Montanus

ON STS. MONTANUS, LUCIUS, JULIAN, VICTORICUS, FLAVIAN, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS IN AFRICA.

Around the year 260.

Preliminary Commentary.

Montanus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Lucius, Martyr in Africa (St.) Tulianus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Victoricus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Flavianus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Companions, Martyrs in Africa

By the author G. H.

[1] In the eighth persecution raised against the Christians, Valerian and Gallienus, emperors created in the year 254, raged with atrocious cruelty. Then, in the consulship of Valerian for the fourth time and Gallienus for the third, [In the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus, St. Cyprian was exiled in the year 257, killed in the year 258, on September 14.] in the year 257, on the third day before the Kalends of September, St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, was examined by the Proconsul Aspasius Paternus and sent as an exile to the city of Curubis: in the following year 258, in the consulship of Tuscus (others read Fuscus) and Bassus, he was sentenced to death by the Proconsul Galerius Maximus, who had succeeded Aspasius Paternus, and suffered on the eighteenth day before the Kalends of October, and after ^a few days the Proconsul Galerius Maximus died: as these things are more fully narrated in the history of the passion of St. Cyprian, published together with his works. Since, moreover, as is read below in the Acts of these Martyrs at number 21, Bishop Cyprian had suffered alone, it was shown to St. Flavian, as if he were questioning Cyprian himself, and he himself would afterward become ^a Martyr with the others who were seized by the same Proconsul Galerius Maximus and cast into prison, and were sentenced to death by the fiscal Procurator Solon, who is said below at number 6 to have administered the duties of the deceased Proconsul, His disciples were subjected to martyrdom in the year 259. in the year 259, before another Proconsul was sent from Rome with the fasces. Petavius in his work On the Doctrine of Times, book 13, at the said year 259, indicates their martyrdom in these words: In Africa the persecution continues to rage, in which many disciples of St. Cyprian were subjected to martyrdom.

[2] The history of the passion of these Martyrs is written in an elegant style and is most worthy of reading, [The Acts of the Passion consist both of ^a letter written by the Martyrs themselves,] as Molanus observes in the supplement to Usuard at February 24, and as Lawrence Surius prefaces before the same Acts published by him. These Acts are partly written by the Martyrs themselves, which are contained in the first chapter, and partly supplemented by another person who was present. Baronius, in his Annals at the year 262, in which he judged that they completed their martyrdom, asserts at number 4 that the letter was written by the Confessors who were thrust into prison, and written indeed in the prison itself: which, he says, having been dug out from more ancient written codices and compared with that which was published by Surius, we think it fitting to weave in here as ^a trustworthy document, consistent with itself in every part, as ^a notable monument of antiquity, very useful, pleasant, and welcome: since indeed it is found to have been written by those who were accustomed to the teaching and discipline of St. Cyprian, inasmuch as they had been his disciples and had used him most familiarly. And having recited the letter at number 15, he adds thus: What befell those who wrote these things, and of the account of an eyewitness. we are glad that those who were present and who saw with their own eyes committed to perpetual memory. He then inserts the Acts into the Annals up to number 31, where he concludes thus: Thus far the author and the end of the said ministers of the Church of Carthage, whose one day, namely the sixth before the Kalends of March, although Flavian suffered two days after the others, is recalled with an annual celebration in the ecclesiastical records. So says Baronius, who also at the Roman Martyrology asserts that the same Acts are held to be genuine: given from ^a MS. which we give from ^a very ancient MS. codex of the most celebrated monastery of St. Maximin near Trier, compared with the editions of Surius and Baronius, compared with the editions of Surius and Baronius, in comparison with which they appear much more exact in various places. The author at number 12, moreover, testifies that this task was enjoined upon him by St. Flavian, that whatever was lacking in their letters should be added, and at number 21 he says that Flavian himself ordered these things to be written and joined to the actual words, and that his own visions should also be added: and finally he concludes that they were rightly written down for the memory of posterity, that they might be examples for us to learn from.

