CONCERNING S. BARSIMAEUS, BISHOP OF EDESSA IN MESOPOTAMIA.
Beginning of the second century.
CommentaryBarsimaeus, Bishop of Edessa (S.)
[1] We said on 29 January, when we were treating of SS. Sarbelus and Barbea, or Bebea, that Edessa, a city of Mesopotamia, was ennobled by the trophies of many Saints. Barsimaeus, Bishop of that city, had imbued them with the sacred rites of Christ, who is venerated by the Latins on 30 January, The birthday of S. Barsimaeus; and by the Greeks on 29 and 30 January, having obtained on the first day perhaps a common, and on the second a special sacred celebration with those two. On the 29th, these things are found concerning him in the Greek Menaea:
[2] On the same day, the commemoration of Barsimaeus, Hieromartyr, Bishop of Edessa.
Barsimaeus, giving his heavy flesh to the earth, Stands among those bearing the burden of the day. Eulogy from the Menaea, 29 January.
There is a paronomasia on the word bareia (heavy), baros (burden), and Barsimaeus. These are undoubtedly Syriac words, however. The Menaea continue:
He, as written above (in the eulogy of Sarbelus), brought about the salvation of the soul for Sarbelus: and when he had initiated him with baptism, he himself was dragged before Lysias the Governor, and having confessed Christ, was cruelly beaten. When the persecution was then checked by an Imperial edict, he was released from custody and restored to his Church, and having given thanks to God, he migrated to Him.
[3] But on 30 January the same Menaea read: On the same day, the contest of the holy Martyr Barsimaeus the Bishop.
Barsimaeus, a Martyr without shedding of blood, and on the 30th, Made a faithful and devoted Prince of sacred things for Christ.
He was, as said above, the Bishop of the Church of Edessa; he taught, and converted the Gentiles from error to the truth, and baptized them; and among these he induced Sarbelus, a priest of the idols, to abandon them and believe in Christ, together with his sister Bebea; both of whom underwent martyrdom for Christ. Then the Bishop himself was also seized, presented to Lysias the Governor, cruelly beaten, and thrust back into prison. When after a short time the persecution ceased, he was released and restored to his Church, and having given thanks to God, rested in peace.
[4] Whether a Martyr? The Roman Martyrology calls him a Martyr, as it does Felix on 14 January, and many others, who, although they endured many torments, did not however die from them. Thus the Martyrology reads: At Edessa in Syria, S. Barsimaeus the Bishop, who, having converted very many Gentiles to the faith and sent them ahead to the crown, followed them under Trajan with the palm of martyrdom. Galesinius agrees: At Edessa in Syria, S. Barsimaeus, Bishop and Martyr; who, having recalled Sarbelus from the worship of idols, as we narrated above, and having baptized him, was seized under the Emperor Trajan by Lysias for this reason, most severely beaten, and renowned for all the praise of virtues, died in the Lord. Baronius, volume 2, year of Christ 107, number 2, mentions Barsimaeus, and says he merited the glory of martyrdom.
CONCERNING S. HIPPOLYTUS, MARTYR OF APULIA, IN AEMILIA.
Under Antoninus.
CommentaryHippolytus, Martyr in Aemilia (S.)
Ferrari writes in his general Catalogue of Saints that at Piacenza in Aemilia, the birthday of S. Hippolytus the Martyr, who suffered under Antoninus in Apulia, is celebrated on this day. He says the body is preserved at Vico dei Marchesi in the territory of Piacenza. He says it is treated in the Offices of that same Church, approved at Rome under Pope Paul V. The same Ferrari mentions him in the index of the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy.