Julian

CONCERNING S. JULIAN, BISHOP, APOSTLE OF THE CENOMANI, IN GAUL.

Julian, Bishop, Apostle of the Cenomani in Gaul (S.)

From various sources.

[1] The Apostle of the Cenomani in Celtic Gaul was S. Julian, and their first Bishop. His annual feast is celebrated on 27 January. On this day the Roman Martyrology records: The Natalis of S. Julian. "At Le Mans, the deposition of S. Julian, the first Bishop of that city, whom S. Peter sent thither to preach the Gospel." Most printed and manuscript Martyrologies make mention of him. Many churches of Gaul venerate him on this day with the Office of Nine Lessons; the Parisian church on 28 January, others on 31 January. The Cologne Martyrology, the Carthusian in his additions to Usuard, Maurolycus, and Ferrarius, on 26 January, mention a certain Julian, Bishop of Bourges; yet no Bishop of Bourges is found to have been called by that name.

[2] Some would have it that he was sent into Gaul by S. Peter, others by S. Clement: nothing is established for us. Some think that he was Simon the Leper, of whom mention is made in the Gospel. But if he was sent into Gaul by S. Clement, that was after the year of Christ 90; and if, as some have written, he presided over the church of Le Mans for 47 years, 3 months, and 10 days, how greatly advanced in years he must have been! In the Life his homeland which we give here, and in certain Breviaries, he is said to have been "most illustrious in Roman nobility," which seems much more probable.

[3] Concerning the author of his Life, Molanus writes thus: "The life of Julian, Bishop of Le Mans, was collected and written in a more polished style by Brother Lethaldus, addressed to the Most Reverend Father Anesgandus. MS. at Utrecht, at S. Salvator's." Life written by Lethaldus. Now Anesgandus was Bishop of Le Mans in the year 990. Galesinius, Vossius, and the learned Robertus transmit the same from Molanus. It is likely that in the Utrecht codex there was prefixed a dedicatory letter to Anesgandus, or Ansgradus. Whence here published. We give this Life from three old manuscripts: those of the monastery of Ripatoria, of our Jacques Sirmond, and of Cornelius Duynius. Although in these codices the Life lacked both the author's name and the dedicatory epistle, we have no doubt that it is the one which Lethaldus is said to have collected and written in a more polished style, since it bears the mark of a careful and exact writer's study.

[4] The learned Robertus testifies that the cathedral church of the city of Le Mans was first consecrated to the Blessed Mary, then to S. Gervasius, and finally to S. Julian in 1201, when Julian's body was translated into it. Translation. That translation, as we believe, is the one which is ascribed to 25 July in the additions of the Carthusian of Cologne to Usuard, in the Paris edition of Usuard of the year 1536, and in the German Martyrology, in these words: "At Le Mans, the translation of S. Julian, Bishop and Confessor."

[5] Furthermore, Vincent of Beauvais treats of S. Julian, bk. 9, chs. 113 and 114; S. Antoninus, part 1, title 6, ch. 25, sec. 4; Peter de Natalibus, bk. 3, ch. 35; the learned Robertus in his Gallia Christiana; Jean Chenu in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Le Mans; Demochares, vol. 2, ch. 23, On the Divine Sacrifice; Saussay in his Martyrology. Mention of him is also made in a letter of the Dean and Chapter of the Church of Le Mans to the Provost, Dean, and Chapter of the cathedral church of Paderborn, dated the day before the Kalends of October in the year 1205, which we shall publish on 23 July in connection with the Life of S. Liborius. Concerning S. Julian, the following is found therein: "And the righteous Liborius, who flourished among us, will, by the Lord's bounty, flourish with yet greater worship and will be multiplied in the house of the Lord, that is, of the most blessed Apostle Julian. To whom, indeed, the fourth glorious successor was Liborius, two other men, also of apostolic character, intervening: Turibius, the Archpriest, companions and Pavatius, the Archdeacon, having been appointed in order to the see of Le Mans. For this Julian, first Apostle of the Cenomani, like Abraham the Patriarch, father of the succeeding Bishops and of the people of Le Mans in Christ, exercised a certain Apostolic authority even to this day and continues to do so, having been sent (with those companions) by Blessed Clement, successor of the Apostle Peter. Wherefore the Church of Le Mans, your sister, humbly entreats your fraternity that you may have in your possession forever a book on his life, elegantly written, reverently and memorably; and that you may solemnly celebrate the natal day of our most blessed Apostle Julian on the sixth day before the Kalends of February, and cause it to be solemnly celebrated throughout your diocese. So that he who, illustrious in signs and miracles, lends his aid to the kingdom of France, may in his own way lend his aid more abundantly also to the Church of Paderborn and the peoples of Saxony (as the Lord, who is mighty to do great things, is able to do through him and on his account)."

[6] We shall treat of SS. Turibius and Pavatius (whom some call Panatius) on 24 July. The life of Pavatius was published by Jean Boscius in his Bibliotheca Floriacensis. In it he is said to have been given as an assistant to S. Julian, first Bishop of the city of Le Mans and disciple of the Apostles, by Blessed Clement, the third successor of the Apostle Peter; and to have been directed with him to preach in the office of Archdeacon. In the Life of S. Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans, on 16 May, the following is found: Place of burial. "In the church in which Blessed Julian, first Bishop of the aforesaid city, rests in body--that is, near the monastery of S. Victorius, by the river Sarthe--he wonderfully enlarged the monastic rule, which had already begun to flourish."

