would bring about that those who had defected from his superstition and had come to the knowledge of the truth of Christ would desert to the error of his unclean and execrable gods.
[3] With such a purpose, then, the impious tyrant Maximian, leaving Rome and making his way through the regions of the East, arrived at Apamea, which is the metropolis of the second province of the Syrians. before whom, having come to Apamea There the priests of the idols, approaching him, accused the Christians, saying to him: "O most divine Emperor, since the gods have given us the liberty of speaking before your piety, we bring before your unconquered power the fact that every one of those who are among us honors your greatest and ancestral gods with fear and desire, especially Jupiter, the father of the gods, and the admirable Apollo, who are superior to the other gods and greatly preserve and protect the empire of your power. Maurice and his 70 soldiers are accused But Maurice and his seventy soldiers of your power, raised on high by your honors and gifts, and who have received rich and magnificent gifts from you, hold the gods in contempt, and exercise tyranny against your great and unconquered empire, led astray by the error of the Christians."
[4] When the tyrant Maximian heard these things, he was greatly angered in his spirit and inflamed in his heart, and his mind burned more than a furnace -- especially when he learned that there were such soldiers in his army. Therefore, on a designated notable day, and having found a place suitable for a public spectacle, in the midst of the northern gates of the metropolis of the Apameans, which is called from the Hamaxica neighborhood, he ordered judgment to be prepared there and the illustrious Martyrs to be brought. When the impious tyrant had taken his seat on a high tribunal and the whole city and every age had gathered to watch them -- so that not even the virgins they are brought before his tribunal who dwell in their chambers remained in their dwellings -- the soldiers brought forth the seventy soldiers of Christ.
[5] When the Emperor beheld them, he said to their leader: "We were hoping, O Maurice, that you, enjoying our gifts and glorying in the imperial sustenance, and having obtained the foremost honors and dignities from us, would follow in the footsteps of our tranquility, and would convert those who might attempt to withdraw from our religion, pleasing to the gods, by brave deeds and every kind of instruction to sanity -- curing what was sick, correcting what was lame, they are harshly rebuked pacifying what was at war -- and, to say much in few words, subjecting whatever did not conform to our institutions as something inimical and hostile. But concerning you, as it appears, we have received the contrary. For not only have you not converted those who have rebelled against our religion, but you yourselves, exercising tyranny against our omnipotent gods and abolishing the honors, sacrifices, and libations that have been established for them, have been leaders to others toward the pit of destruction -- if what has reached our ears about you is true."
[6] Maurice said: "Emperor, the tyranny which we exercise against gods that are endowed with no sense obtains for us from the true God a powerful victory and a crown of glory. For we do not scorn and make nothing of God who fashioned us, as is the case with your foolish tradition, St. Maurice insists on the knowledge of the one God but we glorify Him who is the one true God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all things that are in them. But it is not fitting to call demons, who bring destruction to men, gods, O Emperor." Maximian said: "Since you have obtained honor from the gods and have been allotted the first place in the military, O Maurice, you return them a fine gratitude." Maurice said: "Never have I received honor from your gods, nor do I wish to honor them. For who among men who has knowledge of God would endure to honor materials devoid of all sense? But those who have no mind governed by right reason, because they have been compared to senseless beasts and have become like them, these refer stones and wood to the rank of gods, and attribute a mind to them, and honor them as gods." The Emperor Maximian said: "Since you have held the first rank in the orders of our administration, O Maurice, this has given you great confidence and made you bolder, to the point that you respond to our serenity splendidly and without any perturbation."
AnnotationsCHAPTER II
The inquiry into the faith. The response of Sts. Theodore, Philip, Photinus, and the others. The military belt removed.
[7] Then he ordered him to be separated and the rest to be interrogated, and the Emperor said to them: "Who has done you so great an injury, O brethren, that you should defect from the gods who are your saviors, and cling to the error of men who adore a crucified man as if he were a common murderer? For we did not train you thus, nor did we rear you in such a doctrine." Then Theodore and Philip, as if from the mouth of all the seventy holy Martyrs, said: "We, O tyrant Emperor Maximian, are so far from error that we wish even you to be freed from the error from which we have been freed, adoring the one and only true God, Sts. Theodore and Philip explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity the Father Almighty, and His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God, and His most holy Spirit, who has inspired us with knowledge and understanding, so that we confess the Trinity, which is of the same essence, but abominate your unclean religion, and cast off this perishable worship, and serve as soldiers of God, who is the King of hosts." Maximian said: "I see, O Philip, that you have a venerable old age, but in understanding you fall far behind the young. Take refuge therefore in the gods, and be a good counselor to the rest of your soldiers about adoring the gods, so that you may obtain greater gifts and honors from us." St. Philip said: "I shall not be a bad counselor to those who of their own will have been led to the fear of the true God. For it is written: 'Woe to him through whom evil comes.'"
