Hermagoras

ON ST. HERMAGORAS, BISHOP, AND FORTUNATUS, ARCHDEACON, MARTYRS,

AT AQUILEIA IN ITALY.

UNDER Nero.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

Cult, hymn, elogium; whether one or two Fortunati at Aquileia; Acts, translation of the Martyrs.

Hermagoras, Bishop and Martyr, at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

Fortunatus, Archdeacon and Martyr, at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR J. P.

Aquileia, situated on the Adriatic Sea in the province of Friuli between the rivers Ausa and Natiso with the Torre, formerly the ancient seat of the Patriarchs, and memorable for the splendor of its name

as well as for its distinguished emporium beyond the other cities of Italy, The cult of the holy Martyrs of Aquileia and called another Rome; but having afterward experienced various vicissitudes of devastations, and at last reduced to obscurity and solitude, is a proof of how nothing under the sun among human affairs is stable and perpetual. This city has, what she may deservedly reckon to her former splendor, the glorious memory of two Martyrs of Christ, namely of St. Hermagoras, or Hermachoras, Hermacoras, Hermacoris, Hermechoras, Armagrus, her first Bishop at least after St. Mark, and of Fortunatus the archdeacon; as we are about to see presently.

[2] In the most ancient Martyrologies published under the name of St. Jerome they are thus marked: from the ancient Martyrologies At Aquileia, SS. Fortunatus and Armigerus. That our holy Martyrs are dealt with there, even though St. Fortunatus is placed first, and Armigerus is written for Hermagoras, I think is proved by the added characteristics; such as the affinity of the name, the day of the cult, the place, and the companion: although, as is noted in the Observations on Usuard, edited a few years ago, in all the codices the name is corrupted; some reading Armigeri, others Armigiri or Armageri, the name of Fortunatus everywhere prefixed. The Old or Little Roman has thus: At Aquileia, of Hermagoras the Bishop, disciple of St. Mark. But Ado thus: At Aquileia, the birthday of St. Hermagoras, first Bishop of that same city, disciple of Bl. Mark the Evangelist. Usuard is a little fuller: At Aquileia, the birthday of St. Hermagoras the Bishop, disciple of Bl. Mark the Evangelist, who amid miracles of healings and the constancy of preaching and the conversion of peoples, having experienced very many kinds of punishments, at last with Fortunatus his archdeacon, by capital execution merited a perpetual triumph.

[3] it is shown; And again on the XII day of September, treating of St. Hermagoras on the occasion of SS. Cyrus and Juventius, he says that they were directed by him to the city of Pavia, first preaching there the Gospel of Christ, and shining with great virtues and miracles, illuminated also the neighboring cities with divine works; and thus in the pontifical honor rested in peace with a glorious end. Concerning that mission treatment is made in volume 2 of February, page 153. The Little Roman had preceded on the same day XII of September: At Pavia, of the confessor Syrus, and of Eventius, disciples of Hermagoras, the first Bishop of Aquileia. Wandelbert sings for St. Hermagoras the following hexameter:

Aquileia the suppliant frequents Hermagoras on the fourth, The Bishop who by his prayers gave light to the people and the city.

Notker announces the Saints in these words: At Aquileia the birth of St. Hermagoras, or as is found in the ancient codices, Hermechoras, first Bishop of that same city, disciple of St. Mark the Evangelist: likewise of Fortunatus, concerning whom Fortunatus the Bishop in book 8 of the Poems, chapter or title 4, page 190 of the Browerian edition, says: And Aquileia brings forth her Fortunatus. The same Fortunatus, Bishop of Poitiers, in the Life of St. Martin, book 4, sings in this manner:

Hence proceed through the Venetian glades over the level fields, Stretching indeed beneath the mountain fastnesses through the steep places: Or if perchance you shall have come to the Aquileian city, You would greatly venerate the Cantii, the too-dear friends of the Lord, And the blessed urn of Fortunatus the martyr.

I know indeed that these verses are applied on the XI day of June to St. Fortunatus the martyr, brother of St. Felix, no less than that verse presently produced by Notker, another hexameter verse being premised:

Joyful Vicenza pours back Felix in his merits.

Of which matter we shall treat at once, where we shall inquire whether one or a double Fortunatus is to be admitted at Aquileia.

[4] Among the more recent Martyrologists, mention of our holy Martyrs is made by Ferrarius with an elogium; as likewise from the more recent ones; as also by Maurolycus, Felicius, and Galesinius, but with an elogium restricted to a few words. The modern Roman, finally, commemorates both with words consonant to the Usuardine announcement. Whence Florentinius must be corrected, when he wrongly notes that the Roman Martyrology makes mention only of Hermagoras. By the same error Tillemont slipped, volume 2, page 497. But it is to be observed from Ferrarius that the birthday of these holy Martyrs, patrons of the Aquileian diocese, is celebrated throughout the whole Aquileian province by all the Bishops subject to the Patriarch of Aquileia, by synodal constitution of the year of the Lord 1282, on the XIV day of December under Raymond the Patriarch. He adds that their bodies are recorded to have been translated from Aquileia to Grado by Elias the Patriarch, and cites the book of the same on the rite of burying the dead, chapter 15.

[5] After these things there follows in the same place a hymn composed in praise of the Martyrs of this tenor; a hymn produced from the Aquileian Breviary from the Breviary, as is added, of Aquileia:

Eternal God, seated on the ruddy Throne of the heavens, Now by the prayers of Hermacoras Absolve us from our crimes: And by the goods of Fortunatus Fill us all with counsels, Who, with Hermacoras going before, Succors the fallen people.

