ON SS. CHRISTOPHORUS AND CONON,
ROMAN MARTYRS AMONG THE GREEKS.
From the manuscript Synaxaria of Dijon and Paris.
CommentaryChristophorus, Roman Martyr, among the Greeks (S.)
Conon, Roman Martyr, among the Greeks (S.)
G. H.
The Greek Synaxarium, found by us at Dijon in the keeping of Petrus Franciscus Chiffletius, Christophorus slain by the sword, often supplies various Saints, and especially Martyrs, whose memory is not found in others: and of some indeed we have even found Acts, of most the further account is lacking. Thus on this fifth of June these two Martyrs are found, perhaps having suffered under different Emperors or at least in different years. Both are said to be "from Rome," so that they seem to have been born at Rome, and crowned elsewhere. The former, Christophorus, ended his life struck by the sword, of whom this Distich is added.
The Greek reads: "Not for nothing, O Christ-bearer, am I cut down: you, O Christ, will give me, I know, many crowns."
Christophorus by the sword, my head is not cut off for nothing: Many crowns, O Christ, you will give me, I know.
The other, Conon, cast into the sea, is crowned with martyrdom, Conon drowned in the sea, and to him these verses are fitted.
The Greek reads: "Conon, sinking into the sea, found a harbor, his hands most excellently steered by the Lord."
Beneath the waves of the deep Conon found a harbor, The hand of the Lord guiding the helm most well.
Further, the memory of these same holy Martyrs, Memory on the 6th of June, Conon and Christophorus, without any other circumstances, is found on the following day, the 6th of June, in the very ancient manuscript Synaxarium of the Church of Constantinople, which belongs to our College of Paris, called before this the College of Clermont; whence I think it not unlikely that they obtained their crown among the Greeks.