Martyrs Vincent

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS VINCENT, ORONTIUS, VICTOR, AQUILINA AND HER HUSBAND, AT GERUNDA IN SPAIN.

Under Diocletian.

Vincent, Martyr at Gerunda in Spain (S.) Orontius, Martyr at Gerunda in Spain (S.) Victor, Martyr at Gerunda in Spain (S.) Aquilina, mother of S. Victor, Martyr at Gerunda in Spain (S.) N., father of S. Victor, Martyr at Gerunda in Spain

From various sources.

[1] Ebredunum, or Ebrodunum, is the metropolitan city of the province of the Maritime Alps, now commonly called in French Embrun or Ambrun; situated on the river Durance, which plunges headlong into the Rhone between Avignon and Tarascon. Where the holy Martyrs suffered. In that city the holy Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor are venerated: yet they did not accomplish their contest of faith there, but at Gerunda, a city of Tarraconensian Spain, as is evident from the Acts which we give here. From these Acts one may also refute the Spanish Chronicle falsely attributed to Flavius Dexter, in which under the year 308 the following appears: "At Pax Augusta, situated on the river Anas, the triumph of the holy Martyrs Vincent, Orentius, and others: whose bodies, by the ministry of Angels, came to rest at the city of Ebredunum, when Bishop Pontius Paulinus was divinely forewarned." But whether Pax Augusta was situated on the Anas, where today stands Badajoz, as many think, or whether it was the same as Pax Julia, placed in Lusitania by Pliny, book 4, chapter 22, which in modern times is Beja, in the earlier age Pacca—both are far distant from Gerunda.

[2] Their feast day, 22 January. Usuard celebrates the birthday of these Martyrs on this day as follows: "On the same day, in the city of Ebredunum, of the holy Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor." The common Bede, Ado, Notker, Bellinus, and most others agree, except that they add "in Gaul," as does the Roman Martyrology: "At Ebredunum in Gaul, of the holy Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor, who were crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Diocletian." More explicitly the German Martyrology: "In Gaul, in the city of Ebredunum, of the holy Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor, who in Spain, in the time of Diocletian the most cruel Emperor, were beheaded by Rufinus, the Governor of Spain." Felicius and the Gallo-Belgian Martyrology have them killed at Ebredunum, incorrectly. Galesinius writes ambiguously: "On the same day at Ebredunum in Gaul, of the holy Martyrs Honorius, Victor, and Horontius, who under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, by the command of the Governor Rufinus, were variously put to death and crowned with martyrdom." Others also vary in the name of Orontius, whom some call Horontius, Bellinus calls Honorius, others Oruntius, some Ornutius, Ornontius, Orentius, or Orantius.

[3] The feast of these Martyrs is celebrated solemnly at Gerunda on 30 January, as Antonius Vincentius Domeneccus attests, elsewhere on the 30th who records the decree of the Chapter of Gerunda on this matter, passed on 6 July 1522, being a Wednesday. Ferrarius records on the same day: "At Gerunda in Spain, of the holy Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, Victor, and Aquilina their mother."

[4] The same Ferrarius also mentions Aquilina under 22 January: "At Gerunda in Spain, S. Aquilina, Martyr." And he notes: "She is said by others to have been the sister of S. Victor the Martyr; but to Juan Marieta, book 1 and 4, On the Saints of Spain, she is written as the mother of the same Victor." Maurolycus adds also the father of S. Victor: The memory of S. Aquilina and her husband in the Martyrologies. "In the city of Ebredunum, of the holy Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor who had buried them, and of his father, beheaded under the Emperor Diocletian, under Rufinus the Governor of Spain." The manuscript Florarium: "In Gaul, in the city of Ebredunum, of the holy Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, Victor, Primitiva, and others, in the year of salvation 292, in the 16th year of the ninth persecution." It seems that Primitiva was written in place of Aquilina through a copyist's error. But who are these "others," besides the sole parent of Victor? Bivarius, in his commentary on Dexter's Chronicle at the year 308, no. 14, comment 2: "Even in the Martyrologies themselves, the brothers of S. Victor are missing, whom Dexter calls the companions of SS. Vincent and Orentius. See on these matters Morales, book 10, chapter 14, and Marieta, part 1, book 2, chapter 39." Morales has not yet come to our attention. Marieta at the place cited mentions only the parents of S. Victor, not his brothers.

