Patroclus

ON S. PATROCLUS, MARTYR AT TROYES IN GAUL.

Under Aurelian.

Patroclus, Martyr at Troyes in Gaul and at Soest in Westphalia (S.)

[1] Troyes is an ancient and illustrious city of Gaul on the river Seine, which some call in the vernacular Trecae, formerly Augusta Trecarum, the city of the Tricassini, in French Troyes. Here S. Patroclus was born and achieved the triumph of martyrdom. The feast of S. Patroclus. His name is inscribed in the most ancient Martyrologies of S. Jerome, Bede, Usuard, Ado, and the Roman Martyrology; to say nothing of Galesinius, Maurolycus, Saussaius, Felicius, and other more recent authors.

[2] Baronius in his Notes on the Martyrology judges his Acts to be genuine. That they are ancient will be evident from S. Gregory of Tours. Two sets of Acts: Surius acknowledges that he copied them from an ancient manuscript codex, which in many places was difficult to read on account of characters almost effaced. We have obtained others, and, if we are not mistaken, more ancient ones, from the manuscripts of S. Maximin at Trier and S. Mary of Ripatory. Concerning both we judge as follows: these appear to be the very ones known to S. Gregory and Vincent of Beauvais, formerly in common use at Troyes; since Ripatory, or Arripatory, from whose codex we copied them, is a monastery of the diocese of Troyes. But those which Surius published, far more elegant indeed, received from a codex of Cologne or a nearby place, were composed or polished, with the words of the earlier version sometimes retained, after S. Bruno, nearly 700 years ago, obtained the relics of the holy Martyr from Ansegisus, Bishop of Troyes, and transferred them to Cologne, as we shall relate below.

[3] Peter de Natalibus briefly reviews his contest in book 2, chapter 108, but erroneously writes that he suffered at Sens and that he lies buried in the city of Sens. Other writings about him. Vincent of Beauvais, book 11, chapter 108, professes to narrate his martyrdom from the Acts, and although he does so briefly, he nevertheless employs the very words of the earlier Acts. Zacharias Lippelous draws from Surius. Johannes Basilius Sanctorius and others narrate the same.

[4] Concerning the Acts and miracles of S. Patroclus, S. Gregory of Tours writes the following in book 1 of his Miracles, chapter 64: "Patroclus too, the Martyr who is buried in the city of Troyes, has frequently shown himself to be a friend of God by many miracles. For there was over his tomb a small oratory, in which only one cleric served. For the people of the place showed scant devotion to the Martyr, because the history of his passion was not readily available. For it is the custom of country folk to venerate more attentively those Saints of God whose combats they read. The Acts once brought to light; A certain man, therefore, coming from a distant journey, brought a booklet of his contest to the lector whom we have said served in that place, and presented it for reading. He, after perusing the text, greatly rejoicing, swiftly copied it by lamplight during the night. When the travelers had departed, this man presented to his Bishop what he had found, thinking to gain the favor of the Prelate through it. But the Bishop, not believing it, judging it to be nothing but a fabrication, ordered the cleric to be beaten and rebuked and to depart, saying: 'It is clear that you yourself composed these things according to your own fancy: for you never obtained them from any man.' But after a long time, so that the power of the Martyr might not remain hidden, an army went into Italy: and brought back the history of this passion, the same brought from Italy. just as it was held in the cleric's written copy. Then the Bishop, greatly confounded, recognized that what the cleric had said was true. And the people from that time began to honor the Martyr more greatly; and having built a basilica over his tomb, they devoutly celebrate his feast each year."

[5] In what year S. Patroclus underwent martyrdom may be inquired. The manuscript Florarium has: "in the time of the Emperor Aurelian, in the year of salvation 273." Baronius, volume 2 of the Annals, at the year 275, number 6, writes that Aurelian came to Gaul in that year S. Patroclus was killed under Aurelian, to repel the invading barbarians and to free Augusta Vindelicorum (Augsburg), which they were besieging. Cornelius Grasius and others follow Baronius. The Martyrologies, both Roman and others, state only that he completed his martyrdom under the Emperor Aurelian. Aurelian reigned from about March of the year 270 for 5 years and 6 months. Both sets of Acts report that S. Patroclus was killed on Friday, the twelfth before the Kalends of February; therefore when the Dominical Letter was B. This did not occur during the entire reign of Aurelian except in his first year; but in January of that year he was not yet Emperor. Others have perhaps noticed this, concerning whom Constantius Felicius writes: "Patroclus the Martyr, a noble and wealthy Gaul of Sens, was beheaded near the river Seine, in the reign of Aurelian, or, as others maintain, of Claudius II." But at that time Aurelian was not in Gaul, but in Thrace or the neighboring regions, repelling invading barbarians, as is clear from Pollio and Vopiscus.

[6] What if the earlier Acts intend that his martyrdom occurred not under an Emperor, but under a Governor named Aurelian? Unless perhaps P. or Pr. (standing for Principe, "Prince") was taken by a copyist as Praeside ("Governor"). Otherwise, Aurelian was already conducting wars in Gaul from the time of Valerian and Gallienus. A distinguished commander, Vopiscus recites a letter of Valerian in which the following is said about Aurelian: "For what in that man is not illustrious? What is not comparable to the Coruncanii and the Scipios? He is the liberator of Illyricum, the restorer of the Gauls, a commander of the highest example in all things." Aurelian was all the more praised and beloved by the most cruel Valerian, but hostile to Christians, because he too was mortally hostile to Christians, since, as Aurelius Victor writes in his Epitome, he was "savage and bloodthirsty and fierce at all times, even the killer of his sister's son"; and born of a mother who was a priestess of the Sun. Hence those praises heaped upon him by Vopiscus: "Whatever crime there was, whatever evil conscience or deadly arts, whatever sedition, Aurelian utterly purged from the entire world." By this periphrasis the impious writer described the Christian religion. Aurelian himself reveals his hatred of us in a letter concerning the consultation of the Sibylline Books: "I am amazed," he says, "holy Fathers, that you have hesitated so long about opening the Sibylline Books, as though you were deliberating in a church of the Christians, not in the temple of all the gods."

