ON SS. FELINUS AND GRATIANUS.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY. The Acts composed in the monastery of Arona, and to be divided in two parts.
Felinus, Martyr, translated from Perusia to Arona (St.) Gratianus, Martyr, translated from Perusia to Arona (St.)
BHL Number: 3633, 3634
BY THE AUTHOR D. P.
Arona, a very wealthy emporium, as Tristano Calco speaks in book 7, situated on the Verbanus lake among the Insubrians (not however between Como and Bergamo, as a certain similarity of name with Airano once imposed upon me, when treating of the Bishops of Milan, The Arona monastery of the Benedictine Order at the name of Theobaldus buried there) Arona, I say, is distant from Milan less than 40 Roman miles. It had, from the very times of the Emperor Otto II, a noble monastery of the Benedictine Order: concerning whose founder there are read, written down on the parchments of the Church there, by way of an Epitaph, certain verses, somewhat indeed, but not yet perfectly rhythmic; but such as we have shown to have been in use in the 10th and 11th centuries, before that Leo brought them in the 12th century to the highest perfection, whence they received the name of Leonine verses. Carlo, Bishop of Novara, reports those verses, in his Novara treating of Arona; because he believes that it once pertained to his diocese, although it afterward yielded to the Milanese; but he reports them on page 78 in this tenor, slightly corrected by probable conjecture.
The limbs of the Prince Adam rest beneath this tomb, founded by Prince Adam. Who also while he lived was renowned in the world. A strong warrior, he terrified strong enemies; thy walls, Rome, feared his arms. You gave laws to lands, once flourishing for all; here he did for you what he wished, and grieved. Here he appeased the King from his dire wrath toward many, renowned was that man in all these ways. These Saints he brought from the Perusian city, and set up this temple in the honor of God. He made a monastery, worthy under the line of the rule, gave to the Brothers food sufficient to be; that they might be able to serve the King of Kings forever, and beseech the Lord that he give them rest.
[2] This Adam the above-praised Tristano Calco, in book 6 of the History of Milan, at the year 968, seems to number among those to whom Otto II, coming into Italy after his father's death, while he tarried at Cassiano, granted lawful possession of those things and cities which they possessed in Italy; of which matter, otherwise called Amizo, says he, we have seen the original document in the Library of Pavia. But that, in the History of the translation soon to be given, the author of making it and of founding the monastery is called Amizo, does not greatly trouble me, nor compel me to say he had two names; since one and the same name can be believed Adam and Amizo, formed from the prior name, by aphaeresis of the first syllable "Ad," so familiar to the Italians, as also the diminutive ending "izo." Thus from Adalbert or Adalbero seems made Albizo; from Odebert, Obizo, where also intervenes the truncation of the last syllable, by which from Boniface, Bonizo; from Gebehard, Gebizo are formed in Lombard fashion, and other similar things. There are those who even, for Amizo, write Obizo. But as this is a different name, so I think it signifies a different person; and that hence arose the confusion, because some son or grandson of Adam or Amizo named Obizo conferred many benefits on the same Abbey of Arona, on account of which he was held as a second founder.
[3] However that may be, that former one is said, under Otto I, to have led troops to Rome, and either to have ordered the Portico of the Pauline Basilica to be burned, [who in the year 963 as Duke of Otto I, is accused of the burned portico of St. Paul,] or at least not to have sufficiently prevented it: but under Otto II, to have found at Perusia a remedy for the punishment divinely inflicted on him; and thence, the bodies of Saints Gratianus and Felinus having been brought, to have built and adorned the monastery: and it is added: This was done in the year of the Lord's Incarnation 963, in the 7th Indiction, in the 19th year of the reign of Lord Otto the second, but in the 12th of his Empire. Each of these years marks the year of Christ 979, whence the people of Arona hesitate perplexed, what they should think about the foretokened 963; the more so, because with such a year the 6th Indiction is usually composed; but this ran only until September, from which, begun, the 7th Indiction began to be numbered. In the third month of this Indiction, namely December, Otto I came to Rome with an army, gathered a Synod, deposed John XII and had Leo VIII substituted; at which time the Pauline portico could have so caught fire, that even its old roof itself suffered no little thereby, which Leo VIII soon restored, and was prepared for the ruin soon made. The memory of this ruin and of the repair that soon followed it, placed in the likewise restored Portico, John Severano recites, in his work on the 7 Churches of the City, part 1 page 394; ascribing it indeed to Leo III, but without any verisimilitude. For Anastasius the Librarian, most minutely and at great length enumerating the roofs cared for by that Leo, and the very many offerings and ornaments placed by the same in the Pauline Basilica, says nothing about the repair of the roof. But this can with foundation be ascribed to no other of the following Leos, down to the aforesaid VIII; soon indeed after his ordination expelled by the seditious Romans, but quickly enough restored by the Emperor, so that during the whole rest of the year 964 in which he survived, and the following three months, he could complete the hastened work, according to the aforesaid memory, which is thus:
[4] Rejoice, O Pious, with your tears turned into joys, and render your vows to God your protector; the verses placed in it being witnesses. whose right hand so held the loosened roof, that so great a ruin fell upon empty ground; that the ground alone might undergo the torments of envy, (namely Otto, to whose Duke and Soldier the damage was imputed)
Who bore off no spoil from the ample wreck. For the higher peaks of the repaired temple gleam, and the firmer hall took new strength; while Leo the Bishop of Christ provides for the building in all parts, and reforms the roofs with swift aid; that the holy people may intrepidly honor with the wonted offices Paul the blessed Teacher of the world ….. There followed the commendation of the faithful labor, of Felix the Presbyter and Adeodatus the Levite, brought there, in four verses of dissimilar and ill-turned meter, and therefore here omitted; since it is now sufficiently clear from what has been adduced, that there is reason why that work should be ascribed to Leo VIII, none why to Leo III. Meanwhile, since we have the justification of the Era and Indiction noted above; it appears that to the same document, faithfully transcribed as to the deeds under Otto I, there was unskillfully added the year of the reign and Empire of Otto II, to be ascribed separately to the foundation of Arona or rather to the Translation of the bodies of the Saints. Now receive the history itself of the Translation, as it was written down for us at Arona, from an old parchment of our Fathers now there, somewhat corrected by conjecture.
