ON THE HOLY MARTYRS HYMENÆUS AND CAPITO
From the Greek Calendars and the Roman Martyrology.
CommentaryHymenæus, Martyr among the Greeks (St.)
Chariton, Martyr among the Greeks (St.)
J. P.
Our transcript, excerpted from the manuscript Menaea of the Ambrosian library at Milan, shelf O, number 148, from November to the middle of August, thus announces these two Combatants of Christ: Ἄθλησις τῶν ἁγίων μαρτύρων Ὑμεναίου καὶ Καπήτονος. That is: From the Greek Calendars, where they are honored with little verses, The contest of the holy martyrs Hymenæus and Capeton. And presently there is written by Henschen's hand "Turin, both." The Synaxarion of the Clermont college at Paris, or of Sirmond, has no more; which for Καπήτονος writes Καπίτονος. A little more the Synaxarion of Dijon, or of our Peter Francis Chifflet, hands down, exhibiting the manner of death in these words: Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρᾳ ὁ ὅσιος Καπίτων ξίφει τελ. That is: On the same day (the 24th of this month) St. Capito was slain by the sword. To whom this distich is sung: Ψυχῆς μὲν ὄμμα παντεπόπτῃ Δεσπότῃ Τείνει Καπίτων, τὸν τράχηλον δὲ ξίφει. That is: To the Lord who beholds all things Capito stretches the eye of his mind, but his head to the stroke of the sword.
[2] these Martyrs were transcribed into the Roman [Martyrology.] Concerning St. Hymenæus this is read in the same place: Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρᾳ ὁ ἅγιος Ὑμεναῖος ξίφει τελ., as above concerning St. Capito, with the following distich added: Ἔχαιρεν Ὑμεναῖος ἥκων πρὸς ξίφος, Ὥσπερ πρὸς ὑμεναῖον ἥκων νυμφίος. That is: On the same day the holy Hymenæus was slain by the sword; and: Hymenæus rejoiced, coming to the sword, as a bridegroom, coming to a wedding. It is most well known that the word "hymenæus," on which there is here a play, means a wedding. The Menologium from the translation of Cardinal Sirletus, published by Canisius, records both Martyrs on this day: whence they may have been transcribed into the Roman Martyrology; but in both places the name "Meneus" is written for "Hymenæus." Nothing meanwhile persuades us to depart from our reading, which we prefer to that other one, as sincere and genuine. For the rest, the things which pertain to the age, the arena, and other circumstances we hold as unascertained.