[7] If Aurelian killed S. Patroclus before his reign, and that on Friday the twelfth before the Kalends of February, it could have occurred in the year 259, perhaps before the Empire. in the consulship of Fulvius Aemilianus and Pomponius Bassus II, the sixth year of Valerian, when 21 January fell on a Friday. But if anyone prefers what the manuscript of S. Maximin has below, namely that he was killed not on the twelfth but the fifteenth before the Kalends of February, that is, on a Friday when the Dominical Letter was F; well, this did not occur during the reign of Aurelian except in his third year, the year of Christ 272, a bissextile year, after the intercalary day, and thus not in the month of January. It is easy for an error to creep into the numbering of the days of the week. Unless someone should contend that he completed his martyrdom on the eleventh before the Kalends of February, as Notker has it; for that day fell on a Friday in the year 275. And in that year Aurelian perished, in September or thereabouts.

ACTS

from two ancient manuscripts.

Patroclus, Martyr at Troyes in Gaul and at Soest in Westphalia (S.)

BHL Number: 6520

From manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

The devout life of S. Patroclus. The first interrogation.

[1] In that time, under Aurelian the Governor, so fierce a storm of persecution was raised against the Christians Aurelian persecuting the Christians. that nearly all who appeared to be Christians in that time were subjected to torture. At that time the persecution of the Christians was exceedingly wicked: and a search was made for men who loved the Catholic law, and when they had found them, they killed them with various punishments: and many, having been crowned through suffering, passed from the world into the kingdom of heaven.

[2] There was at that time in the city of Troyes a most noble man, S. Patroclus of Troyes, named Patroclus: he had a dwelling outside the city, about two hundred paces distant, which his parents had left him with many buildings: and he lived in that dwelling and served the God of heaven day and night; and he loved the Catholic law, a learned man, being well instructed in letters and wisdom, and bending his knees in prayer at every hour; so that he did not refresh himself with food each day pious, until the twelfth hour of the day: temperate, yet before his meal he offered praises to the Lord with many prayers and supplications: and everything that he possessed of his parents' substance generous, he distributed among widows and orphans, who loved Christ with their whole heart, so that all Christians regarded him as a heavenly steward. Thus the holy man persevered in the ministry of God, and in heavenly service, and in prayer and fasting; splendidly reflecting upon the adornment of heavenly warfare, as it is written in the books of the holy Gospel, in which the Lord himself says: "Sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Matt. 19:21. The holy man Patroclus, therefore, persevered in the fear of God and in prayer: he put demons to flight: renowned for miracles, and the Lord showed many miracles through him: and all venerated him as a just man and a worthy minister of God. He was of devout bearing, with a beautiful countenance and appearance: he was greatly venerated in many ways both for his nobility and his service, and for the honor of his religion, to which he ceaselessly devoted himself day and night with vigils and fasts.

[3] Now the most impious Aurelian, persecutor of the Christians, setting out from the region of the city of Sens, which is a most noble city, was proceeding to Troyes, and hearing about the blessed Patroclus, that such deeds had been done, he inquired about him more secretly. And when he had found him, he said to him: "I have heard about you, he is brought before the court; that you practice such things in ignorance, and with vain religion you worship and adore one who was struck with blows by men." But Patroclus gave no reply to his foolish speech. Aurelian said: "What is your name?" He answered: "I am called Patroclus." Aurelian said: "Of what religion are you? Or what god do you worship?" Patroclus answered: "I worship the living and true God, who dwells in heaven and looks upon the lowly and knows all things before they come to pass." Aurelian said: "Withdraw then from this folly, and worship our gods, and serve our gods, from whom you can obtain honor and great riches and a great name; by whom you can be honored." Patroclus said: "I know no other God, and is tested in various ways: except the one and true God who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who made things visible and invisible." Aurelian said: "Prove it, if what you say is true." Patroclus answered: "True and demonstrable are the things that I set forth; but I know that falsehood hates the truth." Aurelian said: "I will hand you over to the fire until you sacrifice to the gods." Patroclus said: "I offer the sacrifice of praise, and I present myself as a living offering to God, who has deigned to call me to martyrdom for his name."

[4] Aurelian, moved with fury against the law of the Christians, spoke thus: "Put fetters on his feet; he is bound in chains. and ignited chains on his hands, and beat his back with rods, and shut him up in a cell in secret, until I decide what is to be done with him." Thus the holy man chosen by God, bound in chains, was handed over to Elegius, one of the attendant ministers, who was to guard him until the third day. S. Patroclus, while he was in custody until the third day, prayed to the Lord and said: in custody he prays: "Let your mercy come to me, O Lord, that it may comfort me according to your word to your servant." Ps. 119:76. And afterwards: "I will rejoice and be glad in your mercy, O Lord, for you have regarded my lowliness." Ps. 31:8.

CHAPTER II.

The second interrogation. The sentence of death.

[5] And on the third day, he was brought out in public. The judge said to him: "Come, contemner, redeem yourself and sacrifice to the gods." Patroclus said: "The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, and all who trust in him shall not be found guilty. Nevertheless I can bestow upon you something from my treasure, if you are willing to receive it, for you are poor." Aurelian said: "How do you call me poor, He declares Aurelian a pauper: I who possess great riches?" Patroclus said: "You have earthly riches; but you are poor in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, which you have been unwilling to store up within yourself. He himself will therefore condemn you, and your father the devil." Aurelian said: "You heap many insults upon me, so that I shall have no more pity on you." Patroclus said: "God, whom I have served from my youth, will have mercy on me; for your vain and superstitious honor, your temporal and most wretched and perishable glory, we abominate. But woe to you when you come to that place where the devil is tormented; where you too will behold how eternal punishment awaits you."

