ON THE HOLY MARTYRS OF DUROSTORUM
SECUNDA, DONATA, BASSUS, MAXIMUS, PAULUS, LIKEWISE MARINUS AND JUSTUS.
From the Hieronymian codices.
CommentarySecunda, Martyr at Durostorum in Moesia (S.)
Donata, Martyr at Durostorum in Moesia (S.)
Bassus, Martyr at Durostorum in Moesia (S.)
Maximus, Martyr at Durostorum in Moesia (S.)
Paulus, Martyr at Durostorum in Moesia (S.)
Marinus, Martyr at Durostorum in Moesia (S.)
Justus, Martyr at Durostorum in Moesia (S.)
J. B. S.
It has more than once been observed by us elsewhere that Durostorum, formerly an episcopal city of Lower Mysia or Moesia, now a village of Bulgaria, concerning which more fully below, was fruitful of very many Martyrs, which the Hieronymian copies all note on this day, the most ancient Epternach placing their band in the first line of its list. In all the codices they are almost six in number, led by Aemilianus, concerning whom we spoke long ago in the Observations on Usuard, and who, being more noted in the sacred Fasti than the rest, is celebrated separately in his own place. Here we record the rest in the order in which the said Epternach codex expressed them, with which the other codices agree in the names, only this difference intervening, that the Corbie codex adds two companions, Marinus and Justus, whom we thought not to be passed over. "Bossus" for "Bassus" scarcely deserves to be noted. In the abridged codices there are, as usual, fewer names, or none. The Rheinau codex is silent about them, the Reichenau numbers four, the codex of the Queen of Sweden likewise four with two anonymous ones; but from these, as being studiously abridged or mutilated, no great light is to be hoped.