[5] Andreas Saussay joins a single brother: "At Ebredunum in the Maritime Alps, the passion of the holy Martyrs Vincent and Horontius, who, when Diocletian and Maximian were raging, inflamed with the fervor of faith, voluntarily presenting themselves to the Governor Rufinus and magnanimously confessing Christ, were struck with capital sentence by his command. A certain Levite named Victor, who had received them with hospitality, buried their bodies: on account of which he too was seized by the wicked judge, had his arms cut off at the elbow, and was struck with the axe in the same place where they also had suffered, and was crowned. Seeing this, the father of Victor himself, who was also a Christian, secretly took flight, but when, at the entreaty of his wife Aquilina, he had returned home, he was slain shortly afterwards together with another son for the name of Christ." What Saussay writes—that Vincent and Orontius voluntarily presented themselves to the judge, and that Victor's arms were cut off at the elbows—he took from Peter de Natalibus, book 2, chapter 112, whom Marieta, Domeneccus, and others follow; but the Acts disagree, which narrate that this one's arms were only cut, not severed at the elbows; and that those two indeed set out for Spain from a desire for martyrdom, but did not voluntarily present themselves before the judge's tribunal. Saussay misunderstood Peter concerning the brother of S. Victor; Whether another of their sons was killed at the same time. for Peter, speaking of the father, says he was beheaded "together with his son"—meaning Victor himself. The same Saussay, in the Appendix to the Martyrology, from a very ancient manuscript Martyrology of the monastery of S. Savinus de Leuitania in the Pyrenees, in the territory of Tarbes, has the following: "On the same day at Ebredunum, the birthday of SS. Vincent and Victor, martyrs, who suffered at Grannopolis, a stronghold in the territory of Gerunda, but were buried at Ebredunum."

[6] Bivarius thinks the Acts of these holy Martyrs were written by Aetherius, Bishop of Ebredunum. By whom the Acts were written: The Author himself refutes him below at no. 17, writing thus: "For Aetherius, a man of complete prudence and piety, Bishop of the Church of Antintia, to whom, with God as author, I succeeded as unworthy successor." The manuscript of Ripatorium has "Antimia" for "Antintia." Both words are unknown to us, unless perhaps what was written was Dinia, or Sanicium, or Nicaea, which are Sees subject to the metropolitan see of Ebredunum: and from one of these Aetherius could have been transferred to Ebredunum, who is read to have subscribed to the Council of Chalon-sur-Saone around the year 650. These Acts we transcribed from an ancient codex of the monastery of S. Mary de Ripatorio, whence published here which we obtained through the kindness of our Pierre-Francois Chifflet; and we collated them with the manuscript of Nicolas Belfort, a Canon Regular of Soissons, and with the printed Agonies of the Martyrs. Vincent of Beauvais also treats of these same Martyrs in book 12, chapter 38.

ACTS FROM ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS.

By an anonymous Gallic Bishop.

BHL Number: 8670

From manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

The journey of SS. Vincent and Orontius into Spain, from a desire for martyrdom.

[1] In the year from the seventh of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, a great persecution was carried out in the suburb of Gerunda, in the stronghold of Gratianopolis: and the Saints accomplished a worthy palm of martyrdom; Martyrs in Spain under Diocletian. whom the Divinity illuminated as they stood raised up to the summit of virtues; and just as stars shine with their setting or their rising, so throughout the whole world, in all cities, the faith of Martyrs and Confessors shines forth adorned, so that the Lord may bestow upon those who believe in Him the glory which He promised: that in ages to come many may rejoice, seeing the deeds of the just blazing forth in immense miracles, and may believe forever that they have received everlasting kingdoms. Nor could it in any way be unknown to the nations what was proclaimed by the thunder of the prophetic word: Psalm 18:5 "Their sound has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."