[6] Aurelian said: "I have never heard or known such things, yet I know that all your punishments are in my hands, and your body and blood." Patroclus said: "You have my body in your power to torment, he despises punishments: yet my soul you will not be able to tear, because no one has it in his power except God alone, who placed it in my body; as the Lord himself said: 'Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do; but rather fear him who, after he has killed the body, is able to cast the soul into hell.'" Matt. 10:28. Aurelian said: "Do our gods, who speak true prophecies, have no power, they who have even permitted you to live until now?" Patroclus said: "Who are your gods?" Aurelian said: "Apollo is the best and the true God; Jupiter too is the greatest God; Diana also, who is the Mother of the Gods, who speak true prophecies to men." Patroclus said: he mocks the gods: "As for Apollo, whom you say is a God, we have heard from our elders that he pastured the flocks of King Admetus, and Jupiter, whom you worship as the Purifier, died of a stomach ailment; and I know that he was a wicked man, most vile, an adulterer, a fornicator, a plunderer, an abettor of all evils, who sowed scandals and sedition among his neighbors, and a despoiler of the poor: wherever he dwelt, there was immediately sedition or murder committed, and therefore he died a most shameful death; the earth did not receive him. And as for Diana, whom you call the Mother of the Gods, who does not know that she is a noonday demon? O the incredulity of men, who worship what is vain, who adore in vain what they themselves do not understand; as it is written: 'Let those who make them become like them, and all who trust in them.'" Ps. 115:8.

[7] Aurelian said: "With great patience I endure listening to your audacity. Unless you worship Apollo, Jupiter, and the Mother of the Gods, I will today put you to death with various punishments." Patroclus said: "You are like an abominable brigand, to whom a corpse may be left if he has killed someone, but the body he cannot devour." And when the blessed Patroclus had spoken these words, Aurelian, moved with fury, said: "Patroclus, guilty and detestable, he is condemned to death: who has brought confusion upon us and insulted our gods, let him be struck with the sword, that he may no longer speak. Lead him to a watery place, and there behead him, so that his body may not rest on dry ground."

CHAPTER III.

The execution. Burial. The oratory.

[8] Thus the blessed man was handed over to the executioners and led to the bank of the Seine. Then the blessed Patroclus prayed and said: "Lord Jesus Christ, do not suffer this, that my body should rest in this watery place; but grant victory to your name, he crosses the river untouched by the water: that it may be glorified among all nations; lest they ever say: 'Where is their God?' Hear, O Lord, my prayer, as you heard Moses and Aaron with your people, and opened the sea for them, and led them through on dry ground; so, Lord, permit me to cross this river, as it is written: 'Rescue me from the mire, that I may not sink; and deliver me from those who persecute me.'" Ps. 69:15. And when S. Patroclus had prayed, the eyes of those who held him were darkened. And he entered the river and came out on the other bank, and the water did not touch his knees, even though the water had been flooding at that time. And when the blessed Patroclus had come forth from the water, he proceeded to a dry place, which is the Hill of the Idols, and said: "The Lord guards the souls of his saints, he goes to a hill: and the Lord will deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

[9] Then those who had held him feared Caesar and said: "How great is his God, whom he worships, who has delivered him!" But others said: "No, it was a phantom." They whispered among themselves, and there was a great dispute among them. While they were contending, a seditious woman, herself a pagan, came and said: "The Christian man whom you seek, found by the executioners, I saw on the hill beyond the river, prostrate on the ground upon his face, and thus he was worshiping his God." And when they had seen him, straightway -- as their feet were swift to shed innocent and righteous blood -- they proceeded to him, and when they found him praying, one of them came forward, who was the chief officer appointed over his punishment, and said to him: "You are truly guilty, who escaped from us: and behold, you are in our hands, and you shall not depart from us until you die or sacrifice to our gods." Patroclus answered: "I do not worship unclean demons, but only the one true God." The executioners said: "Then what manner of God is your God, born or maker?" Patroclus answered: he preaches Christ to them: "O superstitious love! Who can speak worthily of God? He who created all things whatsoever, whether in heaven or on earth; afterwards he sent from himself his Son, Jesus Christ, who, shedding his blood for us to redeem us from destruction, was buried and on the third day rose from the dead, then ascended with glory into heaven; and sent from himself the Holy Spirit, with whom he filled the world, in whom we must believe. For those whom you believe in with most foul error and vain love, I know to be demons, who shall in many ways be scattered, as the Prophet said: 'In that day when fire shall come to test, woe to the deceit of demons and their works.' As it is written: 'Whoever sacrifices to demons shall be plunged with them into eternal fire.'"

[10] While the blessed Patroclus was saying this, Elegius, moved with fury, said: "Bind his feet with chains, and fasten his hands with fetters, and strike him with the sword; since he has insulted our gods." Thus S. Patroclus, bending his knees upon the ground, was struck down by the executioner, and as he was struck, he said: he is beheaded: "Into your hands I commend my spirit and my soul; for I know that it is for your name that I suffer these punishments." Thus struck and beheaded with the sword, they cast his head from him, drenched in blood. And after the death of his passion, returning to Caesar, they left his body alone. He was beheaded on the twelfth before the Kalends of February, on the sixth day of the week, which is the day of preparation.

[11] Now two old men, who were themselves waiting for alms, heard of this, he is buried: and carried his body with fear and great trembling, and kept watch over him until evening. And Eusebius, who was Archpriest in that place, with Liberius the Deacon, came by night with linen cloths and wrapped his body and buried him with a small light on account of the crowd of pagans: for they kept vigil with those two old men and said: he is honored with a vigil, "How precious, O Lord, in your sight is the death of your Saints!" And the Lord himself said: "Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." David also said: "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous," and again: "The righteous man shall rejoice in the Lord and shall trust in him." Matt. 5:10. Ps. 32:11. Ps. 64:11.

