Martyrs of Samosata: Philotheus

29 January · commentary

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS OF SAMOSATA: PHILOTHEUS, HYPERECHIUS, ABIBAS, JULIAN, ROMANUS, JAMES, AND PANEGORIUS, from the Greek Menaea.

Commentary

Philotheus, Martyr at Samosata in the province of Commagene (S.) Hyperechius, Martyr at Samosata in the province of Commagene (S.) Abibas, Martyr at Samosata in the province of Commagene (S.) Julian, Martyr at Samosata in the province of Commagene (S.) Romanus, Martyr at Samosata in the province of Commagene (S.) James, Martyr at Samosata in the province of Commagene (S.) Panegorius, Martyr at Samosata in the province of Commagene (S.)

On the same day, the commemoration of seven holy Martyrs who met their end at Samosata: Philotheus, Hyperechius, Abibas, Julian, Romanus, James, and Panegorius.

For the Word affixed to the cross, / Seven heads of athletes are affixed with nails. Feast of the Saints,

These soldiers, enrolled under Christ, rejecting errors, had their arms and thighs beaten with clubs, Torments, then were cruelly lacerated, and then, with heavy chains placed on their necks, were handed over to custody. Again brought out, they were beaten: and finally their heads, while suspended, were pierced with nails; and thus they rendered their souls to God.

Annotation

Notes

a. Concerning the city of Samosata, which is here called Samosatum, elsewhere Samosata in the plural, consult what was said on 7 January at the Life of S. Lucian, Priest and Martyr. Concerning these Martyrs we have read nothing elsewhere.

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