[2] Therefore, after the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, when the most glorious Apostles, namely Peter and Paul, had governed the primacy and the chair of the Catholic faith with love, and through the eloquence of their teaching the Italian kingdoms as far as Gallia Comata had received the Catholic faith; SS. Vincent and Orontius converted, the teaching of those same Apostles reached the most blessed Vincent and Orontius in the city of Cimera. Filled with this teaching, the love of religion and the ardor of Christ so pervaded them that not only did they themselves receive the sacrament of baptism, but they also delivered it to their pagan parents. they convert their parents: For their father, Vicarius, and their mother Aurelia were washed with the water of the sacred font and anointed with chrism.

[3] The aforesaid Vincent and his brother Orontius, desiring the palm of martyrdom, from a desire for martyrdom they go to Spain: sought to shed their blood for the Lord. But since, with the grace of Christ already shining forth, almost the whole world had been washed with the grace of baptism, the Saints of God, Vincent and Orontius, hearing that the savage commands of the cruel empire had been issued through Rufinus, the Governor of Spain, to the effect that the faith of Christians should be converted through his cruelty to the worship of idols; they convert many. strengthened by the Spirit of the Trinity, so that they might imbue the aforesaid city with the sacrament of the mystical Divinity and sprinkle it with the dew of faith, with God as guide, they hastened toward it: and when all had been strengthened in the faith, they at last received the palm of martyrdom which they desired. For when the wicked Diocletian, born of servile stock, had seized the empire, and raised an excessive effort of arrogance against the Lord, at the instigation of the devil; When the Governor Rufinus was raging, he gave this order to his officers, that whoever confessed himself to be a Christian and would not worship Jupiter, or Juno, or Venus, should be tortured with punishments and killed with the loss of life. And when the most savage Rufinus, Consular of Spain, had been instructed to rage against the servants of God, he so attacked them that daily he sated himself with the blood of believers.

[4] they approach Bishop Pontius in hiding: Then the aforesaid men, inspired from above, Vincent and Orontius, proceeded to the aforesaid stronghold of Gratianopolis, where the seat of the most cruel Rufinus was, and went there: and there they found Bishop Pontius, who was hiding himself on account of the horror of Rufinus through the caverns of rocks, engaged in the praises of God with most faithful Christians: among whom indeed the holy Levite Victor was providing examples of holiness through many miracles; so that he not only did not fear the persecutions of the aforesaid Rufinus, but even resisted him. They are made known by divine means to S. Victor the holy Deacon: With Christ's help, he fulfilled this office: that he ministered hospitality to Christians and the poor.

[5] To the fame of this man, therefore, the blessed Martyrs Vincent and Orontius came to the village of Rhodas, where the aforesaid most wicked Rufinus had established his seat of government. There the athlete of God, Victor, with an Angel of God instructing him, joined S. Vincent and Orontius to himself; and leading them to the estate of his villa, whose name is Julianum, showing hospitality to the Saints as was his custom, he received them with joy. he received them in his villa: And God willed such prudence to be in His servants, that while Blessed Vincent and Orontius and Victor the Levite were joined together in the name of the Trinity, they illuminated that region, with the mercy of Christ providing, with faith, so that almost the whole country resounded with divine praises. with him, they preach Christ.

CHAPTER II.

The martyrdom of SS. Vincent and Orontius.