Whom the charity of thee has bound, The city deservedly honors: Which by these same pastors Was snatched from the demons.

Therefore the feasts of joy All the neighboring peoples On every side run to eagerly And with joyful mind rejoice.

Now to God, O illustrious Pastor, Diligently commend us, Whom thou hast foretold illustrious, That he may wash away wickedness.

By whose nod thou didst save The woman of Alexandria: By his help lead the people To the throne of heaven.

For love of whom thou wast Beheaded, that today He may exalt Aquileia, Cherishing the Austrian city. Amen.

[6] with fragments pertaining to the elogium of St. Hermagoras. As for the elogia, drawn up by Ferrarius and Ughelli, there is no need to transcribe them here whole. From this last I excerpt this one thing, that the standard of Hermagoras was once propitious to the Venetians, as the said author there narrates from Dandolo, and by his most fortunate auspices Parenzo, Pola, and many other towns of Istria yielded to their dominion; by whose merits also, as a Saint, the Aquileian region, a solemn sacrifice for infants having been instituted, which is kept even today, is believed to have been freed from the vexation of demons. Nor do I think alien to the present undertaking those things which I read in the manuscript Acts of St. Syrus, Bishop of Pavia, which we have; concerning whom treatment can be made on the IX day of December: But the Gospel, which St. Mark, asked by the brethren at Rome, had composed, carrying with him, he left the blessed man Hermagoras, whom he himself taught and nourished in the order of his own turn in Italy, distinguished in prudence and sanctity: whose hearers and ministers were the venerable men Syrus and Iventius.

[7] [Tillemont has not a sufficient reason for doubting whether St. Hermagoras was the first Bishop of Aquileia.] From what we related above, that St. Fortunatus is everywhere set before St. Hermagoras in the Hieronymian codices, there does not seem to be furnished a sufficient reason for Tillemont to doubt or to raise a scruple whether St. Hermagoras existed as first Bishop of the Aquileians at least after St. Mark, and Apostle of that territory. For it is as easy for the order of the names to be changed, and for what was previously placed first to be afterward placed second, as for the orthography of the names to be corrupted; which we have indicated above to have been done in the name of St. Hermagoras. Certainly the authority of the more ancient Martyrologists weighs more with me, concerning whom, in number 2, most expressly announce that St. Hermagoras was the first Bishop of Aquileia; than that trifling observation of Tillemont, drawn from the order of the names already mentioned. Add to this that Baronius, at the year 46, number 2, treating of the various disciples sent by St. Peter to establish various churches, assigns Hermagoras to Aquileia after Mark. Nor again do I here dwell on Tillemont, page 508, saying that it is not very certain that St. Hermagoras lived in the time of the Apostles; nor is it sufficiently established that he was ever at Aquileia. For besides those things which we have already said, in the preliminary Commentary of St. Mark on the XXV day of April, number 7, it is asserted that St. Mark was at Aquileia for two years and a half. Add that in the Treatise on the Alexandrian Patriarchs, which is prefixed to volume 5 of June, in the fundamental dissertation, it is said that it is not improbable that Mark was at Aquileia. What more? That the Aquileian Apostolate is asserted from a double manuscript codex next after the preliminary Commentary of St. Mark: on the said day, where I thus read: Furthermore, the most holy man Hermagoras, a citizen of Aquileia, St. Mark brought to such perfection of excellence, imbued with the art of his teaching: so that he did not doubt that he would be worthy of the summit of the highest priesthood, and would attain it in the virtue of the Holy Spirit: whence also he most rightly judged it fitting to take him as a companion of his journey, when he should return to Rome: and afterward he did not think him unworthy to be presented to the presence of the blessed Apostle Peter: by whom, namely by the holy Apostle, the first pastor of the Church, the same Bl. Hermagoras, the rod of the pontificate having been taken up, and the office of the highest priesthood obtained, undertook, the Lord favoring, to govern the Aquileian church: in which city indeed, having attained the crown of martyrdom, he was made also a member of Christ the highest priest. I said above that St. Hermagoras was the first Bishop of Aquileia at least after St. Mark: for Ughelli among the patriarchs of Aquileia reckons in the first place St. Mark, assigning to him as successor Hermagoras: which agrees well with his Acts. And perhaps they mean no more, who say that he was the first Bishop of Aquileia.

[8] Too many and various characteristics concur in these our holy Martyrs, A double Fortunatus of Aquileia seems to be established. than that Fortunatus, of whom here, can be believed the same as the Fortunatus, brother of St. Felix and companion of martyrdom; and so a double Martyr of this name seems to be established. For indeed a different Emperor in each case, a different governor, different Acts, a different day of martyrdom—what else could they persuade, than the diversity of one holy Martyr from the other? Although Aquileia the arena of martyrdom is not different. Whence I cannot assent to Tillemont, asserting that he has cause enough to believe that the Fortunatus who is venerated on the XI of June is the same as him whom we today exhibit: since, if the martyrdom of St. Hermagoras, as he argues, ought to be joined with the martyrdom of St. Fortunatus, the Martyrologies of Ado and Usuard mark Fortunatus as having suffered at Aquileia on the XI day of June under Diocletian together with St. Felix: but this so little stands in the way that it rather furnishes in part a foundation for establishing two different Fortunati on account of the diversity of the Emperors under whom they consummated their martyrdom. Nor again does it stand in the way that Fortunatus of Poitiers, in the two places which we produced above at number 3, speaking of St. Fortunatus of Aquileia, does not say that two Saints of that name existed at Aquileia. As if indeed so many positively different characteristics ought not to outweigh a merely negative argument in the decision of the present question. Wherefore it is far most probable to me that two Fortunati, who suffered at Aquileia, ought to be admitted. See also the annotations placed below after the translation, letter k: where a double Fortunatus is distinguished.