[5] And so, with the course of many times slipping by after the passion of the holy Martyrs; it happened that Count Amizo, an inhabitant of the Counties of Stazzona and Seprio, healed at Perusia from the punishment inflicted on him, Duke of the Imperial army under the reign of the first Otto, some one of [his] Soldiery, by a judgment unknown to the King and to himself, burned the portico of St. Paul the Apostle. Bearing himself the peril of this guilt; as one who did not sufficiently chastise the authors of the crime (for thus the Author seems to have wished the odium of the deed lessened, although the author of the Epitaph seems to acknowledge something more) touched with paralysis of arm and right hand, and interpreting this as a vengeance for that crime sent from heaven, he sought a remedy from so nefarious a work. Struck by this fear, and by grief at the offended Mother Church; not long after, under the Emperor Otto the Second, he found at Perusia what he sought, rejoicing to restore himself, lost, from the love of the Savior. Whence, by the working power of the Mediator, he went to the Bishop of that same city, he sought the bodies of the Martyrs from the Bishop, weighed down by the mass of some such fault, with great trembling. But because the Soldier of the world preferred to be made a Soldier of Christ, he did not cease to obtain what he burned in his soul to fulfill. He demanded the bodies of the precious Martyrs Gratianus and Felinus; which, what is wonderful, he could in no way move, before he firmly assured by faith that he would lead them into his fatherland with great reverence; and there would build the monastery which he had begun, in honor of them; where the offices of Father Benedict might most reverently be celebrated by divine appointment; whom the Pontiff had suppliantly implored, that he would render appeased the wrath of the King, which he was willing to undertake by receiving money: from whom he could not extort this, unless he firmly promised that the bodies of the Saints which he had asked for, and demanded out of the love of Christ, would be given; and because he could not do otherwise, rather than prove the peril of his guilt, he had promised it would be given. But counsel having been taken, with the soldiers called, he commanded in silence that, with the people not knowing, the bodies of the Saints should be lifted from the church which is situated next to the river Tiber, and translated them to Arona, not far from the same city, in which they lay buried, and handed over to the Duke. But on that night, on which these things were being done, it was announced to the city that so great a treasure was being carried off by them. They with great haste pursued the Count's soldiers. But the Lord struck them with great blindness, for the love of the Saints and their deliverance, and so they returned to their own places sad and confused, that they were deprived of such precious bodies. But the Count himself fulfilled all things for the Bishop concerning the Emperor, with faithful spirit, as he promised, and led the pledges of so great a treasure to the said beloved places *: where to this day their miracles are renowned, by whose patronage, with the helping grace of Christ, may we deserve to rejoice through infinite ages. Amen.
[6] At the sign *, noted in the third-from-last line, in the margin there was added — namely to the castle which is called Arona, in which he also built a monastery in honor of them and of the Savior the Lord, beside the bank of the greater Lake. and he obtains pardon for him from the angry Emperor. But it ought to be understood that what had long been begun to be built in honor of the Savior (namely immediately upon the penance undertaken for the sacrilege committed) was completed also in honor of the Saints, the bodies having been brought there, on account of the health of his arm, received by their intercession. But who was the Bishop who gave the holy Bodies cannot certainly be named. For Ughelli names indeed a John, subscribed to the Constitutions of Otto I, in the year 964; but says he died a little after, and finds no successor except Cono, ordained in the year 999. There was therefore some intermediate one, who by what evil desert of his own incurred the indignation of the younger Otto, it is of no use to divine; yet he provided for himself in good time, having sought the patronage of Amizo, when perhaps the latter passed through Perusia, returning from Rome; no longer from a military expedition, but from a votive pilgrimage undertaken for the sake of recovering health, which he found at Perusia or near it in a neighboring church beside the Tiber, of which now no memory survives, and in which then the holy Bodies lay. I said that the Bishop provided for himself in good time concerning patronage, compelled by fear of the Emperor about to come again into Italy, to check the Saracens, sent into Apulia and Calabria by Basil II the Emperor of the Greeks; and to vindicate the dowry assigned there to his wife Theophano by John Zimisces.
[7] On such an occasion and at such a time the Monastery was founded and furnished with sacred Relics; how long it remained under Regular Abbots remains hitherto unascertained. Carlo, Bishop of Novara, asserts that in later time it was wont to be commended to chief men; such was Girolamo Calagrani, Then in the year 1489 under a commendatory Abbot. Pontifical secret Chamberlain, when in the year 1489 the church was restored, and the bodies of the aforesaid Saints were placed beneath the chief altar, beneath which even now they rest, with these letters inscribed: The bodies of the most holy Martyrs Gratinianus and Felinus, who suffered under Decius Caesar; the bodies are translated to a new altar; divinely conveyed hither from Perusia by the Emperor Otto II; the building restored, piously translated to this altar and here laid, in the year of Salvation 1489, while Innocent VIII was Supreme Pontiff, Gian Galeazzo Sforza Visconti being 6th Duke of Milan, John and Vitaliano Borromeo Counts of Arona, by the order and at the expense of Girolamo Galagrani of Pavia, secret Chamberlain, Prefect of the monastery. The Borromeos, who then were Counts of Arona, also held the Abbey itself, for some time held by the Ferrari family of Vercelli, transferred into the right of their family, until St. Charles, Archbishop of Milan, gave it up with very many other benefices, and finally the place handed over to the Jesuits; by an altogether illustrious example of Christian moderation, says Carlo of Novara, and took care to have it handed over to the Fathers of the Society of Jesus: whom he had taken care to place in the Brera church of Milan, for the public and salutary advantage of the city, that those Fathers might serve at Arona the divine worship, and the utility and salvation of the inhabitants, with certain conditions added: and they established there a College, in which the Novices of the Religion might be tested.
