Nazarius

ON SAINT NAZARIUS, BISHOP OF JUSTINOPOLIS IN ISTRIA.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

On his Episcopate, cult, discovery, and translation.

Nazarius, Bishop of Justinopolis in Istria (St.)

G. H.

Istria, once a part of Transpadane Gaul, now a province of Italy The Episcopal city of Justinopolis in Istria. under the dominion of the Venetians, situated on the border of Illyricum, has a Principal city, called Capodistria, occurring at its entrance, which alone occupies one whole island, set on the gulf of Trieste in the Adriatic Sea, and is connected to the mainland by a swing bridge. Here the Istrians, by the concession of the Emperor Justin, nephew of Justinian, judged a city should be built for them, by which they might protect themselves and their goods from the robbers of Slavonia, and gave it the name Justinopolis from the name of the Emperor, as Ughelli writes in tome 5 of Italia Sacra, column 355, about to treat of the Bishops of Justinopolis, and confirms his words by a marble inscription, which can be seen there.

[2] The first Bishop there is set down by Ughelli as John, by the order of Pope Stephen II, consecrated by Vitellianus the Patriarch of Grado in the year 756. The discovery of St. Nazarius. But the second is St. Nazarius, of whom we here treat, Bishop and Patron of Justinopolis, whose body, found by divine revelation, was buried in the church of St. Mary in the middle of the pavement of the Cathedral, a stone ark covering it, where this brief inscription is read.

"Guard this country, holy Nazarius, govern it, Thou who art called Father and Ruler of the city of Justin."

But a little below, in ancient round Roman characters, an inscription of this sort is seen engraved: "restored to its former beauty and erected in the year 1577." But at the same time with the body of St. Nazarius, a leaden plate was found, inscribed thus: "St. Nazarius the Prelate migrated to the Lord on the 13th of the Kalends of July." This plate, his birthday the 19th of June thus inscribed, the same tomb encloses with the body of the Saint, as I received from Peter Moranus, the most worthy Bishop of this Church at this time (says Ughelli).

[3] The 19th of June, on which the feast of St. Nazarius

is held celebrated, Ferrarius in the Catalogue of Saints who are not found in the Roman Martyrology says is of the Discovery, but not of the death or of the glory attained among the Heavenly Ones. But the above-mentioned inscription indicates otherwise. But it is not established at what time this Saint flourished. Of him Nicholas Manzolus makes mention. Thus far Ughelli. Ferrarius in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy has some compendium, and chiefly concerning the Discovery of the body, and adds that in the old manuscript of the said Church the Discovery and several miracles are more fully narrated.

[4] We have that booklet, printed at Venice in the year 1611, The History published by Manzolus, and received by the benefit of Ludovicus Joannes Schönleben, while he lived Archdeacon of Lower Carniola, in which, after the description of Istria, there is added a little work on the Saints, and among the first things is placed the History of the Discovery and Miracles of St. Nazarius from an ancient Manuscript of the aforesaid church, doubtless Latin, and which we would prefer to give in the original phrase; but that being lacking, receive our version: for Schönleben being dead, we have no one through whom we can hope for it. The same Manzolus prefixes to the said history letters, by which it is established how his relics and those of St. Alexander the Pope, which some years before had been carried off from Justinopolis, were brought back thither in the year 1422; which letters it pleases to give in the last place, that by the natural order of times the several things may be narrated.

DISCOVERY AND MIRACLES

From the Italian printed work of Nicholas Manzolus.

Nazarius, Bishop of Justinopolis in Istria (St.)

FROM THE ITALIAN OF MANZOLUS.

