ON THE FIVE HOLY MARTYRS OF NICOMEDIA AMONG THE GREEKS
From the same Ms. Synaxary.
CommentaryFive Martyrs, at Nicomedia in Bithynia (SS.)
D. P.
Nicomedia, the Seat of the Heathen Emperors, was the wrestling-ground of more Martyrs than any other city of the East. Both expressed by their names, and often indicated in great number without names, we set forth them repeatedly in this whole work of ours: but on this 16th day of June, from the Ms. Menaea of the Dijon college of the Society of Jesus, brought thither by Peter Francis Chifflet, we give the five holy Martyrs aforetitled; whom the collector of the book seems to indicate as not so much having suffered there, as sprung thence or brought to the judge there, when he writes, "Οἱ ἅγιοι ε΄ Μάρτυρες, οἱ ἐκ Νικομηδείας, ξίφει τελειοῦνται,"
The Holy 5 martyrs, from Nicomedia, by the sword are consummated: but in the subjoined distich they are compared to a tower, shaken by an earthquake, in this manner: "Πίπτει συνάθλων πέντε πύργιον μέγα, / Σεισμῷ κλονηθὲν τῷ ξίφει τοῦ δημίου."
The excellent tower of the five fellow-athletes falls, shaken by the executioner's sword as by an earthquake.