Laodicean Martyrs

26 July · commentary

ON THE HOLY LAODICEAN MARTYRS

JOVIANUS, JULIANUS, EMILIUS, FELIX, MARTIANUS, MAXIMA, SATURNINA, GLORIOSA, AND ANOTHER EMILIUS.

From the Hieronymian Martyrologies.

Commentary

Jovianus, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

Julianus, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

Emilius, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

Felix, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

Martianus, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

Maxima, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

Saturnina, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

Gloriosa, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

Another Emilius, Martyr at Laodicea in Phrygia (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR J. B. S.

Florentini observes on this day that Laodicea, metropolis of Phrygia Pacatiana, was productive of many Martyrs; which is sufficiently manifest from our Acts. In this city, he says, our codices indicate a company of ten sacred champions, but the Corbie Martyrology brings forward only nine, Pantaleon namely being passed over. Rightly, I think, since that Pantaleon in other codices on this day is quite unknown, nor does he indeed pertain here. Our text is described almost from the Corbie one, with this sole difference, that it writes Martinianus, for which others constantly have Martianus, or Marcianus; but in the most ancient Epternach codex Saturnina is omitted, whom it is certain is noted even in the contracted codices, as Holstenius also observed in one. Notker followed a codex in which he read Saturninus, and likewise one only Emilius, to whom, better, if I mistake not, our codices add another, as we expressed in the title.

Among the contracted codices the Reichenau one reported all the names, but with the sex changed in many, and with the addition of I know not what Mocianus, of whom you would find nothing elsewhere on this day. But no text seems more corrupt than that which the Augsburg codex formed in these words: Of Jovianus, Julianus, Emelius, Marcianus, Adrianus, Mittiana, Laodicea, and 24 others. Others mutilated I do not enumerate, such as of old Rabanus followed, unless he plucked out at his own pleasure only some names: but what Wandelbert means, when out of that class he takes only two, prefixing Adrianus to them, I do not at all understand. Adrianus is found in one or another contracted codex, but that the name there is corrupt can scarcely be doubted: but such certainly the metrical Martyrologist found, whose little verses I here subjoin, in case anyone can perhaps afford a very little light from elsewhere.

The seventh Adrianus holds, and Emilius, of the blessed, Martianus, when one triumphs with like virtue.

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS

MUTIANA AND LAUDASIA.

From the Hieronymian Martyrologies.

Commentary

Mutiana, Martyr (S.)

Laudasia, Martyr (S.)

J. B. S.

Thus indeed I judge the names should be announced, in our codices as if studiously changed and corrupted. The Epternach codex went before us chiefly; for the Lucca list notes Mutiane and Laudaci, the Corbie one Mutianus and Laudatia: but in the Blume one the matter is more involved, under the name of Laudaga or Laudaci, perhaps for the city of Laodicea itself. In most of the contracted ones these two are not treated: the Labbean one mixes Mutiana and Laudaia with the Laodiceans. Only the Corbie one, more briefly, clearly distinguished the matter, if it had rightly kept the gender: And the birthday of the holy Mutiana, Laudaia. This is certain, that these Saints were unknown to the other classic Martyrologies, nor in the Hieronymian ones is anywhere noted the position or place in which they obtained the palm of martyrdom; so that more concerning them does not remain to be said.

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