ON S. THOMAS MARTYR
AND COMPANIONS THREE THOUSAND MEN
AND NINE WOMEN.
From the Metric Hagiology of the Abyssinians.
CommentaryThomas Martyr, in Egypt (S.)
Three thousand Men, in Egypt (SS.) Nine Women, in Egypt (SS.)
The martyrdom and cultus of the generous champion Thomas, with so great a number of Companions, we would still be ignorant of, unless their memory had been bound up by his verses by the Abyssinian Hagiologist Poet, saluting him so in Ethiopic, according to the version submitted to us by Job Ludolf.
[2] Hail to you, Thomas, with a heavy scourge, and iron points fixed in front, castigated; but as if the striker's hand had been destitute of strength. The stone which was tied to your neck, may it crush, as a clay vessel, the head of my enemy Satan, in whatever place I shall be. Where seems to be signified that the Saint indeed cruelly scourged, but in no way harmed, with a stone tied to his neck, died plunged in the sea or river. About the Companions there I read it so written.
[3] Hail to you Thomas's companions, three thousand men and nine women, who on the day of the passion and martyrdom of him, wished with him to obtain the crown of life. Come to visit me from heaven. This however with such a certain prayer the Poet would not ask, unless in the Acts of Thomas himself, which we wish to obtain, he had read, not by vow alone, but in fact all became Martyrs. The arena of so glorious a contest I think was Egypt. See the reasons of such conjecture on day 1 June where about the ten thousand Martyrs from this same Hagiology.