[9] The Acts of the holy Martyrs the same Tillemont disparages, Concerning the Acts and their apograph, as not having any mark of antiquity and authority. But I pronounce this concerning them, that they would have more marks of genuine sincerity, if there were absent certain proper names not redolent of antiquity; and so many conversations and prayers, to say nothing of the miracles. But the time of the writing and the author lie hidden from us. They are indeed reported to have been composed, as you have in the notations on the Roman Martyrology, by a certain Gregory, whose daughter, possessed by a demon,

was restored to soundness by the same Saint: (Among us, from number 15, there is placed not the daughter, but the son of Gregory freed from a demon.) But upon what historical faith this opinion rests, I do not think can be sufficiently understood. For the rest, as regards the manuscript; we give here the Trier apograph of St. Maximin, collated with other copies, the principal variant readings being cast into the annotations, and others of lesser moment passed over, lest we exceed measure. Peter de Natalibus commemorates these things more succinctly in book 6, chapter 86; and he mentions St. Hermagoras in book 8, chapter 29, in the Acts of SS. Euphemia and Dorothea. In the said notations on the Roman Martyrology are cited other more recent writers, Vincent, Antoninus, Sabellicus, Volaterranus, Hier. Rubeus, and the history of Aquileia.

[10] Nor would I have passed over in silence certain things concerning the translation of St. Hermagoras; the translation and the time of the martyrdom: marked in Greven on the XII day of September. We put into print what Peter Calo wrote concerning it in part 2, folio 218, as I found noted in the upper part of our Ms., with an addition in the margin from codex 929. That second part is perhaps hitherto unpublished, and consists in only manuscript collectanea, seems to be indicated by this, that from the manuscript collectanea of the same Author is given the history of the elevation of the body and of the miracles of St. Zeno in volume 2 of April, from page 74. Furthermore the said Peter was of the Order of Preachers, and flourished, as is reported in the same place, page 76, in the annotations, letter k, about the year 1300. More things in the General Preface of Bolland, page XX. He is wrongly called by Possevino and Vossius of the Order of Minorites. What we note upon the same translation, we throw together at the end of the same. In volume 1 of January, page 1084, among the various relics brought to Prague by Charles IV, there is had the arm of St. Hermogoras, Bishop and Martyr. Having prefaced these things, we exhibit the Acts of the holy Martyrs: the time of whose martyrdom, insisting on the same Acts, seems to be determined about the year of Christ 66; since it is held to have happened after the death of St. Peter, from number 8.

* perhaps

ACTS

From the Ms. of St. Maximin at Trier, collated with the Ms. codex 13 of the Queen of Sweden, and the copies printed in Mombritius, Volume 2, from folio 1 verso.

Composed by an uncertain author.

Hermagoras, Bishop and Martyr, at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

Fortunatus, Archdeacon and Martyr, at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

BHL Number: 3838

FROM THE MSS.

CHAPTER I.

The faith propagated by St. Hermagoras, Bishop of the Aquileians; the contempt of punishments.

St. Mark sent by St. Peter the Apostle to Aquileia, After the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^a all the Apostles cast lots, that each should set out into his own province to preach the word of the Lord. Now to the city of Rome went forth blessed Peter the Apostle, prince of the Apostles, together with blessed Paul the Apostle, leading with them blessed Mark, who himself also was the first disciple of blessed Peter, and dwelt with them in the city of Rome. Then blessed Peter says to him: Why do you tarry here? Behold, you most fully are instructed in all things which our Lord Jesus the Nazarene did; rise [and] proceed to the city which is called Aquileia, of the province of Austria ^b, to preach the word of the Lord. Then blessed Mark, taking the first lot and the staff of the pontificate, seized the journey, and coming, arrived at the aforesaid city which is called Aquileia ^c. Now coming to the aforesaid city, he found there a young man, by name Athulphus [*], son of Ulfius, an illustrious man and chief of the city, who was held by a great leprosy. Then he questioned blessed Mark from what province he was making his journey. And he related to him all things, because he was a Christian, and a physician for curing all sicknesses or infirmities.

[2] Then the young man, hearing words of this kind, cast down at his feet begged him, he heals the leprosy of Athulphus on his hand and arm; that he would cure his infirmity. Then blessed Mark, having taken hold of his hand and arm, presently the leprosy was cleansed from him from his hand and arm. Then the young man, seeing these wonders, ran the more quickly to his father Ulfius, and indicated to him all things which blessed Mark had done for him. Ulfius, coming more swiftly with a great crowd, finding blessed Mark sitting at the western gate, began to beg him, and to say: Make my son whole, and all things, whatever you shall ask, I will do for you. Then blessed Mark says to him: If you shall believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, you shall see your son entirely whole.

[3] Ulfius cried out, saying: I believe the Lord Jesus Christ [to be the true Son of God. [and after he had baptized him he heals him in his whole body with an increase of the faithful.]] Then blessed Mark, having taken water, baptized the young man in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; and all his leprosy was cleansed. Ulfius, seeing these wonders, was baptized himself, and all the household of his house, and a multitude of the people were baptized on that day. And when blessed Mark had preached there for some years, there flashed up in [his] heart the desire to see the face of St. Peter. [But] wishing secretly to dismiss the people, and to go to the city of Rome. Then the peoples, by God's nod hearing, running together at dawn, cried out with a great clamor, saying: What evil have we done, what have we sinned, that you wish to forsake us? Give us a pastor. Then the Blessed ^d declared to the people, that they should choose for themselves what most Christian man they would. But the crowd of the people chose for themselves an elegant person and worthy by name Hermagoras.