[1] There was in the city which is called Capodistria a certain Martin, a humble and devout man, The sacristan, a light being seen over the place where the body lay hidden, sacristan of the greater church of St. Mary in the aforesaid city, accustomed frequently to pass the night there in prayer. He on a certain occasion, before the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, insisting on his pious vigils and prayers; saw in the Eastern part of the church, beneath certain stone stairs, a light appear, not unlike the splendor of the sun: which although he greatly wondered at, he yet deferred to bring to the notice of others, until the whole matter should be more certainly established to him. in vain he indicates it: At last, when the same apparition of light did not cease to recur, he persuaded himself certainly that the bones of some servant of God were there laid up hidden. He indicated to the Dean and Chapter what he had seen; but because he was a simple man and of no authority in the city, no credit was given him.

[2] Therefore the same vision and revelation of the body of St. Nazarius was offered also to a certain aged citizen, but when an honored old man had seen the same, by name Peregrinus, most commended to all for the probity of his life and the honesty of his morals; who, far from vices and worldly pomp, passing his last days, deserved moreover to know more distinctly the place of burial and the name of the Saint there buried. Nonetheless he too deferred to give credit to the vision offered to him in sleep, and to make it public, knowing the frequent illusions of dreams. But when the same vision recurred again and again, at last he feared the wrath of God, if he should suppress by longer silence what had been revealed to him. Therefore he convened the Clergy, and some of the more faithful of the people, and with trembling voice and heart indicated what had been revealed to him in sleep: then to a certain friend of his Adalbertus, most zealous for the honor of the church. Accompanied by this man and some Canons, and had learned who was buried there, toward evening he entered the church of St. Mary; and betaking himself to the place in which he knew the body of the glorious Pontiff was held, the doors of the church being carefully closed and the name of Jesus Christ invoked, first indeed he feared lest, if he should order digging there, the labor should turn out in vain; then spirits being likewise resumed, all together opened the bosom of the earth with mattocks and hoes; yet they found nothing: which brought them great confusion.

[3] All being wearied by that fruitless labor through the whole night and gradually slipping away; toward dawn there remained only two with a few Clerics within the church; by night the earth being dug, he finds the shrine. and bathed in tears and with contrite heart, they began anew to scrutinize the earth. Nor did they have to labor long this time: for quickly the tomb of the glorious Pontiff was uncovered, and at the head a little tablet engraved with these words: "St. Nazarius the prelate migrated to the Lord on the 13th of the Kalends of July." Which seen and read, as had been revealed through dreams, they rang the bells in sign of joy: and all the people ran to the church, saying "Hosanna to the son of God, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord": for all were filled with joy and rejoicing, both on account of the so precious treasure found, and on account of the miraculous cures of those who sought a remedy for their infirmities from the touch of those sacred Relics. It helps to make the matter clearer by examples.

[4] There was in the city a Priest, by name Vescellus, a Canon of the church of St. Mary, crippled from many years back, There are cured: a cripple, and deprived of almost all natural motion: who, when carried to the holy Body, had humbly asked the faculty of touching it; his nerves being suddenly relaxed with vigor, departed thence sound. A certain woman had lacked the use of her feet for nine whole months: and being carried to the same place, when she had passed the whole night there watchful in prayer, in the morning found herself sound; and thanks being given to God and St. Nazarius, one weak in her feet, went home glad. John Eustachii, a paralytic for many years, sat idle at home: he, having taken two little crutches under his armpits, with difficulty crept to the holy altar, beneath which the holy Body was placed: a paralytic: where with tears and sighs supplicating God all night, by the merits of the passion of his son and of holy Nazarius, toward dawn obtained the grace of the desired health.

[5] A certain most wicked woman, unbelieving of the miracles and sanctity of the servant of God, and wont to hold them in mockery, a sinful woman is barred from the altar when she too had presumed to present herself at the altar, by a sudden and violent motion the cloths of the altar were raised and the palls shaken: which motion ceased, as soon as she came a second time to tempt God and the Saint: and when she saw the same again occur at her unworthy presence, moved by penance for her sins she departed weeping. Afterward she returned now wholly another, until she repent. imploring the mercy of God, and asking pardon for her offenses: and thenceforth she saw nothing moved, and held this as a sign of her penance accepted by God.