[6] When the most impious Rufinus had heard this, filled with the fury of wrath and inflamed by diabolical counsel, he came to the place of the aforesaid lodging [Vincent and Orontius withdraw to the mountain, while the Governor searches for them:] which is called Julianum. Nor could it escape the servants of God that they were approaching the palm of glory and martyrdom. Going out therefore from their lodging, they proceeded to the mountain for the purpose of prayer, seeking the aid of that fortitude which never abandons those who hope in Him. Then the most impious Rufinus, coming to the lodging of Victor the Levite, addressed him with insolent words, saying: "Tell me, most faithless of men, you who not only withdraw yourself from the commands of Diocletian Augustus and confess yourself to be a servant of Him whom the Jews crucified, but have even received the seducers Vincent and Orontius with hospitality—tell me, I say, where do you conceal them? Or by what privilege do you presume to convert the people from the worship of the gods, Venus and Minerva, to Christ, whom you say is God? By the salvation of the gods, if you do not immediately tell me where those seducers Vincent and Orontius are staying, I shall afflict you with various tortures." But holy Victor, armed with the standard of the cross, they are defended by S. Victor, who denounces the gods: answered intrepidly thus: "Know that those whom you seek are not seducers, but lovers of almighty God: because they believe in Jesus Christ our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary." To whom the most wretched Rufinus said, adding these words: "Christ, whom you say is the Son of God, born of a Virgin, the Jews crucified and delivered to a most shameful death: and you and Vincent and Orontius do not worship my gods, which the most invincible Emperor fashioned from the purest gold?" S. Victor answered: "Those gods which your Emperor ordered to be fashioned are works made by the hands of men. Whence also it is written concerning them: 'Let those who make them become like them, and all who trust in them.' Psalm 113:8 But from the Saints whom you desire to see, you will receive no answer concerning what you speak of. they were of royal blood: They are indeed noble men, springing from royal seed, and learned in the divine commandments and the holy laws, and they steadfastly worship their God on this mountain."

[7] When the Governor Rufinus had heard these things, filled with fury he ascended the mountain where the Saints were praying. But the Saints, seeing from afar the ascent of the crowd, on bended knees on the ground besought God, they fortify themselves with prayer for the contest. saying: "Eternal God, who are the knower of hidden things, who directed Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, conceived through the Holy Spirit, into this world, that He might undergo punishment for sinners, and by rising again might rescue us from the prison of hell: give perseverance to our heart, that confessing Christ Your Son we may not perish; but may be united to Him, confessing in Your holy name." And when their prayer was completed, when the Governor Rufinus reached them, he said: "Come down from the mountain and speak with me." The men of God, Vincent and Orontius, armed with the standard of the cross on their foreheads and strengthened in faith, said to Rufinus: "Our mountain is Christ the Son of God; on whom we always stand, and to whom we always ascend in our minds. Now, Governor, what do you wish to say to us?" Then the Governor Rufinus assailed them with boastful words thus: "It is not unknown to you that by the Emperor Diocletian my authority has been so enlarged that all tongues have been delivered to my power, and such a decree has been given to me that I should pursue everyone who professes himself a Christian. Wherefore I admonish your nobility, since you are joined to the Empire by kinship and are noble and comely youths, that you sacrifice to the gods of the Emperor Diocletian: because I swear by the worship of the gods, if you comply with my words, I shall make you greater with increased power, so that you may serve Diocletian Augustus in a higher rank than I." Then indeed those Saints said as if with one mouth: They scorn the blandishments of the Governor: "You most wretched Rufinus, why do you compel us to worship in vain? Those gods which you say belong to Caesar and to you were made by hand. For they are all of gold, or silver, or stone, or of some other metal. All these things are vain and shall pass away like a shadow. We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth, the maker of things visible and invisible, who can both shatter the idols and lead us into the eternal kingdoms of the living, where neither an end of joy nor any boundary of the life of the just is found."

[8] The Governor Rufinus said: "I thought I was speaking with prudent men; but, as I see, you have no sound sense; wherefore I am vehemently angry. But again I am moved by consideration of your nobility, and I pity your beauty. Nevertheless I command you to worship Jupiter, whom the Emperor Diocletian worships and venerates with sacred offerings. nor do they attend to his words: But if you do not consent to my words, you shall suffer a most cruel death." But the Blessed now paid him no attention, but with one mind were chanting psalms, praying these and similar things: "Lord Jesus, good one, You are our intent, to whom we await to come: whose ardor desiring, all the languishing have been healed. You are the resurrection and the life: receive our heart, poured out and generous toward You: because those hoping in You shall not be confounded forever."