[3] The sacred commemoration of these Martyrs is inscribed in the Martyrologies at this February 24, These Martyrs are: Julian, on which day Notker has the following: In Africa, of Julian, Julia, and very many others. At Nicomedia, of Lucian the Priest. But no Julia is found in these Acts: she is among the Martyrs of Nicomedia, of whom we give forty-nine by their individual names, so that perhaps those words, "of Julia and very many others," are to be referred after Lucian. Hermann Greven in the supplement to Usuard specifies some of these Martyrs: Likewise, he says, Lucius, Flavian, Montanus, of Lucius, and Flavian, Montanus, and Gemellus, Martyrs. Of these, Gemellus does not pertain to these either, and is perhaps Gemeliana among the same Martyrs of Nicomedia. But Galesinius reports them thus: In Africa, of the holy Martyrs Montanus, Lucius, Julian, Victor, and Flavian, whose illustrious combats for the faith, undertaken with joyful spirit and wondrously accomplished, are read. Canisius reports the same in his German Martyrology. But Galesinius warns in his Notes that for Victor one should substitute Victoricus, who with the others is thus commemorated in the Roman Martyrology: Victoricus, In Africa, of the holy Martyrs Montanus, Lucius, Julian, Victoricus, Flavian, and companions, who were and companions; disciples of St. Cyprian and completed their martyrdom under the Emperor Valerian: to which is added in Ghini: Who, first destined for fire, when it had been extinguished by divine power, were bound with chains in ^a foul prison; afflicted with hunger and thirst, but revived by the favor of divine grace; when, interrogated again and again, they freely confessed Christ and detested idols, they were at last slain by the sword and merited their crowns.

[4] But who the Companions indicated in the Roman Martyrology and in Ghini were, they are reckoned at ^a certain number in the MS. Florarium of the Saints at May 18, in these words: Of the holy Martyrs Montanus, Whether Primolus and Donatianus, who died in prison, are among the companions, Lucius, Flavian, and five others. Felicius at this February 24 expresses their names thus: Montanus and companions, namely Lucius, Julian, Victoricus, Flavian, Primolus, Renus, Donatianus, formerly disciples of St. Cyprian, who after the martyrdom of their Master were crowned as Martyrs by various torments: although Renus and Donatianus, first torn apart by great punishments, died in prison. But the Acts at number 2 report that Donatianus and Primolus were both baptized and died in prison. Then at number 5, the vision of Renus is narrated, Renus, and no further mention is made of him. Why should not the eighth place rather be attributed to Victor the Priest, then the Martyrs: Victor the Priest, who is called ^a co-Martyr by others at number 7, and is said to have suffered immediately after the vision there discussed? And thus St. Victor would be rightly commemorated by Galesinius and Canisius, Quartillosia, as another in the Roman Martyrology and in Ghini is called Victoricus. Finally, Quartillosia could also be added, who at number 8 is said to have followed her husband and son, who were Martyrs. Bishop Successus and Paul with their companions are reported to have been crowned with martyrdom at number 23. Successus the Bishop and Paul? But these perhaps pertain to January 19, and others to other days, since they did not all die or perish on one and the same day.

[5] The letter that exists at number 20 or 21 among the letters of St. Cyprian, from Celerinus to Lucian, inserts the following concerning Montanus: And now ^a double sadness has fallen upon me, Is there ^a mention of St. Montanus in the letter of Celerinus? because, when you knew that Montanus, our common brother, was coming to me from you out of the prison, you did not inform me about your health or what is happening with you. These words, which suit well the noble spirit of St. Montanus, suggest that he himself had previously visited the imprisoned Confessors, provided them with necessities, and roused them to the palm of martyrdom. Concerning Lucius, Julian, and Victoricus, they were ministers of the Church of Carthage. whoever they may have been, there is discussion in the letters of St. Cyprian, but since they were bishops appointed by him, they do not seem to pertain here, since these were rather, as said above from Baronius, ministers of the Church of Carthage under Bishop St. Cyprian. Flavian was led back to prison, as if he had denied that he was ^a Deacon.

ACTS OF THE PASSION

From the MS. of St. Maximin, Baronius, and Surius.

Montanus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Lucius, Martyr in Africa (St.) Tulianus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Victoricus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Flavianus, Martyr in Africa (St.) Companions, Martyrs in Africa

BHL Number: 6009

From the MS. and Surius.