[8] Among these there is still preserved an old parchment codex, containing the Legends of the Saints, among whom is preserved the Manuscript Codex in which are the Acts, and among them the Acts of Sts. Gratinianus and Felinus, for the Kalends of June, on which they are venerated. That he had a copy of them Bishop Carlo testifies, when in the year 1612 he published his Novara; Philippo Ferrari also had it, the year soon following having printed his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy; and he wonders how Baronius, who probably was the author that there should be read in the Roman Martyrology, reformed by order of Gregory XIII, At Perusia, of the holy Martyrs Felinus and Gratianus, Soldiers, who under Decius endured every kind of martyrdom; and then, the phrase changed after three years, who under Decius, tortured with various torments, received the palm of martyrdom by a glorious death. He wonders, I say, and rightly Ferrari wonders, how Baronius, in his Notes to the same Martyrology, cites Monuments of the Church of Perusia, which, he says, we have received in manuscript; cited by Baronius, when at Perusia no memory of these Martyrs exists. That no knowledge of the Acts exists there either, is proved even from this, that the Perusian writers, for that very time for which they make Florentius Bishop, knew no other than Decentius, named in the Acts of St. Florentius and his Fellow Martyrs. But these Acts, since they are word for word the same with the Acts of Sts. Secundianus, Marcellianus, and Verianus, Patrons of Tuscania, who are venerated on August 9; but in part taken from the Acts of St. Florentius, and different only in the names of the Martyrs and places; that they were again transformed and fitted to these Arona Patrons, the phrase nevertheless changed and several new circumstances added, we would greatly wonder; unless we held from experience how often and easily in former ages such a change was made; certain Monks sometimes wishing, more pious than learned, to borrow from anywhere rather the Legends of their Patrons, than to confess that they had received none from their elders.
[9] Such a one, around the year 20 of this century, our Heribert Rosweyde received transcribed for himself from Arona, for the present work which he had begun to meditate and promise. The same afterward, without the history of the Translation, which we gave above, nor very ancient. and which one of ours testifies was inserted into the older Codex by a more recent hand, after the same Legend rendered into Italian, and sent to our Bollandus in the year 1659: and he takes thence an argument for believing that the book itself, together with the holy Bodies, was brought from Perusia to Arona. But I can neither persuade myself that the very Legend of Sts. Florentius and his Fellows, which I have said and shall soon show was fitted to Sts. Gratinianus and Felinus, is not more recent than the foundation of Arona; nor can I at all bring my mind to believe that the Perusians had to be charged with such abandoned impudence, that at one and the same time they read in their churches a Legend common to two pairs of holy Martyrs, under the sole diversity of names; granted they could have been deceived by someone who fitted to St. Florentius and his companions, who suffered at Perusia, the Acts of Sts. Secundianus and his companions, who suffered at Centumcellae by the sea; just as afterward the people of Arona were deceived.
[10] Meanwhile we have a compendium of them, both in the old Milanese Breviary of the year 1539, divided into three Lessons; and in the reformed one of the year 1635, contracted to one. The cult also at Milan: And in the old one indeed also a double proper Prayer is prescribed, of which the first is this: O God, who hast adorned this day with the most victorious contest of thy holy Martyrs Gratinianus and Felinus; grant, we beseech, that all who devoutly flock to their festival may obtain by their merits the pardon which they distrust they can deserve by their own. And from this Breviary I judge rather, than from any monuments of the Perusians, that the names and the commendation of the torments were brought into the Gregorian Martyrology. But what sort the Acts themselves are, from which the Lessons of the Breviary were taken, it helps to learn by the very words produced, perhaps formerly at Perusia at Ponte-Felcino? by comparing them with the Acts of Sts. Secundianus and Marcellianus to be produced below. Only here I would add, that for Gratinianus, "Gratianus" crept in to the Amplifiers of the Roman Martyrology; and that he who in the Arona Acts is always called Felinus (a diminutive ending from the name of Felix, as far as I can conjecture; as if Felicinus) is written in the Calendar of the Milanese Missal of the year 1522 "Fininus," but in the Breviary of the year 1539 "Filinus," and in both places named before Gratinianus: which both were corrected from the usage of the people of Arona, in the Calendars and Breviaries of the years 1582 and 1635; and written Felinus and Gratinianus. Moreover, if the conjecture is true, that "Felinus," for "Felicinus" as said by the Perusians, prevailed by the usage of the people of Arona; it would be not absurd also as a second conjecture, by which it might be thought that the place commonly called Ponte-Felcino, and laid over the Tiber, beyond the second milestone from the city of Perusia toward the northeast, has its name from an old church there of St. Felicinus, called Felinus by the people of Arona; from which Amizo received the bodies of the saints. And so the knowledge and cult of them came into oblivion among the Perusians; especially if no church or chapel any longer remained there; or, if any survives in the place, it long since passed into the title and patronage of another Saint, as has often been wont to happen. In a similar way perhaps the knowledge and cult of St. Gratinianus grew obsolete in the same Perusian territory: of whom nevertheless a trace survives in the name of a place, commonly called Rocca-Gratian, and Rocca Gratiani? which the Chorographic map of that region places to the south of Perusia, at an interval of three miles, on the western bank of the river Genna, gliding past the city itself; or rather in the place of St. Gricinianus, named on the same map, five miles to the north on the other side of the city.
Annotations* "To fear" (Timere).
* "Work" (Opere).
APOCRYPHAL ACTS From an old Manuscript Passional of Arona.
FROM THE MANUSCRIPT.
FIRST PART On the conversion of the Saints, and their intrepid confession before the tribunal. Taken from the Acts of Sts. Secundianus and his Companions, more licentiously transformed into the Acts of Sts. Florentius and his companions.
[1] About to write the passions and contests of the most holy Martyrs, namely of Gratinianus and Felinus, since they too were Pagans from the cradle, we have judged it fitting to relate at the very forefront in what order they came to the knowledge of the Christian faith: so that thence, as from a foundation, a more solid building of the narration may rise a.