[4] Then, making the journey with blessed Mark to the city of Rome, [St. Hermagoras seeks Rome with St. Mark; and consecrated bishop, returns to Aquileia;] and there receiving from blessed Peter the staff of the pontificate and the veil of the Sacrament with a blessing, he was made the first Bishop of the province of Italy, and returned to the city of Aquileia, [and] composed the governance of his church; and ordained elders and Levites there: and after these things sent a presbyter and a deacon to the city of Trieste; and through the other cities he did likewise. These things he did in the city of Aquileia, which is the first of the cities of Italy ^d. If anyone contemplates the unanimity of the holy Martyrs, not only does he contemplate them for their passions; but also edifies himself concerning the firmness of the faith and their immovable and unshaken charity, by which they always kept it toward one another: he will also be able to commend himself: so also for the sake of God fittingly to guard the fidelity of love, so that he think himself in no way to harm himself inwardly ^e.

[5] The faith of the Christians grew at length daily; it grew in the word of the Lord; he propagates the faith; it grew also in charity ^f; those joined and ever governed, whom he guarded, he himself also did not separate from the glory of the passion. This most blessed Hermagoras himself began to preach the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, full of the Holy Spirit, and by prayer to cast out demons from the bodies of the possessed, to heal the sick, and to the blind, the sign of Christ having been made over their eyes, he restored sight. Now there ran together to St. Hermagoras the Bishop all the peoples of the province of Italy, seeing his wonders, because through him the holy faith was multiplied; but the madness of the pagans was confounded.

[6] the idolaters stirring the Governor against him, At the same time, Nero reigning in the city of Rome, and Agrippa ^h holding the prefecture ^g, who was the son of the brother of that same Herod. Then he directed to the Aquileian city a Governor, Seuastus [] by name, that in the same city, as we have said, he might administer. When he had entered the city, all the peoples running to meet and shouting cried out; as is customary as if to informers ⁱ. But on another day, he sitting for the tribunal, after the priests of the idols had offered unclean victims to the demons, they suggested to him concerning the most blessed Hermagoras, saying: Aid us, lord governor, since the temples of the gods are being destroyed by a certain man, who by his magical art and the seduction of words has separated all the people from the immortal gods, preaching him who by the Jewish people [was] slain in Judea []: whom if you thus dismiss, he separates all from the sacrifice of the gods: and if this be made known to the Prince, you will begin to find yourself in great fault with him. Now Seuastus the governor, hearing these things, raged exceedingly, like a lion, and commanded that a very great crowd of soldiers should enter the city, and that he should be presented with great amazement to his tribunal ^k.

[7] him praying, This having been heard, St. Hermagoras the Bishop said to all the clergy: Men, brethren, let us groan to the Lord: for behold the devil approaches, who, like a lion, goes about, seeking whom he may devour; that dashed down and prostrate he may lie beneath our feet. And when all were praying to the Lord, the most blessed Hermagoras poured out this prayer to the Lord, saying: Lord God almighty, merciful Father of thy only-begotten Jesus Christ thy Son, who dost not remember the iniquity of thy people; who dost will the repentance of the sinner, that he may be converted from his unjust way, and live in thy will: Christ Jesus, who didst crown the twelve Apostles, and didst send them into this world to preach the Gospel, thee the provider and savior of our souls; thee I beseech, the almighty Father, and [thy] Son Jesus Christ, who art able to help the souls of thy servants who trust in thee; free us from those who persecute us, that they may not say: Where is their God? but give, O Lord Jesus Christ, thy mercy to thy servants, that our enemies may be confounded, and may know that thou art he who breakest the necks of sinners. And when he had prayed to the Lord, the enemies, making an assault, seized the holy Bishop Hermagoras, and bound with iron led him to Seuastus the governor.

[8] When he had been led forth, the Governor said to him: What is your audacity? that, to the injury of the gods and goddesses, by I know not what art and seduction of words you separate all the people from the immortal gods, preaching to them [*] him who was crucified by Pilate: on whose account also Peter received a like punishment in the city of Rome. Or do you not know that I have received such a command, that if I find men and women persevering in this vanity, I should afflict them with various kinds of torments? And if you too persevere in this madness, I will make in you the correction of all whom you have gathered to yourself, that through you all may learn to venerate the venerable powers of the gods, as also all the provinces do. The most blessed Hermagoras the Bishop, lifting up his eyes to heaven, the sign of Christ having been made on his forehead, thus constantly answered:

[9] I, by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, am a Bishop on the forehead [*]. to whom he answers undauntedly, I do not cease to preach those things which have been commanded me by my Lord Jesus Christ, that I may recall all who are held by the devil, through the word of the Lord, to the knowledge of God: since God is great, who is in the heavens; who commands heaven to give

rain; who makes his sun rise over the just and the unjust, him I preach all the days of my life. Seuastus the Governor said: As I see, it is certain, what the priests of the gods said; that by these foolish words you seduce the people. For I do not think that you say these things with your mind. St. Hermagoras the Bishop said: This is certain, what you have said: that I do not speak with my own mind, but through me the Holy Spirit speaks: for thus the holy Scripture contains: When you shall stand before a judge ^l, do not think how or what you shall speak; for it shall be given in that hour what you shall speak: because the Holy Spirit speaks through the mouth of those who believe in Christ. Seuastus the Governor said: I do not seek to contend with you in words, but I hasten to your salvation, that you may approach and sacrifice to the immortal gods. But if you are unwilling to sacrifice now, while I speak peaceably with you, afterward with confusion you shall begin to offer incense to the gods. For it is much better to do this of your own good will.