[8] Maximian said: "The gentleness of our patience has made you bolder, Philip. Matt. 18:8 Do not persist in these things, lest you provoke just punishments upon yourselves and become an example of our indignation, daring to name a man whom you have elevated to the rank of the gods." But the holy seventy Martyrs answered all steadfastly profess the faith and said to the tyrant: "The vain and empty threats of your abomination, O Emperor, bestow upon us strength from on high. For the fear of torments does not enter or dwell in the good and firm mind of those who love the Lord." Then the Emperor Maximian they are stripped of their military dress and belts ordered the military dress to be taken from the seventy holy soldiers, their belts to be cut off, and them to be brought forward in great ignominy. And when the soldiers had accomplished this with great speed, the tyrant said to them: "See what disgrace has befallen you on account of your disobedience." The Saints said to the tyrant: "Even if you, as you suppose, have stripped us, yet our God is in heaven, whom we worship, who clothes us with the robe of eternal glory -- which you are not worthy to hear of, on account of your father Satan, who speaks in you."
[9] Then the tyrant, greatly angered, said: "O you who are execrable and unworthy of the benevolence of the gods, you have brought your own ignominy upon yourselves. For though honored by us, you have treated the greatest gods with insult and despised our friendship." But the Saints answered and said to the tyrant: they despise military honor "This military service of yours, being nothing, passes away; and the honor that is present is a disgrace to you, since you have forgotten God who gave you this power. But lifeless images, which avail you nothing because they do not recognize him who honors or dishonors them, you foolishly refer to the rank of gods." they are committed to prison The tyrant said: "On account of the clemency of our empire, sparing you and wishing your lives to be preserved, I still endure you." And he ordered them to be confined in prison for three days, so that they might take counsel as to what would be expedient for them.
[10] When the soldiers had carried out the Emperor's order and confined them in custody with collars, the Saints said among themselves: "Brethren, let us all with one and the same mind prepare our souls for prayer, and let us pray fervently to our God, they encourage one another that He may give us wisdom and knowledge through His holy Spirit, and put in our mouths what we should answer, so that the tyrant may marvel at the truth of our faith." And the seventy Saints, betaking themselves to prayer, and implore the help of God as if from one soul said: "Almighty God, whose power is eternal and whose kingdom does not perish, send to us Your most holy Spirit, that in Him we may exult and rejoice, and overcome the iniquities of error, and be exalted in Your true faith through the Holy Spirit who speaks in us, according to Your true promise; and on account of the worldly dignity taken from us, may we be made soldiers in Your holy city, in which all those gathered in the faith of Your Christ shall come with You, to whom as Father is owed glory and power with the Holy and life-giving Spirit forever. Amen."
[11] When three days had been completed, Maximian, presiding again in the same place at the Hamaxica gate, with the whole city again assembling, summoned the Saints. They approached, dragged by the ministers, and stood before the impious one. He, tempering his threats with clemency, said to them: "O men, learn at last what is expedient for you; and coming forward, sacrifice to the gods, and accept life, not a bitter death." The Saints said: "Concerning this we have taken good counsel, O Emperor: before the Emperor they despise death for Christ's sake to hate this life, which is but for a time, and to love the death set before us, on account of our desire for Christ. For through Him we hope to gain eternal life. Henceforth, therefore, do quickly what you will. For we do not deny our God, nor do we adore your demons. For in the condemnation of this death, which is but for a time, we are freed from eternal condemnation."
[12] The youth St. Photinus nobly declares his name, lineage, and faith in Christ When the Saints had said these things, the tyrant, seeing a youth in their midst, said to him: "What is your name, and of what family are you?" The youth said: "I am called Photinus, having received my name from the true light. I am a soldier of Christ, who has put your father Satan to shame. I am Roman by lineage, and the son -- both carnal and spiritual -- of the most illustrious Maurice. For from him I was born, and from him I received the knowledge of God, and I was raised in the faith of Christ -- whom you, O Emperor, in denying, have been compared to senseless beasts and have become like them." The tyrant said: "You are a foolish youth, and your words are worthy of your age. But now learn what is good for you, and coming forward, sacrifice to Jupiter the greatest god, and spare your youth." The youth said: "Because I do not do what you wish, nor sacrifice to idols, you call me foolish. For as far as concerns the faith of my Lord Jesus Christ, I am very wise indeed."
