CONCERNING THE HOLY VIRGINS AND MARTYRS,
FEBRONIA THE NUN, LYBE, LEONIS, AND EUTROPIA, AT SIBAPOLIS OR NISIBIS IN MESOPOTAMIA.
ABOUT THE YEAR 304.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
Febronia, Martyr, at Sibapolis or Nisibis in Mesopotamia (S.)
Lybe, Martyr, at Sibapolis or Nisibis in Mesopotamia (S.)
Leonis, Martyr, at Sibapolis or Nisibis in Mesopotamia (S.)
Eutropia, Martyr, at Sibapolis or Nisibis in Mesopotamia (S.)
BY D. P.
§. I. On the Acts written in Syriac or Greek, and rendered from Greek into Latin.
The whole Office of this day, according to
the Typicon of the Greeks and their
Great Menæa and likewise all the Ms.
Synaxaria, Acts of especial faith, is occupied by
the aforesaid Saint; whose glorious
contests for Christ were so much the more
celebrated everywhere throughout the Eastern churches,
as they were held to be written with the more luminous testimony,
namely by the eyewitness faith of Thomais the Nun,
holding the second place in that monastery, where Febronia
from infancy had been educated, under the discipline
of her aunt Bryene. For she, both when the Virgin
was being tortured was present in secular habit; and
from her very judge Lysimachus, better disposed toward the Christians
than his guardian and colleague Selenus,
and afterward a Monk, the eyewitness Thomais wrote; learned all things more accurately; and
what happened concerning the cult established for her and her Relics,
surviving the Martyr for ten or more years,
could and ought most certainly to have known. Whether
Thomais wrote in Syriac is made uncertain to us,
not indeed by the Greek text, which we give from the Vatican Mss.,
and in which this is not read; but by the old
interpreter among the Latins, John the Deacon
of Naples, in whom she, witness of her own writing,
is thus introduced speaking in Latin toward the end; I
finally, Thomais, the least of the handmaids of Christ,
who succeeded the Lady and venerable Bryene in the governance,
clearly knew all things that happened to this Saint
from the beginning; John the Deacon renders it: and what I myself
could not see, I learned from Master Lysimachus:
therefore I took care to set down in order with the pen all her life or deeds [in
my native tongue].
[2] We have this version of John, just as
Athanasius the Younger, Bishop of the city of Naples,
exceedingly learned in the study of the scriptures,
compelled the life and contest of the glorious Martyr Febronia,
and also of B. Peter Pontiff of the Alexandrian See,
to be translated from the Greek style to Latin ears.
We have, I say, the version
made about the end of the ninth century, which version being omitted from three Mss., from a triple Ms., first
indeed a Belgian one, found among the older collectanea of Rosweyde;
but to which is lacking the Prologue of the interpreter,
and which at the beginning is much more contracted, for
it begins thus. The Emperor Diocletian, desiring
to destroy the sect of the Christians, and appointing Prefects
to carry this out, sent Selenus
and Lysimachus his nephew into the parts of the East:
who, taking the Imperial decrees and
troops of soldiers, set out on the Eastern journey. we give our own new one.
The rest follow almost as in the Greek. A twin copy of the same version
from a Capuan Codex written in Lombardic
letters among the Nuns of S. John,
Silvester Ayossa, a Capuan Priest, sent to our Bolland
in the year 1647 and 1651; but whether
the same contraction of the beginning is there, I cannot say,
because the Codex is mutilated almost up to number 17.
Furthermore a third one we took care to have copied at Rome in the year
1661, from a similarly Lombardic Codex, which
had belonged to the Cardinal of S. Severinus, and was kept with the Lord Joseph
de Costa, the Cardinal's nephew and heir;
in which all things are entire (even the very
Prologue) and perhaps written in the very age of John the Deacon,
of which kind also is the Bovino Codex by Bartholomew
Chioccarelli, the Acts wrongly ascribed to Metaphrastes and to the 15th day, in his book on the Bishops of Naples
alleged, as written in a similar character on parchment.