[6] It happened once by divine permission that a great calamity fell upon the city, The mortality of children is stayed; and of the little children of the inhabitants, those who had reached and passed the fourth year were all being extinguished everywhere by a certain mortal symptom, whence there was common mourning everywhere. Then the Saint, appearing to a certain one of the citizens, ordered his body to be carried about through the city, promising that the mortality of the children would cease. Fastings therefore being premised, a supplication was instituted by the Clergy and people, with the sacred bones of St. Nazarius; and the evil ceased. A certain pilgrim came also to see these things, his arms and body bound with chains, for the gravity of his offenses: one bound with iron fetters is loosed; who, as soon as he bent his knees before the ark of the Saint, the chains broken, sprang to his feet, with a sound such as an anvil struck with hammers would give. Wherefore that suppliant, singing praises to God and holy Nazarius, exulted before all: from whom, refusing to accept the alms offered him, glad he went to his homeland.

[7] a blind, deaf, and paralytic man is healed, A certain Spaniard, William by name, from the town of St. Giles, blind, deaf, and paralytic for seven years, had St. Nazarius conspicuous to him in his sleep, saying to him: "Go to Capodistria, to the hospital house which is being built there in my name; and pledge thy service to it by an indispensable vow, that thou mayst be healed of this infirmity": moreover, to him not knowing by what way or in what place such a city was to be sought, he showed the road, directing him to Venice, where he would find citizens of that place, and be taught by them where he could find his holy Body. He, awaking, began to support himself as best he could, and to enter on the way revealed to him; which by the mercy of God happily succeeded for him: and having advanced up to the place, his health recovered, he bound himself to his service until the end of his life.

[8] a possessed man is freed, one The only son of a certain citizen walked through a meadow toward a certain fount for the sake of relieving his thirst, and when, having forgotten to make the Cross, he had drawn water not blessed, with it together he also drew in a demon, and began to rage and to be driven by frenzies. Wherefore, brought before the holy body, when he was tormented even more grievously, exorcisms were applied for three days: but on the fourth day, after a Mass celebrated in honor of God and the Mother of God, the demon began to cry out the name of the blessed Pontiff, exclaiming with a canine voice: "I go out, I go out, compelled by St. Nazarius": and he emitted before all a most stinking smoke, not otherwise than if a smith's furnace had been opened; which seen, all glorified God and his Saint. But the demon, who never ceases to do evil, seeing himself driven from that his house, and another; sought another for himself, and entered into a certain John from the town of St. Mary of the mount, and impelled him to obscene and ridiculous acts and motions. He was therefore led to the hospital, which was being built upon the bridge of the city: where, placed before the altar, on which the sacrifice of the Mass was being offered, he cried out repeatedly the name of Blessed Nazarius. Then violently snatched from the hands of those holding him, he was raised into the air to the height of two men, vociferating immensely: "Nazarius compels me to leave this dwelling too": and the man, set down on the ground, was found sound.

[9] To a certain one by name Insulanus it happened that he was deprived of speech: and when he had lacked it for seven years, it came into his mind one morning a mute man recovers his speech: to implore the mercy of God, by the merits of St. Nazarius, for recovering his speech. He came therefore to the tomb of the Blessed one, and saw him face to face clothed in Pontifical vestments: by whose blessing and grace fortified, he began thus to speak: "Do you not see the Pontiff Nazarius, speaking with me? Behold he is present, and with raised hand forms the sign of the Cross, and blesses you."