[9] they are punished with beheading. While they prayed these things silently, with a profound and humble heart, and no voice resounded outwardly, the Governor Rufinus said to them: "What are you thinking among yourselves? Declare it at once." To whom the holy men answered: "Do what is pleasing to you; but we trust in the living and true God and in Jesus Christ His Son, who redeemed us with His precious blood." At these words Rufinus pronounced sentence that both should be punished with the penalty of beheading. When therefore they had been led down to the plain, the heads of both were cut off, and thus they accomplished the palm of martyrdom.

CHAPTER III.

The slaying of Victor and his parents. The bodies of Vincent, Orontius, and Victor carried away to Ebredunum.

[10] The aforesaid Deacon Victor, whom we mentioned above, The bodies of the Saints are collected: with tears and great weeping collected the bodies of the Saints and hid them in his chamber. When the most blessed Pontius, Bishop of that place, had learned of these things, he blessed God, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God the eternal King, who said: 'I am, and there is no other besides me' Deuteronomy 32:39: reveal to me, Your servant, through Your servants who have completed the contest of their struggle, Vincent and Orontius, who received worthy martyrdom for Your name, where their bodies may be received." And while he passed the night in the praises of God, and a little sleep had crept upon him; they are ordered to be conveyed back toward Italy. he saw the Lord Jesus in a shining garment, saying to him: "I know that you have a devout mind: make a wagon for a vehicle, that the bodies of My Martyrs Vincent and Orontius may be brought back to their places in Italy." Holy Pontius then called Victor the Levite and said to him: "My petition which I made to the Lord has been heard. What I desired has been revealed to me. Go, my son, to the estate which is called Fontes; and prepare a wagon, so that according to God's good pleasure you may bring back the bodies of the Saints to the places assigned to them by God."

[11] But the Governor Rufinus was then staying in the city of Rhodas: who, when he had heard that Victor the Levite wished to carry out the command of the Bishop S. Pontius, immediately sent to the estate of Julianum and inquired where Victor the Levite was. While he was visiting the bodies of the Saints, Victor is captured while carrying this out, he was seized by the officers of Rufinus: and when they brought him before the Governor, the Governor said to him: "Hasten to sacrifice to the gods. Do you not also sacrifice to Christ?" Victor answered and said: "I sacrifice to my Lord, the Son of the King of kings, and not to your gods." The Governor immediately ordered his arms to be cut and his head to be severed, he is tortured and killed; and his head was cut off in the same place where the Saints had been beheaded.

[12] But the father of the Blessed Deacon and Martyr Victor, when he saw his son's blood poured out, likewise his parents. wished to take flight: but Aquilina, the mother of Victor herself, seized her husband and drew him to her, and covering his head with her cloak as she embraced him, said to him: "Let us stand firm in the faith and die for Christ." And there, bending their knees to Christ, they prayed. While they prayed, a swordsman, having been commanded, took off the heads of both. And thus the five Blessed fell asleep in the Lord with a blessed end. Rufinus then proceeded to the city which is called Gerunda.

[13] A certain man named Hactor, who was about to carry out the command of the Bishop S. Pontius, Hactor carries away three holy bodies: placed the bodies of S. Victor's parents in their resting place. And when the wagons had been prepared, placing the three most glorious Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor the Levite on wagons, with oxen yoked, with the road arranged, he set out with the three bodies on a journey hitherto unknown; and with the wagon, on an unaccustomed route, with the Lord's help, he proceeded until he arrived near the city of Ebredunum. But when he arrived near the walls of that city (which is situated at the head of the Maritime Alps), he caught sight of a small hut not far off. Then indeed it pleased the bodies of the Saints to rest in that place, and as yet no one had been buried in that hut.

