ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS
CYRIACUS, SATURNINUS, BELLICUS, PERSEUS, APOLLINARIS, CRISINUS, PRIMUS, JANUARIUS.
Notice from the Hieronymian Martyrology and others.
Cyriacus, Martyr, in Africa (S.)
Saturninus, Martyr, in Africa (S.)
Bellicus, Martyr, in Africa (S.)
Perseus, Martyr, in Africa (S.)
Apollinaris, Martyr, in Africa (S.)
Crisinus, Martyr, in Africa (S.)
Primus, Martyr, in Africa (S.)
Januarius, Martyr, in Africa (S.)
G. H.
Four copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology begin the day XXI June with these eight Martyrs, and the very ancient Epternach one with these words: XI Kalends of July. In Africa the natalis of Cyriacus, Saturninus, Bellicus, Perseus, Apollinaris, Crisinus, Prima, Januarius. In the three other copies the arena Africa is absent, and the names are written with some variety Quiriacus, Crisinus also Crisimus, and Arimi. In the Corbey copy the names of Apollinaris and Perseus are absent. But in another Corbey Ms. three names are referred to, Saturninus, Quirinus, Apollinaris. So they seem by the negligence of the copyist in the Paris edition to have been omitted. In the Ms. of the Queen of Sweden, edited by Holsten, it is read thus: In Africa the natalis of Saints Saturninus, Quiriacus, Aprilis, with 3 others, indeed 5. The Florentine Ms. of the Medicean library indicates them thus: In Africa of the Holy Martyrs Saturninus, Albinus, Quiriacus, Apollinaris, Bellicus, Perseus, Crisinus, and Primus. The name of Januarius is absent there, in whose place is thrust the name Albinus. The same but in another order are had in the Mss. Strozzi and Brussels. But the Mss. Richenovense and Rhinovense indicate three of them thus: In Africa the natalis of Cyriacus, Bellicus, Brissimus. The Mss. Barberini and Trier of S. Maximinus: In Africa of Saturninus, and after others interposed, Likewise in Africa of Quiriacus and Apollinaris. Which two last also ascribed to Africa are referred to by Usuard, and others. By Bellinus and Maurolycus they are called men of wonderful sanctity. In the Roman Martyrology it is written thus: In Africa of the holy Martyrs Cyriacus and Apollinaris. But with the arena Africa omitted, six Martyrs are placed in the Mss. Augsburg of S. Udalric and Parisian of Labbé, fewer however in other Mss. which it does not please to enumerate one by one. In the cited Florentine Mss. as other Martyrs were subjoined these: In the East of Primus and Januaria. Omitted was in those Mss. the name of Januarius for which also Januaria is had in the Corbey Ms., and here set aside with the name of Primus repeated. Whom further we do not judge to be separated from the African Martyrs. About S. Primus the Martyr, as we judge the Roman, Office is made under the double rite in the Antoninian basilica of the diocese of Vienne in Gaul on account of the sacred Relics. About which and others Martyrs of that Church we treated on the day XIII of March.
ON SS. RUFINUS AND MARTIA
MARTYRS AT SYRACUSE IN SICILY.
From the Hieronymian and various Martyrologies.
CommentaryRufinus, Martyr, at Syracuse in Sicily (S.)
Marcia, Martyr, at Syracuse in Sicily (S.)
G. H.
This pair of Martyrs in the second place in the ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology is placed in these words: In Sicily of Rufinus and Martia; which is also written Marcia. About the same with Usuard and Ado these things are read in the first place: In Sicily the city of Syracuse, the natalis of the holy Martyrs Rufinus and Martia. With similar things are had in the principal Mss. Martyrologies, as also with Notker, Bellinus, and other more recent ones with the present Roman Martyrology. Wandelbert also refers to these alone on this day in such a verse:
The Martyr Rufinus and Martia prevail on the eleventh.
Cajetan also alleges the Gallican Breviary, the Tables of the Syracusan Church, and old manuscript codices, and grieves that the Acts of their passion are wanting. The Ms. Florarium makes both female. In Sicily the city of Syracuse, the natalis of the Holy Martyrs Rufina and Martia.