[10] A certain woman, by name Aureola, from a place of the Patriarchate of Aquileia which lies near Marano, served a certain Castellan of the province of Istria, a woman, after long molestations from a demon appearing to her, and through a whole triennium, a demon infesting her, was vexed in manifold ways: for even when she was anywhere alone, it gave itself to her to be seen manifestly. But it happened that, flour being once lacking at home, she was sent by her masters to the mill. She went out therefore quickly from the castle, and when along the way she was tormented more cruelly than usual, she remained there the whole night: but toward dawn the enemy demon, imitating the voice of her mistress, called her three times. She, awakened trembling, seized the sack of flour, and began to carry it home: and when, having advanced to the middle of the way, she had taken leave of those who had accompanied her thus far; again the demon presented itself to her, now assuming the form of a cart, now of a pine; and finally turned into the appearance of a lascivious woman, possessed by the same, clothed in white, led that poor little one to a place where many young men and women were leading dances; and compelled her to give herself into their circle, and dance with them. At last

she nonetheless returned to her master's house, where the demon, taking the form of her Mistress, began to attend to domestic business, and especially to roast meat; of which when it had offered a morsel to the maidservant, she felt Satan suddenly enter into her.

[11] She had once heard, while she still enjoyed entire health, the celebrated fame of Blessed Nazarius, and, he himself resisting in vain, led to the altar of the Saint, and how he illustrated all Istria with his miracles: and, "Lead me," she said, "to St. Nazarius": but the demon, showing himself in a womanly form, said: "I will make rain and winds come, and a flood of waters, so that you cannot reach there." Yet the household, wearied of the longer molestation, resolved to set their sick woman at the body of the most glorious Pontiff: and at once a whirlwind enveloped them, and so dark a tempest fell, that at midday it seemed to be late evening: but toward evening, when enough had been divinely permitted to the enemy; the sky was lit up, and the sick maidservant was led to Capodistria, where the body of Blessed Nazarius rests. There remaining for three days she was vehemently agitated, while meanwhile the demon was adjured to leave the body of Aureola. But he answered: "I will go out on account of St. Nazarius." Therefore the Clergy and People, praising God together, there, holy water being taken, she is purged: awaited his departure; while meanwhile he announced past and future secrets to those present, reproaching each with his life, and revealing many wonders. Then on the third day after a Mass celebrated, water being placed in a basin, they blessed it, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit: of which when they had compelled Aureola to drink, under the invocation of the name of St. Nazarius, the demon exclaimed: "I go out, I go out, because St. Nazarius violently thrusts me from this vessel." And so, all seeing, he went out from the woman's mouth with foam and smoke: and entire health was restored to her, to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[12] four sick are healed together, The fame of these wonders being spread through the whole Patriarchate of Aquileia, a multitude of the sick began to run from all Istria to the holy body, that they might obtain health: whence it happened that on one day, after sunset, four sick of different diseases at once obtained their vow. Two of them were so crippled, that they nearly touched their knees with their heads: but for the other two the use of one hand and foot was cut off. But more wonderful then too was that a certain old woman, whose eyes by old age had been wholly darkened, recovered her sight before the tomb of the Blessed one. a blind woman is enlightened. These, moreover, and many other miracles, were so accomplished there, to the praise of St. Nazarius, by the will of God, who is blessed forever and ever. Amen. The year of the aforesaid discovery is not expressed; but the Discovery of St. Alexander the Pope and Martyr, which immediately follows in the same booklet (to be referred to the supplement of May, with perhaps some correction of the things we said doubtfully there in no. 14 of the preliminary Commentary), the discovery, I say, of St. Alexander is narrated as made in the year 1306, on the 28th of October.

FIVE LETTERS

On the Relics of SS. Nazarius and Alexander the Pontiffs, brought back from Genoa to Justinopolis. From the Italian edition of the same Manzolus.

Nazarius, Bishop of Justinopolis in Istria (St.)

FROM THE ITALIAN OF MANZOLUS.

