ON THE HOLY MARTYRS FRONTASIUS, SEVERINUS, SEVERIANUS, AND SILANUS.
First Century.
PrefaceFrontasius, Martyr in Gaul (St.) Severianus, Martyr in Gaul (St.) Severinus, Martyr in Gaul (St.) Silanus, Martyr in Gaul (St.)
Flor.
The Cologne edition of Usuard's martyrology from the year 1521 records their feast day today in these words: "Of Frontasius the Martyr and his companions." The manuscript Florarium Sanctorum says nearly the same. Our Rosweyde had copied their account of death from a manuscript codex of the Church of St. Martin at Utrecht; I suspect a more faithful and fuller version exists elsewhere.
THE PASSION.
Frontasius, Martyr in Gaul (St.) Severianus, Martyr in Gaul (St.) Severinus, Martyr in Gaul (St.) Silanus, Martyr in Gaul (St.)
BHL Number: 3181
[1] They were disciples of St. Fronto, on whom see October 25. Saints Frontasius, Severinus, Severianus, and Silanus, sent out to preach by Blessed Fronto, first Bishop of Périgueux, while they were sowing the word of God everywhere, were seized by the Governor Squirido. He said to them: "Tell me, where are you from, and what are your names? Not only have you not sacrificed to the gods, They are apprehended. but you have overturned those who wished to sacrifice, demolished their temples, and I do not know by what authority you do these things." Frontasius said: "You, Governor, ignorant of divine power, why do you interrogate us when you condemn all truth? But first consider who made your soul and body, and you will understand the truth. The idols of the nations are the works of human hands; they can neither help themselves nor aid others." Squirus said: "I see that you trust in wordiness, which you learned from your master." Severinus and Severianus answered: "Our wordiness is true. You worship idols, which are metals consecrated to demons — deaf, mute, and vain." Squirus said: "You will gain your lives if you sacrifice." St. Frontasius said: "Our gain is to live and die in Christ."
[2] St. Silanus the musician. Then the Governor turned to Silanus, who knew how to play the cithara, the symphonia, and the lyre, and said: "But you, young man, why do you not sacrifice?" St. Silanus answered: "I sacrifice to my Lord Jesus Christ, who by the grace of his baptism washed the stained world." Squirus said: "How did he wash it?" Silanus answered: "My Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples: 'Go into all the world and preach, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Mark 16. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.' Therefore, Governor, if you believe in Christ and allow yourself to be baptized, you will be saved; but if you do not believe, you will be condemned."
[3] They are tortured. Then the furious Governor ordered them to be led outside the city to a green meadow and examined with harsh torments. After their heads were crowned with iron thorns, following the example of our Redeemer, They are crowned with iron thorns. he fixed their heads with a palisade, and on each of them, on both sides, he also drove nine nails. Yet that savage fury could by no means prevail in turning back Christ's soldiers. Then, the sacred crowns of their heads torn by so many spikes, They are pierced with iron stakes. and thus adorned with the glory of such suffering, he ordered nine iron stakes to be thrust between the bones into both their shoulders, right and left. When he could not overcome them with these torments, he pronounced sentence and ordered them beheaded. The holy Martyrs, bending their knees to the ground They are beheaded. and commending their souls to God, stretching their necks before the executioners, celebrated their martyrdom for Christ.
[4] When the impious soldiers had cast the Martyrs' bodies with their severed heads upon the bare ground in disgrace, heavenly power was present: for their headless bodies, They carry their heads and walk upon the waters. with the divine spirit suddenly rushing into them, took up their own heads in their hands and, without human aid, rose to their feet. And so the Saints approached the bed of the river called the Yla, and directed their steps dry-footed over the waves. Having crossed the river, they ascended the slope of a hill on foot, with all watching and marveling, and arrived at the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the hill where St. Fronto was praying. Laying down their heads and bending their knees before his feet, they stretched out their bodies in the form of a cross.
[5] St. Fronto, together with the priest Anianus and great crowds of people, They are buried. committed Frontasius, Severinus, and Silanius to burial with honor and heavenly hymns in the aforesaid church. Severianus, however, at the request of a certain devout matron, he honorably entombed in another place, not far from his holy companion Martyrs. The holy Martyrs suffered on the fourth day before the Nones of January, during the reign of Emperor Claudius.