[2] When therefore Decius b Caesar had attained the monarchy of the Roman Empire, by the instigation of the devil, persecution stirred up under Decius and Valerianus, he blazed up with a very grievous hatred against the Christian Religion. Valerianus also the Prefect, a most cruel persecutor, was very hostile to the Christians; and in their killings, like a most ferocious beast, he raged. The Emperor therefore, with the same Prefect Valerianus, enacted a law, that wherever Christians were found, they should at once be compelled to the sacrifices of idols; and, if they resisted, should perish torn by various punishments. But the holy Martyrs of God, imbued with the impregnable arms of faith, and inflamed with the love of Christ, undaunted resisted their tyranny; and in a wondrous manner, the more atrociously they were punished, the more strengthened by the help of God, and uplifted by the hope of eternal joys, they hastened joyful to the punishments, as if invited to a banquet. But the savage fury of the Pagans, from the patience of the Saints, whence it ought to have been calmed, blazed up more grievously, mangling them with diverse kinds of torments. For some, deprived of their family goods, condemned by proscription, others deputed to exile, others committed to prisons, others bound with iron fetters, others cut with beatings, others flayed alive, others disfigured by the cutting-off of limbs, others mangled by the bites of beasts, others beaten with leaded whips, others strangled with nooses, others drowned in waters, others burned up with fires, others pierced through with swords, and whatever further the savagery of the executioners could devise of cruelty, they endured. c
[3] their instigators Gratinianus and Felinus, But the aforesaid men Gratinianus and Felinus, while they were still entangled in Pagan errors, themselves too persecuted the Christians, instigating against them the minds of Caesar and the Prefect with frequent suggestions and counsels. For they were conspicuous in nobility, and most excellently learned in the disciplines of worldly wisdom; whence they were held in great honor in the palace, and enjoyed great familiarity with the Emperor and the Prefect, and by their counsel the affairs of the Republic were often arranged d. To them therefore, as we have said, long occupied with gentile error; at length the divine mercy, which wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of its truth, since it knew them preordained to life, led them by such an order to the knowledge of its faith. Gratinianus e indeed, when on a certain day he was, after his wonted manner, giving counsel against the Christians to the Prefect Valerianus; by the sudden grace of a heavenly visitation, marveling at the constancy of the Christians, as if illumined by a kind of sun, began to ponder in his mind the constancy of the Christians; how they abominated the worships of idols, and not only despised temporal punishments, but rather embraced them for the name of Christ. Considering therefore that they could in no way suffer such grievous things without some great hope of rewards; he at once took care to have Felinus, as a familiar and prudent man, summoned, about to confer with him what he had conceived in his mind.
[4] After manifold conversations, therefore, and disputations of philosophical questions, Gratinianus brought up the matter about the Christians, saying: they inquire of each other the reason for it: O friend, I greatly wonder why the Christians desire with so great longing to be afflicted with torments, and to die for Christ: for I suspect that they hope for something after death. Felinus answered: Do you perhaps, seduced by their persuasions, desire to become a Christian, and after their example to be tortured and to die? Gratinianus said: I confess that I have to some extent inclined my mind toward the love of the Christian religion. Felinus said: From what occasion? Gratinianus answered: Because they say that, after death, there is another life, much more excellent than this mortal one, bounded by no end, flashing with unfailing light, abounding with an inestimable abundance of delights; in which the souls that keep the faith of Christ are satisfied with unspeakable sweetness; but those who think against Christ and Gratinianus professing that he would join them, are handed over to inextinguishable flames. They also affirm the resurrection of bodies at the end of the world, and a future judgment; in which judgment they assert that all who adore the Gods whom we worship are to be condemned to the perpetual torments of hell; but that the worshipers of Christ are to be rewarded with eternal beatitude. Since therefore it is better, after death, to enjoy a blessed life, than to be tortured with the punishments of hell; I desire to despise idols, and to believe in Christ.
[5] Felinus said: If you can by any reasoning prove to me that these things are truly so, I too will become a Christian. Then Gratinianus, filled with joy, said: I wonder at your prudence in thinking those to be Gods, who are made by the art of men, who are proved mute and deaf, who thrive with no sense. But about the divinity of Christ do not doubt, in whose deeds it is read that he had illumined the blind, the same persuades Felinus: put demons to flight, raised the dead, and done innumerable miracles; lastly, that, when of his own accord he had died and been buried, he rose again and ascended into heaven, let it in no way be doubted. Felinus, having heard these things, himself too believed.
[6] Meanwhile the fame of St. Florentius f, Bishop of the Perusian city, reached them. But St. Florentius himself, at that time avoiding for a little while the onset of the persecution, who, coming together to St. Florentius the Bishop, hid himself in such hiding-places as he could; not however from fear of passion, but rather that he might strengthen the souls of the Saints, whom he feared might fail in torments; and that he might wash with the wave of holy baptism those who had fled over from idolatry to Christianity. To him therefore Gratinianus and Felinus coming, prostrate began to kiss his feet, saying to him: Most holy Prelate, have mercy on us, and illumine us your servants, that we may be able to know the way of truth, and may deserve to attain to eternal life. But he, congratulating their faith, said: If with undoubting mind you desire to come to the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that first you renounce idols, then in the confession and faith of the true God, by holy baptism, you be cleansed from the filth of idolatry. But they with tears said: Already indeed, the superstition of images abjured, we believe and confess Christ the true Lord: but we wretches, who hitherto, they renounce idolatry: the true God despised, have adored false, deaf, and mute idols; and at the will of Caesar and the Prefect have tortured so many Saints of the Lord, what shall we do? Whom St. Florentius gently consoling: Cease, said he, to be saddened, nor fear: only believe, and you will be baptized, and you will receive the remission of your sins. When they had been more fully instructed about the faith, he said: Tomorrow return to me, that you may receive the baptism of salvation and the faith of Christ.
[7] But on the same day the Prefect Valerianus caused him g to be seized, and, tortured for a very long time, thrust him by Caesar's order into prison. and they are baptized and anointed with chrism. But Gratinianus and Felinus, learning these things, hastened on to a certain Presbyter named Timothy h, a man equally most holy. When he saw them unexpectedly entering; he suspected that they had come to seize him, and to lead him to martyrdom. But they, saluting him after the custom, fell at his feet, saying: We ask you, by the omnipotent God whom you preach, do not delay to baptize us. Then Blessed Timothy, filled with joy in all things, catechized them according to the Catholic faith, and baptized them in the name of the Trinity. Go, said he, to Blessed Sixtus i, Bishop of the Roman Church; and he, confirming you with the holy Chrism, will seal you with the seal of Christ. They, executing his commands very quickly, were confirmed and sealed by St. Sixtus. But on the same day, returning to their homes, they began to distribute their goods to the poor.