[1] When, by contentions renewed again and again, the two most powerful Republics of Italy, of the Venetians and of the Genoese, The Genoese, Justinopolis being taken in 1380 wore each other down mutually, the 14th century being advanced beyond the middle and tending to its end; it happened that the Venetians conquered at Chioggia, and compelled the Genoese shut up there to a discretionary surrender, with great loss of ships and men, in the year 1379 on the 1st of June, as the historians of both nations describe at length, and on the part of the Genoese Agostino Giustiniani, publishing his Annals in the year 1535, in their fourth book; where the reader will find that the Genoese did not for that reason fall in spirit; but a new fleet of thirty-eight triremes being equipped, and committed to Gaspare Spinola the Admiral, they again sought the Adriatic sea, and having advanced to its inmost gulf, compelled Trieste to submit to the yoke of the Patriarch of Aquileia confederated with them; and afterward by force took Justinopolis, commonly called Capodistria; and when they could not take the citadel more sharply defended, they gave the plundered city to the flames. That among the spoils were the aforesaid bodies of the Saints Nazarius and Alexander is witnessed by the one who in the year 1422 restored them to the people of Justinopolis, they carry off the sacred bodies; Pileus de Marinis, from the year 1401 the most praised Archbishop of the Genoese: who therefore could still remember the brought spoils. But that matter was attempted and accomplished by the ministry of Jacobus de Languschis, Legate of the Venetians to the Genoese: who, when he had written about that matter to Justinopolis in the year 1420, and had received no answer; at the beginning of the following year having returned to Venice, gave new letters about it to the Bishop of Justinopolis, as the praised Manzolus placed them and others pertaining to the same, in the original Italian language, at the front of his booklet on the Saints of Istria, and here we exhibit them rendered into Latin. Their tenor, therefore, is this:

[14] "Most reverend Father in Christ. The letters of your gracious Paternity have been preserved by me up to the present day; for receiving which the legate of the Venetians, treating in which I recognized your most sweet humanity, which I experienced from boyhood, joined with a most tender affection toward me. I would wish to render a prolix answer to those letters; but the cares imposed on me grant no leisure: in few words therefore I will sketch the matter; and if I cannot sufficiently explain in words the gladness conceived in my mind, thought and spirit will supply the defect of the pen. Having attained the familiar friendship of the most reverend Father, Lord Pileus de Marinis Archbishop of Genoa, I so used it, writes in 1421 to what point he has brought the matter: that the same most reverend most humanely promised me the Relics of the Blessed Nazarius and Alexander: about which matter I admonished your most reverend Lordship, that you should think about restoring their splendor and cult: but because I then received no answer, I decided to put off the business, until I should learn how grateful the Most Serene Dominion of the Venetians would hold it. I arrived therefore here on the second day of the present January, and could not yet render an account of the business I had transacted to the Most Serene Republic: which when I do, I will insert in my report ample mention of this matter, that I may know the intention of my Lords, and render you more certain of all, and he brings back from the Archbishop patent letters, and what you shall command me I will faithfully execute: for the aforesaid Relics will come to my hands whenever I wish. There will be no need for that Community to make expenses; for I wish to attend to all at my own expense: and that those most blessed Relics may be brought back to their former place, I will spare no labor. Prompt therefore and ready I shall be to execute whatever you shall command; then too that to that Community, to which I refer part of my origin, I may be able to render a grateful thing. I commend myself to your Paternity with that ancient love, with which it is fitting that I be borne toward you. Venice, the 4th of January, 1421. Jacobus de Languschis."

[15] Then returning in this same or the following year to Genoa, Jacobus accomplished the business which he had undertaken to do, and together with the Relics of the Saints received patent letters, to be carried to Justinopolis, to this effect: "Pileus de Marinis by the grace of God Archbishop of Genoa, to the Reverend in Christ Father Lord Bishop of Justinopolis, and to the whole People of the same City, everlasting Salvation in the Lord. The reason of divine worship has always excited us, by which concerning the truth of those things, to be restored to his city, that the Relics of the Saints be held with due veneration. Whence as we strive, as far as is granted us by God, that our notable Sanctuaries be made most celebrated; so for the universal regard of Christian devotion, we gladly hear that the relics of the blessed spirits are venerated and worshiped in the homelands of the known ones. Wherefore an anxious care long held us, that the Relics of the blessed Nazarius and Alexander, once laid up among our shrines as hostile spoil and hitherto guarded with due diligence, nor, on account of the distance of places and ignorance of matters, recognized by frequent and due visitation, should be brought back to the homeland of Justinopolis, where, as we have heard from worthy persons, Blessed Nazarius is venerated as Standard-bearer and Patron. The affection of which meditation of ours our most beloved in Christ Jacobus de Languschis strove with most accurate diligence to enlarge.