CHAPTER I

Letter of the Martyrs concerning the captivity, starvation, and torments endured in prison.

[1] We too have among you ^a struggle, most beloved brethren, Prologue. so that the servants of God and those consecrated to his Christ should think of nothing else than the multitude of their brethren, of what force, of what reason. This love, this duty has impelled us to these letters, so that for the brethren yet to come we might leave behind both ^a faithful testimony to the magnificence of God, and our labors for endurance, and ^a memorial of ourselves through the Lord.

[2] After the popular tumult, which the fierce countenance of the Governor excited to slaughter, and after the very bitter persecution of Christians on the following day, we were seized: Eight Saints are captured: Lucius, Montanus, Flavian, Julian, Victoricus, Primolus, Renus, and Donatianus ^a catechumen, who, having been baptized in prison, immediately gave up his spirit, hastening by an undelayed journey from the baptism of water to the crown of martyrdom. Around Primolus indeed ^a similar outcome of consummation occurred. For the confession he had made ^a few days before had baptized him as well.

[3] Therefore, when we had been seized and placed in custody among the Regionarii, the soldiers announced the sentence of the Governor, that on the previous day, burning with rage, Donatianus and Primolus die in prison he had threatened us with destruction. For, as we afterward learned most truly, he had intended to burn us alive: but the Lord, who alone delivers his servants from the fire, in whose hand are the words and hearts of the King, turned the raging cruelty of the Governor from us: and applying ourselves to constant prayers with complete faith, we immediately received what we had asked: the others obtain by prayer the extinction of the fire: the fire, almost kindled for the destruction of our flesh, was extinguished, and the flame of the burning furnaces was quenched by the dew of the Lord. Nor was it difficult for believers that new things could happen corresponding to the old examples, with the Lord promising in spirit: because he who had wrought this glory in the three youths was conquering also in us. Daniel 3

[4] Then, frustrated in his purpose, with the Lord fighting for us, he ordered us to be sent to prison. To which we were led by soldiers, and we did not dread the foul darkness of that place: and immediately they are thrust into ^a prison divinely illuminated: the dark prison shone with the radiance of the Spirit going before us, and against the obscurity covered with the hideous and blind night, the devotion of faith clothed us with bright light as if it were day: and we were ascending to the summit of the place of punishments, as if we were ascending into heaven.

What days we spent there, what nights we passed, cannot be set forth in any words: the torments of the prison are grasped by no affirmation: nor do we fear to speak of the atrocity they suffer dreadful things: as it is. For the greater the trial, the greater is he who overcomes it in us: nor is the fight ours, because with the Lord protecting, the victory is his. For to be killed is ^a light thing for the servants of God: and therefore death is nothing, whose sting the Lord has crushed and whose ferocity he has vanquished, triumphing through the trophy of the Cross. And there is no reason for arms unless ^a soldier is to be armed: and he is armed because there is ^a campaign, and in our crowns there is ^a reward because ^a contest has preceded: nor is the palm given unless the combat is completed. But for ^a few days we were refreshed by the visitation of the brethren. For the joy and comfort of the day relieved all the labor of the night.

[5] Then to Renus, they are encouraged by the vision of Renus: who was with us, seized by sleep, it was shown that each was being led forth. And as they came forth, individual lamps were carried before them. But he whose lamp had not gone before did not proceed. And when we had proceeded with our lamps, he awoke. And, as he reported to us, we rejoiced, trusting that we were walking with Christ, who is ^a lamp to our feet and who is the Word, namely of God. Psalm 118

[6] After that night, ^a joyful day was dawning for us. And immediately on the same day we were suddenly snatched away to the Procurator, who was administering the duties of the deceased Proconsul. They are led to the Procurator: O happy day, glory of chains! O chain desired by all prayers! O iron more honorable and more precious than the finest gold! O that grinding of iron, which rang as it was dragged over other iron! Our speech seemed to foretell our future consolation: and lest we should enjoy this delight too slowly, we were led here and there throughout the whole forum by the soldiers, wherever the Governor wished to hear us. Then he summoned us into the private chamber, they are sent back to prison: because the hour of suffering had not yet arrived. Whence, with the devil prostrated, we returned as victors to the prison and were reserved for another victory. The devil, defeated in this battle, turned to other stratagems, attempting to try us with hunger and thirst. they are tortured with starvation: And he waged this battle of his most fiercely for many days, so that, what the adversary thought would work more in his favor with the devil, the abundance of the sick labored toward Solon the fiscal agent and toward cold water.