[8] When these things were thus being done, and now not a little time had flowed by, the Prefect began to wonder why Sts. Gratinianus and Felinus were weaving such long delays in returning to the palace; and he wrote them a letter, containing these things. Valerianus the Prefect to Gratinianus and Felinus, his dearest friends and companions, they are summoned to the Prefect, greeting. You therefore, O friends, withdrawing your presence for so long a time, have put us into a certain anxiety: for we thought that you were either perhaps sick, or certainly held some Christians bound in custody. Now therefore, because the republic has need of your counsel, we ask that you do not delay to come to us more speedily. The letter therefore having been read through, Sts. Gratinianus and Felinus said to the rest of the Christians who were with them: Know, Brethren, that the time of our dissolution is at hand: clothed therefore with the arms of faith, let us prepare ourselves for war. Be mindful of the precept of our Lord Jesus Christ, saying: Fear not those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Now there were with them these five, themselves also at the same time baptized in the name of the Trinity, namely k Marcellianus, Faustinus, Fortunatus, Justinus, and Virianus.
[9] When therefore they were exhorting one another to martyrdom, the holy Gratinianus and Felinus said, and present themselves to him with their companions, We will go to the palace. Marcellianus and the rest answered: We too will go with you, prepared to endure any torments for the name of Christ. At daybreak therefore all rising together, they set out to the palace l of Calistus, where at that time Decius Caesar and the Prefect Valerianus were encamped. When the holy Gratinianus and Felinus had entered to the Prefect, the Prefect said: O most eloquent men, are the things true which we have heard about you? But they: What? said they. Because, said he, seduced by the magic arts of the Christians, you have become Christians; and, the omnipotent Gods despised, you adore Christ, who, on account of his superstition, is reported to have been crucified by Pilate, to have died and been buried. The holy ones of God answered: And why, when you said crucified, dead, and buried; did you not add that he rose and ascended to the heavens? Valerianus said: Truly, as I see, you are Christians. But they without delay answered: Truly, we are Christians. and intrepidly profess the faith: But the Prefect: Do not, said he, O friends, lose the favor of the most clement Prince, and our friendship. The holy ones of God: Your friendship be with you: we have no need of it, because it is known to be hostile to God. Valerianus, smiling, said: Cease from this folly, before you come to torments. But the soldiers of Christ undaunted answered: Cease you, wretch, from your madness, and from the shedding of the blood of the innocent Saints, before you are handed over to the fire of inextinguishable Gehenna: but know that we do not fear your torments at all.
[10] Then the Prefect, moved by fury, ordered them to be thrust into prison. And when they were being led by the ministers; m the holy Marcellianus and the rest of the companions began to cry out with public voices, they are handed over to prison, Why are these innocent men wronged? If perchance for the name of Christ, we too are Christians. They at once, by the Prefect's order, were seized, and likewise sent into prison. But when these had been thrust into the darkest prison, behold suddenly a light sent from heaven illumined the whole prison with great brightness. Now there were there also other Christians confined with chains: of whom one named n Feciolus, who already had been six months in prison, hearing the holy ones of God entering, began to cry out: Who are these servants of God, entering the tabernacle of the servants of God? St. Felinus said: and there they enlighten a blind man. We hope from the clemency of Christ, that he will deign to count us too in the lot of his servants. But Feciolus, since he could not see the splendor of the light, said to St. Felinus: Stretch out your hand to me: which he forthwith stretched out. When Feciolus had touched it, he too saw the light, and said: Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity! Psalm 132. like the ointment descending from the head into the beard, the beard of Aaron: and let the blessing of God descend upon us. And all answered, Amen.
[11] Meanwhile the Prefect Valerianus, having entered to Decius Caesar, said: I suggest to your Piety, that Gratinianus and Felinus, the ministers of your Sublimity, have become Christians. The Emperor answered: By what reasoning should I believe what you assert? for they were always hostile to the Christians, and inflicted punishments on them: how then could they have become Christians? The Prefect said: By your health, without doubt they are Christians: presented to the Emperor Decius, I have already sent them into custody, because they despised the commands of the Republic. But Decius Caesar: Cause them, said he, to be presented to our sight with honor, as they were accustomed. Then the Prefect Valerianus, having sent ministers to the prison, caused the holy Gratinianus and Felinus, loosed from their chains, to be led before Caesar's tribunal. When they had been brought in, Decius Caesar said: Long now we have waited, thinking you would suggest something to us about the Christians, who, deserters of the Gods and of the Republic, strive to disturb the quiet of our Empire; but, as now for a long time we have ascertained, you, seduced by their magic arts, have become Christians, and despise the worship of the Gods, and reckon our commands and the public laws for nothing.
[12] To whom the holy ones of God answering said: Hitherto we wretches, serving the public laws and obeying your commands, have committed many evils, namely by shedding much blood of the Saints, whence we deserved to be punished with infernal torment: but through the mercy of God now having obtained indulgence, they defend the faith. we can no longer obey your precepts unto these crimes. Decius said: Now it is plain that you incline to the Christian superstition. The soldiers of Christ answered: We have inclined not to superstition, as you say, but to the religious worship of the true and omnipotent God. The Emperor said: Do not remain in this stubbornness: but coming forward, offer libations to the Gods, according to the most pious rites. The holy Gratinianus and Felinus answered: You urge foolish things, O Emperor, that we who once have been cleansed from the filth of idols, should cast ourselves into their mire again, like swine. and they are tortured. But we wish you without doubt to know, that hereafter we will never bow our necks to the deaf and mute idols, which once we have renounced. Decius Caesar said: It is necessary to avenge public blasphemy of the Gods with public torments. The holy ones of God said: Do not think we are terrified by your threats: we reckon your torments as delights, which even now prepare for us refreshment, but for you perpetual fire. Then Decius, kindled with excessive fury, said to the Prefect Valerianus: These profane men, who publicly blaspheme the Gods, and threaten us with torments, we order to be flayed alive, and their skins to be burned with fire, but they themselves to be cast upon coals and ashes in prison o. Moreover the most valiant athletes of Christ, most cruelly mangled according to the royal command, gave thanks to God, because they were held worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus.