AnnotationsCHAPTER III
The Martyrs afflicted with beatings, fire, and iron claws. St. Photinus beheaded.
[13] Then again the tyrant said to the Saints: "How long shall we endure your importunity and defer your torments out of our incomparable kindness? Sacrifice therefore to the gods, lest you arm justice against yourselves." The Saints rebuke the Emperor's ignorance The Saints said to the tyrant: "If you have any wit or knowledge, O minister of unclean demons, you have learned from Photinus where our strength lies. For if he, though young in age, has put to shame your impious and senseless mind through his sincere faith and knowledge of Christ, how much more shall we strive to endure all torments, so that we may put your father the devil to shame and please Christ?" Then the tyrant, angered, ordered the Saints to be beaten with raw ox sinews; they are beaten with raw ox sinews and the officers began to beat them until they tore their flesh apart. And when their blood was flowing copiously, the Saints, looking up to heaven, cried out, supplicating Christ God to add strength to them and lighten their labors. And when He had heard their fervent prayer, He came to them with a power that falls not under sight, they are strengthened by Christ and alleviated the labors of their torments and confirmed their hearts in love toward Him.
[14] When the torturers were exhausted, the tyrant said to the Saints: "Have you now learned, O bold and rash men, how easy it is for me to destroy your lives? Sacrifice therefore to the gods, lest you feel more bitter torments." But the Saints answered and said to the tyrant: "Know this, O impious one, alienated from our true God: that just as you do not feel the love of Christ and His splendor because of the darkness they demand further torments that covers your mind from the error of demons, so neither do we feel your torments, because our mind is illuminated by the faith and love of Christ our God. Devise therefore other, new engines of torment against us. For our mind thirsts and desires through the love that comes from Christ, through your sentence upon us, to contemplate the living God who reigns forever."
[15] When the tyrant heard these things and was greatly angered, they go of their own accord to the fire he ordered a great pyre to be kindled and the Martyrs to be thrown into it. When the soldiers had carried out his inhuman command, the Saints went of their own accord to the pyre, exhorting one another to approach the fire as if it were water, and taking no account of the burning of the coals. With great and steadfast spirit they said to the tyrant: "We, O Maximian, considering your blindness and poverty of sense, pity your heart of stone, because you have been the minister of the error of unclean demons, unable to come to your senses or to recognize how all this persevering endurance surpasses all human strength. For who, without divine refreshment, could contend against an all-consuming flame? they remain unharmed But those who are fervent in spirit and have put on God -- the fire that consumes those who, like you, are impious, can in no way harm the pious. For it is not in the nature of flame to be consumed by a flame that is but for a time and upon which destruction falls. Wherefore you labor in vain, O foolish tyrant, who strive to consume with fire those of us who burn with the love of Christ. For the fire has made us glow white, as silver is made to glow."
[16] When all who heard marveled at these words, the tyrant, who was a vessel of destruction, persevered in his will to destroy the Saints, and was neither persuaded by the words of the glorious Martyrs nor struck with wonder at the facts themselves. their sides are scraped with iron claws Wherefore he again ordered the Saints, affixed to stakes, to have their sides vigorously scraped with iron claws. When therefore the holy and noble Martyrs were bravely contending in this contest as well, and all were marveling at the madness of this Emperor, the illustrious Martyr Maurice said to the tyrant: "Do you not perceive your weakness and misery, O unclean and profane tyrant, since this young boy Photinus has broken the audacity of your empire? For to have undergone such and so many torments is the shattering of your most cruel empire. How then will you be able to break our entire phalanx, you who have been overcome by so small a youth?"
[17] Provoked to wrath by these words, the wicked Maximian, gazing upon him with burning eyes and gnashing his teeth against him, and wishing to take cruel vengeance upon the holy and blessed Martyr of Christ, Maurice, ordered the executioner to slay and kill the son before the eyes of the father. St. Photinus is beheaded In his presence, therefore, and while he watched his son, the executioner cut off his head. When therefore the venerable head of the most blessed Photinus had been cut off in this manner, and he had departed beautifully and gloriously to the Lord, the illustrious Maurice said: "You have fulfilled our desire, O tyrant, and henceforth we have a firm and stable course toward heaven. For who among our number will endure being surpassed by Photinus, the soldier of Christ, who has departed to heaven and put your father the devil to shame? For the rest, devise torments against us with greater zeal and intensity, and let nothing be omitted by you of those things that test whether we keep a firm and immovable faith in Christ."