[7] But this labor, this want, this time of necessity pertained to God, most beloved brethren. For he who willed that we be tried, himself showed us that we might have consolation in the very trial. They are encouraged by an apparition of Christ made to the Martyr Victor, For to Victor the Priest, our co-Martyr, who suffered immediately after this same vision, this was shown. I saw, he said, ^a boy enter here into the prison, whose face was radiant beyond inexpressible splendor, who was leading us through all the places wherever we would go, yet we could not get out. And he said to me: You still labor ^a little, because now you are hindered. But be confident, because I am here with you. And he added: Tell them that they will have ^a more glorious crown: and the spirit hastens to its God, and the soul, already near to suffering, has sought its abodes. For he questioned this same Lord about Paradise, where it was. And he said to him: It is outside the world. Show it to me, he said. And he said to him: And where will faith be? And when the latter said through human weakness: I cannot hold what you command me; tell me ^a sign that I may tell them. The Lord answered him and said: Tell them the sign of Jacob. We must rejoice, most beloved brethren, that we can be made equal to the Patriarchs, if not in righteousness, at least in labors. Psalm 49:15 But he who said: Call upon me in the day of distress, and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me, was moved to glorification after the prayers directed to him, and remembered us, first declaring the gift of his mercy. Psalm 49:15

[8] Concerning this, he showed it to our sister Quartillosia, who was placed here with us: whose husband and son had suffered three days before. She too, sitting here, quickly followed her kinsmen, and by the vision of the widow Quartillosia: and in this manner she set forth what she saw: I saw, she said, my son who had suffered come to the prison: and sitting upon the edge of the water basin, he said: God has seen your distress and your labor. And after him there entered ^a youth of marvelous stature, who was carrying two cups, one in each hand, full of milk, and he said: Be of good courage; Almighty God has remembered you. And from those cups which he carried, he gave all to drink. And the cups did not fail. And suddenly the stone that divides the window in the middle was removed; and the clear windows themselves, with the middle stone taken away, admitted ^a free view of the sky. And that youth set down the cups he was carrying, one to the right and the other to the left, and said: Behold, you are both satisfied and it abounds, and ^a third cup will yet come to you.

[9] Then another day passed, which dawned after this vision. We were awaiting the hour when the fiscal agent would bring not food but scarcity and want; because no food was left for us. For we had remained fasting on the previous day as well. But suddenly, just as drink comes to the thirsty, food to the hungry, and martyrdom to those who desire it, so the Lord provided refreshment for our labors through Lucian, most dear to us: They are refreshed by food sent in: who, breaking through the barrier of chains, as if through two cups, through Herennian the subdeacon and Januarius the catechumen, administered unfailing sustenance to all. This aid supported the sick and those who were laboring exceedingly. It also recalled from infirmity those who, through the same hardship, that is, through the inconvenience of Solon and the cold water, had already fallen ill. For his so glorious deeds we all give thanks to God.

[10] Now, most beloved brethren, some things must also be said about the love They commend mutual charity: which we have for one another: and we do not instruct, but we admonish, because just as we are united in one mind, so also we live and pray as one before the Lord. The concord of charity must be maintained, and we must cling to the bonds of love. Then the devil is prostrated, then whatever is asked from the Lord is received, since he himself promises and says: If two of you shall agree upon earth concerning any matter whatsoever that you shall ask of my Father, it shall be done for you. Matthew 18:19 Nor in any other way shall we be able to receive eternal life and reign with Christ, unless we have done what he commands to be done: for which he has promised both life and the kingdom. That those who have kept peace with their brethren will attain the inheritance of God, the Lord himself declares by his own teaching, saying: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 Which the Apostle explains, saying: That we may be sons of God. Romans 8:17 And if sons, also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but coheirs with Christ. If indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. If one cannot be an heir unless he is ^a son, and one is not ^a son unless he is ^a peacemaker, he who breaks the peace of God will not be able to have the inheritance of God. And we say this not as if we were admonished, nor do we suggest it without ^a divine revelation.