[12] After no long time the persecution of the Church subsided. Eusebius, who had laid him in the tomb, himself built over his body a small cell, according to his means; and with an oratory. and when the accident of human frailty befell him, he requested burial near the place where the blood of the blessed Martyr Patroclus had been shed, who suffered for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever, Amen.

OTHER ACTS FROM SURIUS.

Patroclus, Martyr at Troyes in Gaul and at Soest in Westphalia (S.)

BHL Number: 6521

From Surius.

CHAPTER I.

The devout life of S. Patroclus.

[1] To die gloriously for one's country, to live blessedly in one's homeland: it is pleasant and delightful, after wars well fought, to enjoy at last perpetual peace. This the wise of the world praise, the brave desire, and the writers of history magnify. All indeed run, but one receives the prize, It is glorious to die for Christ. he who in the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God denies himself, that he may follow Christ. For this is the way of salvation, the singular truth, the eternal life, as a light shining in the darkness, which God has hidden from the wise and prudent and revealed to little ones, that is, to the humble, whom he willed to be his witnesses, beginning from Jerusalem, so that through the contemptible things of this world the strong might be confounded. For to such, because they are proud, God resists; but to the humble he gives grace. Truly wise, truly strong were those for whom to live was Christ, and to die for Christ was gain. Truly blessed indeed are those who so became imitators of Christ that, just as they had died with him, so they received the power to reign with him.

[2] From among such soldiers, then, sworn to the mysteries of Christ, Patroclus, a man of magnificent holiness, shone forth like a certain light in the world, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, holding forth the word of life. And because he was a light in the Lord, he showed the fruit of light in himself. For the fruit of light, as the Apostle says, The homeland of S. Patroclus, "is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." He possessed, in the territory of the city of Troyes, about two hundred paces from the same city, a house and quite ample estates left to him by his parents. For they were noble and wealthy in worldly goods. his lineage, But the man of God drew all the brightness of his noble birth inward; reflecting that the dignity of his soul could preserve his nobility only if he always attended solely to his Creator above him. his devotion to reading, As a diligent reader of Sacred Scripture, he kept watch: there, whatever he had heard concerning the Catholic Faith, whatever concerning the rule of God's commandments, whatever concerning the sweetness of his promises, he embraced as delightfully as the Lord God himself. For he applied to these things not only the ears of the body, but much more the ears of the heart. For the word of God was a lamp to his feet and a light to his paths: therefore he hated every way of iniquity.

[3] his abstinence, He was so devoted to the works of abstinence and frugality that he thought he should take only a small amount of food and drink, and only at the last hour of the day. Continence and chastity indeed reigned in him. his generosity, His possessions, moreover, as though they were not his own but entrusted to him solely for this purpose, he diligently distributed to the needy. He relieved the necessities of each according to his means, and desired to be of service even beyond his means. Therefore, according to the Apostle, he became all things to all men, seeking not what was useful to himself, but what was useful to many, that they might be saved. 1 Cor. 9:22. Thus it came about that by the Christians of that province he was called a heavenly steward and father of the citizens. Signs and wonders were also frequently performed through him: his miracles. so that he drove demons from possessed bodies by the power of the Spirit, and conferred the remedy of desired healing upon all the sick: so that the invisible Wisdom might demonstrate through visible miracles that she dwelt in him as in her temple.

CHAPTER II.

The first interrogation.

[4] Living thus in the peace of the Church, he led a most devout life, fleeing the joys of the world, awaiting the kingdom of God. But when the storm of persecution arose under Aurelian the Prince, who was the twenty-ninth from Caesar Augustus to preside over the Roman Empire, when the Judge of all wished to reveal what were the counsels of hearts, Against Aurelian the persecutor the worshipers of perverse doctrines began everywhere to press the people of Christ to sacrifice to idols. Prov. 11:3. But, as was said through the Wise Man, "the simplicity of the just directed them, and the treachery of the perverse destroyed them." For when the snares of the enemy were frustrated, the camp of God stood firm bravely in the contest, and the spirits of illustrious men strove by virtue to escape to glory.

[5] At the same time Aurelian, that most savage persecutor of the Christian name, setting out from the region of the city of Sens, he is informed, burning with the zeal of bitterness, came to Troyes, a town of Gaul; and there, hearing of the life, faith, and deeds of the blessed Patroclus, how by the will of his God Jesus Christ he disregarded his possessions, despised all transitory and momentary things, and proclaimed the idols to be vain and of no use, he immediately had him sought out most diligently. he is seized: And when he had been brought before him, he said to him: "I have heard that you are deceived by ignorance, so that you dare to introduce a superstitious sect, and to the injury of our gods, you contend that a certain one, who was struck with blows by men, is to be worshiped." But the holy Patroclus made no reply to his foolish proposition. Aurelian said: "Of what name and of what religion are you?" He answered: "I am called Patroclus, and I am a Christian. I worship the living and true God, who dwells on high and looks upon the lowly, he replies to him nobly: and knows all things before they come to pass." Aurelian said: "What you say is foolish and vain. Withdraw therefore from this folly of yours, and worship our most invincible gods, by whom you can be enriched and honored." Patroclus answered: "I know no other God, except the one, only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he sent, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all things that are in them, visible and invisible." Aurelian said: "Argue your case, and prove that what you say is true." Patroclus answered: "True indeed and demonstrable are the things that I set forth; but because falsehood has prevailed, truth begets hatred. This you will never understand unless you believe. For by the words of our Lord Jesus Christ it is forbidden that what is holy be given to dogs, or that pearls be cast before swine." Then Aurelian, moved with anger, said: "Unless you quickly consent to this, that you offer sacrifice to the omnipotent gods, I will hand you over to be consumed by fire." The holy Patroclus replied to these words with a cheerful countenance and a joyful heart: "I always offer the sacrifice of praise to the Lord my God: for there is the way by which he will show me his salvation." he is handed over to prison: Aurelian, no longer enduring the constancy of the speaker, burst forth in these words: "Are you standing there idle? Attend to your duties! Bring chains of red-hot iron and fetters, so that with his hands bound behind his back and his feet shackled, this rebel may be thrown into custody, until I decide how I may destroy him as an example to his like." Thus the holy man, already the chosen Martyr of the Lord, bound in chains, was handed over to Elegius, one of the attendant ministers, who was to guard him until the third day. The holy Patroclus, while he was in custody, prayed to the Lord saying: "Let your mercy come to me, O Lord, that it may comfort me, according to your word to your servant. For thus I will rejoice and exult in your mercy, O Lord: for you have regarded my lowliness."