[7] Certain relics of S. Julian were given to the people of Paderborn around the year 1143 by Bishop Geoffrey and the Chapter of Le Mans. Relics translated to Paderborn. There survives a letter from them concerning these relics, which our Jean Gamans communicated to us from the manuscript codices of the monastery of Büdesheim, a house of Canons Regular near Paderborn, and testified that the feast of S. Julian is marked in red--as the more solemn feasts are customarily marked--in all the Calendars, Breviaries, his feast there and other ritual books of the Church of Paderborn, whether recently or formerly written, whether printed or in manuscript, by which church he is venerated with a proper Office, whose Lessons contain the Life of the Saint. The letter is sealed with a double seal: the first is the oblong seal of Geoffrey himself, bearing the upright image of the Bishop; on the reverse, the form of the Lamb of God, as it is commonly called, is depicted. The second seal is that of the Chapter, on which is the figure of an armed knight. The letter reads as follows:

[8] "To the Reverend Father and Lord N., by the grace of God Bishop of Paderborn, Letter of the Bishop of Le Mans to the people of Paderborn and to the venerable men, our most dear Brothers in Christ, the Provost and the entire Chapter of the same Church: Geoffrey, by divine permission the humble minister of the Church of Le Mans, N., Dean, and the Chapter of the same Church, send greetings and sincere charity in the Lord. We render thanks to God, commending your devotion in the Lord, because you, not unmindful of our fellowship, have visited us by letter and messenger. For by this your devotion inflames our affection and invites us to an increase of familiarity in the future. Hence it is that, meeting your petition with a most willing assent, we cannot deny what you ask of us, just as indeed we ought not. For the unity of fraternity between your Church and ours, which we embrace with devoted arms, we desire to be observed perpetually and mutually and irrevocably. Great indeed is what you seek, and what we had not yet granted to any ecclesiastical or secular person, however weighty, although it had been many times attempted by many great and authoritative persons, and hitherto not obtained--namely, that we should send to you venerable relics from the most sacred body of the glorious Confessor, our Prince and Patron, the most blessed Julian. But charity, whose nature it is to know no refusal, has interposed its prayers. And after much deliberation among us on this matter, it at last impelled our minds to consent. Concerning the relics of S. Julian sent to them. This alone compels us to grant to you what we would by no means have done for others. Nor do we say that what we send to your Church through the venerable man, namely Lord Suederus, your Canon and our Brother, from the aforesaid relics, is being alienated, since we regard your Church as our own. Hence it is that from the shoulder of our most holy Father and aforesaid Patron we present to you a portion through the bearer of this letter, so that you may be willing to venerate with us him who, submitting his neck to the yoke of Christ, 'set his shoulder to the burden.' And so that we might send so great a treasure more safely and cautiously, your aforesaid Canon most solemnly promised in our Chapter, on his faith, most certainly, that he would carry it to you personally with reverence, as soon as he conveniently can."

[9] "We have therefore thought it right to ask your fraternity with affection how these relics should be honored that you receive reverently the gift offered to you, that you preserve it diligently and honorably, and that you solemnly celebrate the feast day on which our most blessed Patron departed from this world to heaven--namely, the sixth day before the Kalends of February--in your Church, and cause it to be solemnly celebrated throughout your diocese. And so that this may be accomplished more solemnly and more perfectly, we send to you the Responsories and antiphons, and other things pertaining to the chant, which are commonly sung among us on the aforesaid solemnity, which, as we have heard, you have not hitherto possessed. Teach also, if it please you, your people, and efficaciously encourage them, to abstain from all servile work on that day; knowing beyond doubt that among us, where the relics of his body rest, 'This distinguished Bishop destroys the force of unholy fire, heals the possessed, and shelters pilgrims with hospitality.' We trust indeed that if the pious devotion of the people attends your prayers, this most loving Father will bestow these and greater blessings on his supplicants through the merits of his intercession. May your charity endure and flourish long. Given at Le Mans, in the year of the Lord 1243, in the month of April."

LIFE

By the monk Lethaldus, from three ancient manuscript codices.

Julian, Bishop, Apostle of the Cenomani in Gaul (S.)

BHL Number: 4544

By Lethaldus, from MSS.

PROLOGUE OF THE AUTHOR.

[1] When the world, still wrapped in the darkness of errors, was utterly ignorant of the brightness of the true light, and the cunning of the ancient enemy raged among the human race, which he had subjected to himself through the first parent, and the honor of the Creator served the creature rather than the Creator--since each person fashioned for himself gods to worship, either from dead men or from insensible matter--The Son of God became incarnate to succor a falling world God Almighty, having pity on human errors, lest his handiwork should perish forever, brought forth his Word, equal to himself and co-eternal, through the womb of the spotless Virgin, as a true man for the life of the world, before the eyes of mortals. He, with the nature of his Divinity in no way diminished, yet having truly assumed our humanity without the stain of sin, lived among men, bestowing the benefits of his Godhead and bearing the hardships of human frailty. At length he laid down that flesh which he had taken from the Virgin for our redemption, and redeemed the man whom he had created at no other price than his own life-giving and precious blood. Phil. 2:8. Made obedient, therefore, to the Father even unto death, yea, the death of the Cross, he destroyed the dominion of death, and snatched his own from the very seats of Hell, and, accompanied by the ineffable triumphal pomp of the vanquished enemy, ascended to the right hand of God the Father to reign forever. His Church, therefore, which he had purchased for himself with his saving blood, he illuminated with the coming of his Spirit, so that, while being exercised for a time by the adversities of the world, it might be fortified with the invincible armor of the Holy Spirit. Founded, therefore, upon the rock of faith, it spreads through the regions of the whole world, so that, having abandoned the vanity of idols, man might come to know the true God, and might pass from the error of his ancestral sin and from the squalor of ancient paganism into newness of life.

[2] But the ancient enemy, grieving that what was being lost to him was manifestly being gained for God, turned every device of malice against the invincible refuge of the Church. And with wicked persistence, in defense of falsehood, he struck down some of the Martyrs with the sword, A tempest raised by the devil against the Church fixed others to the gibbet, drowned others in the sea, slew others by famine, tortured others with fire, tore others limb from limb, and raging with unspeakable forms of death, strove to overcome the Church of Christ. But the more his savagery raged, the more the unconquerable constancy of the Saints--from the very source whence it was assailed with fiercer malice--shone forth with the glory of greater virtue.

