Attalus

ON SAINT ATTALUS

THE WONDER-WORKER AMONG THE GREEKS.

Notice from the printed Menaea and the Manuscript Synaxaria.

Attalus, Wonder-worker among the Greeks (St.)

G. H.

The Greeks celebrate on this 6th of June the memory of our holy Father Attalus the Wonder-worker in the printed Menaea and the ancient Manuscripts of Milan of the Ambrosian Library, Cult in the Greek calendars. and others of Dijon of Peter Francis Chifflet of the Society of Jesus, and in Maximus, Bishop of Cythera, in the Lives of the Saints: in all of whom this eulogy is set forth. "This holy Attalus, having renounced the worldly life, and having undertaken the monastic life, displayed every kind of exercise; namely fastings and vigils, and pursuing every other hardship: for indeed after two and three days, often even after five, he partook of food. Never did he lie down at night upon his side, or recline in any other comfortable position on purpose; but sitting or standing he consoled nature. Wherefore he reaped from God much profit, and thence was enriched with fountains of many miracles: for not only toward rational souls did he show his compassion, but he also displayed his compassion toward irrational brutes and inanimate and insensible things: and having exhorted those present to give him the embrace in Christ, he committed his soul to God." "This holy Attalus, having renounced the worldly life, and having undertaken the monastic life, embraced every kind of exercises; namely fastings and vigils, Arduous mortification of himself. and whatever else brings evil hardship. For often after two or three days, or even five, he took food. Never at night did he lie down on his side, or incline himself in any other comfortable position; but sitting or standing he placated nature. Wherefore he received from God much profit, The grace of miracles. and thence obtained a fountain and origin of many miracles to be wrought. For not only toward rational souls did he show his mercy, but also toward irrational brutes, and other inanimate and insensible things he demonstrated his beneficence. Finally, having exhorted those present to give him the embrace of love in Christ, he rendered his soul to God." Thus far that: but in what time he lived, hitherto by no judgment is it established to us. The Chifflet Synaxarion moreover celebrates the same Attalus with this distich:

"If a Wonder-worker Attalus living, it is no marvel; A Wonder-worker afterward, and anointed too."

"Why do you wonder that Attalus lived a Wonder-worker? Anointed too, such was he at the last."

But these miracles of his, that they may at some time come forth into the light, we perhaps wish in vain.

ON SAINT PHOTAS

From the Greek Synaxarion of Dijon.

Photas, among the Greeks (St.)

G. H.

To the Greeks "phōs, phōtos," to the Latins is "Lux, Lucis" (light, of light): whence S. Photas is the same as S. Lucas or Lucius. We sought carefully whether perhaps some Saint, related somewhere under either name, might be found, who could seem to be venerated by the Greeks on this day, but we did not find. Therefore, for others, who perhaps will bring greater light to this S. Photas, we propose what is had in the Manuscript Greek Synaxarion, found at Dijon with Peter Francis Chifflet of the Society of Jesus, in these few words: "The holy Photas was perfected in peace." "Saint Photas ended his life in peace": then is added this distich.

"The light of virtues, the great Photas, Shining to all, even dead, it shows,"

"The vast splendor of virtue shows the vast Photas, To shine to all, even dead."