[16] Considering, therefore, to do a thing grateful to Almighty God, and acceptable and salutary to the People of Justinopolis, public faith is made that these most worshipful relics be brought back to their accustomed and devout Homeland; for the regard of the most illustrious Dominion of Venice and the complacency of your Paternity, and for the increase of devotion of that People, who, restored to their Sanctuaries, may deign to pray for us to the Lord. At the entreaty of our aforesaid most beloved Jacobus de Languschis, we have decreed to delegate, through the said Lord Jacobus, those Relics to your charity, which are in a wooden Chest closed over with iron gratings, the same which in our Shrine up to these times was faithfully preserved with those Relics without any change.

[17] And lest any doubt about those Relics can arise to your considerations, by the tenor of these presents we make faith, and render testimony to all, that it is well known among us, that when the army of our City had hostilely set out against the city of Justinopolis, among the other spoils carried hither from the said City, this same chest, which as above we have consigned, with bones of such sanctity and veneration, the same which we have handed over placed in that chest, from the account of eyewitnesses when they were carried off; where very many relics of the Saints, and the sublime jewel of the Lord's Emerald Vessel, and other most worthy things are devoutly preserved. The knowledge of which matter, if we had narrated the entire history, would lead these present letters into too great prolixity; but for present faith there sufficed the consideration of the real deposit, of public voice and fame, of the agreement of times, and that there are very many surviving witnesses of the capture of the holy relics (among whom the Venerable Man and priest Bartholomew Corvus, Canon in the Church of St. Mary of the Vines, who deposed testimony among us from sight. For he was with the galleys) rendered most ample faith to our senate, especially that the same chest with the aforesaid relics was at that time in the Church of Justinopolis beneath the Altar, which is before the entrance of the Choir, and was held in the highest veneration.

[18] Therefore we offer to you those same Relics, and to the aforesaid Jacobus; whom we esteemed a faithful messenger in this, and they were consigned to the aforesaid Legate. we have caused them to be faithfully handed over. Humbly beseeching your charity in the bowels of the charity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for the divine gift, whence you are restored to your sanctuaries, and for the merits of Blessed Nazarius your Prelate, you ought, at the next visitation of those relics, to pray to the Lord for us. To the faith and testimony of all which we have ordered these patent letters to be made, strengthened by the customary impression of our seal. Given at Genoa 1422, on the 5th day of June. Rolandus de Laneriis Notary." Thus far the text of the letter, not restored into the Latin tongue from Manzolus, but originally so

written long ago, as the following attestation makes faith.