[10] St. Hermagoras the Bishop said: I trust in the mercy of my Lord Jesus Christ, in vain terrified. if you shall be able to exercise any kinds of punishments, my body indeed you can afflict with torments: but my soul, received by Christ, shall be placed by his Angels in paradise ^m: for to your gods, who are without soul, without hearing, and without sight, without motion, I will never be given over. Seuastus the Governor, hearing these things, commanded him to be stretched out, and to be beaten with raw sinews: and when blessed Hermagoras the Bishop was being beaten, looking to heaven he said: I give thee thanks, O most high God, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, that though I am unworthy, thou biddest me to come to thy holy deity and mercy. Then the Governor commanded them to cry out to him: Approach and sacrifice to the gods: for you shall begin to be tortured with the former punishments. The holy Bishop answered: Blush with your father the devil, who from the beginning confounded, has always been overcome by the servants of God. Already once and often I have told you, that to your demons I never sacrifice [n]. Hearing these things, Seuastus the governor grew pale from exceeding cold [], and said to him: By the great gods, since I will so slay you, that not even for burial shall your body be handed over. Then St. Hermagoras, smiling, said: True it is, what is written in the holy law: That into a malevolent soul understanding shall not enter. Hearing these things, the Governor commanded him to be suspended on the rack, and his breast to be scraped with iron claws. Afterward he commanded glowing iron plates to be pressed to his body, and burning lamps to be applied to his sides. And when these things were being done, the holy Martyr of God, hanging on the wood, sang a hymn to the Lord, saying: O God, incline unto my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me: and let all who show evils to thy servants be confounded, and be crushed by thy omnipotence [], and let their strength be crushed. Now the peoples, seeing his great constancy, cried out, saying: Great is the God of the Christians: without any cause the man of God is tormented: he ceases not day and night to strengthen the people with his holy counsels; he has done nothing wickedly: for what cause does he suffer these things?

ANNOTATIONS.

* al. Ataulfum.

* al. declared.

* al. priests

* read firmness.

* al. Sebastum.

* read in Judea.

* al. him

* al. I was created, al. I was ordained Bishop.

* al. you shall be able.

* al. fury.

* al. his.

CHAPTER II.

The Saint is monstrously tortured; he converts Pontianus to the faith as also Gregory, his son being freed from a demon; his successor St. Fortunatus: a blind woman enlightened; the martyrdom of the Saints.

Then the confounded priests of the gods said to the Governor: Even now you most manifestly see what we said before: that by magical art he seduces the whole people from the immortal gods. Then the angered Governor commanded him to be taken down from the rack, and to be shut up in prison into prison shut on account of the sedition of the people [*]. And when he was being led back to prison, he poured out a prayer to the Lord, saying: O God most high and well to be adored: who didst bid thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, clothed in servile form, to come to earth from thy holy heaven, that thou mightest bid us be freed from the yoke of servitude; look upon this combat, and permit me to persevere unto the end [and] to be consummated for thy name: since trusting in thee, I will not fear evils: since thou art with me O Lord my God: who reignest now and ever world without end. Amen.

[12] And when he had prayed this prayer, suddenly an exceeding light shone in the prison, a light shines forth; and a sweet odor filled the prison. Which having been seen, the keeper of the prison, by name Pontianus, the door of the inner prison being opened, himself also praying [], fell down at his feet, and cast down begged him, saying: I beseech you by your name [], who granted you such brightness in the darkness, that you may have mercy on me, wretched, and lead me to the knowledge of your God, that through you your God may free my lost soul. And blessed Hermagoras the Bishop said to him: If you believe with all your heart, and with all your soul, all things are possible which you ask. But Pontianus cried out with a great voice with tears, saying: I believe with all my will through him who directed to you such wonderful aid.

[13] Then St. Hermagoras commanded him to render a fast to God for three days. Pontianus being converted to Christ, At the time of midnight St. Hermagoras ordered a presbyter to come with his deacon, who also baptized him in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. But after Pontianus was baptized, the Holy Spirit rushed upon him, and he began to cry out proclamations with his voice [*] through all the streets and quarters of the city, saying: Great is God, whom holy Hermagoras preaches. Come, all citizens, and know what kind the God of the Christians is: for the gods who are worshiped harden human hearts, take away the light of men: for they cannot bestow light as Christ bestowed on his holy Hermagoras. At this voice the people ran to the prison, and many most illustrious men, seeing in the prison with St. Hermagoras the already-mentioned such a light, gave thanks to the Lord God. But daily the madness of the pagans was confounded, and the holy faith obtained the victory ^a.

[14] and many others believing. Then the priests of the pagans, hearing these things, with great madness cried out, saying to Seuastus the Governor: How long do you spare this magician? He subverts the whole people. Behold, he here makes a worse subversion than Peter made in the city of Rome. As you know how Peter was punished; take away and slay this magician. For against you we will begin to direct a report to the empire [*]. Hearing these things, the Governor said: Give me three days' respite: until I reconsider with what punishments to afflict him. But this he said, fearing the multitude of the peoples, who through him had believed in Christ: because frequently magnificent men ran together to him in the prison, whom he strengthened with his holy counsels. Some indeed, seeing such immense light in the prison, did not depart from him, but abode in the prison: for also all his clergy, from the time that Pontianus was made a Christian, entered to him, because Pontianus himself also, the keeper of the prison, had prepared himself, that for the name of Christ he might undergo the passion for the same.