In these we read the interpreter excusing
himself, that, because the Latin usage
is by no means sufficient to answer to the Greek idiom,
not by abundance of words but by richness of sense, he attempted to translate
the aforesaid Life, some things being added,
some taken away: wherefore I thought it more advisable
to compose a new and more faithful version;
the older one being omitted, to answer the Greek text side by side.
[3] For the rest, whether Thomais wrote in Greek, which I would not wonder at,
or, as John says, and perhaps read
in his codex, in Syriac; nevertheless there existed
to whom it is unskillfully ascribed in Lipomanus and Surius,
because it was found among the Lives collected by him or under
his name: but was that text found
by them under the note of the 15th day? because toward the end, or of June 24, after
the translation of one tooth was narrated, it was read thus;
The Relics of S. Febronia were laid up on the fifteenth
day of the month of June: I would rather say that it came about by the error of an old copyist,
that for the 25th there crept in the 15th: for this
all the Calendars of the Greeks suggest, among which are to be reckoned
those of Patti in Sicily, whence Octavius Caietanus
inserted Febronia into his Sicilian Martyrology in the Idea of the Work.
By one day John the Deacon differs from the Greeks,
asserting likewise in all the Mss., that the Relics
were placed and the church dedicated to the Saint, on the day
on which she herself underwent Martyrdom for Christ, that
is on the eighth before the Kalends of June, which would be the 24th of the month.
[4] In the Greek nothing is read about the day of death, and therefore
I fear that this is a conjecture of John, they are claimed for the 25th day, yet not as the day of death. which (to
say nothing of the difference of one day) perhaps the
Greek Synaxaria preceded, placing on such a day the title
of the Contest, that is, the combat of S. Febronia: as
also the Author of the metrical Ephemeris did: whose
verse here is set forth:
Febronia gave her neck on the twenty-fifth.
On the twenty-fifth Febronia stretches her neck.
But we have already shown elsewhere, that in such cases the Greeks
are wont to confound the day of cult and of martyrdom: although
it would not be a wonder, if for the church to be dedicated the same
day had been chosen, which was the anniversary of the Martyrdom:
and to this agreement are favorable the Hagiology of the Abyssinians,
and of the Coptic Calendar in Selden
the first Order, where at the beginning of Abib answering
to June 25, in the one indeed is noted the memory of S.
Afrania the Virgin, in the other Kephronia is greeted
(thus according to the variety of languages the names are sometimes altered)
and she is praised because the followers of Diocletian
could not turn her away from the love of Christ,
although they struck out all her teeth, and amputated her
limbs. But the Greeks here following these things,
it is less a wonder that the Moschians did the same, instructed immediately
by the Greeks, in whose Synaxarium, with an unusual
title, she is called Most-like-to-a-Martyr Phebronia.
[5] The place of Martyrdom and of cult, in the Acts written by Thomais
is called Sibapolis; the place-name Sibapolis, and this is described,
situated on the borders of the Assyrians, yet under the power
of the Romans, and so not far from
the river Tigris, the divider of both empires, the Persian I say
and the Roman. But where our Greek text
has, Sibapolis, there another, which John used,
seems to have read the city of Siba; where, when
perhaps the letter T was worn away, he himself joining the remaining diphthong
of the article to the name, read Usiba;
and so he translated, the city whose name is Usiba.
The Author of the prolix encomium in the Menæa and Synaxaria, not Usiba,
says that the Saint lived under the rule of the monastery near her, lying on the borders of the Persians and Romans, in a city called Nisibis, which is called Antioch of Mygdonia, according to
the Rule of her monastery, lying at the borders
of the Persians and Romans, in the city called Nisibis
(it is Nisilis in others) which is named,
Antioch of Mygdonia, namely from the Mygdonians,
translated thither from Macedonia by Alexander the Great.