[11] For when Montanus had had some words with Julian on account of the communion which had crept upon our woman, who was not even communicating, and when after the rebuke that he had heaped upon her, he had remained in the very rigidity of discord, it was shown that same night to Montanus as follows: I seemed to see, he said, Centurions coming to us. And when they were leading us along ^a long road, we came to an immense field, and it is confirmed by the vision of St. Montanus. in which Cyprian and Leucius met us. We came, moreover, to ^a bright place, and our garments became white, and our flesh was changed, whiter than the white garments. Indeed our flesh was so translucent that the sight of the eyes could reach to the inmost parts of the heart. And looking into my breast, I see certain stains, and I awoke in the vision. And Lucian met me, and I related the vision to him, and I said to him: You know that those stains are the fact that I did not immediately make peace with Julian? And at this I awoke. For which reason, most beloved brethren, let us hold concord, peace, and unity with all our might: let us imitate here what we shall be there. If the promised rewards invite us who are just, if the threatened punishment frightens the unjust, if we desire to be with Christ and to reign with him, let us do those things that lead to Christ and to the kingdom. We wish you to be well.

p. MS. reads "frailty."

q. So Baronius. But Surius reads: "his weeping." MS.: "after weeping, taking refuge in prayers."

r. MS. reads "Tharquillacsia."

s. The same MS. reads: "rendering these."

t. Surius reads "brought."

v. Baronius reads "removed." MS.: "that middle one having been removed."

x. MS. reads "provisions."

y. The same reads "of the jailers."

z. Mention of the subdeacon Herennian is made in letters 78, 79, and 80 in St. Cyprian, in which ^a reply is given to him from the condemned Confessors at the mines, since St. Cyprian had sent monetary aid to them through him. Among the companions of Herennian there was then present the acolyte Lucanus, who here seems to be called Luccinus.

aa. So the MSS. These words are tangled in Surius and Baronius, with words transposed: "on account of that woman, who approached the woman." Surius: "oppressed."

bb. Alias Lucius, as Surius and Baronius note.

CHAPTER II

The martyrdom of Sts. Lucius, Julian, Victoricus, and Montanus: The constancy of St. Flavian, led back to prison.

[12] All these had written together from the prison. But because it was necessary to embrace the entire course of the blessed Martyrs' deeds in ^a full account, because they themselves, out of modesty, had said less about themselves, and Flavian also privately enjoined upon us this task, that whatever was lacking in their letters should be added; we have necessarily subjoined the rest. And when they had been confined for very many months in prison and had long labored with hunger and thirst, at last, late in the day, they are ordered to be brought forth and brought before the tribunal of the Governor. And when all had indeed made their confession with ^a glorious voice, when ^a helper cried out with perverse love on behalf of Flavian, denying that he was ^a Deacon, They are sentenced to death, with Flavian led back to prison. which he himself confessed, sentence was pronounced upon the rest, that is, Lucius, Montanus, Julian, and Victoricus, and Flavian was taken back again. And although he had full cause for grief, that he was separated from so good ^a company, yet by the faith and devotion with which he lived, he believed that what God willed was being done, and he tempered the sadness of his forsaken solitude with the wisdom of religion. He even said: Since the heart of the king is in the hand of God, what cause is there for sorrow, or why should I think to be angry at ^a man who speaks what he is commanded? But of Flavian more fully afterward.

[13] Meanwhile, the others were being led to the place of sacrifice. There was ^a concourse from all sides of the Gentiles and of all the brethren. Who, although they were dutiful to others and to the other witnesses of God, on account of the religion and faith which they had learned under the teaching of Cyprian, yet then they had assembled with ^a fuller duty and greater number. There one could see the Martyrs of Christ testifying to the happiness of their glory by the cheerfulness of their countenance: they rouse others by word and example: so that they could have provoked the rest to the examples of their own virtue, even if they had remained silent. But neither was an abundance of speech lacking. For by their exhortations each one strengthened the people of God: and indeed Lucius, besides his inborn gentleness and good and modest reserve, ^a serious illness and the toil of the prison had also broken: and therefore, with fewer companions, he alone went ahead, lest the pressure of too great ^a crowd should begrudge the shedding of his blood: [St. Lucius, when asked for prayers at his death, himself seeks the prayers of others.] yet he too did not remain silent, but instructed his companions as purely as he could. And when the brethren said to him: Remember us, he said: You remember me. How great the humility of the Martyr, not to presume even in solitude about his own glory at the very moment of his passion! Julian also and Victoricus, having long commended peace to the brethren and having entrusted all to the clergy, especially those who had suffered the hunger of the prison, came to the place of suffering with joy and without fear.

