ON SAINT ANTHEON,
MARTYR AT LAODICEA IN PHRYGIA.
CommentaryAntheon, Martyr, at Laodicea in Phrygia (St.)
G. H.
Laodicea, by some Laudicea, in the ancient Greek account of the Metropolises and Episcopal cities subject to them, chapter 22, The place of his passion. is Leodicea, the metropolis of Phrygia Capatiana, by others Pacatiana, under which there were thirty-seven Episcopal cities. With this city, and its Martyr Antheon, four copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology open this 14th of June; and indeed the most ancient Echternach one, in these words: "In Phrygia," and a little stroke drawn through the letter d, that the name may be understood written contractedly. The same things therefore in the Reichenau and Rheinau Martyrologies are thus explained: "In Phrygia, in the city of Laodicea, of Antonio." The manuscript of the Queen of Sweden, published by Holstenius, has thus: "In Phrygia, in the city of Laodicea, the birthday of St. Antiunus and Afra." The Lucca copy with some hallucination writes, "In the city of Pagatia, the birthday of St. Antonius." But instead of Pagatia, with greater contraction, "Pagia" is read in the Corbie and Blume copies; and also in the Florentine manuscripts of the Grand Duke and of Senator Strozzi. It seems, the rest being omitted, that it should thus be supplied: "In Phrygia Pacatiana, in the city of Laodicea." It is to be noted, moreover, that the name of St. Antheon, written in the Echternach copy and the said Florentine manuscripts and another of Aachen, and likewise in the Additions of Greven to Usuard; in the Blume manuscript is written "Anteoni," in the Corbie copy "Antigoni," in another Corbie manuscript "Antiani," and finally in the Augsburg manuscript of St. Udalric "Anteoni." We, all things considered, set forth, with the most ancient Echternach one and others, the name of St. Antheon; St. Afra being transferred to another class to be related below, where she is joined with Antonius. In the written additions of the Charterhouse of Brussels to Usuard there is the memory of Sts. Antheon and Bitunus, Priests and Martyrs. is the Priest Bitunus to be added? But in the Brussels manuscript of St. Gudula mention is made of Sts. Gallianus and Bitunus, Priests and Martyrs in Africa. But St. Gallianus is referred soon among the Ephesian Martyrs: after whom follow the African Martyrs, but among these there is no Gallianus: who indeed Bitunus may be, not related by others, we do not sufficiently attain.