That city certainly was Episcopal, which is asserted of Sibapolis
in the Acts; and although it is by no means situated near
the Tigris, it is thought to be Nisibis. but easily distant some 20 leagues from its
bank; nevertheless the Mygdonius river flowing between it,
joins the Tigris; and the limits of the Roman Empire or
the borders of the Assyrians, are reckoned to have their breadth,
in proportion to the extent of either boundary.
Perhaps also Nisilis, in the Syriac dialect,
means the same as in the Greek tongue the city of Siba.
And this can be believed the more probably, because there is no place in all
Mesopotamia, still less an Episcopal city,
which among the old Geographers, Ptolemy and others,
is called Sibapolis.
[6] The time of the Martyrdom we seem able to define as the last
years of Diocletian, The time of the martyrdom about the year 304. who was then almost dwelling at Nicomedia,
whence Lysimachus may have been sent into the East.
For to him, after the killing of Febronia, it would not have passed unpunished,
that, having abdicated the office for which he was sent, made
Christians liberty; unless about the same time,
namely in the year 305, Diocletian had abdicated the Empire;
and so his successor Galerius Maximian,
although likewise persecuting the Christians,
him he more easily escaped; perhaps having died before, than
that in that farthest East the persecution should grow fierce again, interrupted
by the conversion of Lysimachus. The same is persuaded by the age
of Bryene, already then an old woman when Febronia suffered,
and yet surviving until about the year 320:
for she lived two years after the church was dedicated:
on which since labor was bestowed for six years, nor could
have been an old woman at the death of Febronia, unless she suffered in the fourth
century: for not until the year 311 came forth the Decree
of the aforesaid Galerius, by which the persecution was ordered to cease,
and liberty was granted to the Christians to hold their assemblies,
and so even to build churches for the same end.
§. II. On the cult of S. Febronia and of the other three at Constantinople.
[7] Those whom we joined in the title to S. Febronia not as
companions of Martyrdom, How long before the other three suffered is uncertain, but as probably having suffered
in the same place, and proposed to her by the aforesaid Bryene, as an example
of constantly undergoing the contest in number 15,
we think them to have been crowned several years before.
In naming these here however we follow the Synaxarium
of Dijon, lent to us formerly by Chifflet,
where after the memory of S. Febronia, is placed, Memory of the holy Martyrs, Leonis, Libye, and Eutropia, of whom one indeed was perfected through fire, the others through the sword. The memory of the holy Martyrs,
Leonis, Libye, and Eutropia: of whom one
indeed by fire, the others by the sword consummated
the contest.
[8] There are added there consequently these distichs.
Leonis leaps into the fire of the furnace they are praised one by one in the Ms. Synaxarium
as a Lioness exceedingly hungering for food.
Leonis enters the fire of the burning oven,
like a lioness whom strong hunger goads.
A cosmetic dye, O bride of the Lord,
Libye applies, giving her skin to the sword.
While the bride of Christ gives her skin to the sword,
she dyes herself with no ungraceful pigment.
He who boasts to hold the world like a young one of a nest
is mocked by Eutropia who was cut down. not without errors:
He who glories to have the world for a chick,
was made a sport by Eutropia struck down in the head.
But I know not how the Poet could imagine to himself Eutropia slain by the sword,
whom Bryene expressly
says fell pierced with arrows. Lybe also
she names, whom he makes Libye. By John the Deacon
Libys is rendered, who also moreover wrongly ends in ides
feminine names in Is, as Plato, Leonis, Thomais, in Latin,
which is a Masculine
termination; which fault is frequent in the present Roman
Index, those having followed the example who translated the Martyrology itself into the vulgar tongues.