[14] There was a Priest of that place, by the name of Arator, of venerable faith, the oxen near Ebredunum stand immovable: who was devoted to the Lord. He, seeing the carts and the oxen lowing, and the wagons unable to carry the bodies any further, turned over in his mind repeatedly what this might be. Running to his Bishop, who was renowned in that place for many miracles, named Marcellinus, he spoke in lamenting words, saying: "Your servant has seen a great miracle, which the Lord has brought to your holy See." To whom Father Marcellinus the Bishop answered: "What is it, brother Arator?" And he said: "There are three carts of oxen, loaded with the bodies of three Saints who accomplished martyrdom in the Lord. This is reported to S. Marcellinus the Bishop; Those transporting them say they are proceeding to Italy, to a certain city which is called Cimera. But when they came before the hut of the Jews, where a certain crypt has been constructed of squared stones and precious marble, the wagons became fixed in place, and the oxen, though lowing and wishing to pull the wagons, by no means prevail."

[15] Then the most blessed Marcellinus prayed, saying: "God eternal, Searcher of all things, who know and are able to rule all things, give great salvation to this city, and adorn the precincts of the city with the bodies of the Saints." And when the prayer was said, he came to the place before the hut. He asked Hactor who they were: and Hactor set forth what had taken place. Then the most blessed Marcellinus, resplendent with many virtues, bearing the likeness of Abraham—just as Abraham purchased the field from Ephron, so it was with this man's eloquence. For he asked Arrius for the hut, saying: "Receive double the price which this crypt is worth, duly weighed. For it is pleasing that the bodies of the Saints be buried there. For there they have chosen the place where they may rest in the Lord." at his request, they are buried there: Arrius, unable to refuse, said to the Bishop: "Receive this place without payment for burying the Saints of God, and pour over me with the dew of baptism, as I confess the Son of the living God, whose power you have shown in a chalice made firm by the standard of the cross."

[16] Holy Bishop Marcellinus, having summoned the monks and fellow Christian citizens, they are famous for miracles. buried the bodies of the Saints with praise and psalmody in tombs, and entombed them in the hut. There the Lord performs such great tokens of miracles, and daily deigns to work wonders, that He grants medicine to the sick, and in the city where they are buried, the languishing rejoice that they have received health. Finally, the most blessed Marcellinus carefully sent Hactor back to S. Pontius. This Hactor recounted in order how the bodies of the Saints had been received by the Blessed Marcellinus.

CHAPTER IV.

Whence the writer of the Acts received them. Various miracles of the Saints.

[17] But what shall I relate, lest I generate tedium for sluggish readers? How great a grace of wonders the Lord has shown in the place where the relics of the Saints are said to be preserved, I am unable to express in words. But, as the Blessed John the Evangelist says, "What we have heard we speak, and what we have seen we testify." 1 John 1:2 Indeed the deeds of the most blessed Martyrs Vincent, Orontius, and Victor the Levite (which became known to me, the least of all priests, through the account of those who succeeded) I dare not keep silent. For Aetherius, a man of complete prudence and piety, Bishop of the Church of Antintia (to whom, with God as author, I succeeded as unworthy successor), having learned of the frequent report of their miracles, desiring to have some portion of the relics of these same Martyrs, burning with the most ardent desire, sent to Abbot Beroald, who at that time presided over that place, earnestly imploring that he would willingly assent to his petition. To Bishop Aetherius Beroald, mindful of their former friendship, by which they had once been joined in the love of Christ, voluntarily promised to give his assent to his prayers, if indeed the Lord should permit it. When fasts and prayers had been duly performed, that he might satisfy the desire of the aforesaid Bishop, he entered with immense fear the place where the bodies of the blessed Martyrs had been entombed, praying that it might please them for at least the smallest particle of their relics to be reverently taken. With their favor, a portion of the relics given: he took away with him two particles from their fingers, and sent them as a great gift to the requesting Bishop. He therefore, hearing this, filled with immense joy, went out to meet them with a choir of psalmists in thanksgiving; and giving thanks to God, he honorably placed the long-desired pledges of the Saints in the place which is called Noviacus. they shine forth with miracles. There almighty God, to declare the merits of the Martyrs, has deigned to perform immense benefits of signs, so that not only those present but also those absent who faithfully seek are healthfully aided by their patronage.