[14] But Montanus, Sts. Julian and Victoricus are cheerful in death: strong in body and mind, although glorious even before his martyrdom, had always spoken with constancy and courage whatever the truth demanded, without any respect of persons; yet growing from his approaching martyrdom, he cried out with ^a prophetic voice: He who sacrifices to the gods shall be uprooted, unless it be to the Lord alone. St. Montanus rebukes the idolaters, And he repeated this frequently, insinuating and impressing that it is not lawful, having deserted God, to offer sacrifices to images and handmade idols. He also blunted the pride and wicked contumacy of the heretics, calling them to witness that they should at least understand from the number of Martyrs the truth of the Church, to which they ought to return. Then he deferred the hasty precipitation of the lapsed in the negotiation of peace to full repentance and the sentence of Christ, heretics, and the lapsed: and exhorting also the upright to the guardianship of their integrity: Stand firm, brethren, he said, and fight steadfastly. You have examples: let not the treachery of the lapsed destroy you to ruin, but let our endurance rather build you up to the crown. He also admonished each of the virgins to guard their sanctity. He taught all in general to venerate their Superiors. He gives counsels to good Christians: Insinuating also to the Superiors themselves the concord of peace, he said that nothing was better than the unanimous will of the Superiors: that then the people could be summoned to sacred service and animated to the bond of love, if the rulers of the people kept the peace. For this is to suffer for Christ, and to imitate Christ also by the example of one's words, and to be the greatest proof of faith. O great example for believing!

[15] But when the executioner was now at hand, and the sword was hanging above his neck with ^a balancing sway, stretching out his hands to God, he prayed with ^a clear voice, About to be killed, he prays for St. Flavian: so that the sound of his voice reached not only the ears of the whole populace but also those of the Gentiles themselves, asking and beseeching that Flavian, who had remained behind from their company through the advocacy of the people, might follow on the third day. And to give assurance of his prayer, he split in two the cloth with which he was about to have his eyes bound, He asks that ^a portion of the linen be reserved for him, and ordered one half to be kept, with which Flavian's eyes would be bound the day after tomorrow. He also ordered ^a place to be kept for him in their midst in the arena, and ^a place of burial: so that he might not be separated even in the fellowship of burial. And what the Lord promised in his Gospel was accomplished before our eyes, that whoever asked with complete faith would obtain whatever he asked. Matthew 11 For after two days, according to what had been asked, Flavian also was brought forth and perfected his glory through his passion. Since, however, as I said above, he himself also commanded that we join the delay of two days with its memorable causes, it had to be done from ^a greater necessity, what rightly ought to be done even if it were not commanded.

[16] After those entreaties, after those voices by which, as if for his safety, hostile friendship had risen up, he was recalled to prison, robust in virtue, unconquered in mind, full of faith. Nothing had diminished the vigor of his spirit, not even the thought of remaining behind: which, although it might have troubled him, yet faith, St. Flavian is steadfast and ready for death, which had anticipated the approaching passion with total devotion, trampled upon temporal hindrances. His incomparable mother clung to his side, who, beyond the faith by which she was akin to the Patriarchs, proved herself in this also to be ^a daughter of Abraham, in that she both wished her son to be killed and was saddened with inmost grief that he had meanwhile remained behind. O piously religious mother! O mother to be venerated among the examples of old! O Maccabean mother! He is encouraged to martyrdom by his mother: For it makes no difference about the number of sons, since she likewise devoted all her affections to the Lord in ^a single pledge. But he, praising the spirit of his mother, so that she might not grieve over his delay, said: You know, Mother, most deservedly dearest, how I have always tried, if it should happen that I confess, to enjoy martyrdom, and to be seen frequently in chains, and often to be deferred. If therefore what I wished has come to pass, one should glory rather than grieve.