ANNOTATIONS BY D. P.
LATTER PART On the constancy of the Saints variously tested, and their death, fabricated nearly from the wit of the Author.
[13] But when they had been led back into prison, behold an Angel of the Lord appeared to them, saying: Peace be with you, Brethren. St. Gratinianus said: We believe no other peace, except that of our Lord Jesus Christ, for whom also we desire to endure torments. The Saints are visited and healed by the Angel; The Angel said: This I too bring to you: for I am his Angel, and I have a medicine by which your souls may be cured, your faith strengthened, your bodies restored to their former health. As the Angel said these things, they were made whole, and a most sweet odor filled the whole prison. Then the holy ones of God, casting themselves at his feet, asked that they might be blessed by him, and receive fortitude and grace, lest perchance they should fail in their punishments. But the Angel, blessing them, said: He who, the Word of the Father, descending into the womb of the Virgin, deigned to become man, that he might save the lost earth-born, and strengthen those hoping in him; may he deign to save, strengthen, and bless you; that, the prince of the world triumphed over, you may be made worthy of the heavenly palm. These things said, the Angel was taken from their eyes.
[14] Moreover the Prefect Valerianus, thinking them now dead, commanded two soldiers, namely Superantius and Cyriacus, saying: Go, and carrying out the corpses of those magicians, two soldiers sent to them, seeing the heavenly light, are converted. cast them far away from the walls of the city. They therefore, going to the prison, when they had seen the holy Martyrs shining round about with splendid garments and so great a light about them, astonished said: O glorious men and most worthy of all veneration, whom the brightness of this so great light soothes, whom the pleasantness of such great glory cherishes, whom the fragrance of a most sweet odor refreshes! But we wretches, struck back by so great a splendor, are scarcely able to perceive your glory faintly. The holy Martyrs said: And you too, if you wish to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be baptized in his name, can be made partakers of this glory, indeed of perpetual life. But Superantius and Cyriacus, fallen at their feet, began to say: We believe and confess, that there is no other God except Christ, who glorifies with so great honor those hoping in him. Then the holy Gratinianus and Felinus, seeing their heart illumined with the light of faith, sent them to St. Timothy the Presbyter: who, strengthening them in Christ, and instructing them most fully about the faith, baptized them. When these had been baptized and had returned to the prison, behold the Prefect Valerianus goes forth to the prison, as if to see the bodies of the dead (as he thought). But finding Superantius and Cyriacus sitting with St. Gratinianus and Felinus, and studiously meditating, he blazed up with grave anger; and ordered them to be kept in prison with iron chains, until he should decide by what punishment to destroy them.
[15] Now there was at that time a certain noble matron, named a Lucilla, wife of Aspasius the Proconsul; who, since she dwelt not far from the prison, having heard that Gratinianus and Felinus had been committed to custody, took with her bread and water, Lucilla, finding the prison illumined by night, and about midnight, a light kindled, entered the inner parts of the prison. But seeing all the things that were within so illumined by a great light, that the light which she carried in her hands seemed altogether obscured, astonished she said: Behold, now it is seven years that, knowing this prison, I have ministered necessities to those shut in it, and I could never enter without lamps; but now, entering at midnight, I find it shining brighter than the sun. Whence this new light in these places, hitherto beset with black darkness? St. Felinus said: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the unfailing light, illumines all men coming into this world; who illumined our souls with spiritual light, he too, for the consolation of his servants, deigns to drive away the darkness of this place, in this manner which you see: for he is the true God, creator of heaven and earth, of the sea and all that is in them, at whose nod the seasons run, at whose fragrance the dead revive, at whose touch the sick are strengthened, whose power does not fail, whose riches do not decrease, in whom those who believe will deserve the citizenship of the heavenly kingdom, but his despisers will be condemned to infernal punishments.
[16] Then Lucilla, fallen at the feet of the Saints, said: I adjure you by Christ, make me a partaker of the Christian religion b, so that I may deserve to attain to this perpetual happiness which you preach. The holy Martyrs said: If with your whole heart you are baptized into Christ, she asks to become a Christian: you will be saved forever. But she said: I believe the Lord Jesus Christ to be true God, and I desire in every way to be baptized in his name. Then the holy ones of God, knowing her fervor, giving thanks to God, who alone illumines the minds of the erring, that they may be able to know the way of truth, said to Lucilla: Go to St. Florentius the Bishop; he will tell you what you ought to do. But Lucilla said to them: Behold I have brought you bread and water: take therefore and refresh your bodies. St. Felinus said to her: As chaff cannot be stored with wheat in the barns, and baptized by St. Florentius the Bishop, so neither can we share with you, or receive anything from you, unless you allow yourself to be baptized. Lucilla, having heard these things, went out with haste; and returning to her house, taking with her white garments and silver and gold, came to St. Florentius the Bishop; and prostrate at his feet, she begged him that she might deserve to be baptized. But he, rejoicing, baptized her, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[17] But as she was baptized, immediately bidding farewell to the holy Prelate, she returned with great joy: and coming to the house of Felinus, she found his wife named Paulina, given to feasting and merriment, and said to her: Felinus your husband, bound with chains, is held in prison c; and you show yourself merry? Paulina said: For what cause? Lucilla said: Because he believed in Christ, the creator of all things. Paulina said: He himself used to persecute and punish Christians: by what reasoning then should I believe him a Christian? Lucilla answered: I indeed, coming to the prison, found Felinus, she announces the matter to the wives of the Saints, Gratinianus, Faustinus, Cyriacus, Superantius Caesarius, Justinus, Virianus, Marcellianus, Benedictus d, and Fortunatus, with another hundred and twenty worshiping Christ, committed to custody: I too by their words believed in Christ, and baptized I give thanks to my Lord, who has deigned to count me in the number of his handmaids. When Lucilla had brought these same things to the wife of Gratinianus also; immediately both crying out hastened publicly to the prison. Having entered therefore, when they had seen the holy Martyrs, with great howling they cried out, saying: O sweetest Lords, whence to you so sudden a change? What has it seemed good to you to abandon the Gods, whom you always worshiped, and to adore an unknown God? Why do you despise the commands of the Princes and the public laws? To what masters do you leave us and your families to serve? Why do you desire to be condemned to a most shameful death? But the warriors of Christ, founded upon the rock, by these weeping lamentations not only not moved, who in vain solicit their minds. but made much stronger, answered, saying: O unhappy ones and hateful to God, why do you strive to turn us from the way of truth, and recall us to our former error? Let your own captivity suffice you, why do you endeavor to captivate us? Why do you try to ensnare us again in the snares of the devil, from which once we have been rescued? Take away your beseeching persuasions, and rather acquiesce in ours, that, the vanity of images abandoned, you may know the true God your creator.