CHAPTER III.

The second interrogation. The sentence.

[6] When after the third day he had been brought out in public, the judge said: "Come, contemner of our gods, redeem yourself at last, and sacrifice to the gods." The blessed Patroclus answered: "The Lord will redeem the souls of his Saints, and all who trust in him shall not be found guilty. But you, wretched and unhappy man, do not desire to be freed from eternal misery, and make yourself unworthy of the grace and favor of your Creator, treasuring up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and of the revelation of his just judgment. Although you already refuse the gifts of salvation, when interrogated again he responds with equal constancy and do not wish to consider that a desirable treasure rests in the mouth of the wise; I would yet wish to bestow upon you something from the treasure of my Lord, because I see you to be needy and poor." Aurelian said: "How do you call me poor, I who abound in such great riches?" The blessed Patroclus answered: "You have earthly riches, soon to perish; yet you are poor, and do not even possess yourself, because you have been unwilling to enclose the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in the coffer of your heart. Therefore when he comes as judge, he will condemn you with the devil your father for all eternity." Aurelian said: "By your audacity you heap many insults upon me, so that I shall no more have pity on you." But the holy Patroclus, strengthened in the Lord, said: "My God, whom I have served from my youth, will have mercy on me. But you will in a moment of time lose this vain and superstitious honor of yours, in which you swell with pride, and this temporal and perishable glory, by which you are honored among men. And woe to you, when you come to that place where eternal torment with the devil awaits you."

[7] he exposes the vanity of the gods: Aurelian said: "I do not know what you are saying. But you, whether you wish it or not, shall be in my power: nor is there anyone to snatch you from my hands." The blessed Patroclus answered: "If you have my body in your power, you will certainly not be able to harm my soul: for no one has it in his power except my Lord and Creator alone, who gave us this assurance, saying: 'Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.' Luke 12:4. But rather fear him who, after he has killed the body, has the power to cast the soul into hell." Aurelian said: "Do our gods, who speak true oracles to us, have no power, they who have even permitted you to live until now?" S. Patroclus answered: "Who are your gods?" Aurelian said: "Apollo, the best and true god, and Jupiter, the greatest god, and Diana, who is the mother of the gods." The blessed Patroclus answered: "As for Apollo, whom you say is your god, we have heard from our elders that he pastured the flocks of King Admetus, and that there he not only suffered the loss of the flock, but even lost his own weapons. And as for Jupiter, whom you worship, we have learned that he was a most vile man, a plunderer and adulterer; who was always seditious toward his neighbors, and being himself free of no crime, both in life and in death he drew others with him into wickedness. And while he himself is tormented in hell together with the devil, he does not yet cease to gather those who are to be condemned. And Diana, whom you call the mother of the gods, who does not know that she is a demon? O the pitiable madness of men, who vainly worship these vanities which profit neither themselves nor others." Aurelian said: "Great is the patience of my mind: for a long time I have restrained myself to listen to your audacity. But now, unless you worship Apollo and Jupiter and Diana the mother of the gods, I will today put you to death with various punishments." S. Patroclus answered: "An abominable brigand, however wicked, even if he can kill an innocent man, cannot devour his body. But you, who boast that you have my body in your power to kill, even if you should devour it, you will not be able to harm my soul."

[8] he is condemned to death. And when the blessed Patroclus had spoken this, Aurelian Caesar, filled with fury, pronounced this sentence: "Patroclus, guilty and detestable and liable for treason, who has brought confusion upon us and has foully insulted our gods, let him be struck with the sword, so that the wickedness of his verbosity may be silenced. Lead him now to a muddy and marshy place, and there leave him beheaded, so that not even his body may rest on dry ground."

CHAPTER IV.

Death. Burial.

[9] Thus the blessed Patroclus, handed over to the executioners for beheading, went with them exulting to the bank of the Seine. Then the holy man prayed to the Lord, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, do not suffer my poor body to be submerged in this watery place: but give glory to your name, that it may be glorified in the sight of your enemies, lest they ever say among the nations, 'Where is their God?' Hear, O Lord, my prayer, you who heard Moses and Aaron praying for your people, and divided the Red Sea, and led them through on dry ground. So therefore, Lord, permit me to cross this river in your name. Rescue me from the mire, that I may not sink: deliver me from those who persecute me." He crosses the river unharmed: And when S. Patroclus had prayed, the eyes of the one holding him were darkened. And he entered the river, passed through, and came out unharmed on the other bank, so that his knees did not touch the water, which was nevertheless rapid and greatly flooding at that time. And when he had come forth, he proceeded to a dry place, where there was a hill of the idols, singing thus and praising the Lord: "The Lord guards the souls of his Saints: he has delivered them from the hand of the wicked."

