ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS
PAPIAS AND DONATUS.
From the Martyrologies.
CommentaryPapias, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Donatus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
J. B. S.
Two African Martyrs we here join, although in many Hieronymian codices Donatus almost alone appears, transformed by the Blumian, some minor ones, Notker, and one or another augmented Usuardine into a woman Donata. The announcement of Lucca and of Corbie is clear: In Africa, of Donatus; and this passed into two Usuardine codices, which you have in our edition. But the more ancient Epternach at least bears witness for two, reading: On the day before the Ides of July, of Papillus, of Donatus, so that we certainly understand that not only Donatus or Donata is recalled on this day in Africa; unless someone should suspect that some copyist formed Papillus from Africa, which can scarcely be thought. To pluck out the scruple, codices of the best note, which we call the minor ones, make—the Rhinovian, the Reichenau, and that of the Queen of Sweden, in which it is most expressly read: In Africa, of Papias and of Donatus, which reading accordingly we have preferred, rejecting also other Usuardine codices, in which you will find, of Peter and of Donatus. Of the number of Martyrs alone and the variety of names can there be here dispute, since for the rest the age, deeds, and kind of martyrdom are plainly unknown, as it is most well known to happen in classes of Martyrs of this kind.