[9] Philip of the Visitation, in his well-ordered Line (as he himself
calls it) of the Carmelite Saints and Blessed,
are Thomais and Bryene also Martyrs? adds to Febronia, as companions of Martyrdom equally
as of profession, Thomasia, for Thomais,
and Bryene; although of the martyrdom of these
he read nothing in Surius, whom alone as author
he praises. But I know not what is that abundance of Calendars,
which asserts those Virgins to the Carmelite Order,
as the Ms. Notes indicate: since
the Authors of the Carmelite Mirror have nowhere found such things,
just as neither Lezana; one who would not otherwise
easily have omitted the occasion of extending the ancient monasteries of his Order
even to the borders of Assyria. The Synaxarium
of our College of Paris, Cult at Constantinople in the church of S. John the Baptist in Oxia. (which we altogether think to have belonged to
some Constantinopolitan church,
because it indicates all the Festivities of that City much more accurately
than any other anywhere seen by us) after it
has set forth concerning the martyrdom of Febronia the same things as everywhere
the rest; adds, that her assembly is celebrated in the oratory of the holy Prophet Forerunner and Baptist John in Oxia. Her
festivity is celebrated in the Prophetic temple of the holy Prophet
Forerunner and Baptist John, which
is in Oxia: and to which fourteen others, dedicated to the same
Saint, and found in the same city by the most Learned
Du Cange, you may add; while meanwhile you will inquire
to what Region of the city Oxia belongs.
[10] It is credible that that cult was introduced through some
Relic of the Saint, whereby the body seems to have been translated, brought to Constantinople,
and perhaps the whole body itself. For the Greek
Canon, whose Acrostic is.
In hymns I sing of thee with eager mind, Febronia.
Febronia, I sing thy hymns with foresight.
That Canon I say, I do not think is to be understood
of the ark of the body still existing in Mesopotamia,
when it was composed; while it concludes the penultimate Strophe
thus: Thou pourest forth healings like a river rushing with a flood, for those who in faith draw near to thy venerable shrine. As a river, running down with force, overflows
with healings, in favor of those who with
faith adhere to thy holy coffer. For Nisibis
in the year 363, Jovian voluntarily yielding it,
to redeem peace from the Persians after the death and disaster of Julian, after the city was handed over to the Persians in the year 363
came into their power, nor thereafter
did it return again to the jurisdiction of the Romans: from which if
anyone wishes to make Sibapolis distinct, this he must leave to them
so much the more, as he makes it nearer to their borders before that war. But it is not
credible, or at least under Chosroes. that the Christians remaining there did not
carry off from there as many of the pledges of the Saints as they could, at least
then when the most impious Chosroes was destroying all their
sacred things, rising up a little after the year 600 against
the Romans, and advancing even to Jerusalem and beyond
with a devastating army.
§. III. The cult of S. Febronia among the Latins, especially at Trani in Apulia.
[11] Thus known and venerated among the Greeks was Febronia;
at length she also became known to the Western Churches. Later the Latins, some on June 15
First indeed through some Relics brought to Trani
in Calabria, as I shall presently say, and on that
occasion the Acts being rendered into Latin, and scattered through various Legendaries;
then through a new translation
of the same Acts in Lipomanus and Surius,
but under the aforenoted error of the day; which previously
from a similar source also the Writer of the Tournai Usuard
had held, and the Collector of the Martyrology
published at Basel in the year 1584. The error they avoided, following the Calendars of the Greeks,
Galesinius, Molanus, Genebrardus,
Ferrarius, and finally the Revisers of the Roman Martyrology
to be augmented from the Menologion of Sirletus
under Gregory XIII: others recognized Febronia on the 25th. through whom it came about that to almost all
the churches of the West, using the Roman Rite,
the commemoration of Febronia is now common, under
an elogium of this kind: At Sibapolis in Syria (the name being taken
more broadly, so as to comprehend also Mesopotamia,
and to be distinguished only from Assyria) of S. Febronia
the Virgin and Martyr, who in the persecution
of Diocletian, under Lysimachus the Governor
(or rather Silenus the judge) for the keeping of her faith and chastity,
first beaten with rods and tortured on the rack,
then lacerated with combs and burned with fire;
at last her teeth struck out and her breasts
cut off (her feet too could be added) was condemned to lose her head,
adorned with so many necklaces of sufferings, she passed over
to her Spouse.