[15] The demoniac son offered by his father Gregory, Now a certain magnificent man of that same city, Gregory by name, whose son was vexed by demons, when he had seen St. Hermagoras injured in no part of his body, who had endured such punishments in the sight of all the people, casting himself at his feet, and cast down begged him, saying: Have mercy on me, aid me, Father because my son is vexed by a demon, but through him I beg you whom you preach; because I trust that through your prayers Christ your God can save my son from the demons. St. Hermagoras says to him: If you believe in Christ, you shall see your son whole. Gregory answered: I believe Christ the Son of God, for whom you endure such things: because you can save my son.

[16] and commanded to be brought to him, St. Hermagoras says to him: Not I, but my Lord Jesus himself will do it, according to his deity: for I too am a sinner as also you: and he commanded the infant to be brought: for he was twelve years old; and Bl. Hermagoras questioned him, saying: How much

time is it, since this affliction came upon him? Gregory answered: Today for three years there is not a day, nor a night, in which he can [*] rest a little from the vexation. Furthermore many times I have brought him into the temples of the gods, and offered victims for him; and nothing profited him: but I believe in Christ, whom you preach, that he can free him. The holy man of God, hearing these things, smiling said: Now Christ will show you how great things he bestows on those who believe in him.

[17] prayers being poured out beforehand, Then St. Hermagoras, on bended knees, striking his breast, cried out to the Lord, saying before all: Lord God almighty Father, who art in the heavens: who art before the constitution of the world; who, the world being placed in darkness, by thy holy word saidst: Let there be light, and there was light: who didst arch the heaven, and composed the earth: who likewise didst adorn the heaven with stars: who didst bridle the sea and set a bound for it, which it may not transgress; who didst constitute all the elements for us sinners: who didst transmit thy Son to the erring people, and didst constitute us who believe in him unto this true liberty of glory: thee I beseech, the almighty Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: who reignest in the unity of deity, work wonders, O Lord Jesus Christ, for thy holy name bestow on those who believe in thee, that thou mayest free the soul of this innocent one from the unclean spirit; because they have made a refuge to thy deity for the confirming of the hearts of those who have believed in thee, and will believe; that they may know that thou art God most high: who reignest through all the boundless ages of ages. Amen.

[18] And when he had completed the prayer, he rebuked the demon, saying: he frees him; whereupon Gregory is converted to Christ. To you I say, unclean spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded you to depart from this innocent soul, because it has fled to his faith. Hearing these things, the demon, all seeing who were there present in the prison, went out from him. Now Gregory, seeing these wonders, fell down at the feet of the holy Bishop and Martyr, begging him that he might merit baptism. And at midnight St. Hermagoras went secretly with the clergy to the house of Gregory, and baptized him with his wife, and his two sons, and all the household of his house in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. But afterward, when Bl. Hermagoras was returning into custody, then all the presbyters or deacons, and all the clergy or orders of the church begged him with tears, saying:

[19] You, O our Father, if you shall be taken from us, The people asking a successor, St. Fortunatus is given: whom shall we make pastor for all your flock? Or what teacher of eternal life shall we find, like yourself? Can we, where there is no pastor, find pastures? But if not, then we all remain [*] together with you. But the most blessed Hermagoras, strengthening their souls, commanded them to ordain by name Fortunatus the archdeacon, his disciple, whom he himself had nourished from infancy with the fear of God ^b.

[20] A certain illustrious widow woman, Alexandria [*] by name, a blind woman enlightened by St. Hermagoras, is baptized by St. Fortunatus. fearing God, hearing that the most blessed Hermagoras was a holy man of God, and had wrought such virtues placed in the prison, sent secretly to Pontianus the jailer, that in the silence of night she might enter to him: for she was seeing nothing with open eyes. But she said to herself: Because if he shall touch my eyes, the name of Christ having been invoked, I shall be saved. Which woman proceeded by night to the prison, and falling down at the feet of St. Hermagoras the Bishop, [and] said to him: Holy man of God, make me whole. St. Hermagoras answered: Blessed is your faith, because before you heard the word of truth, you well founded your mind. Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ will enlighten the eyes of your body and of your heart. And making the sign of the Cross over her eyes, immediately she saw the light; and she returned to her house rejoicing and giving glory to God, and fasted for three days. And the most blessed Hermagoras sent Fortunatus his archdeacon: who baptized her within her house with all her people in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[21] The Governor instigated against him, condemns both to death: Now after some days Seuastus the Governor, hearing about Bl. Alexandria, that she was baptized by blessed Fortunatus the archdeacon, commanded him to be seized, and bound with iron to be led to prison. When St. Hermagoras had seen him, he gave thanks to the Lord God, that he deigned to undertake martyrdom with the same. But through very many days the Lord showed many wonders through them in the prison. For all running together to them, having various infirmities, were cured by them in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. But the priests of the pagans, seeing this, gathering the unbelieving people, unanimously came to Seuastus the Governor with clubs and stones crying and saying: The whole city perishes through you; because you cause to live even now a man who by magical arts alienates the people, and overturns their minds, that they may be separated from the gods. Take away the magician, kill the sorcerer. But if you are unwilling, we ourselves will kill you. Then Seuastus the governor, fearing the people, because through him they had believed in the name of Christ, sent by night an executioner, and in the prison beheaded the most blessed Hermagoras the bishop, and St. Fortunatus his archdeacon, whose bodies Pontianus the keeper of the prison gathering, and gathering all the gore of their blood, placed in one place.