[3] Having therefore Nero as the first minister of impiety against the faith, and then, through his successive Princes, increasing the growth of his malice, he shook the Church of Christ for three hundred years and more, but was in no way able to overthrow it. For when it pleased him who had permitted his faithful to be refined in the fire of trial after the three-hundredth year it was stilled that a serene day should dawn upon his household after so many storms, the light of truth ascended the summit of the Empire, and the glory of the world, having been laid at its feet, began to have as defenders and protectors those whom, through the envy of the ancient enemy, it had hitherto had as treacherous assailants. Then, therefore, as after the harshness of a stormy winter,

"When the clemency of spring tempers the gentle breezes,"

the fragrant groves burst into bloom, and the rose gardens, long stripped bare, are adorned with new roses, and the whiteness of bursting lilies dazzles the wondering eyes; so, when peace was restored to the Church, there shone forth throughout the world diverse men who, wondrous in the light of their virtues, distinguished in the splendor of faith, were prepared as examples to be imitated by those meek of heart in following the footsteps of Christ.

CHAPTER I.

The Cenomani converted by S. Julian.

[4] The first Apostles of Gaul. For the purpose, then, of laying the foundation of the new faith in Gaul, and of establishing the yet unformed state of the Church, heavenly Providence sent forth magnificent and industrious men: to the people of Lyon, Photinus; to the people of Arles, Trophimus; to Narbonne, Paul; to Toulouse, Saturninus; to the Arverni, Austremonius; to the people of Limoges, Martial; to the people of Tours, Gatianus; to the Parisians, Dionysius; to the Cenomani, Julian.

[5] This Julian, then, most illustrious in Roman nobility, eloquent of tongue, Julian of the Cenomani distinguished in justice, most celebrated in the merit of faith, is appointed by God as the first Apostle to the city of Le Mans. Though he is not an Apostle to others, to the people of Le Mans he certainly is. For, as the blessed Apostle also proclaims of himself, the seal of his apostleship they themselves are in the Lord. 1 Cor. 9:2.

[6] This man of the Lord, therefore, fortified by faith, girded with the sword of the Holy Spirit, he confirms the faith with miracles approached the aforesaid city fearlessly, to destroy errors and to trample upon the vanities of demons. But while the novelty of his holy preaching turned to scandal for some unbelievers and to mockery for others, the power of his miracles rendered astonished those whom deep-rooted and inborn error had made disdainful of hearing the way of truth. For through the hands of the revered Bishop, Christ worked such mighty deeds that by his word he put demons to flight, cleansed lepers, and bestowed upon all the sick the remedy of the Cross as healing aid. At length, since very many were flocking to him to obtain the health of their bodies, they returned, illuminated by the word of faith, with the health also of their souls.

[7] He dwells in the suburb, careless of himself. Moreover, the same venerable man, sheltered in a small dwelling outside the city, persevered day and night in his holy purpose, having scarcely any care for his own body, devoting himself entirely to the salvation of those whom he was striving to rescue from demonic error.

[8] Indeed, when they had already been won over by the sweetness of his miracles and illuminated by the light of faith, and were clinging to his holy company, and there was no small complaint about the lack of water to be brought in, the man of God went to a place he judged suitable and, driving the tip of the staff he carried in his hand into the ground, said in the hearing of all: "Lord our God, who in the desert gave drink to your thirsting people from the hard rock, be present also to us, your servants, and open the treasure of your loving-kindness, and command that from the hardness of this earth a fountain of living water may be provided to us, he draws forth a spring by his prayers so that those present may know that you are the true God, who at the end of the ages sent your Son into the world to lead believers in you to the true promised land." And when the faithful had responded, "Amen," immediately a most abundant spring burst forth, which both displayed the power of the Divinity and clearly demonstrated to all who stood by the merit of the blessed man.

[9] Then those who had already believed were confirmed in faith; and those who were still held in the error of paganism fell at the feet of the Saint, praying to be initiated into the sacraments of the holy faith. It was resolved, therefore, that this spring should be called Centonomium, because by the joy of its provision, to which the name Centonomium was given with the interest of faith multiplied, the number of believers began to be multiplied. For many in it, through the sacrament of baptism, put off the old man and were clothed with the new, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth.

[10] And so not only common folk, but very many of the most noble as well, laying aside the belt of military service and bending their necks--once swollen with pride--beneath the yoke of Christ, attached themselves to the holy man and rejoiced to be instructed by his sacred examples. He is summoned by Defensor, the chief of the city. And when the splendor of so great a light, like the morning star heralding the sun of justice, had already illuminated the whole province, the chief of the city, named Defensor, a glorious man and most powerful according to the perishable honors of this world, struck by the novelty of so many miracles, summoning the Bishop worthy of God through messengers, humbly besought him to deign to come to him.

[11] But the most faithful minister of Christ, as he was approaching the chief, He restores sight to a blind man with the sign of the Cross encountered before the gate of the chief's palace a certain blind man, who, falling down before him, begged for his help. And he, having invoked the name of Christ and impressed the standard of the Cross, in a moment restored him to his former health. Hearing this, the chief hastened to him, fell at the knees of the Saint, and humbly implored that he might be made worthy to become a partaker of eternal life. He baptizes Defensor with his household. The venerable Bishop, having most diligently instructed him in the word of God, catechized him, and after a solemn fast had been completed, baptized him with his entire household and a great throng of nobles. He grew to such an ardor of piety that he handed over his house to the holy man he consecrates the house as a church so that he might there build a church suitable for divine worship and might watch over the winning of souls for Christ without any inconvenience. I consider it impossible to describe with what joy and what eagerness gains were daily made there for Christ and losses for the devil. Every age and every sex flowed together with the most ardent love to hear the word of the Lord, and each one strove eagerly to surpass the other in holy purpose. They therefore made over their collected goods to the holy man, so that the church might be adorned with divine honors and the poor of Christ might be comforted with bodily sustenance.