[18] Meanwhile therefore when Lucilla, a multitude of the poor called together to a meal, Lucilla, caught by her husband feeding the poor, was distributing her goods to them; Aspasius unexpectedly coming up and greatly wondering, began vehemently to ask the reasons why so many poor had come together there, and why she had dissipated the substance of his house. Lucilla answered: Because the Scripture says, He who gives to the poor lends to God. Proverbs 19. Aspasius said: What is it to lend to God? Lucilla answered: To extend alms to the needy, and to receive from God a perpetual reward: for God will render the reward of the labors of his Saints. Wisdom 10. Aspasius said: What God? Lucilla answered: God, the founder of all creation and the redeemer of the human race. Aspasius said: Who taught you this? Lucilla answered: My Lord Jesus Christ. Aspasius said: Then are you a Christian? Lucilla answered: I am a handmaid of Christ, and I wish to serve him. Then Aspasius, greatly angered, began to strike Lucilla with fists and kicks, she is beaten and bound by him. so that all the poor who were in the house fled. When he had cruelly beaten her and thrust her into prison, he confined her feet in the stocks. But having learned that she had believed through the holy Gratinianus and Felinus, he began to cry out against them, saying: O magicians! O sorcerers! who alienate the minds of men. Who, repeating the same words very often, entered to the Emperor, announcing the things that had been done. Then the Emperor, filled with fury: Quickly, said he, take an iron yoke e glowing with fire, and placed on the necks of Gratinianus and Felinus, join them to one another; and with an iron chain bind Lucilla to the middle of the yoke; and thus present them together to my sight. But without delay the warriors of Christ, bound to the iron yoke according to the royal command, were presented with St. Lucilla. But the yoke, although from excessive heating it seemed to burn like a living coal, brought them no harm.
[19] When Decius Caesar had seen these things, smiling he said: Until now I have not seen men yoked together, but oxen; nor a woman, but stones or wood being carried. St. Gratinianus answered: O Emperor; you, since you are mortal, and after a little while about to be worm and rottenness, can afflict with the insults of mockeries our bodies, given over into your power, and destined at some time to die by whatever death; but you are not able to harm our souls. Decius said: Wretches, I greatly grieve over you, because, snatched by I know not what sudden madness, [the Emperor, having heard this, with the Saints yoked together to a glowing iron yoke,] you despise to show the veneration due to the Gods; and, making light of the decrees of the public laws and our commands, you wish to persist in this obstinacy, whence torments and cruel deaths await you. To which the holy Martyrs answered, saying: Know that we can neither be seduced by enticements, nor terrified by threats, nor broken by punishments: whence the torments which you threaten, why do you delay to inflict? We are ready, for the name of Christ, to endure all things; and not only do we not fear them, but with the whole desire of our soul we joyfully await them; knowing that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. For wheat, the more it is threshed and trodden on the threshing-floor, the more purely it is stored in the barns. in vain solicits them. Then Aspasius the Proconsul with a cry said: O good Emperor, why do you delay to punish these murderers, who, deserting their own wives, seducing my wife and the wives of others by trickeries, have lain with them; moreover, deserting the Gods of the Republic, despise to sacrifice? It is not lawful for such men to live. Caesar said: Because they could be useful and necessary to the Republic, we gave them a reprieve of living, hoping that they could to some extent come to their senses from this stubbornness. Now therefore let them again be thrust into prison, tomorrow either to adore the Gods, or without doubt to undergo the sentence of a most cruel death.
[20] but they, visited by the Angel and St. Florentius, These therefore having been led back into prison, behold an Angel of the Lord, about midnight opening the prison, led them to their homes: who, converting their wives and likewise their whole household to the faith of Christ, summoned St. Timothy the Presbyter, asking that he baptize those who had believed. These things accomplished, and all they had distributed to the poor, before daylight they returned into the prison. St. Florentius the Bishop also, coming to them in the prison, saluted them, saying: Brethren, be comforted in the Lord, act manfully; do not fear temporal torments, mindful of the promises of God saying, If you pass through the fire, the flame will not hurt you, and the smell of smoke will not be on you: and again, A hair of your head will not perish: in your patience you will possess your souls. Of these promises therefore being certain, do not grow weary in the fight: for it is near, that you attain to that triumph, after which no fear of war will remain; but always victory, to be heaped up from day to day, will remain without end. But the holy ones of God, and fortified with his blessing, with one accord prostrating themselves with tears at the feet of St. Florentius, asked that, supplicating the Lord for them, he would confirm them with his blessing. Then St. Florentius prayed over them thus, saying: Lord Jesus Christ, good shepherd, who for the salvation of the human race didst put on flesh, and didst redeem us with thy precious blood, who didst promise the heavenly kingdoms to those believing in thee; bless and sanctify these thy servants, presuming on thy mercy, and strengthen them in thy faith: that they may feel thy help, who confess thy holy name: give them patience and fortitude, that they be not ensnared by the prosperous things of the world, nor broken by the adverse; and make them obtain fullest mercy, and come to thy glory.