[12] As regards the city of Trani in Calabria,
for the same reason, the Relics brought to Trani, for which I judged that the body
did not remain beyond the sixth century in the place of the monastery,
where the Saint had grown up, (if indeed it remained
so long) I think there was carried thither not from Mesopotamia, but
from Constantinople or some other place of nearer Greece
or lesser Asia, an arm, or
rather a hand with the lowest part of the arm, on whose
account there S. Febronia is venerated as Patroness, and that
from the aforenoted error of June 15. Nay the same city
thinks that it has the whole body: concerning which a notice
written in Italian, and transmitted to us by the aforepraised Silvester
Ayossa, I here subjoin in Latin.
[13] Among the other Protectors of the city of Trani
is S. Febronia, Virgin and Martyr, at least one hand with part of the arm, of
whom the whole aforesaid city, with its diocese, celebrates the festivity
on June 15, with a double rite,
with an Octave; and it is thought that this is done, because on such
ago, it was not possible in the Archiepiscopal
church of the said city to find the place,
where that sacred treasure lies hidden. The report
is that on account of wars it was hidden, and
that there is kept outside the ark only one arm
of the same Saint, in a silver casket,
which is kept in the sacristy. the nails still adhering and the skin scorched, But it is worthy
of notice, that that venerable Relic
still appears, clothed with its own skin,
with the nails clinging to the fingers,
although somewhat injured by fire, just as she herself
is read in her Life to have been scorched. There is a chapel,
under her name, with a chaplaincy, of the right of patronage
of the Filigerius family, noble among the Neapolitans
and Tranese. Of the manner in which that holy
pledge came hither, there is held from ancient tradition;
that, a certain ship being broken by a storm
near Pudulae (it is a lake between Trani
and Barletta) two miles from the city, arriving in a casket from a shipwreck,
there was found on the shore a casket of cedar, and
beside it an image of the Savior, in which casket
was found the sacred Body, a brightness shining
from there; which being conspicuous in the very city,
moved the Archbishop, to inquire more solicitously
into its cause: which being found, he himself, going forth processionally
with the Clergy and people, and considering all things
to be, as had been related to him,
found besides a leaden tablet, on which was inscribed
OF FEBRONIA THE VIRGIN.
[14] It was rather a Greek inscription, OF FEBRONIA
THE VIRGIN: which inscription, since it was indifferent
to any other woman of that name, with an inscription of the name, for instance the daughter of Heraclius
the Emperor to be commemorated in this work on October 20 or 27;
the conspicuous marks of burning, which I mentioned, ought to have removed the doubt; but I think
that in the casket or little chest (as it is expressly named
by a twice diminutive word) there was nothing but the aforesaid arm.
The church of Trani began, the Saracens being driven out and it being restored,
in the eleventh century or later. to have Archbishops in the eleventh century
of Christ, and to use the Latin rites; according to which
there was composed there a proper Office, from the Life
now rendered into Latin by John the Deacon, whose
words also are everywhere woven into the Responsories. But
neither these, nor the Hymns taken from the same source, deserve
to be referred to here; since they are very rude, an Office proper afterward founded there, nor apt to teach anything
new. Let it suffice us that the Collect, recited a good deal
more elegantly, was thus accustomed: Almighty everlasting
God, who in thy Saints art glorious and
wonderful, and wonderfully workest in them the miracles
of thy power, especially in the frail sex;
grant us in the solemnity of B. Febronia thy Virgin and Martyr,
to glorify the mighty works of thy Majesty
with worthy minds; that we may deserve,
by her intervening prayers, to attain to eternal
joys.
