Acta Sanctorum

Clerus

14 January · commentary
Latin source: Heiligenlexikon
St. Clerus (also called Clarus or Glycerius), a deacon and martyr, was killed after many torments by being cast into the sea, possibly at Antioch. He is distinct from the Clerus beheaded at Antioch on January 7. His name appears in various corrupt forms across the ancient Martyrologies.

ON ST. CLERUS, DEACON AND MARTYR

Commentary

Clerus, Deacon and Martyr (S.)

[1] We have already recorded under January 7 the story of Clerus the Deacon, beheaded at Antioch for the defense of the Christian religion. Another is presented on this day, crowned by a different manner of death, in very many Martyrologies; and some join him with Euphrasius. The feast of St. Clerus. Thus Peter de Natali, book 11, last chapter, no. 34: "Euphrasius the Bishop and Clerus the Deacon suffered on the 19th of the Kalends of February." Many manuscript Martyrologies of the Belgian Churches, generally under the name of Usuard: "On the same day, St. Euphrasius the Bishop, and Clerus the Deacon and Martyr, one of the ancients, who after many torments was cast into the sea and so completed his martyrdom." The manuscript of Ado from the monastery of St. Lawrence at Liege, and the manuscript of Bede from the Professed House of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp: "On the same day, the feast of St. Clerus (the Liege manuscript has Clarus), Deacon, of the ancients, who after many torments was cast into the sea." The manuscript of Laetium and of St. Martin at Tournai: "On the same day, Clericus (the Laetium manuscript has Clerichi), Deacon, afflicted with many torments and drowned in the sea." Maurolycus: "Likewise of Clerus the Deacon, drowned in the sea." The Centula manuscript: "On the same day, St. Clerus the Deacon and Martyr, of the ancients." The Carthusians also mention him in their Additions to Usuard, as do Bellinus of the Paris edition of 1521, Felicius, and the Cologne Martyrology. The Hibernian manuscript: "Glycerius, disciple and Deacon." And with some words inserted: "Clericus the Deacon."

[2] The place of his martyrdom is indicated by the ancient manuscript of St. Jerome: "At Antioch, Lucerius the Deacon." The Rhinau manuscript: "At Antiatia, Glycerius the Deacon." Notker: "At Antioch, Glycerius the Deacon, of the ancients, who suffered many torments and was drowned in the sea." Where he suffered. The Spanish Chronicle attributed to Flavius Dexter, at the year of Christ 54, no. 2, has the following: "(St. Indaletius) was accompanied by Clarus the Deacon, who, together with many Clerics, near Carthago Spartaria, not far from the port of the city, was cruelly cast into the sea." Bivarius says he was a companion of Euphrasius in martyrdom, moved by the authority of Peter de Natali. It would be strange, if Clerus preached Christ and died near New Carthage (or Spartaria), that he is not honored by the Church of Carthage. His name is variously rendered: The name is variously written. for he is commonly called Clerus, by some Clarus, Clericus, Clerichus, Glycerius; by Felicius and the manuscript Martyrology of the Church of Brussels, Cletus.