[10] he is again betrayed to the executioners: But those who had held him, struck with amazement on account of their fear of Caesar, said: "How great is the God whom this man worships! See how he has delivered him!" But others said: "No, it was a phantom." In this manner they disputed, and there was division among them. While they were thus contending, a certain seditious woman, herself a pagan, came and said: "The Christian man whom you seek, I saw just now on the hill beyond the river, prostrate on the ground, and thus he was praying to his Lord." seized again, But they, who had feet swift to shed innocent and righteous blood, when they heard this, immediately proceeded to him. And when they had come to the place where he lay prostrate, they found him praying. Then one of them, who was the chief, said to him: "You are now guilty, because you escaped from us, and behold, you are in our hands, and you shall not depart from us until you die or else sacrifice to our gods." The blessed Patroclus answered: "I will never worship unclean demons, but only the one true God who is in heaven." The executioner said: "Then what sort of God is your God? Born, or made?" The blessed Patroclus said: "O most vain error! O incredulity of deceit! O superstitious speech! How can a man speak of God? he preaches Christ to the soldiers: 'His generation, who shall declare?' He spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created, all things that exist. He himself sent for the redemption of the human race his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed his blood for us, to free us from destruction and eternal death: on the third day after this he rose from the dead: then, in the sight of his disciples, he ascended into heaven, and sent them the Holy Spirit promised by himself. What he himself taught, the world rightly believes. But whoever does not believe this shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him. Therefore whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's, and it is fitting that we should suffer for his name. But whoever sacrifices to demons shall with them be plunged into eternal fire."

[11] While the blessed Patroclus was saying this, Elegius, moved with fury, said: he is beheaded: "Let his feet be bound with chains, and his hands with fetters, and let him, thus prostrate upon the ground, be struck with the sword, because he has heaped such insults upon our gods." Then Patroclus, bending his knees upon the ground, was struck by the executioner. And as he was being struck, he said: "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit: for you know, Lord, that it is for your name that I suffer these punishments." Thus he was struck and beheaded with the sword. His head they cast far from his body, drenched in blood. This took place on the twelfth before the Kalends of February, the sixth day of the week.

[12] After his passion was thus completed, the executioners, returning to Caesar, left the body alone without a guard. When two old men, who had themselves been accustomed to receive alms from the holy man while he still lived, heard of this, they took his body with trembling and great fear and kept watch over it until evening. And Eusebius, who was Archpriest in that place, with Liberius the Deacon came on the following night, he is buried: and taking the body of the holy man, wrapped it in linen cloths, and with a few lights lit on account of the crowd of pagans, buried him. And those two old men kept solemn vigils there in memory of the Martyr, he is honored with solemn vigils, saying: "How precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints!" And many other things throughout the whole night they sang in praise of the Lord and in veneration of the Martyr.

[13] After not much time the persecution subsided. For the Emperor himself, who had stirred it up, while traveling with a dense throng of attendants, felt the terror of a most violent thunderbolt before him and was struck dumb: then, after this ill-omened sign had been sent ahead, he was slain on that same journey by his own men: and he who shortly before thought he could extinguish the glory of the divine name among men, lost his name, his family, his life, and the very hope of salvation, which does not abandon those who believe in Christ even in death. Then Eusebius built over the body of the holy man a small church with his modest means; and after the death of the Emperor, with a church and miracles. and there, near the holy body, he also requested that his own burial be prepared, so that as a Confessor of the Lord he might be worthy to lie near the most holy Martyr. From that time, continual benefits and the remedies of desired healing are bestowed upon those who worthily petition there. For the Martyr, who lost his temporal life for the covenant of God, now lives without end with the Lord.

ON THE TRANSLATION OF S. PATROCLUS.

Patroclus, Martyr at Troyes in Gaul and at Soest in Westphalia (S.)

Year 960. 9 December.

From various sources.

[1] S. Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne, brother of the Emperor Otto the Great, transferred the relics of S. Patroclus to Soest around the year of Christ 960. The relics of S. Patroclus brought to Soest. Soest is one of the principal cities of Westphalia, in the County of the Mark; not situated on the river Lippe, as Ferrarius writes, but not many miles distant from it; enclosed with walls by Henry the Fowler, father of the Emperor Otto, as Werner Teschenmacher reports in part 2 of the Annals of Cleves, etc.

[2] In it, as Georg Braun writes in his Theatre of Cities, there is a magnificent collegiate chapter of canons sacred to S. Patroclus, who is also the tutelary patron of the city. A church dedicated to him there. Concerning this, the manuscript codex of the Dominicans of Soest cited by the same Braun, which is entitled Mappa Mundi, by James of Soest, states: "There are several churches there, beautiful with the praises of Saints, completed at glorious expense; among which is the great and famous church of wonderful size, with a tower of the greatest height, of the glorious Martyr S. Patroclus, the glorious patron of said city." Werner Rolevinck the Carthusian also writes, in his work On the Customs of the Westphalians, book 3, chapter 8: "At Soest, S. Patroclus the Martyr."