[19] "Antonius Zarottus, Doctor of both laws, and in spiritual and temporal matters Vicar general of the most reverend Bishop of Justinopolis. This letter deposited in the ark of St. Nazarius By these our presents we make known to all reading or hearing them, that on the 13th of the Kalends of July 1585 there were seen by the noble man Lord Raimundus Pola—at present inspected—the above-written letters in the Cathedral Church at Justinopolis, in the venerable ark of St. Nazarius near the choir of the same Church; once written (as it appears) by the hand of Lord Rolandus de Laneriis Notary, together with the seal of the aforesaid most illustrious and most reverend Lord Pileus, in former times Archbishop of Genoa, to the most reverend Lord * Jerome, at that time Prelate of Justinopolis, and to the whole People of this City. Which Lord Raimundus, desiring to keep the memory of those letters in writing with himself, with the utmost submission of his mind asked of the most reverend Lord John Bishop of Justinopolis, that he might be able to obtain a copy of them. To whose petition the aforesaid most reverend Lord John, descending with willing mind, granted him that he might have what in this part he asked with the utmost zeal from his most reverend Lordship. Therefore he caused a copy of the aforesaid letters to be drawn up in the same words as in the above-said letters, in the year 1586 duly transcribed so that we affirm nothing to be added to or diminished from them. For we ourselves attentively heard another reading the aforenamed letters, and found them in all and through all to agree with the originals. And that it is so we assert and attest by these letters fortified with the customary impression of our seal. Given at Justinopolis on the 6th of the Kalends of July 1586. The same Vicar as above, with his own hand. Jo. Peracca Vice-chancellor."

[20] That Letter thus transcribed our Father Justus Locatelli, then staying in the college of Trieste, took care to have transcribed for us anew in the year of the Lord 1690: other credentials too are added to whom from Manzolus I add that the aforenamed Archbishop Pileus, to those patent letters in public form, added by private affection others inscribed thus: "To the Reverend in Christ Father, Lord Jeremiah (and so too Ughelli reads: but Zonttus calls him Jerome: I believe because it was written, after the manner of the age, only H.), Bishop of Justinopolis, most dear Father," to this sense: "Reverend in Christ, most dear Father. Besides those things which are contained in the patent letters which the excellent Jacobus de Languschis, my most dear and honored friend, carries with him; I have committed to him certain things, to be said privately to your Paternity; to whom it will please to give full faith in all, and continually to remember me in your prayers and those of your Church. Genoa, the 20th of June 1422," and it was subscribed "Pileus Archbishop of Genoa."

[21] Instructed by such things, Jacobus, flying around the whole of Italy, great as it is, with a stupendous and (I had almost said) miraculous speed of sailing, by which Jacobus is fortified, for the things he had to say by mouth. arrived at Venice within the fifth day, unless perhaps the scribe erred in the number of the year, and for 1423 was written 22, in which the former ones were found given: which a delay of at least one day taken by Jacobus at Pesaro also persuades, as is plain from the letters by which he wrote from Venice to Justinopolis what he had done and accomplished, to "the Reverend in Christ Father, Lord Jeremiah, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See Bishop of Justinopolis," as writing to his most worshipful Protector, in this manner: "Reverend in Christ Father, It seems to me to transcend the strength of human weakness, to render sufficiently ample thanks to God, who through the hands of so small a person has hitherto happily brought the most worshipful relics of the Blessed Nazarius and Alexander. Meanwhile I greatly congratulate your Paternity, who so greatly desired these holy bones to be recovered; for, with the help of Him who said and they were made, I have been able to draw out from the strictest custody the longed-for treasure. And because the Reverend in Christ Father Lord Pileus de Marinis, Archbishop of Genoa, gave suitable tokens of the truth, which under the faith of credential letters (God granting) I am to expound to your Paternity, beyond the tenor of his patent letters; I will sketch with these few words, since I cannot worthily express so divine a matter, much less adorn it with fitting eloquence. Take the matter thus.

[22] I conveyed the body of St. Nazarius in a wooden chest, closed over with an iron grating, within which I found a leaden tablet, whose measure and the course of the characters engraved on it I send expressed separately on paper. I found also a number of silver and bronze coins, that is of solidi and small ones, which were in use when Capodistria was being taken: Meanwhile he expounds the tokens of truth found within the chest; which form of the aforesaid tablet and part of the coins I wished to send ahead for your greater certification by the bearer of these, Andreolus of Cremona. But the holy bones, which I had placed in a white cotton bag, as soon as I happily arrived at Pesaro with the swift vessel equipped for it, I placed again in their chest; and fixed over it the grating, which I had found at Genoa still intact. But the chest itself, brought thus far, and fortified with sufficient seals, I handed over to the Nuns of St. Jerome to be guarded. Now further let your Reverend Paternity deign to provide, and where he placed them at Venice; that this longed-for gift may return to its homeland. Truly God knows, who knows all things, that in this business I have omitted nothing that was in me, first with respect to God, then from natural obligation, finally with regard to your most sweet and most humane disposition, which from boyhood years up to now I have always vehemently esteemed and loved. Given at Venice the 25th of June 1422, your reverend Paternity's devout, Jacobus de Languschis."