[18] After a very long space of time had elapsed, it happened that one of the brethren, Astroaldus by name, driven by the instigation of the devil, attempted to steal those relics of the aforesaid Saints. Having at last achieved his desire, he perpetrated by his wicked deed what he had long wickedly attempted to do; He who stole the relics is divinely punished. and then taking the relics secretly stolen, as has been said, he came to Lyon. There, finding a certain religious man named Beatus, he cautiously confessed to him what he had audaciously done. Beatus, hearing this, rebuking him with a harsh reproach, admonished him that, doing penance for so great a transgression, he should humbly return the aforesaid relics to their proper place, from which he had recklessly removed them. But Astroaldus, making light of this and refusing to do it, was not long afterwards killed by a certain companion of his, about one mile from the cell of the aforesaid man of God.

[19] But when I, a sinner, who have presumptiously compiled this little page, was hastening by river journey down the Rhone from Lyon to the Prince, I turned aside for the purpose of prayer to the cell in which the man of God dwelt, The Author recovers them from Abbot Beatus: who had those pledges of the Saints, because it was located near the bank of that river. When I inquired where the servant of God who served there had had the beginning of his birth, and he had recounted to me in detail that he had been born and raised in the city of Orleans, and had afterwards lived in Spain for a long time, I curiously inquired whether by chance he had found or heard of the passion of the aforesaid Saints in the regions of Spain, inasmuch as the city of Ebredunum did not yet possess their deeds. And when he had recounted in order what was unknown to the clergy and people of Ebredunum concerning that passion, he also added in what manner the pledges of the Saints had come to him, which had been taken from the tombs of the Saints by Abbot Beroald and his monks, as we related above, and transported to Noviacus.

[20] Hearing this, I knelt with my priests and entreated the aforesaid man of God to order that those same holy remains be returned to us, so that they might be recalled to their original seat with great praises. He, hearing my entreaties, confessed that he wished to retain a portion of the same relics. When indeed we had uncovered the holy bones to view them, they breathe forth a most sweet odor; so great a fragrance of scent filled the cell that it blew all the way to the bank of the Rhone. Since indeed we were terrified with fear and no longer dared to scrape from those bones, wine with which they were washed turned to blood. the aforesaid Priest brought wine with which they might at least be washed, which he would store in a flask and keep as relics. When we poured wine over the aforesaid pledges, as has been said, we saw, in the presence of the Priest, the wine poured over them turned to blood, as if it had issued from fresh flesh. And when they were then wrapped in silken cloths, the aforesaid liquid so permeated those cloths that it flowed down into the vessel which had been prepared to receive it. Lest anyone think this incredible, the miracle accomplished in those cloths is demonstrated to this day in praise of the Saints.

[21] Whence these Acts were obtained: But when, according to canonical rule, a congregation of Bishops was assembling for a synodal council of Gaul, a certain Abbot from Spain was present there for the needs of the Churches. When I, a sinner, inquired of him where the passion of the most glorious Martyrs had been consummated, he set it forth to me in order and truth, and gave me the written passion. In which passion, as we mentioned above, it was found that the body of S. Victor, in the aforesaid city of Ebredunum, rested in the above-mentioned crypt with SS. Vincent and Orontius: although it had always been unknown to the inhabitants of that place whose body lay buried there.

[22] polished by this author. Therefore, receiving from that Abbot the deeds of the aforesaid Martyrs, composed in a very rustic manner, I believed these should be emended, as best I could, in the language of my simplicity, for the honor of these saints, so that whoever shall have learned from this account how great their merits are, and shall have endeavored to venerate them, may himself, together with me, deserve to be corrected from his depravities through them, with our Lord Jesus Christ granting it, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns forever and ever, Amen.