African Martyrs

ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS

SABINUS, LUCIANUS, PETER, AMABILIS, NONNINA, SAUDUS, AGRIPPIANUS, MEDADULUS, RESPECTATUS, WITH 23 OTHERS.

From the Hieronymian Martyrologies.

Sabinus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Lucianus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Peter, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Amabilis, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Nonnina, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Saudus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Agrippianus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Medadulus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Respectatus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

23 Other Martyrs in Africa

J. B. S.

Behold a troop of Martyrs, nine by express names and twenty-three anonymous, so that together they constitute the number of thirty-two athletes, as many as the Lucca and Corbie codices exhibit to us, with this one difference, that for Nonnina in the Corbie there is Nonna, for Saudus is read Savoi, and Medatulus. The rest agree and are confirmed from the more contracted codex of the queen of Sweden, thus rightly reading in our apograph: In Africa, the birthday of the holy Sabinus, Lucianus, Peter, with others to the number of 29, so that everywhere thou mayest find the number equal; which number the other briefer codices do not express, in most of which nevertheless the leader of the whole class is noted as Sabinus, by a very few ascribed to Damascus, so that it is clear those copyists followed an exemplar similar to the Epternach, whose little list here is wonderfully confused, in this manner: In Africa, of Lucianus, Peter, Amabilis, Nunnina. And in the Thebaid, of Victor. In Damascus, of Sabinus. In Casino, of Severus, Saudus, Acripianus, Medadulus, Respecta, and 22 others.

The confusion is indeed clear, but the manner of restoring it is not equally ready. First of all, it is certain that the words are to be transferred elsewhere: And in the Thebaid, of Victor, concerning whom, with other codices, below. Nor does it signify anything: In Damascus, of Sabinus, where with this Saint several others are to be joined. So neither is there anywhere mention of Casino in the other codices; so that I would almost dare to suspect that some smatterer formed Casino out of Sabinus, and intruded into it that Severus, of whom we shall treat below, perhaps to complete the number of ten named, who with the 22 others should make up the sum of 32, already established above. So indeed I am forced to think, that the matter may somehow be settled; for as to what here Florentinius seems to scent, namely Severus bishop of Cassino, I think it should by no means be admitted: for neither is he worshipped as a martyr, nor does he pertain to the times of the persecutions, nor did he have companions, at least as he is reported by Peter the Deacon and Ferrarius, as will also be indicated below. If anyone shall find an easier manner of reconciling these things, I will freely and willingly assent: small certainly, if there is any, is the difficulty, that some Sabinus was equally a leader of the Damascenes as of the African Martyrs.