ON THE HOLY TWELVE ROMAN MARTYRS.
A notice from the Greek Calendars.
The Twelve Roman Martyrs (Sts.)
J. P.
Of these holy Martyrs our Supplement makes mention on this day, from the Sirmond-Chifflet transcripts, when it records thus: Οἱ ἅγιοι δώδεκα Μάρτυρες Ῥωμαῖοι ξιφει τελ. That is: The holy twelve Roman Martyrs are perfected by the sword. In exactly the same manner they are marked in the Mazarin Menæon; except that there, with the article prefixed, it says οἱ Ῥωμαῖοι, That is: the Romans. In both places this distich is fitted to them: Ῥώμης παλαιᾶς δώδεκα βλαστοὺς, Λόγε, That is: Twelve shoots of ancient Rome, O Word,
Τραχηλοτμήτους Μάρτυρας δέξαι νέους. That is: receive as new Martyrs these whose necks were cut off. In Latin: The twice-six shoots which ancient Rome gives, mown down, O Christ, receive as new Martyrs. Nor do we have anything more that we might bring forward concerning the age, arena, and so forth of those Martyrs; for all things are hidden from us.