[21] And when all, the prayer finished, had answered Amen, and had raised themselves from the ground; they are comforted by Christ appearing. the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them, holding in his hands the sign of the holy Cross, gleaming above the splendor of the sun: at whose right hand most elegant youths, clothed about with most white garments, carried golden censers fragrant with the most sweet odor of incense: but those at the left bore crowns glowing red with gold and gems: and he said to the holy Martyrs: O my friends, the signs of virtues have been given to you, by which you may conquer the tyranny of your adversaries: arise, invited to my table: there are prepared for you delights and dwellings, most pleasant with unspeakable joy. After a little while you will see me, and I will lead you into the kingdom of my Father, that you may receive unfading crowns, with unfailing sweetness of odors. These things said, he sealed them with the sign of the holy Cross, and was taken from their eyes. But they, filled with immense joy, with harmonious thanksgiving praised the divine clemency, which deigned to visit and console them.
[22] But while they were giving themselves to divine praises, and with thirsting breast desiring the palm of martyrdom, they are also presented to Decius; Decius Caesar ordered a tribunal to be prepared for himself in the palace of Calistus; and commanded that the whole unanimity of the citizens f should assemble for the spectacle, and that if anyone neglected to be present he should offend the Emperor. The whole city therefore was stirred, and with crowds flowing together from every side opposite, he ordered the holy ones of God to be brought forth. When they had been led in he said: Perhaps still persisting in your stubbornness, you resist our commands, and despise to offer libations to the Gods? The Martyrs of Christ constantly answered: We will never obey your commands, compelling us to sacrileges, nor will we show divine worship to the lurking-places of demons. Decius said: What are the lurking-places of demons? The holy Martyrs said: The images, to which you, blinded by ignorance, render divine honor: for in them demons, lurking like serpents in pits, kill their worshipers with the poison of their deception, and plunge them into perpetual death. Then Decius Caesar, gnashing like a lion, ordered them to be hung on the rack, and their sides to be scraped with claws, while he himself cried out with a herald's voice, Do not blaspheme the Gods. But the holy ones of God, cheerful with a most beautiful countenance, said to Decius: We give thanks to you, Emperor, who, serving our will, drench us with the ointment of our own blood: this banquet we have always desired. But he, not bearing their insults, and variously tortured, confounded left the public assembly with the Prefect Valerianus; g commanding Promotus, Consul of the province of Tuscia, that he himself mangle them with torments as cruelly as he could: who immediately, their sides sprinkled with sulphur, ordered flames to be applied. h
[23] Then suddenly one of the ministers, seized by a demon, began to cry out, saying: O holy ones of God, Gratinianus and Felinus, they free one of the lictors from a demon; why do you burn me? Another also, no less choked by the devil, suddenly fell, and died. But the parents of him who was vexed by the demon, at once approaching the holy Martyrs, fell at their feet saying: Servants of the most high God, do not regard our wickedness, but for the glory and honor of your God succor the wretched, have mercy on the suppliants; that this man, who is vexed in vengeance of your injuries, may through your mercy be freed. To whom the holy Martyrs said: Go to the Gods of your Emperor, for whom, zealous, you rage in the killings of the servants of God, and ask help from them. Yet, lest perchance we seem to avenge our injuries, and render evil for evil; although your malice does not deserve this, we acquiesce in your prayers. St. Gratinianus therefore, taking the hand of the possessed man, said: Listen, accursed devil, adjured by the immense name of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, depart from the creature of God, and dare not return to him further. But immediately, crying out with a horrid-sounding voice, he said: O terrible name, which compels me to go out: and at the same moment the seized man was cured.
[24] When the holy Martyrs had approached the dead man also, imploring the divine clemency with tears, they poured forth this prayer, saying: Lord God, omnipotent King, creator of all things, and raise up another dead man. to whose power even death itself is subject; look upon the prayers of thy servants, and for the glory of thy name raise up this dead man, choked by the enemy of the human race; that all standing around may know, that thou alone art one God, who killest and makest alive, leadest down to hell and bringest back. And the prayer completed, the dead man, reviving, arose, and began to cry out, saying: One is the God of the Christians, and there is no other besides him, to whose dominion all things obey, whom all things serve, whom even the powers of hell tremble at, whom this wretched world does not know; but all the Gods of the nations are demons, who, innumerable, flying about in this air, desire to ensnare the souls of men like fowlers with their snares; and those whom they can entangle, they plunge into the abyss of hell, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, where pain without remedy, where the horrid density of darkness, where pools of fire boiling with sulphurous exhalations, where death is sought and not found, where no hope of ending the calamity; there for Decius the Emperor, and Valerianus the Prefect, and all the worshipers of idols, the unspeakable straits of torments, to be ended by no limit, remain.
[25] These things seen and heard, the surrounding crowds raise their cries to heaven, saying: hence many being converted, There is no God except Christ, who alone does great wonders: and there believed of them nearly fifty men, besides women and little ones, among whom Aspasius the Proconsul also believed. When this was learned, Decius Caesar, stimulated by fury, ordered the Prefect Valerianus, with the Pontiffs of the idols, to search through the whole city, the squares and streets, and to seek the Christians, that with the holy Gratinianus and Felinus they might be beheaded: and there were found one hundred and fifty-three. To all of whom giving the capital sentence, he ordered that they be led far from the city, namely across the Tiber. all are beheaded; The holy Martyrs therefore, carried over the river, were led into a deserted place, in the village which is called i Fanestri, one mile from the Perusian city; and there they were beheaded. When the executioners cast their bodies into the river k, the wave, driven by divine nod, again laid them out on the shore. But St. Vincentius l, at that time Bishop of the Perusian city, having summoned St. Timothy the Presbyter and all his Clergy, gathered the bodies, and buried them with due honor. Moreover the names of the holy Martyrs, which of so great a number have come to our knowledge, are written down in continuous subscription. For Gratinianus and Felinus, first, as leaders of the war, voluntarily bent their necks to be cut off: then Superantius and Cyriacus, Marcellianus and Justinus, Virianus and Benedictus, Fortunatus and Florentius m: June 1. but the names of the rest the book of life in heaven contains written. Now the holy Martyrs suffered on the day of the Kalends of June; while the Lord Jesus Christ reigns, to whom is honor and dominion, together with the Holy Spirit, through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.