[12] Moreover, the faithful and prudent steward, whom the Lord set over his household to give them their measure of wheat in due season, just as he kept watch in dispensing the word of God together with works of piety, so also he labored in distributing earthly goods according to the Apostolic rule, and to those of the Church's children living in common under him, he faithfully distributed to each as need required. He faithfully distributes the goods offered. Luke 12:42. Yet by reason of his present cares, the eye of his mind was in no way dimmed from the contemplation of eternal things; rather, the more he was sustained by transitory things, the more he yearned for the joys of the heavenly homeland. For he well knew what was fitting on the journey and what was owed in the homeland. On the journey, indeed, he saw that the wages of labor were necessary; but in the homeland, he desired with his whole heart the reward of eternal blessedness. For there are some who labor in pastoral governance and do not seek eternal rewards for that same labor, but swollen with the honor of their office, although they preach heavenly things in words, they seek earthly things with all their desire. But this Bishop, worthy of God, although he shone with the splendor of virtues, was girded with the power of miracles, was supported by crowds of obedient people, and was enriched with an abundance of temporal goods, he succumbed to no impediment of pleasure; rather, fixing the eye of his mind upon the giver of all good things, he set present goods as it were behind his back, and faithfully placed before his face those things which are promised to the Saints in heaven.

CHAPTER II.

Three dead persons raised to life.

[13] Now in that city in which the most blessed man was keeping his pastoral watch, there was a certain powerful and noble man, named Anastasius, not yet subject to the Christian faith. His son, seized by a grave affliction, was brought to extremity and at last expired. The father, unable to bear the grief of his bereavement, ran to the man of God, crying out and saying: "Servant of God, Julian, you who profess that Christ is the true God, by him whom you preach I adjure you: restore my son to me." The man of God said to him: "Anastasius, if you believe that he whom I preach is the true God, you will both receive your son in the present and will obtain eternal life for yourself." When Anastasius swore and said: "If I receive my son alive, I will confess that Christ is the true God, and I will utterly renounce idols," the most blessed Bishop went with him to the house in which the body of the boy lay lifeless. And while all were weeping and watching to see what the blessed man would do, he, holding the hand of the dead boy and looking up to heaven, bathed in tears, said: By prayer he recalls the dead to life. "Lord Jesus Christ, who raised the widow's son, being carried out beyond the gate, in the presence of many bystanders, and who recalled the four-days-dead Lazarus, already decaying, from the dead by the word of your power: command that this boy be raised, so that by this raising in the body, many may through faith in you rise again in their souls, and those present may know that you are Christ, the Son of the living God, who by the command of the Father saved the world, to whom through you we render fitting thanks through endless ages of ages." And when the faithful had responded, "Amen," the boy rose up as if from sleep, unharmed, and while all were weeping for joy, he provided to his parents inexpressible gladness and to all the bystanders a great incentive to follow the Christian religion. Immediately, therefore, his father Anastasius, with his entire household, believed, and having obtained the grace of baptism, was added to the number of the faithful.

[14] In the following time, Christ deigned to work through him a miracle similar to this one, to the praise and glory of his name. For when the same most blessed man, departing from the city to make gain for Christ from those who were perishing, was visiting the parts of his diocese, behold, a dead youth was being carried out, the son of a certain great man called Jovinian, with a great crowd of people accompanying. The holy Bishop, arriving and relying on his customary confidence in the Lord, ordered the dead body to be set down, and having commanded silence with his hand, said in a clear voice to the father of the youth: "Jovinian, Christ whom I preach, made man for the sake of men, raised the dead, put demons to flight by his word, and to display the power of his Divinity, wrought whatever he willed among men. If you, having abandoned the vanity of idols, believe in him as God with your whole heart and permit yourself to be purified in the font of baptism, you will rejoice both in your own salvation and in the resurrection of your son." Then Jovinian himself and the entire crowd standing by fell at the feet of the Saint, and while all were begging for mercy, Jovinian said with tears: "Great servant of God, Julian, if you restore to me my only child and the consolation of my present life, not only will I confess that Christ is the true God, but this entire people will despise the fictions of their gods and will receive with devout mind the faith that you preach." But the man full of God, bending his knees to the ground, with eyes and hands stretched toward heaven, said in the hearing of all: "Lord Jesus Christ, who are everywhere present, who for our redemption willed to become man, and appearing among men, by the standard of your Cross excluded death from the human race: command that this youth may rise, so that by the power of so great a deed, both the faith of those who believe in you may be strengthened and the hearts of those who do not believe may be subdued, through you, the Only-Begotten of the living God, whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit we confess to reign and have dominion forever and ever." When the faithful who were present had responded, he raises another dead man by his prayers "Amen," the youth rose from the bier as if from sleep, and in a clear voice, while all were struck by the novelty of the miracle, began to cry out: "Truly great is the God of the Christians, whom his servant Julian preaches." And to his father he said: "Truly until now we have strayed from the true God; for the gods we worship are assuredly demons. For I saw them in hell, and I saw that there was no rest for them from their torments." But when the shout of all was raised to heaven, Christ was magnified by all, Christ was proclaimed the true God, and his servant Julian, resisting and greatly protesting, was adored by all. And here, therefore, through the preaching of the Bishop worthy of God, an abundant multitude of rational fish, gathered in the net of faith, was drawn from the deep darkness of errors to the solid shore of true belief.

[15] Already then, like the standard-bearer of a divine army, with some going before and others following, sowing the life-giving seeds of faith, he turned aside to an estate called Proiliacus. As the darkness of night was coming on, he ordered that lodging be sought for him. But at the very moment of his arrival, the little son of the owner of the aforesaid estate died, the illness from which he was suffering having grown worse. When this had been reported to the man of God, he was unwilling to turn aside elsewhere, but according to what Solomon says: Eccles. 7:3 "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting," he approached the house in which the infant lay, intending to bring the joy of salvation to those who mourned, and received lodging in a certain private part of it. He ordered the dead body to be brought before him, and when the father, the mother, and all witnesses had been removed, with only a few companions of his holiness remaining there, he prostrated himself on the floor to pray. And keeping vigil throughout the night, he knocked at the secret of heaven with such insistence of prayer that both rose together--the Bishop from the dust and the infant from death. He likewise raises another. When dawn was already driving the fleeting torches from the sky, the father entered with the mother and a great throng of neighbors, and they found alive and well the one whom they had brought in dead. And struck by the novelty of so great a work, they shook heaven with their cries, and with changed vows they wept again through joy. Immediately, therefore, they bent their necks to the Christian faith, and they entrusted the infant, whom they had wished to be the heir of their earthly goods, to be instructed in heavenly teachings, together with the whole inheritance of the aforesaid estate, to the most blessed teacher.

