CONCERNING SS. AGOARDUS AND AGILBERTUS AND VERY MANY OTHER MARTYRS OF BOTH SEXES
AT CRÉTEIL IN THE PARISIAN COUNTRY
A preliminary commentary on the cult, Relics, and acts.
Agoardus, Martyr at Créteil in the Parisian Country (S.)
Agilbertus, Martyr at Créteil in the Parisian Country (S.)
Many, Martyrs at Créteil in the Parisian Country (SS.)
G. H.
[1] Créteil, a large village of the territory of Paris, extends over a long space up to the river Marne, scarcely three leagues from the Royal city, Cult in the Breviaries commonly called Creteil; and is held famous for the martyrdom, veneration, and Relics of SS. Agoardus and Agilbertus: whose cult flourishes also in the city and diocese of Paris on this 24th of June, notwithstanding the solemnity of the Nativity of S. John the Baptist. For in that which was printed by the authority of Peter de Gondy the Bishop in the year 1584, there is prescribed in the first Vespers a Commemoration; and there are assigned, the Antiphon, "For theirs is the kingdom"; the Versicle, "Rejoice"; the Prayer, "O God who grantest us." But in Lauds are recited, the Antiphon, "The blood of the holy Martyrs was poured out for Christ upon the earth, therefore they have obtained eternal rewards"; the Versicle, "The souls of the just"; the Prayer, already indicated. In the Breviary published by the authority of John Francis de Gondy the Archbishop in the year 1636, only a Commemoration is made in the Lauds of the feast itself, and there is prescribed the Antiphon, "God shall wipe away every tear from the eyes of His Saints, for the former things are passed away"; the Versicle, "The Saints shall exult"; the Prayer, "O God who grantest us." Likewise in the Breviary of the most recent reformation, published by the authority of Francis de Harlay about the year 1680, the ninth Lesson is prescribed concerning SS. Agloardus, Agilbertus, and companions; and in Lauds after the Antiphon "Shall wipe away," the Versicle "Shall exult," there is prescribed the Prayer: "Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that as the Christian people rejoices in the temporal solemnity of Thy Martyrs Agloardus, Agilbertus, and companions, it may enjoy eternal life; and what it celebrates with vows, it may attain in effect."
[2] Usuard in his Martyrology, which he wrote at Paris in the time of Charles the Bald, thus joins both feasts: On the 8th of the Kalends of July, and in the Martyrologies. the Nativity of B. John the Baptist and Precursor of the Lord. In the Territory of Paris at the village of Créteil, the Passion of the holy Agoadus and Glibertus, with countless others of both sexes. There follow everywhere the more recent ones, Bellinus, Maurolycus, Felicius, Grevenus, Molanus, Canisius with the Hagiologium of Franco-Gallia edited by Labbe, varying in the expression of the names. The place is generally called Christolium and Christoilum: and the first of the Martyrs is also written Agoardus, Agoaldus, Agloadus, Agloardus, and Agradus; the other Gilbertus also Agilbertus, Acts from a manuscript. and Aglibertus is called. In the Roman Martyrology Agoardus and Agilbertus; in the Parisian Breviaries, Agoardus and Aglibertus are named. We give the Acts from the manuscript Lessons of the Parish Church of Créteil, in the last edition of Surius and the Annals of Orléans of Charles Saussay; also printed, in which last there is added a lengthy hymn on the same subject, prose turned into rhythm.
[3] The burial of the same was in the very place where the said Parish Church now stands; The Church, Relics. and the sacred bones, enclosed in two gilded copper caskets, are kept in the high altar, and in the solemn processions of this Church are carried by youths. But in the year 1567, when heretics were despoiling that church, the said caskets, shut between two old walls in the porch of the church, were preserved from the fury of those sacrilegious men. The very church of Créteil is reckoned of the most ancient structure, beyond almost all the rest of the whole diocese. Andreas Vernerius, Counselor of the Parliament of Paris and Canon, since he was also of Créteil, wrote a Legend of this Church; in which he asserts that never has any of this
place's inhabitants been reduced to begging. Below the choir of the same church there is a rather beautiful crypt, like a chapel, in which very many sacred bones are kept, so far as can be conjectured, of the companion Martyrs; although they are celebrated under the name of the Innocents and in their solemnity. Finally there is shown even now the place in which they are believed to have been crowned with martyrdom; and there was once a stone Cross erected, afterward cast down by the heretics. All these things Jacobus Breulius published in his Parisian Antiquities in the fourth book, in the first edition from page 1164, in the second edition, because the fourth book is separated from the others, on page 51 and the following.
