ON ST. SERAPION, MARTYR.
From the Greek Synaxaria and the Roman Martyrology.
Under Severus.
CommentarySerapion, Martyr among the Greeks (S.)
J. P.
The memory of St. Serapion is most well-known in the Greek Tables; although he is not everywhere celebrated on the same day. The printed Menaea, and their Index with Maximus, bishop of Cythera, have nothing beyond the mere announcement of the Saint on the XII of this month. We defer him to this day, A notice of the Saint; with the Roman Martyrology, which marks him thus: Of St. Serapion the martyr, who under the Emperor Severus, and Aquila the governor, by fire attained the crown of martyrdom. On the present day also the Saint is recorded by the Basilian Synaxarium, the Menaea of the Ambrosian library, the Supplement to the printed Menaea from the Synaxarium of Sirmond together with Sirletus, thus briefly pursuing his deeds: The birthday of the holy martyr Serapion, who was under the Emperor Severus zealous for divine piety, and distinguished for uprightness of morals: who, being detained by Aquila the governor, and asked of what religion he was, answered with a free and clear voice; that he worshipped Christ the Lord. Wherefore, given over to the fire, he carried off the crown of martyrdom. The Excerpts from the Menaea of the Ambrosian library agree. I find also the memory of St. Serapion in the Syriac or Chaldaic Calendar: concerning which in the Praetermissi on this day: and in the Arabic-Egyptian, translated from the Arabic by Grazia Simonio the Maronite.
[2] a eulogy from the Basilian Synaxarium, More things in praise of the holy Martyr were brought forth by the said Basilian Synaxarium: Serapion the martyr of Christ was under the reign of Severus, a man zealous for the divine worship and of good morals. But being seized by the idolaters for the confession of Christ, he was handed over to Aquila, the prefect of that region. And when he stood before him, and was asked of what religion he was, he freely confessed Christ. Therefore for this cause, being violently beaten, and his whole body scraped with a sharp iron, he was sent back to prison, hunger and thirst tormenting him. But after the passing of many days, being drawn out of prison, he stood bound before the Prefect. And when he bore no wound or scar of a wound on his body; because he had at once been healed by Christ, he cast all into amazement, and drew many to the faith of Christ. But the Prefect, fearing lest he should draw more to Christ, gave him over to the fire; and thus, the contest of immortality being run through, he consummated his martyrdom.
[3] the time of the martyrdom. Baronius, treating of St. Serapion in the Annals, sets his triumphs in the year 205; seeming meanwhile to assert too indeterminately that his birthday is celebrated on the XIII of July, both among the Greeks and the Latins, as their Menology and the Roman Martyrology signify.