[16] Roused by the fame of the deed, neighbors came running, and some followed, by his blessing he heals many while others burst into the cell in which the man of God had lain, and embraced with frequent kisses the place where the holy man's feet had stood, and vied with one another to trace the footprints of the one who had gone before, in order to partake of his blessing. The most blessed man, turning toward the prayers of those who followed, raised his hand and blessed them all, and all among them who were suffering from any affliction he restored to their former health without any delay.

CHAPTER III.

Other miracles. Adversities endured.

[17] Proceeding thence, when the most blessed man was drawing near to the village called Ruiliacus, which is situated on the river Leda, he was met by messengers of the chief man of that village, He liberates a woman possessed by a demon begging him to come as quickly as possible, because the man had an only daughter whom an unclean spirit, having invaded her, was savagely tormenting. When he had arrived at the village, they brought before him the raging girl, and falling prostrate at his sacred feet, they begged for mercy. But the evil spirit, unable to endure the presence of the holy man, at his first command abandoned the vessel it had unjustly claimed and fled, leaving the girl healthy in the midst of those who stood astonished and praising the power of Christ. And so it came about that through the bodily healing of one girl, all the inhabitants of that village attained the true remedy of their souls. For all of them, renouncing the vain fictions of the idols, he builds a church at Ruiliacus and reborn in the font of baptism, became partakers of Christian adoption. The aforesaid landowner, therefore, humbly bestowed upon the holy Bishop the same village with all its appurtenances, and most devoutly begged him to build a church there. The kindly Bishop most gladly carried this out and there consecrated a great number of people to the Lord through the ministry of holy preaching.

[18] Nor should it be believed that so great a herald was able to accomplish so many and such great things without the struggle of labor and the snares of the ancient adversary, since the Apostle most clearly proclaims: 2 Tim. 3:12 "All who wish to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution." For although the greatness of the miracles which Christ wrought through him would repel any adversity that arose from the world, nevertheless he who had presumed to come to the Mediator himself between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, as though expecting to find something of his own there, did not cease to bring the engines of various temptations against this man also, who was a member of that supreme Head, like a cunning attacker against a most mighty wall. Matt. 4. He uproots superstition. For just as a new farmer, entering a dense forest, uses now the axe and now fire, so that the earth, hitherto barren, may be prepared for the sowing of seeds; so Julian, penetrating the soil of Le Mans, striving to overturn the ancient oaks and aged beeches--that is, the barren and vain fictions of ancient paganism--both used the axe of correction, with which he struck the sins of offenders, and the fire of burning, with which he rendered the now-cleansed soil fit for receiving the seeds of divine love.

[19] But the remnants of the pagans, who had escaped like fragments of planks from the shipwreck of errors, the Gentiles conspiring against him taking it ill that the praise of the name of Christ was being spread abroad and the monstrous forms of their images were being destroyed, rose up unanimously against the Saint, crying out that he was a sorcerer who, under the name of piety, was overturning the hearts of the people with vain illusions, was deceiving the very eyes of those who saw, was asserting falsehoods for truths, was affirming that a crucified man was God, and was erroneously abolishing the worship of the immortal Gods whom the Roman world has worshipped from the beginning of time. They declared that he ought to be burned alive, so that by the example of his destruction, any impostor and rash man might be terrified from barking in any way further against the Republic and the reverence of the fearsome divinities, on which the world depends and by which it is sustained.

[20] Julian, not only not frightened by these things, but girding himself more eagerly for the fight against the devil, hastened his journey to the place where the head of their error, their pernicious religion, was established. For in the village called Artinas, there was a temple, and in it a statue of Jupiter and innumerable monstrous images of false gods, which the Gentile world, deluded by various errors, had erected in ancient times to its own destruction and that of succeeding peoples. While Julian, clad in the breastplate of faith, protected by the helmet of salvation, girded with the sword of the Holy Spirit, was preparing to destroy these, on the other side a rustic and ignoble band was arming itself most obstinately to resist, in defense of gods who could not bring any aid to themselves. But Julian, undaunted amid the raging cries and clamoring voices of the madmen, entered the temple, and invoking the name of the true God, Jesus Christ, in the name of Christ he overturns the idol reduced the enormous statue, terrible even to behold, to ashes by the sole authority of his holy command.

[21] But so that the insane people might recognize whom they had hitherto been worshipping as a deity, from the overturned statue there burst forth a most monstrous dragon, which, making an assault against its own worshippers, with its sulphurous breath and the blow of its savage tail, began furiously to drive the ranks of those devoted to it toward death. He puts to flight a demon raging in the form of a dragon. And they sought help from him against their own god whom shortly before, shouting that he was a sorcerer, they had striven with all their might to burn alive. Julian, the athlete of God, raising his right hand aloft with the sign of the Cross, commanded the dragon to flee swiftly without harming anyone further, and to seek places utterly devoid of human habitation. At his command the most savage dragon fled with great speed, and lost the power of harming those over whom he was no longer permitted to exercise the fraud of seduction. He baptizes many. Then all joyfully joined in the overthrow of the shrine of falsehood, and at last, reborn in the holy font through the hands of the holy Bishop, they were blessed with the Christian doctrine.

[22] The swift fame of this deed, spreading through all the peoples of the entire province, so thoroughly dispelled every cloud of former error that scarcely anyone could be found who did not confess Jesus Christ as God and Lord. When the report of so celebrated a deed was brought to the glorious man Defensor, of whom we made mention above, he was filled with immense joy and blessed God, and hastening to the blessed man, he humbly asked him to deign to come to his house, so that together they might give thanks to Christ, the bestower of all good things, for the victory over the vanquished enemy, and at the same time share in a chaste and holy banquet. The blessed man, not refusing his request--since true charity had bound him to this man by the merit of his devotion--hastened to satisfy his desire. But as they were making their way, he frees a boy bound by a serpent, the serpent being burst asunder in a part of a fallow field they found a certain boy whose feet, arms, and entire body were bound by the coils of a huge serpent. While all who were present were terrified, the man of God, drawing nearer, said: "Lord Jesus Christ, who restored the human race, cast down from the glory of paradise through the serpent, by the standard of your Cross: free this creature of yours from the snake by which he is held, so that the serpent may perish, and the boy, escaping unharmed through you, may cause those present to know that you are the liberator and protector of all who hope in you." When the man full of God had spoken these words, and those present had said, "Amen," the serpent burst in the middle, and while all were praising God, the boy escaped safe and sound.