[3] The history of the Translation was described by Roger the monk in his life of S. Bruno, which we shall present here; the complete life will be given on 11 October. Writings on this Translation. The Great Chronicle of Belgium mentions it: "By the effort of this Bruno, the bodies of SS. Eliphius, Patroclus, Privatus, and Gregory, together with the staff of S. Peter, were translated from Rome to Cologne: Bruno also brought back the body of S. Evergisius to Cologne: and he collected the bodies and relics of many other Saints from wherever he could, and prepared for them places and ministries with every expense and provision in abundance; among whom, the renowned and illustrious Martyrs -- Patroclus, whom he brought from the city of Troyes, he sent on to Soest, and S. Eliphius he placed at S. Martin's in Cologne." We shall treat of S. Eliphius on 16 October. Of S. Privatus the Martyr on the 17th of the same month; on the 24th, of S. Evergisius. Of S. Gregory of Spoleto on 24 December. Werner Rolevinck also mentions this same Translation in his Fasciculus Temporum: "S. Otho, Bishop of Canterbury," he says, "and S. Bruno of Cologne translate the bodies of SS. Eliphius, Patroclus, Privatus, and Gregory, with the staff of S. Peter, from Rome to Cologne." We shall present the life of S. Odo on 4 July. He died in the year 959, advanced in age, and does not appear to have traveled to Italy or indeed anywhere outside Britain after Bruno was made Archbishop in 953. Albert Krantz, Metropolis, book 3, chapter 27: "Bruno the Archbishop, brother of Otto the Great, was translating the bodies of SS. Patroclus, Gregory, and Esitius, with the staff of S. Peter, from Rome to Cologne. And the holy Martyr Patroclus, a soldier of Troyes, he transferred to Soest, a town of the Angarii." The German-language Chronicles of the city of Cologne also treat of this same Translation.

[4] But Teschenmacher is in error in the cited Annals: "The great Bruno," he says, "Archbishop of Cologne, Teschenmacher corrected. son of Henry the Fowler, having received the relics of S. Patroclus through Eucraerus, Bishop of Liege, from the Bishop of Carcassonne in Gaul, honored that town (Soest)." He cites no authority. The one he calls Eucraerus is called Eucrarius by Roger; Eraclius by Anselm the Canon; Euracrus and Eueracrus by our Bucherius; Eueracus, Euraclus, and Eueraclus in manuscripts cited by Chapeauville. This man, as Aegidius, a monk of Orval, writes, "born of illustrious Saxon blood, was placed at Cologne for his early education in letters, and afterwards attained such great knowledge in both divine and human matters that he was considered the equal of the greatest philosophers. He is reported to have been so dear to the Emperor Otto and to Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne, that they undertook no major affair except in his presence, unless it had been confirmed by his counsel." He held his see from the year 959 until the sixth before the Kalends of November 970. Moreover, it was Ansgisus, or Ansegisus, called Ansersus by others, who was Bishop of the Church of Troyes, as may be seen in Camuzat, Claude Robert, and others. Among the Bishops of Carcassonne, none is found bearing that name.

[5] Furthermore, the day on which those relics of the holy Martyr were brought to Soest was consecrated by an anniversary commemoration on the fifth of the Ides of December, on which day the manuscript Florarium has: The day of the Translation. "The Arrival of S. Patroclus the Martyr." The Cologne Martyrology: "At Soest, the Arrival of S. Patroclus the Martyr." The Carthusians of Cologne in the additions to Usuard: "At Soest, a town of the diocese of Cologne, the Arrival of S. Patroclus the Martyr, translated from the city of Troyes by Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne, of holy memory." Canisius reports nearly the same. Ferrarius also mentions it.

[6] Andrew Saussaius in his Supplement to the Gallican Martyrology, at 11 April, writes thus: "The body of the most holy Pontiff (Leo), instrument of so many divine wonders, Some relics at Perigueux. in the course of time was translated from Rome to Aquitaine and honorably placed in the main church of Perigueux under the title of S. Stephen Protomartyr, together with the sacred bones of S. Patroclus and S. Sabina the Virgin, as Pope Sixtus IV attests in his bulls." We have not yet read those bulls. It is probable that the bones of S. Patroclus and S. Sabina, of whom we shall treat on 29 January, were brought together from the territory of Troyes to Perigueux, either before the time of S. Bruno, or perhaps from some relics remaining in the city of Troyes. Unless these are the remains of another S. Patroclus, of whom we shall treat on 19 November.

HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION

from the life of S. Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne, 11 October. By Roger the Monk.

Patroclus, Martyr at Troyes in Gaul and at Soest in Westphalia (S.)

BHL Number: 6523

From the Life of S. Bruno.

[1] S. Bruno collected from every quarter the bodies and relics and any memorials of the Saints, S. Bruno seeks out various relics of Saints. in order to multiply patronages for his people and to spread the glory of the Lord far and wide among many peoples through this celebration; for them he prepared places and ministries with every expense and provision in greater abundance. Concerning each of these, more would need to be said if the promised brevity permitted. These are signs of an unconquered faith, by which he sought not what was his own, but what belongs to Jesus Christ. The staff and chain of S. Peter -- with what diligence, what fervor, what joy he brought the one from Metz and the other from Rome to Cologne, all know: in whose honor he wonderfully enlarged his most honored church, which from beautiful he made most beautiful. The renowned and illustrious Martyrs Patroclus, Eliphius, Privatus, and Gregory, whose deeds are most magnificent, whose merits are glorious, whose patronage is sure; the precious relics of Christopher and S. Pantaleon, to whom as patrons he specially committed himself, as it were most pleasing gems and sweetest pledges, he drew with wondrous zeal from various places to the most holy See of his Church.

[2] How S. Patroclus too came to us must not be passed over in silence. Prov. 15:30. For, as it is said by Solomon, "a good report makes the bones fat." With this kind of fatness and richness let our soul be filled. In the year from the beginning of our salvation, that is, from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the two hundred and seventy-fifth, Aurelian obtained the rule of the Roman Empire, destined to reign only five years and six months. Under him the glorious and holy Martyr of the Lord, Patroclus, happily completed the course of his victorious contest, and, borne aloft in the chariot of God among ten thousands multiplied, that is, among thousands rejoicing, he triumphed into the city of the heavenly commonwealth, setting up in the city of Troyes the trophy of his glory, his body to be honored by posterity and proclaimed even to foreign nations. From that time, after about six hundred and eighty-five years, S. Bruno, the most reverend Archbishop of the Church of Cologne, was sent by the Emperor Otto Augustus, his brother, into Gallia Lugdunensis, He sets out for Gaul to his sisters, for us at a timely moment, for the people of that province almost too late; where the diverse wills and divided opinions of the citizens were such that each had his own desire; and they were at variance not only in counsel and zeal, but even in arms and camps. For there the sons of his two sisters held supreme power. These kinsmen, bound to each other by ties of blood, but discordant in spirit, were a mockery to their own avaricious soldiers: who, intent only on the profits of wealth, had no loyalty to either side. For where the princes of a region pant with the fevers of avarice, the wretched vainly await the joys of peace. But the glorious Archbishop, a messenger of peace, more swiftly than could be believed, silenced the heated tumult with the majesty of his hand: then he taught what was useful to all, what was expedient for each: and having reconciled the citizens to one another, by goodness toward his own and justice toward all, he restored a most perfect peace.