[4] Andreas Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology pursues them with a very long encomium, The time of the martyrdom. but taken from the Acts, and has these things at the beginning: At Créteil, near the very Royal Paris, the birthday of the holy Martyrs Agoardus, Aglibertus, and others of both sexes nearly innumerable, who were the first sprouts of the Evangelical seed in the territory of Paris. Then concluding toward the end he asserts that they are honored with the cult due to the most holy Champions of Christ and Patrons of the place. They are called the first sprouts, because they were instructed to receive the faith by SS. Altinus and Eodaldus, sent by SS. Savinianus and Potentianus, who are handed down to have been directed into Gaul by S. Peter the Apostle; which we leave to posterity to be examined on the 31st of December, on which they are honored. Franciscus Bosquetus, in book 1 of the Histories of the Gallican Church, chapter 22, weighs these things thus: From Peter, Gaul received Savinianus, Potentianus, and Altinus. Savinianus led Sens to the faith of Christ, and being slain by the Gentiles had as successor Potentianus, partner of his martyrdom. With him suffered together Eodaldus, Altinus, and Serotinus... But I, although I revere the tradition, whatever it be; yet do not persuade myself of all these things, so alien from historical truth. For love of antiquity, and the Primacy and zeal of Peter, has overlaid the ancient narratives with so many errors, that I do not recognize how I should proceed. These things he, which we leave to posterity to discuss.
ACTS OF THE MARTYRDOM
From the manuscripts of Créteil.
Agoardus, Martyr at Créteil in the Parisian Country (S.)
Agilbertus, Martyr at Créteil in the Parisian Country (S.)
Many, Martyrs at Créteil in the Parisian Country (SS.) BHL Number: 0168
FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS.
[1] At the time when the blessed Savinianus, Potentianus, and Altinus were directed by the blessed Peter the Apostle to preach in Gaul; when by the disposition of divine grace they had reached the walls of Sens; By SS. Altinus and Eodaldus the same man of the Lord Savinianus, calling to himself B. Altinus, and with him B. Eodaldus a most holy man, whom he had won for Christ in the same city; "Go," he said, "brothers and dearest friends, wherever divine will shall lead you, and fear not the punishments of the executioners; for you without doubt the rewards of immortality will sprout forth." Who, bending their knees, and imploring the grace of blessing, having gone out from the city, came as far as Paris; where, when the people by diabolical instinct would not receive the mystery of their salvation; a few being there converted to the faith, they passed over to a certain village, named Christolium. It was indeed a village of healthful air, and delightful in the situation of the adjacent lands, and abounding also in a great supply of fish (the river which is the Marne flowing beside it), and as if by a certain presage of the sacred religion to whose laws it was to subject itself, it had previously received the name of that one.
[2] To this place therefore, for the sake of lodging or rather of the preaching enjoined upon them, instructed in the faith of Christ, and about to minister the mysteries of the faith to those inhabitants, betaking themselves, they found there a temple, prepared at copious expense, in which that people offered libations to its Gods. Where, when the people flocked together to perform the customary business of their wonted superstition, and received them with wonder as foreigners; the holy men of God began toward them with these words: "Do not, brothers, wonder at us as strangers; for we are servants of almighty God, to whose will every power is subject; who disposed His Son to come to the earth, that the human race, depraved by diabolical art, and appointed to the punishment of eternal death, He might make to return to the service of His Majesty. For He, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of Mary ever Virgin, crucified at Jerusalem by the Jews, dead and buried, on the third day rose again, and ascended into the heavens, and sits at the right hand of God the Father, thence to come to judge the living and the dead; whose saving precepts bringing to you, we wish to admonish you that, leaving idols, you hasten quickly to be converted to Him."