[23] Meanwhile, when he had arrived at the house of the chief, he was received with the greatest joy; there was a running together of every age and every sex to see so great a man, whose name and the fame of whose virtues shone with such brilliance that it could kindle even the most remote with the desire to see him. He liberates two demoniacs and converts them. Following close on the heels of the holy Bishop came two demoniacs, begging from him the remedy of salvation. He, invoking the name of Christ, both put the enemy to flight and restored them, illuminated by the word of his preaching, to their own Creator. Adorning that day, therefore, with happy joy, amid the feasts of the sacred table their entire discourse was about the glory of Christ, the destruction of Satan, and also those things which pertain to the true care of the souls of those who fear God. Afterward, that glorious man, having presented all the abundance of his possessions to the holy man, humbly besought him to accept everything graciously and retain it for whatever uses he might please. But the most blessed man, accepting none of these things, bestowed his blessing upon him, and having strengthened his entire household in the faith of Christ, hastened to his own dwelling.

[24] And when he was entering the gate of the city committed to him by God, those who were consigned to imprisonment and harsh bonds cried out with a great shout to the holy man, begging him to have mercy on them. But that most kindly man, who always overflowed in the Lord with the depths of compassion, he prays for the captives approached as a suppliant those who had been entrusted with that office, and humbly prayed that those whom their own iniquity had made guilty, the grace of his arrival might render free. But neither the reverence of the Bishop present who soon escape through angelic ministry nor the praiseworthy merit of so great a man moved those senseless men to do what the Saint had not merely commanded but had even asked with a suppliant voice. But he, spurned by the faithless, entered the church and gave thanks to Christ for the souls won for him; then he retired to the lodging of his own house. And when bread was set before him, he was unwilling to recline at table, but silent and groaning, began to await the mercy of the Lord. Then indeed, according to the prayer of the servant of God, by angelic ministry the doors of the prison were opened and the chains of all were broken, and those who had been sitting in the darkness of prison and confinement came forth without human aid to the common light of day. Through the middle of the city, therefore, with no one preventing them, without the burden of chains, they presented themselves to the sight of the holy man. And he, rejoicing in the Lord, now gladly took food, and those whom he had rightly set free, he honored also with participation in his holy banquet. Nor was there anyone who sought back those who had been freed, since it was most manifestly the power of divine virtue, not human aid, that had accomplished this for the holy Bishop.

CHAPTER IV.

The death and burial of S. Julian.

[25] The vineyard of divine worship having been planted, therefore, in the district of Le Mans, and all the thorns of idols and errors having been cleared away from it, the time was drawing near when that blessed farmer, about to receive from his Lord the fruit of his pious labor, was destined to ascend happily from the snares of this present life to the eternal kingdom. And so, as the day of his calling drew near, he withdrew to the village where the church of Blessed Martial is now situated. While he was spending many days there, and was earnestly dispensing the sweetness of heavenly life to his hearers, he was touched by a slight illness and, joyful and eager, awaited the hour He designates S. Turibius as his successor when he would receive from the just Judge the crown laid up for his labors and struggles. And because the ship of the holy Church could not navigate the sea of this world without a helmsman, the see committed to him by God he delegated, with the common counsel of clergy and people, to S. Turibius, whom he had hitherto had as his helper and companion in the office of holy preaching. For this same Turibius, glorious in the office of the priesthood, together with S. Pavatius the Deacon, was assigned by the Bishop of the city of Rome as a companion and assistant to S. Julian for the purpose of revealing the grace of Christ to the people of Le Mans, as we have received from the ancients.

[26] The most glorious Pastor, therefore, raised by the common consent of all, summoned his brothers and sons, and having designated his successor, he dies joyfully with his eyes and hands raised to heaven, giving thanks at great length and praising the Lord, and commending to the same supreme Shepherd the sheep he had gained for Christ, joyful and eager, he returned to heaven a spirit enriched by blessed merits. When he departed for the heavenly kingdom, that most beloved Defensor, the glorious man, esteemed by him for his merit of faith and good deeds, was not present; but he learned of the day of his most holy death in the following manner. As he was sitting at table, the eyes of his understanding were opened, His death is revealed to Defensor, the chief of the city and behold, he saw the most blessed Julian, adorned with the priestly mitre, coming toward him with his three Deacons and three tapers; and they placed the tapers, which they carried, on the table before him and departed. The aforesaid Defensor therefore said to those seated with him: "Do you see the glory which I see?" They testified that they saw nothing. But he said: "Did you not see here our Father Julian, who showed us so many good things and gladdened us with so many miracles? For behold, he has just now come here before me with his three Deacons and three tapers, and smiling with a most joyful countenance he blessed us, and leaving the tapers behind, he departed. Whence I know for certain that he has departed from this world. And to us, whom he has left behind in bodily presence, he will never cease, while living in Christ, to bestow the benefits of his loving-kindness. Let us rise, therefore, and hasten as quickly as possible to bury our most loving master, so that we may deserve to have as our helper in heaven him whom we had as the teacher of our salvation on earth." As he was saying these things, all marveled, and rising together, they hastened to the funeral of the Saint. Now indeed, Great concourse at his funeral as is read of that Martin, the mirror of Bishops, it is impossible to describe how great a multitude of people gathered: all from the fields and villages, and not a few even from neighboring towns came. On one side, the companies of psalm-singing clergy; on the other, the troops of consecrated Virgins, pale from their fasting; on one side, the city populace mingled with noble men; on the other, rustic bands attended the sacred obsequies of the blessed man.