[22] whose death being met, they are becomingly buried. Now Gregory, hearing these things, whose son the holy man of God Hermagoras freed from a demon, and Alexandria, who had been enlightened by him, came by night secretly with clean and very precious linen cloths, and embalming with spices ^c the bodies of the holy Martyrs, buried them outside the wall of the city of Aquileia in the little field of the aforementioned Alexandria in peace. But all coming to the body of the most blessed Bishop and martyr Hermagoras, first of the city of Aquileia, with whatever infirmity they had been held, received health in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the most blessed Hermagoras, Bishop of God, was martyred together with St. Fortunatus his archdeacon, on the IV Ides of July, our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, to whom is honor and glory ^d world without end. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

* al. seduction.

* al. himself also praying

* al. of your God.

* al. to proclaim.

* al. to the Emperor.

* al. he was able,

* al. let us die.

* al. Alexandra.

TRANSLATION.

From Peter Calo of the Order of Preachers, part 2, folio 218.

Hermagoras, Bishop and Martyr, at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

Fortunatus, Archdeacon and Martyr, at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

BHL Number: 3844

FROM THE MSS.

Italy devastated by various peoples, The Translation of the most blessed Hermagoras was made in this manner. By the nation of the Huns, with Attila as leader, Italy is devastated, and Aquileia ^a, then the metropolis of Venetia, is utterly ruined. A second time the fury of the Goths devastated the same province ^b. A third time also, seeing that he could not withstand the assault of the Lombards, Paul [*], at that time Patriarch of Aquileia, transferred ^c himself to the neighboring city of Grado, having carried away with him the bodies of certain saints and the treasures of the church. To him deceased succeeded Probinus, and to Probinus Helias [d]. He sat in that church which he himself founded; and by the counsel of Pelagius, the Roman Pontiff, celebrated a synod of twenty Bishops, which constituted it the head of all Venetia and Istria ^e by the consent of all the aforesaid Bishops, because Aquileia, utterly destroyed, was not able to sustain the assault of the Lombards. After Helias, the author of this institution, the sixth to preside over the see of Grado was Cyprian: at whose death Cyprian ^f the heretic invaded the same, who at Cividale had usurped the see of the pontificate, upheld by the audacity of the Lombards.

[2] He invaded the metropolis, and despoiled it, and the baptismal churches of the province of Istria subject to them, and the hospices, and Fortunatus the heretic occupying the Episcopal see, and returned to the fortress of Blemana ^g situated on the border of the Lombards, where he held the chair of pestilence. Against whose wickedness and heresy the Bishops of Venetia and Istria, through the clergy of Grado, that is of the church of Aquileia, intimated these things to the supreme Pontiff by letters: who, providing for the utility of the holy Church, directed Primogenius, subdeacon and regionary of the Apostolic See, to govern the same metropolis ^h, giving him also a letter of the Apostolic See binding up the heresy of the aforesaid Fortunatus, and commanding that he be stripped of the priesthood, and advising that in his place another faithful and suitable man be substituted, namely the aforementioned Primogenius, approved in life and morals, and in the experience of magistracy, consecrated Bishop of Grado, that he might be devoutly received by them, and that they should show sincere obedience to him, as to their head. Afterward he sent messengers in haste to the King of the Lombards, asking that he demand without delay the said Fortunatus, the perfidious and rebellious heretic, and the things which he had taken away.

[3] Primogenius therefore, invested with the mitre, and devoutly received by the people, [Primogenius is substituted in the See of Grado, and is warned in dreams of the translation of the relics:] by his holy conversation was in accord with his office, and therefore in his time the church was increased with such a benefit; For he was admonished in dreams to transfer the bodies of the blessed martyrs Hermagoras and Fortunatus from the border of Aquileia to Grado, buried namely in the little field of the holy woman Alexandria. Then he admonished the people to offer to God fasting and prayers, that they might be fit and worthy to receive such gifts. And this done, he found the plain of the little field, and in a stone mausoleum the heavenly treasure. Whose bodies, drawn out from thence, they were not able to move; and marveling, they judged that something was lacking of the sacred relics. Presently returning to the ark, they found the shoe ⁱ of Bl. Hermagoras left behind. This supplying, the vehicle of his precious relics is moved with exceeding swiftness. But the sacred bones, arriving at the bank, are received in a skiff, covered with a becoming covering. Whence that place of the receiving of the ship is called to this day Cessus, that is, the retreat of St. Hermagoras: which also is always adorned with green grass as a sign of this. And so in the city they were received most honorably as Saints.

[4] [to which SS. Hermagoras and Fortunatus were carried; the city taken by the Venetians] In the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand and three, a turbulent sedition having been stirred up among the Venetians, the Bishop of Aquileia, taking thence confidence of accomplishing his crime, satisfied his inveterate envy; he commanded the army to march to take Grado. When

a most firm circuit of walls fortified that city, so that it could not be taken by hostile force, the leader of the army ceased to fight and to threaten, yet conquered the citizens by an oath of security and munificence, and having entered on such condition, sent glad messages to the Bishop. Hearing which, rejoicing unspeakably, he came to the ill-desired walls joyful and hasty; who, having entered the city, was made as it were another Antiochus.

[5] and despoiled, He broke apart the altars, snatched the venerable pledges, of which nevertheless the trembling hand left half; he despoiled the temple of all its treasures, emptied the palace of all things, and, a garrison having been left in the city, returned. These things being learned at the Piran cohort, the Bishop of Grado ^k, consternated with exceeding grief for the captured city, transferred his thought to God, in whom he always had firm hope. And ascending a ship he sought Rialto ^l, where Otto his brother administered the dukedom, and received honorably by him, awaited heavenly consolation. Meanwhile the Duke sends spies to the city, if perchance it could be taken by them in some way. After a few days, rumor spreading abroad that the city had been captured by the spies, the Pontiff, gladdened with the Duke, moves a most dense fleet. As they cut through the seas, there meet them those who prove that the rumor had deceived them; deluded of their vain joy, the brothers groaned, but comforted they judged that they must proceed, and arriving they besieged round about the circuit of the city.

