Acta Sanctorum

Zosimus der Mönch

3 January · commentary
Latin source: Heiligenlexikon
SS. Zosimus, a monk-hermit of Cilicia, and Athanasius, a commentariensis (prison record-keeper), martyred under Diocletian. Zosimus endured having his ears burned, was suspended and lowered into molten lead, yet survived; when a lion spoke with a human voice in the theatre, Athanasius was converted. Both retreated to the mountains and died together under collapsing rocks. 4th century

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS ZOSIMUS THE MONK AND ATHANASIUS THE COMMENTARIENSIS.

Under Diocletian.

Commentary

Zosimus, Monk and Martyr in Cilicia (St.) Athanasius, Commentariensis and Martyr in Cilicia (St.)

[1] The Roman Martyrology celebrates these admirable men on this day: "In Cilicia, of the holy Martyrs Zosimus, Athanasius the Commentariensis, Theopemptus, and Theonas, who in the persecution of Diocletian underwent an illustrious martyrdom." The Menaea also call them Martyrs on January 4th: SS. Zosimus and Athanasius suffered under the Governor Domitianus. "On the same day, the memorial of the holy Martyrs Zosimus the monk and Athanasius the Commentariensis." Baronius joins these with Theopemptus and Theonas, and says in his Notes that according to the Greek Menaea they are recorded as having suffered under the Emperor Domitian. But this was not the Emperor Domitian, but rather Archon, i.e., a Prefect or Governor. Ferrarius records them on January 4th in his General Catalogue of the Saints, as also the Menologion, in which the following is found: "On the same day, the commemoration of the holy Martyr Zosimus and Athanasius the Commentariensis, who under the Governor Domitianus in Cilicia underwent an illustrious martyrdom."

[2] The Menaea relate at somewhat greater length: St. Zosimus inhabited the wilderness of Cilicia among wild beasts. St. Zosimus is tortured in various ways. Having been apprehended, he was brought before the Governor Domitianus, and because he confessed Christ, his ears were burned with a red-hot iron. Then he was suspended by his head and lowered into a cauldron filled with molten lead. But having been miraculously delivered from all these torments, when a lion appeared in the theatre and spoke of Christ with a human voice, A lion speaks with a human voice he brought Athanasius the Commentariensis to the faith. Dismissed by the tyrant, he returned to the mountains where he had previously been accustomed to devote himself to piety, Athanasius is converted and remaining there he instructed and baptized Athanasius. Then, entering together under broken and gaping rocks, they surrendered their souls to God.