[17] And when they came to the door of the prison, it seemed to be opened much more difficultly and slowly than usual, even with the prison attendants straining: so that it seemed to be bolted by some resistant spirit testifying that it was unworthy for him to be defiled by the squalor of prison, for whom ^a heavenly dwelling was being prepared. Since, however, divinity had worthy reasons for the delayed crown, the prison admitted, against its will, ^a man who was now of heaven and of God. What ^a spirit was there during those two days, He is detained in prison for two days with great hope, with what hope, with what confidence, when the soul of the Martyr of God both presumed upon the petition of his colleagues and believed that his passion would come! I will say what I feel. That third day after the two was endured, not as ^a day of suffering, but as ^a day of resurrection. Indeed the crowd of Gentiles was marveling, those who had heard the voice of Montanus petitioning.

CHAPTER III

The noble spirit of St. Flavian, his visions, and martyrdom.

[18] But after he was ordered to be brought forth on the third day, upon the rumor being known, the unbelieving and faithless flocked together, intending to test the faith of the Martyr. The witness of God was coming forth from prison, never to return to prison again. Great was the common joy of all, but greater was held in his own certain mind, that both his own faith and the petition of his predecessors would wrest from the Governor even an unwilling sentence, despite the people's protests to the contrary. Whence also to the brethren who met him and desired to greet him, he promised with complete faith that he would make peace with all in Fuscianus. O great confidence, O true faith! Then, entering the praetorium, He goes forth joyfully from prison to the praetorium: to the wonder of all, he stood in the place of the prisoners, waiting until he was called.

[19] There we were stationed at his side, joined together and closely clinging, so that we held hands with hands, paying honor to the Martyr and the charity of companionship. There his fellow disciples were urging him, even with tears, to lay aside his presumptuousness and sacrifice for the time being, afterward to do whatever he wished: and not to fear that uncertain and secondary death more than the present one. And these are the words of the Gentiles, who said it was the height of madness to fear the manner of death more than to live. But he, giving thanks that, led by friendship, they wished to take counsel for him as far as it was in their power; [He instructs his Gentile fellow disciples who were urging him to sacrifice falsely:] yet he did not keep silent about the faith and about the divinity, saying that it was far better to be killed in the first place, as far as the freedom of integrity was concerned, than to adore stones. Then, that the Lord is supreme, who made all things by his command, and therefore alone is to be worshipped: adding also that which the Gentiles are less willing to believe, even if they have any sense of divinity: that we live even when we are killed, and are not conquered by death but conquer; and that they too, if they wished to arrive at the consciousness of truth, ought even to become Christians.

[20] They, blunted and defeated by these words, after they could obtain nothing through persuasion, betook themselves to ^a crueler mercy, certain that he could be removed from his purpose by torments. And when he was ordered to be brought forward and was asked by the Governor why he was lying in saying he was ^a Deacon when he was not, he denied that he was lying. And when the Centurion said that ^a notarial document had been given to him which contained the charge that he was pretending, he replied: Is it not more likely that I am lying, and that the one who gave the false document is telling the truth? He affirms that he is ^a Deacon: When, with the people protesting and saying, You lie, he was again asked by the Governor whether he was truly lying, he replied: What advantage is there in lying? At this the people, exasperated, demanded with repeated shouts that he be tortured. But the Lord, who knew his servant's faith, did not suffer the body of the proven Martyr to be struck with even the slightest laceration of any torment. For he immediately turned the heart of the King to the sentence, and crowned his witness, faithful unto death, He is sentenced to death: with the course completed and the contest perfected.