[27] But lest anyone perchance be disturbed that I have compared Julian with Martin: you who say this, if you consider rightly, you can see almost the same things accomplished by each. Comparison of S. Martin and S. Julian. Martin, while still a catechumen, clothed a shivering beggar with his divided cloak: Julian, strong in faith, clothed so many thousands, who had put off the old man, with the garment of faith. Martin first chose the solitary life, that he might enjoy the sweetness of Christ alone: Julian sought open combat, that he might gain the souls of many. Martin was seized by the people of Tours for the episcopate: Julian was appointed by God as Bishop, indeed even as Apostle, for the people of Le Mans. Martin, in the power of the Deific Trinity, was the magnificent raiser of three dead: Julian, recalling the same number of dead to life, was as many times the conqueror of death. Martin's body was accompanied by those who had conquered the world under his leadership: Julian's funeral was attended by those who, under his guidance, already possessed the heavenly kingdom. What more? They served one King, they served one Lord, they were sanctified by one Spirit, they were founded upon the rock of one faith. It remains, therefore, that equal honor and glory belong to those whom the practice of virtue has made equals in the discipline of Christ.

[28] When, therefore, the body of this blessed man was being carried back to his own city, they came to the crossing of the river called the Sarthe. [The horses carrying the relics of S. Julian cross the river in a wondrous manner.] To make clear, then, how great was the merit of him whose relics were being carried, the horses which bore the litter of the sacred remains, while the others could barely swim across, passed through the strong waves and the whirlpools of deep and dark water to the other bank without even wetting their knees, to the wonder of all.

[29] Now when the whole city was hastening to meet its Pastor, a certain woman had placed her little son in a cauldron and, having set a fire beneath it, was bathing the infant's limbs in warm water. Startled by the voice of those singing psalms, she abandoned the task she had begun, and forgetting the infant, ran with the others to meet the Saint. While she was occupied, therefore, at the most venerable obsequies, the fire set beneath the child grew hot, surrounded the iron vessel in which the little one had been placed, A boy remains unharmed in a boiling cauldron through his merits produced immense heat, and poured boiling vapors back upon itself. Who would have thought that a child could have survived in such peril? But the blessed mother, when the sacred relics had drawn near to her house, and she recognized her own dwelling, at last remembering her child, ran in terror, thinking that amid the fiery vapors the child had melted away and the tender limbs of the boy had been dissolved. But by the ardor of that faith which had compelled her to go out to meet the holy body, the flame of the burning furnace was extinguished. Struck with sudden terror, she did not remove her son until with a great cry she had summoned many to gather together.

[30] Moreover, the body of the blessed man, buried according to the law of human nature, Many miracles at his tomb truly demonstrates that it lives in Christ through the most frequent consolation of the living. For there blindness receives sight, weakness receives the ability to walk, demons are put to flight, and fitting petitions are granted to those who ask with faith, through the bounty of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit is honor and glory, both now and through endless ages. Amen.

CONCERNING S. JULIAN, MARTYR, AT SORA OR ATINA, IN ITALY.

Under Antoninus Pius.

Julian, Martyr at Sora or Atina in Italy (S.)

BHL Number: 4553

[1] Sora and Atina, ancient cities of the Volsci and colonies of the Romans, retain their names even now; the latter is situated near the sources of the river Melfa, above Aquinum; the former above Arpinum, on the right bank of the river Liris, not many miles from its source. Both venerate S. Julian on this day; both boast that he completed his martyrdom among them. S. Julian is venerated at Atina as Patron. Concerning Atina, Ferrarius testifies in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, in the Annotations, in these words: "The people of Atina also have Julian the Martyr as their Patron, whom they say suffered among them. But since on this same day, and under the same Emperor, and by the same kind of death, they assert that he was crowned, we think him to be the same Julian who suffered at Sora, since the Roman Martyrology on this day testifies that Julian suffered at Sora, not at Atina. Nor can the one venerated at Atina be said to be different from the one of Sora, since, as we have said, the Acts are the same." The same author, in his general Catalogue of the Saints, under Atina in Latium: "S. Julian, Martyr, under Antoninus." In his Notes: "To me, however," he says, "he seems to be the same as the Julian of whom mention is made on this same day in the Roman Martyrology as having suffered at Sora. Whom not only the people of Sora, but also those of Atina, on account of the proximity of the place where he suffered, venerate."

[2] Cardinal Baronius supports his native Sora. For thus, from the Martyrology of the Vatican Basilica, and at Sora he has restored to the Church's calendar: "At Sora, of S. Julian the Martyr, who, when seized in the persecution of Antoninus, and while he himself was being tortured, the temple of the idols collapsed, and he received the crown of martyrdom by the severing of his head." In his Notes he adds: "The memory of this Martyr flourishes in the city of Sora, at the place where he is said to have suffered martyrdom. There also exist manuscript Acts of the same Martyr." The same Baronius mentions him in vol. 2 of his Annals, year of Christ 175, no. 7: "At that time also," he says, "Julian, an illustrious Martyr, suffered at Sora; Concordius the Priest and Pontianus at Spoleto; Constantius, Bishop of that city, at Perugia: the Acts of all of whom survive in their respective churches where they are venerated, together with other monuments of their contests."

[3] Ferrarius testifies that there exist Acts of S. Julian written by Pietro Paolo Florio of Urbino, His Acts in his book on the Protectors of the city of Atina; which book we have not seen. But we shall give here those which our Antonius Beatillus sent to us from Naples, from an Italian manuscript codex of the most distinguished Bartolomeo Chioccarello, Doctor of Both Laws. What Ferrarius writes in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, from the Lessons recited in the church of Sora on this day, agrees closely with these.

ACTS

from the Italian MS. of the most distinguished Bartolomeo Chioccarello.

Julian, Martyr at Sora or Atina in Italy (S.)

From an Italian MS.

[1] When Antoninus Pius was Emperor, Christians were compelled either to offer incense to the gods or to perish by cruel torments. The Prefect of the province of Campania at that time was a certain Flavianus, Under Antoninus Pius savage above all and hostile to the Christian name. He had sent his agents and ministers of his impiety throughout the entire province far and wide, so that whatever Christians they should find, they might drag them in chains to Atina, where he was then residing.