[3] When these things had been accomplished and he was now preparing to return, he obtained by many prayers from Ansgisus, the venerable Bishop of the Church of Troyes (whom, having been expelled shortly before, he had restored to his own See among other notable deeds of his embassy, with great applause of the people), that he should give him the body of the blessed Martyr Patroclus to carry away with him, he obtains the body of S. Patroclus from Troyes: whose passion whoever wishes to read and whose merit to weigh has ready at hand. The Bishop, who owed much, overcome, so to speak, by this opportunity, and further compelled by endless entreaties, at last complied with the petitioner, lest he appear ungrateful; especially because the mind of the requester, intent solely on this gift, utterly refused other things. For, captivated by love of religion, just as he possessed outwardly by virtue the power to repel the insolence and wickedness of the proud; so inwardly by piety he took care to diligently administer the beauty of the house of the Lord.

[4] And when he rejoiced that he had earned this welcome gift from the Bishop with the consent of the clergy and the entire people, he himself, so as to leave nothing undone, being still occupied with many matters, sent to receive the relics a man worthy of all praise, Euercharus, Bishop of Liege, the body dug up by the Bishop of Liege, and with him devout clerics and monks. Among whom a considerable multitude of faithful people flocked together for the sake of this praiseworthy spectacle. And when they had come to the appointed place, seeing there a marble pavement spread over it, but recognizing no certain sign of the hidden treasure; some indeed worshiped, but certain others doubted. Then, with the Bishop admonishing and exhorting those who had assembled, after a solemn prayer had been offered, they undertook with confidence the work for which they had come. Immediately, as soon as they opened the earth with their mattocks (wondrous to tell!), all were filled with a most powerful fragrance, with a sweet fragrance bursting forth, more delightful than anything they had ever perceived: and the nearer anyone was to the sepulcher, the more he testified that he was affected by the sweetness of the fragrance. Whence it came about that all the religious then desired to be diggers, so that they might more abundantly receive the wondrous power of the divine fragrance. Yet no one who was within the walls of that church was found without a share in this sweetness: nor was there anyone who would admit that he had ever smelled anything so delightful or anything similar. The delectable aroma increased more and more, until they came to the body of the holy Martyr. Then indeed all were so wonderfully filled that they seemed to themselves utterly full from what they had perceived, and yet, as though still thirsting, they strove to drink in yet more. Truly this man was wondrous, who appeared, according to the Apostle, to be the good fragrance of Christ to God in every place, in death as in life. 2 Cor. 2:15.

[5] The relics of the holy Martyr were therefore raised from the stone sarcophagus, and thence with a prosperous journey, accompanied by a throng of exulting people, were translated to Cologne. That city, the metropolis and mother of churches of a faithful people, transferred to Cologne; extended the primacy of its authority far into the Gauls on one side, and to the Ocean on the other. A worthy place indeed to guard in its bosom the body of the holy Martyr brought to it: in which not only a great number of holy bodies and relics, but also unnumbered thousands of Martyrs await their Lord who is to come on the day of judgment.

[6] But the solicitude of the supreme Pontiff, judging that nothing should be neglected, kept watch in every way to make all things perfect, to make what was already great even greater, to supply what was lacking, and to magnificently illuminate what had been neglected. Accordingly he resolved thence to Soest. that a certain place of Saxony, called Soest, rich in worldly goods, full of people, very well known far and wide to the surrounding Saxon peoples and to the populations of the provinces, but still almost ignorant of religion, should be adorned with these pledges of S. Patroclus and, as it were, initiated into the mysteries of future salvation; acting confidently in him and believing that that fragrant smoke which, at the manifestation of his holy body, was invisibly diffused and perceptibly recognized, as we have said above, would through the fame of his merits profit many. Whence it came about that the body of the blessed Martyr, brought from Cologne by the venerable Archbishop Bruno, was carried into Soest with great honor and joy, the people coming forth with the clergy to meet it: where it was placed in the church with divine praises, which the same pious Bishop had founded and enriched with fitting endowments: where also it is held in great veneration by the citizens and inhabitants of the land and is honored to the present day. For the house too, in which the feet of the Lord were anointed by Mary, was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. The mystery of this seems, as it were, to be explained when the bride speaks to the bridegroom: "Your name is as ointment poured forth." Song of Sol. 1:2. For what then occurred in one house, the whole world now knows to be fulfilled in itself.

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.

ON S. EUSTASIUS AT NICOMEDIA IN BITHYNIA.

Eustasius, at Nicomedia in Bithynia (S.)

From various sources.

At Nicomedia, a most celebrated city, very many shed their blood in defense of the Christian religion, especially at the time when Diocletian and others established their imperial seat there. We believe S. Eustasius to be of their number, although martyrdom is not expressly mentioned in the manuscripts of S. Jerome and the Dungal manuscript, from which we have drawn his name. Their words we have given above, where we treated of SS. Felix, Celsianus, Caecilianus, etc. On 7 November we shall treat of another Eustasius, recorded by the same Martyrology of S. Jerome and others, together with Polisius, Primus, and Rogatianus.