ON THE HOLY MARTYRS ASTERIUS, FORTUNATUS, ZENO, ZOSIMUS, MENELAPUS, DAEDALUS, VALENS.
AROUND THE YEAR 269.
CommentaryAsterius, Martyr (S.) Fortunatus, Martyr (S.) Zeno, Martyr (S.) Zosimus, Martyr (S.) Menelapus, Martyr (S.) Daedalus, Martyr (S.) Valens, Martyr (S.)
[1] The ancient manuscript Martyrology of S. Jerome has furnished us the names of these Martyrs: "At Micea: Asterius, Fortunatus, Zeno, Zosimus, Menelapus, Daedalus, Valens." The Dungalense manuscript: "Fortunatus, Asterius, Priscilla, Moseus, The birthday of these Saints Ammonius, Micetas, Zeno, Zosimus, Menelampus the Martyr, Daedalus, Valens." What that "at Micea" means we do not understand. Is it Nicaea, or in Mysia? But in another manuscript it is the proper name Micaeta.
[2] We believe entirely that these are the Martyrs who, under the younger Claudius, under the governor Gelasius, are commemorated as killed at Ostia on this day, or near Ostia, in the acts of SS. Marius and Martha, which we shall give on January 19. Martyrdom Asterius was a leading man, instructed in the doctrine of the faith by S. Valentine the Presbyter, who had restored sight to his adopted daughter through prayer, and was baptized with his entire household by Bishop Callistus. Then sent to Ostia, he was tortured on the rack by the judge Gelasius; the others were beaten with rods; then thrown to wild beasts, and when these gently licked their feet, they were cast into flames; when these too were quenched from heaven, some were buried under stones outside the walls of the city of Ostia, Burial others were struck with the sword. "Then Christians buried their bodies with all diligence on the 15th day before the Kalends of February; in which place a church was built, and there the benefits of the Martyrs flourish."
[3] Octavius Pancirolus in his index of Roman relics: "S. Asterius with his daughter, whose name Relics and birthday we have not yet found; we know only that they were crowned with martyrdom, and that their sacred remains rest in the church of the Mons Pietatis dedicated to S. Martin." The same author, region 2 of the City, church 31, testifies that in that year 1598 the relics of many Martyrs were dug up there, though he does not specifically mention those of S. Asterius. It is probable that his wife and daughter were also crowned with him, although it is only said he was killed with his entire household. The same on January 19? And perhaps that Micaeta, or Micetia, Micea, Miceta, was one or the other. We are uncertain whether the same Martyrs, or some of them, are again listed on January 19. For the Martyrology of S. Jerome, having recited the names of the Carthaginian Martyrs, adds: "And elsewhere: Zosimus, Menelapus, Tubarianus, Fortunatus." The Dungalense manuscript, with others, reports them without distinction: "Zosimus, Menelampus, Tabartinus, Fortunatus."
ON S. XENE, MARTYR.
CommentaryXene, Martyr (S.)
She is unknown to the Latin calendars but is celebrated in the Greek Menaia as killed by fire, with this added distich:
"Christ once came to cast fire upon the earth; Xene, running, now bears fire anew." S. Xene, killed by fire
In the Greek there is a play on words with the voice xenē, which is indeed the Martyr's proper name, but appellatively means stranger, foreigner, new; and xenōs, that is, in a strange, foreign, or new manner; and there is an opposition between palai and xenōs, that is, "once" and "recently" or "newly." We shall treat another Xene, who was also called Eusebia, on January 24.