Martyrs of Trapezus

OF THE HOLY MARTYRS OF TRAPEZUS: VALERIANUS, CANDIDUS, AQUILA, AND EUGENIUS.

ACTS FROM THE GREEK MENAEA.

Valerianus, Martyr at Trapezus in Cappadocia (S.) Candidus, Martyr at Trapezus in Cappadocia (S.) Aquila, or Acylas, Martyr at Trapezus in Cappadocia (S.) Eugenius, Martyr at Trapezus in Cappadocia (S.)

These accomplished their martyrdom under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, and under the commander Lysias; who apprehended Valerianus, Candidus, and Aquila while they were hiding in the mountains near Trapezus. But confessing Christ, they were exiled to a very narrow fortress of the region of Lazica, which received its name from the Pine; and thence recalled to Trapezus, they were brought before the commander and beaten with leather straps: The torments of the Martyrs, then, suspended, they were torn with iron claws and burned with blazing torches. And when the lictors who were torturing them fell forward, the commander Lysias, thrown into confusion, ordered the Saints to be led to prison. A few days later S. Eugenius was also apprehended (for before this he had been unable to be found anywhere), and he too, having confessed Christ, was beaten atrociously and savagely. Then, having entered with the commander into a temple of idols, by his prayers he cast down everything and reduced it to dust. Thereupon he was stretched with ropes and beaten with very thick clubs. Then, suspended again, he was cruelly lacerated on his sides with iron claws and burned with blazing torches, and tormented with salt and the most biting vinegar poured into his wounds. Finally they were all cast together into a burning furnace, their death. and being delivered from it, they ended their sufferings by the sword.

a

The Menaea also record the same saints on 20 January, in these words: "On the same day, the memory of the holy Martyrs Eugenius, Candidus, Valerianus, and Acylas."

"Eugenius and his three companions in the contest The sword slays together on account of the nobility of their souls."

Here there is a play on words between Eugeneia, which signifies nobility or generosity, and Eugenius. The same Menaea on 21 January: "On the same day, the contest of the holy Martyrs Valerianus, Candidus, and Acylas." Maximus Cythereius has the same on both days, except for those two verses. Rader in his manuscript Notes on the Menaea seems to consider them different persons, and denies that he has read them anywhere together elsewhere, although persons called by each of these individual names are found in great numbers. Molanus, however, on 21 January: "On the same day, of the holy Martyrs Eugenius, Canidius, Valerianus, and Aciclas." Rader correctly translates Aquila for Acylas.