[23] At last, after a brief little excursion, the same Jacobus having returned to Venice, finally he urges that those who are to receive them be sent quickly, was asked to come to Justinopolis, in person to make faith of the sacred Relics; and on the 9th of July rescribed in these words: "Yesterday returned from Padua, I received the most sweet letters of your Paternity, full of love and benevolence: to which I would answer copiously, if a brief epistle could satisfy a most ardent charity. Indeed I exult when I see that I can render something which is grateful to your Paternity and to that Community, and moreover I trust I shall do things even more grateful if any one of those still surviving there, still mindful of the things past there, recognize with his own eyes the most blessed body: for in this matter I do not wish to use many words, since truth ought to render testimony to itself. Truly you yourselves will see things which can convince even any infidels whatsoever, much more Christians. I am not one who would dare (unless I were deprived of all understanding) to introduce any false demonstration or appearance of things.

[24] Do not require, most good Father, my presence, to render which my kinsman Jerome seems to invite me by his epistle, except when those shall have arrived here, who are to lead away the sacred body. Then the Reverend in Christ Father Lord Bishop of Nova (that is a city of Dalmatia) my kinsman, and I, will come eager and devout: in which he wishes the Bishop himself to be present but meanwhile with singular and inexpressible affection we will await your person, if it can be that you come. But I hope that the most reverend Lord Bishop of Venice and the Bishop of Nova, with their honorable Clergy, will celebrate Mass in the church of St. Jerome, where the blessed Body is honorably guarded. But I will reckon that we shall have the matter perfect if your presence may here be enjoyed by us. I pray therefore that, as quickly as possible, either through yourself or through a fitting assembly of the Clergy, you would be willing to honor your Protector. intending to go with him and the Bishop of Nova to Justinopolis, And although the cares of various businesses clamor, and much distract and afflict me: yet I have this whole month consecrated to your will. Nevertheless, my Lord, hasten, nor be willing in a good work to advance with slow steps: for such things love to be done expeditiously. But take care that you be well, and have in the number of your devout ones your Jacobus."

[25] What and on what days were afterward done, Manzolus has not found written; he only subjoins, where the pomp of the translation is now seen painted. "These blessed bodies were brought back to Justinopolis with that pomp and magnificence, which appears expressed in the Greater church, by four panels placed on the side of the altar of the Holy Cross." If anyone shall send us a description of these panels, and of other memorable things afterward following, it can be of use for the Supplement of this month: indeed even the delineation of those panels engraved on copper could be exhibited, if anyone shall procure it for us. It is moreover worthy of some consideration that, although two bodies are promised to be restored, yet a single chest is signified as brought back, with a little tablet making faith that there is contained the Body of St. Nazarius, Of St. Alexander P. M. only a particle seems to be present. as if his alone bones had been buried there, and those of wondrous size, and so easily distinguishable from others of common measure, if any had been placed within the same chest. Hence a suspicion could arise to someone, that among the things which Jacobus had to say privately, there was something about the body of St. Alexander: namely that of him only a particle was held. And this Fr. Justus seems to confirm, when he writes to me that St. Alexander Pope Martyr, secondary Patron of the city of Justinopolis, is celebrated on the 4th of May; and his Relics are kept enclosed in a small chest, in the same ark where are the Relics of St. Nazarius.

* otherwise Jeremiah