[2] There had come at that time from Dalmatia to these shores Julian, a youth indeed in age, S. Julian the Dalmatian but an old man in character and Christian wisdom; comely of face and in the form of his whole body, but far more comely in grace and holiness; distinguished by the nobility of an ancient family, but far more distinguished in faith. When he was traveling near Anagnia, a city of Campania, he fell in with the agents of the impious Flavianus, whom he greeted with this formula prescribed by Christ: "Peace be with you, brothers." He kindly greets the lictors. From this manner of greeting, and from the singular modesty of the young man, they drew the conjecture--and it was by no means false--that he was a Christian. They therefore inquired who he was, where his home was, what his name was, what religion he professed, and what business he had there. Julian, inspired by the Holy Spirit and burning with the desire of suffering for Christ, fearlessly answered: "I am a Christian, he professes himself a Christian a Dalmatian by birth, and everywhere I exhort all to repudiate the worship of demons and to venerate the one true God and his Son Jesus Christ, for whose honor I am eager to spend even my life."

[3] The lictors, astonished at the miracle of his magnanimity and constancy, said with threatening face and voice: "This desire of dying for the Crucified One he is seized will be torn from you, unless you voluntarily resolve to sacrifice to our Gods, having repudiated Christ." And immediately they laid hands on the young man, declaring that they would test whether his words matched his deeds; and having tightly bound him, along the entire road which leads to the river Melfa, they beat him with clubs and weapons. He is beaten. But he kept praying to God that his strength might hold out to the end. God assented, and immediately a voice was sent from heaven: "Fear not, Julian; I will be with you, and will grant you strength and victory." The blessed youth gave thanks to the gracious God.

[4] The lictors brought him bound before Flavianus, and immediately, at his order, shut him up in a prison, foul and horrible, which was called "Cold Valley." He is tortured by hunger. There they left him for seven full days without any food or drink, that he might perish by that barbarous torment of hunger. He is fed by Angels. But God did not desert his client; rather, he refreshed him with the sight and conversation of Angels and with heavenly food.

[5] When the period of seven days had passed, and a vast multitude of people had assembled before the tribunal of the Governor (at which place a church was afterward built he is tested with threats and blandishments and dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God), the Governor thus addressed Julian, who had been brought forth: "Are you not ashamed, when you are of handsome and noble countenance, to cling to a base Nazarene who was nailed to a cross? You could be in the Emperor's favor, if you would send a farewell to this abominable sect." Julian answered: "For the holy religion, which you falsely call an abominable sect, I am prepared to die sooner than to worship your idols, which are most wicked demons." The Governor, having observed the extraordinary grace and dignity of his countenance, endeavored to turn him from his purpose with flattering words. But the most brave youth suffered himself neither to be softened by enticements nor to be broken by threats, so as to renounce the holy religion of Christ.

[6] Flavianus, therefore, inflamed with fury, orders his face to be pummeled with fists. He is beaten with fists. But seeing that he endured everything with a cheerful countenance, kindled by greater frenzy, he orders him to be stretched on the rack. He, thus extended, prayed to God, saying: "In you, Lord, I have hoped; in your power deliver me. You are my God, my protector, my refuge, and my deliverer. Let those be confounded who worship graven images and who have devised evil against me. I have no hope except in you, my God. Lord, in you I have hoped; do not cast me as prey to my enemies." Praying, he is encouraged by a heavenly voice. Again he was confirmed by this heavenly voice: "Fear not; fight manfully, relying on God." Then the blessed Martyr of Christ, turning to the people, said: "Bethink yourselves, O wretches, and do not place your hope in gods of this kind, which you yourselves have fashioned with your own hands. He converts many. Rather, worship that God who created heaven and earth from nothing." By these words Julian exhorted the people to acknowledge Christ as the parent of all things, and won thirty or more for God.

[7] The Governor orders him to be taken back into custody. But on the next day, when he was again brought forth, he addressed him thus: "I pity you, because you do not look to your own welfare, since you do not venerate the most invincible Gods." The most holy youth answered: "In vain do you press these counsels upon me; my resolve is fixed. I venerate, and all ought to venerate, that God who created heaven and earth." He is tortured on the rack. Flavianus, enraged, orders him to be hung on the rack and tortured. O God, wonderful in his Saints! The lictors are struck with paralysis. The hands of the impious lictors began to ache and stiffen so much that they could neither apply them to the torture of the Saint's body nor undertake any work at all. While Flavianus stood dumbfounded at the miracle, a message was brought to him that the temple of Serapis had collapsed utterly and that his statue had been shattered and reduced to dust. The temple of Serapis having collapsed. The Gentiles were therefore seized with stupor, the lictors with pain, the Prefect with shame, and they stood as if out of their minds; but the Christians gave thanks to God. Then the seditious mob cried out: "Death to the sorcerer!"

[8] Flavianus, seething with anger because he saw himself defeated by the constancy of the Martyr and heard the factions of the crowd agreeing with him, pronounced sentence that Julian, instructed in magical arts by the associates of the Christian sect, a scorner of the Gods, a rebel against the authority of the Emperor, the people crying out against him should be struck with the axe among the very ruins of the collapsed temple, in vengeance for the outrage inflicted upon it. When the glorious Martyr had been led there by the lictors, while they were readying their axes, he fell to his knees and thus prayed to God: "God of infinite clemency, I give you thanks that you have deigned to honor me, unworthy as I am, with this noble end of life. I beseech you that by this shedding of my blood you may wash and cleanse me, so that I may attain the blessedness of your kingdom. Receive, I beseech you, my spirit in peace; and of all who, in honor of your holy name, shall commemorate the memory of my martyrdom, he is called by a heavenly voice deign in your immense mercy to be mindful." When his prayer was finished, a voice descended from heaven, declaring that his prayer had been heard and inviting him to the rest prepared for him. Then his head was cut off by the lictor, and his soul flew free to heaven; but his body was buried with hymns and divine praises. He is slain. S. Julian completed his martyrdom on 27 January, during the reign of Antoninus Pius.