[3] Hearing which, two most renowned men from those who were there present, Agoaldus and Gilbertus, SS. Agloaldus and Agilbertus are baptized with others prostrating themselves at the feet of the Saints, with devout prayers implored to be cleansed by the sanctifications of baptism. Without delay, they themselves were baptized with their wives and children and all their household in the name of the holy and undivided Trinity: by whose examples the greatest part of the rest of the multitude, instructed, laying aside the vain superstition of paganism, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. But the temple, which the wretched madness of men had built to the injury of the heavenly King, was destroyed; the idols too were broken and reduced to dust. Which being done, the priests of the idols, struck with fear, and almost beside themselves, announced to Agrippinus the Prefect of the city, that there had come from the parts of the East sacrilegious men, who, trying to annihilate the worship of their Gods, proclaim Jesus, killed by the Jews by a shameful death, to be received as God of Gods. Hearing which, the Prefect hastens, about to avenge his Gods. But his cruelty blazed up in vain, since he could by no means find those whom he desired to destroy. For already the holy men of God Altinus and Eodaldus, mindful of their master, had given peace to the Church of Créteil; and communicating in the Sacrament of heavenly grace, had returned to the blessed Savinianus.
[4] brought before the Prefect The most impious Judge, therefore, being angry, began to search out, that he might find some serving this doctrine, and turn against them the rage of his fury. But it was revealed to him by the bystanders that Agoardus and Glibertus were seduced by this teaching, and gloried in the Christian name; and he ordered them to be presented to him quickly. When they were brought forward, he said to them: "What is it that I hear, that you worship with a perverse mind I know not what newly-invented God, and not only despise our Gods, but even, to the increase of our contempt, have broken with a wicked work the cases of theirs which are to be adored? Either after the paternal manner you shall offer pleasing libations to those almighty ones, or assuredly you shall by no means escape bitter punishments." they spurn the threats, Then the holy Martyrs of Christ, Agoardus and Glibertus, with cheerful countenance answered: "We believe and confess and proclaim with pious minds that Christ the Son of God, the maker of all things, and the same true man, proceeded from a true Virgin. Matthew 10. They mock the Gods: But your threats we neither fear, nor can we fear; since the same Lord and master of ours, when placed on earth, forbade His own, saying: Fear not those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but rather fear Him who can cast both body and soul into hell. Let our body be stretched out in tortures, that the spirit, more purified, may meet its Redeemer: let the corruptible chaff be threshed in the threshing-floor of punishments, that the inner things of grace may be gathered shining into the granary of the Lord's congregation. But those whom you commemorate to be your Gods, are not Gods, but mute and deaf idols, and the vain works of your hands; which can profit neither themselves nor you, but rather bring the greatest detriment to your souls." To these things the Prefect, smiling: "O foolish mind of men! By what reason do you adore a dead man, who indeed can in no way succor either himself or those who hope in him?" To these things the holy ones of the Lord answered: "We adore indeed a dead man, but one who by his own will rose again, who does not desert his servants placed in torments, but through tribulations and straits prepares for them the way to everlasting delights: whence it comes that the things which seem harsh to you, are embraced by them as sweeter, and whatever you bring to ignominy, is turned for them to glory. If therefore you wish to take the proofs of our faith, open the breadth of your wickedness: you will prove us, God protecting, far stronger in running through punishments, than in answering your sacrilegious words."
[5] Hearing this, the Prefect, moved by the gall of bitterness, they are beheaded with very many of both sexes, ordered them to be tortured in his presence with stripes and various kinds of torments. And when he perceived them to persevere in the same mind, having given sentence he commanded them to be beheaded. The ministers therefore, seizing the holy ones of God, and leading them from the sight of the Governor, brought them to the place where they were to be beheaded. And when they had come to the place, with bended knees and outstretched necks, by the cutting off of the head, on the 8th of the Kalends of July, they obtained the crown of martyrdom. And it came to pass, that on that same day a great multitude of diverse sex and age, on that same day, after the examples of the holy Martyrs Agoardus and Glibertus, were punished by the sword: whose bodies the earth retained, but their souls Christ placed among the ranks of the Saints. But a few who remained Christians, coming, buried the bodies in a precious place, in which to this day they are venerated by the faithful of Christ.