[6] then freed from the hostile invasion. On the morning of the following day, the Gospel, "In the beginning was the Word," having been read by a Deacon on the ambo, and the blessing received from the Bishop, the whole army together clamorously invokes the threefold Trinity of God, and fortified by the triple invocation, begins the battle, and the Lord was aroused as one sleeping, as a mighty man made drunk with wine; For dread immediately unnerved the enemies; they lay aside their obstinacy, confess the rash invasion, supplicate the Bishop and the Duke, that they may grant them to withdraw with safety, and that he may have his city. What more? Willing or unwilling, they yield to the just victors: the gates lay open: masters of their wish they seek the sacred thresholds: they give thanks to God the giver of victory. Then the hostile crowd is ordered to be guarded, until it be determined what ought to be done with them. But the Contarini ^m chiefs congratulated one another [and] all were utterly rejoicing together.

[7] On that occasion inquiry was made into the relics of St. Hermagoras: But because they thought themselves deprived of the body of Bl. Hermagoras, they could not perfectly rejoice. Making little of all that the plunderer had taken away, they grieved only over the loss of this pearl. On the following night the Pontiff, on his couch, began with anxious mind to turn over that certain old men of the clergy had often said that the body of Bl. Hermagoras was not in the altar dedicated to him, but was hidden in an unknown place. On the following day the keeper of the church, a Monk and elder [*], upright in faith, and composed with maturity of morals, was moved with compassion over the sorrow of the Bishop: whom, desiring to console, he a second time addressed, saying that Peter, now deceased duke of Venetia, the father of the Bishop himself, had hidden the precious spoils of the holy souls, and had bound three companions of so great a secret by the sacrament of concealing, of whom he himself was the survivor. The Bishop, considering the reason of the matter, absolved the faithful man from the bond of the oath, and led him into the crypt of Bl. Mark, indicating the place to the one desiring it.

[8] And when the ample place had been dug through, one chest is discerned. which, together with the relics of St. Fortunatus, were found This being removed, a second is uncovered, which, the duke having been secretly called with certain nobles, being opened, had this inscription: Here are the bones or members of the saints Hermacoras and Fortunatus, on the right of the ark Hermacoras, on the left Fortunatus. The flesh, which nature had reduced to dust, occupied fully half of the receptacle. The bones of Hermacoras are discerned greater than the bones of the other; since also he is read to have been an elegant person. The dissolved limbs were found so composed that not even the joints were found disjoined. A silken cushion, rising with myrtle leaves, propped the heads of both, and with these fronds the whole surface was sprinkled, of which, though age took away the greenness, age in no way corrupted the integrity. Contemplating such things they broke forth into tears, and kissing the earth gave thanks to Christ.

[9] Then, the Clergy singing, the wax candles shining white, and solemnly translated: the censers smoking, the standard of the cross going before, the sacred coffer is led out of the crypt, now heavy now light to the bearers. This being laid upon the tomb of St. Euphemia, all gathered were refreshed by the sight of their Pastor and intercessor, magnifying Christ for his bounty. The enemies also, captured, led from custody to such a spectacle, were pricked even to the dripping of tears, confessing that truly Venetia rejoices, whence Aquileia well glories. Then a return is made to the interior of the crypt, and there three chests are found; the second two chief ones made distinguished; the third Dionysius adorned and Largus, the fourth Fortunatus with Hermogenes; and there were in each monuments, which preserved each single [*] body; which, for a testimony of their Finding, the Bishop willed to remain upon the tomb of the aforesaid Virgin, and appointed ministers of daily magnificence and honor to them.

[10] In the passing course of the eighth month after this, a certain Bishop, the Bishop being warned in dreams appearing to the sleeping Prelate, asked that the relics be shown to him from heaven. Beholding these, as that one showed them, he seemed to weep, since he gazed at them as if plucked from the hiding-places of his own seat. On the following night it seems to the Pontiff in dreams that he referred the same vision to the aforesaid Monk and elder, and that he answered him, that St. Hermacoras had appeared to a certain one of the citizens sleeping; Go and tell the Patriarch of this place, why so long does he suffer our bones unburied? To whom answering, therefore he defers their reburial, until he provide a suitable site for them; and because he awaits meanwhile some virtue of your manifestation. He says, go, tell him how quickly he should provide their burial for the unburied limbs. Then rather will we show our signs.

[11] that their burial should be cared for, signs following. Nor was this dream vain: it becomes clear by the signs following. When therefore the sacred bones were being reburied, and after they had been reburied, for some time throughout the whole temple, adjacent to the temple, they gave a sweet odor. Also at night-time, when the same Bishop of Aquileia was besieging the lost walls, a light flying from the city sat upon a spear cast on the ground; which, as the hand of a certain watchman hastened to take it, placed itself on another point; thence returning to the city it indicates that by that illumination of God it is saved, concerning which the Psalm says: Their arm did not save them, but the illumination of thy countenance. And indeed the besieger perceives that it is protected by the patronages of the saints, when on the thirtieth day of the siege, wearied in vain, he departed.

ANNOTATIONS.

* al. Paulinus.

* an old man, in Greek γέρων.

* which each single.