ON ST. PERSEVERANTIUS MARTYR IN AFRICA.
From the Old Carthaginian Kalendar.
CommentaryPerseverantius, Martyr in Africa (S.)
D. P.
That most beautiful monument of African antiquity, which John Mabillon brought to light, and we praised above in S. Cæcilius, was written before the times of the Vandal persecution under such a title: Here are contained the days of the Birthdays of the Martyrs and the Depositions of the Bishops, which the Church of Carthage celebrates annually. When therefore there we read III Non. Jun. of Saint Perseverantius the Martyr; we are made most certain that under that name some Martyr suffered in Africa; and indeed of such a kind, whose Birthday that Church was wont to celebrate annually; so that no greater evidence ought to be required for inserting him here in the Acts of the Saints: it can only be wished, but not easily hoped, that something more distinct might be made known about the place, manner, and time of his Martyrdom. Meanwhile it appears that he is most different from him who is referred in the Hieronymian Martyrology on the Kalends of November, the Bishop, said to have suffered at Terracina in Campania. Much less can we here think of the Perseverantius Bishop, without the designation of a certain See named in the Carthaginian Conference at number 121; since that Conference was held in the year 411, and after this in Africa none suffered martyrdom, except those who were killed either by the Donatists or by the Vandals.