[21] From that point, now rejoicing because through the sentence given he was more certain of his passion, he also enjoyed pleasant conversation. And so it was brought about that he ordered these things to be written and joined to the actual words: He commands the Acts to be written together with the vision of St. Cyprian, he wished his own visions also to be added, part of which pertained to the delay of two days. While our Bishop had still suffered alone, he said, this was shown to me, as if I were questioning Cyprian himself, whether it would hurt to suffer the blows, that is, ^a future Martyr was consulting about the endurance of suffering. He answered me and said: Another flesh suffers when the soul is in heaven, and this body by no means feels it when it has devoted itself to God with all its mind. O words of ^a Martyr encouraging ^a Martyr! He denied that there was pain in the blow of suffering, so that he who also was to be killed might be more steadfastly encouraged, since he would have not even the slightest sensation of pain from the blow of suffering.

[22] Afterward, he said, when more had suffered, I was saddened in ^a nighttime vision, because I seemed to have been left behind by my colleagues. And ^a man appeared to me, saying: Why are you saddened? When I told him the cause of my sadness, he said: of another man, Why are you sad? You are twice ^a Confessor; the third time you will be ^a Martyr through the sword. And so it was fulfilled. For having confessed Christ first in the private chamber, second publicly, with the people protesting, he was ordered to be imprisoned, and remained separated from his company according to his vision, and brought forth after his two confessions, he perfected his passion the third time.

[23] Then, he said, when Successus and Paul with their companions had already been crowned, and I was recovering after an illness, I see that Successus the Bishop had come to my house, with ^a countenance and attire of extraordinary brightness, whose features were hard to recognize, and the visions of St. Successus the Bishop appearing: because his mortal eyes were gleaming with angelic splendor. When I barely recognized him, he said to me: I am sent to announce to you that you are to suffer. When he had said this, immediately two soldiers came who led me and brought me to ^a certain place where ^a multitude of the brotherhood was gathered, and when I had been brought before the Governor I was ordered to be led forward, and suddenly my mother appeared in the midst of the people, saying: I praise you, because no one has conducted his martyrdom thus. And truly no one has done so. For, to omit the singular abstinence of the prison, and that while the others were receiving even ^a little food, which was offered from the dregs of the fiscal agent's meager provisions, he alone restrained himself from even that little, considering it of such importance to be worn out by many and prescribed fasts, provided he might feed others with his own food.

[24] I come therefore to the manner in which he was led forth with such great honor, he who, accompanied by so many priests, with all his disciplined ranks drawn up, merited to be directed in the likeness of ^a general. He is led forth in the company of priests, Thus the entire dignity of the procession expressed that the Martyr was about to reign with God, already reigning in spirit and mind. Nor was testimony from heaven lacking. A generous and gentle rain, descending with ^a tempered dew, was flowing, serving many purposes: first, to restrain the harmfully curious Gentiles by the intervention of the rain; then, to give occasion for turning aside, and that no profane judge should be present at the sacraments of the lawful peace. And what Flavian himself said with his own mouth, under ^a rainy sky, it was still raining, so that, following the example of the Lord's passion, water might be joined with blood. Thus, with all the brethren confirmed John 19 and peace perfected, he proceeded from the stable, which was joined close to Fuscianus. There, when he had mounted ^a higher place, suitable for ^a speech, having made silence with his hand, he uttered these words: Know this, most beloved brethren, that you have peace with us, if you know the peace of the Church and preserve the unity of love: and do not think that what I have said is little, since our Lord Jesus Christ also, near to his passion, said these last words: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. And he added that final word, and sealed it in the manner of ^a testament with the last pledge of his speech, that he commended Lucian the Priest with the fullest recommendation, and, as far as it lay in him, designated him for the priesthood. Nor undeservedly. For it was not difficult, since his spirit was already approaching heaven and Christ, to have knowledge. Then, when his speech was finished, he descended to the place of sacrifice, and with his eyes bound with that portion which Montanus had ordered to be kept two days before, with his knees fixed as if for prayer, he completed his passion with ^a prayer. O glorious teachings of the Martyrs! O illustrious proofs of the witnesses of God, which were rightly written down for the memory of posterity, so that, just as we draw examples from the ancient scriptures while learning them, we may also learn some things from the new.

o. MS. reads: "end."

p. This Lucian was chosen Bishop of Carthage, the See having been vacant until then after the death of St. Cyprian, as Baronius reports from Ophalus. Surius and the MS. read Liccinus.

q. Baronius reads: "with that part of the band." But above he said "manual" (hand cloth).