AnnotationCHAPTER IV
A slow death inflicted on the Martyrs by wasps and hornets. The relics buried.
[18] When Maximian saw that the holy Martyrs of Christ persevered with a ready and eager spirit, and were not abandoning their right faith, having convened his inhuman senate, he took counsel with them as to how he might inflict the most bitter death upon the holy Martyrs, [a plan is devised that they should be handed over to be killed by wasps and hornets] through which he might bring terror to Christians throughout the whole world and cause them to defect from the blameless religion. One therefore of those who had assembled in the senate, who was the root of bitterness and the fruit of wickedness and the most fertile tree of every other malice and injustice, advised the tyrant, saying: "This is indeed the time of the greatest heat, for the month of Panemus had then arrived. And there is a place outside the city toward the west, situated between two rivers that flow past it and a lake, flat in its character but full of grass and infinite other material. Those who dwell in that place call it Roga, because it is a harsh dwelling place of wasps and stinging flies, and a space filled with gnats of various kinds, through which at midday one can scarcely pass even without danger. Order therefore their bodies to be anointed with honey and tied up there with the insects, so that in this torment they may experience a destruction more grievous than all the torments that have preceded, and may learn that our eternal gods are not to be assailed with curses -- and what avails it to have dared to pursue a path contrary to that which the Emperors follow."
[19] This word and counsel pleased the Emperor and the entire Senate, and the Emperor ordered them to be handed over to this punishment. they are led bound out of the city When therefore the ministers of iniquity had waited for midday and had observed the quiet time, in which, by the blowing of the winds, there is an infinite multitude of tiny creatures that inflict a grievous and troublesome perforation on the bodies upon which they fall, they led the Saints, bound in chains, to this place. They chose a moist spot, situated near a perennial spring, from which there usually arise slimy pools and bogs, where there also tends to dwell a multitude of such tiny creatures. They anointed the venerable bodies of the Saints with honey, and firmly tied them to stakes in that place, anointed with honey, they are exposed to the insects also casting the venerable body of the illustrious Martyr Photinus before the face of his blessed father Maurice, reckoning that they would thereby inflict upon him a greater punishment. When therefore they had done these things, they withdrew as quickly as possible, as men who could not in the least endure the attack of the venomous creatures.
[20] When therefore the Saints had endured this intolerable and bitter punishment for ten days and nights, raising their eyes to God, they prayed, saying: "Lord our God, who created us in Your image and likeness, and led us to the knowledge of Your truth and divinity and of Your only-begotten Son and most holy Spirit, after ten days they depart most happily with You we deposit our souls, and we ask that You place them with all the Saints who have pleased You from the ages." When they had prayed these things, they delivered their blessed and divine souls to God, and thus were deemed worthy of the crowns of their contest.
[21] But the wicked and tyrannical Emperor Maximian, the heads are cut off after death even after death still raging against the ever-living Martyrs (for those who have departed according to God and have departed hence live to God), when he heard that they had breathed forth their souls, ordered the executioners to cut off their venerable heads and to cast them into the same place. And when these men had taken down their venerable relics from the stakes, they did not scruple to cut off their revered heads. And when they had cut them off, they scattered and dispersed them throughout that forest. But certain faithful brethren, coming by night with great fear, collected their venerable heads and most holy bodies, and with honor and much sweetness of fragrance, and divine psalmody and fervent prayers, digging in the earth, the holy relics are buried they deposited them in that place where the illustrious and brave soldiers of Christ had fought their contest. In which place they shine as luminaries in the world.
[22] Rejoice therefore, O Apamea, encircled by a spiritual crown composed of diverse precious stones and enriched by a heavenly treasure conferring a certain harmony of most divine splendor. Epilogue to the Apameans Various pearls of riches gleam, but toward that light which leads to the one and same faith in the uncreated Trinity, heaven exults. The earth also, illuminated by the sun of justice and shining with manifold stars, proclaims the glory of God in these seventy Martyrs. Of whose celebrated assembly and grace may we all also be deemed worthy to be partakers, enjoying with one mind and consent the healing that proceeds from them, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
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