ON SS. ISAURUS, FELIX, PEREGRINUS, ERMIAS, AND THEIR COMPANION MARTYRS.
FOURTH CENTURY.
Historical Collection.
Isaurus, Martyr, among the Greeks (S.)
Felix, Martyr, among the Greeks (S.)
Peregrinus, Martyr, among the Greeks (S.)
Ermias, Martyr, among the Greeks (S.)
J. P.
The memory of these holy Martyrs occurs in the Menaion of Chifflet, and is thus announced: Ἰσαύρου καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτῷ. Of Isaurus and his companions. Similarly their natal is inscribed in the Basilian Menologium: Ἄθλησις τοῦ ἁγίου Μάρτυρος Ἰσαύρου, καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτῷ. The sacred cult, The contest of the holy Martyr Isaurus, and of his companions. The following elogium is subjoined: Isaurus, dispenser of the mysteries of Christ, and his companions, were born in the Athenian city, in the reign of Numerian. After they had departed from their fatherland, they set out for the city of Apollonias; and, an Angel of God revealing it to them, they entered a cave, in which dwelt Felix and Peregrinus, and Ermias, who also themselves were Christians. These, beholding holy Isaurus, so rejoiced that they gave their goods to the poor, followed him, and were trained under his discipline. But their kinsfolk, having tried to bring them back to their own homes, but with a vain attempt, accused them to the Governor of the city; who seized them, and beheaded them. But Isaurus, deacon of Christ, and his companions, were sent bound to his the Governor's son, to be tortured; and cast into the fire, but coming out without harm, they induced many to believe in Christ. And when for this cause they had stirred up the Governor, they were beheaded.
[2] From the note of time, added above by the reign of Numerian, the time of the martyrdom, the reader will easily determine at about what time, according to this reckoning, our Martyrs flourished; since Numerian began to reign in the year 283, and Diocletian succeeded him, slain in the next following year. Suppose therefore that they were put to death in the fourth century, somewhat advanced. In the Mazarin Menaion four companions are joined to the holy Martyr, namely Basil, Philemon, Ermaeus, and Peregrinus, with an elogium. I am content to subjoin, by way of colophon, the two little verses set there:
Τμηθεὶς Ἴσαυρος σὺν συνάθλων πεντάδι Ἰσαύρας νοητῆς καρδίαν τέμνει μέσον.
Isaurus, cut with the five-fold band of his fellow-strugglers, Divides the heart of the intelligible Isaura down the middle.
Isaura is a city in Isauria, which was also called Claudiopolis, on the testimony of Ammianus in Baudrand. By the intellectual or reason-endowed Isaura, I here think is to be understood metaphorically the band of five Martyrs, whose heart or middle Isaurus divides, being himself the middle among the four Martyrs, or two on either side, beheaded. Thus I, at least, suppose the above allusion in Isaurus and Isaura is to be understood. But lest, clinging to trifles of this kind, we wander beyond the olives.
[3] and their Companions. On the 7th of this month are held in the Menaia of the Ambrosian Library the names of our Martyrs inscribed, with two others added moreover, Basil and Innocent, together with an elogium; in which this singular thing occurs, that, after Isaurus with his companions had been handed over to Apollonius, the Governor's son, and by the same, tried by fire and water, and beyond expectation preserved from these, they brought over many to the faith of Christ; among whom were Rufus and Rufinus, brothers by birth, most notable men of the city of Apollonias. At last, condemned by sentence, they are beheaded. The manuscript Synaxarium of Father Sirmond reports the holy Martyrs also on the seventh day of this month, with Basil and Innocent also joined, and Ermias omitted, in these words: Ἄθλησις τοῦ ἁγίου Μάρτυρος Ἰσαύρου καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτῷ, Βασιλείου, Ἰννοκεντίου, Φίληκος καὶ Περεγρίνου. The passion of the holy Martyr Isaurus and of his companions, Basil, Innocent, Felix, and Peregrinus. It is plain therefore from what has been said, that not everywhere is the same day assigned to the cult, nor the same companions of martyrdom.