[15] From Apulia furthermore the cult of S. Febronia seems to have passed
to several monasteries of Nuns of the Kingdom
of Naples, especially of the Benedictines (such as is the Capuan one of S. John, was it also in use in Sicily?
whence we have the Life and Office). But that in Sicily
she is especially venerated, as Ferrarius writes in the Notes
to his General Catalogue, the simple notice does not
prove to me, from some book of that Church alleged in the margin
by Caietanus: since
he in the very work, whose Idea he had set forth with that
appellation of S. Febronia, afterward made no
mention of her. Masini, in his Bologna Surveyed;
also names Febronia, as though her Relics
are in the church of S. James the Greater, whether Relics at Bologna. and
with the Confraternity of the Queen of Heaven. But whether of this one, who
shall say? nor do they seem to be very notable, of which
he introduces so meager a memory, accustomed otherwise
to explain more distinctly the quality and quantity and
the other things relating to the matter.
[16] Saussay, in the supplement of the Gallican Martyrology,
on the 23rd day of June, writes thus: In
the monastery of Fontevrault, the birthday of S. Febronia
the Virgin Martyr. Cult formerly at Fontevrault in France. Of that monastery we treated
at the Life of S. Robert the Founder on February 25:
hence the more confidently I asked the Prior of the place that he would deign
to indicate, whether there were any Relics of hers there,
on account of which perhaps she might be more solemnly venerated there. But he answered
presently very kindly in the year 1692,
then performing that office, Brother Soriz, that neither
were there Relics now, nor did the cult survive: but in the old
Calendars and Offices, the use of which was before the Roman Breviary and Missal were
introduced thither,
there is found on the aforesaid day S. Febronia or
Febronia V. and M., nothing else. He adds that a Proverb
also flourishes in that Parthenon, by which, if
any woman is to be praised for outstanding chastity, observance,
and diligence, it is said, She is a Febronia:
whether this be referred to the very Saint of whom we treat,
or rather to a certain Nun of that name there,
even to shine through in it something, referable to the special
honor of the Saint in that place.
[17] It is even more certain that there is another Febronia, of
whose body the writers of Pavia treat, Another Febronia at Pavia among the Insubrians. as though
once stored away together with several others in the church
of S. Marinus; which with the rest of the sacred treasure, by the Monks,
who ought to have guarded it for the city, was, I know not
whither, carried off, complains Breventanus in book 3, chapter
24; and from him Gualla in book 5, chapter 1. For that Febronia
was by no means a stranger to the city, but
born together with S. Eufrasia of Aistulf King of the Lombards,
writes the aforesaid Breventanus; and he asserts
that the King for these two daughters of his erected and
endowed the aforesaid church, with a monastery; and that their
bodies, once enclosed in the wall of that Church,
remained, and the place marked with the names inscribed on a stone.
But the bodies are now no more hidden
than the documents of the ancient cult, which perhaps
was none at all.
[18] Lastly is here to be indicated in passing the Life
of S. Febronia, drawn out elegantly in an Italian paraphrase
and distinguished into three books, and dedicated to Simplician
of Milan, Minister General of the Order of the Capuchins, two Italian Lives. in the
Venetian press of the year 1660 by Brother
Antonino Caputo de Cryptaleis. This, however
prolixly it be extended, adds nothing to the Acts
to be set forth here, as if besides them the author had cared
to read or learn nothing: wherefore to have indicated it
will abundantly suffice. More closely it adheres to the ancient History, another which
Mutius of Justinopolis published in the third place in his Crown
of the Holy Twelve Virgins, printed at Pesaro in the year 1567
with Annotations at the end against the heretics
of that time, accustomed to despise monastic observances and other
rites of the Catholic Church, after
the likeness of those, which Aloysius Lipomanus in the year
1551 began to add to the Lives of the Saints published by him,
and which Surius afterward reprinted.
THE LIFE AND MARTYRDOM.
By Thomais, Mistress of the Saint and eyewitness.
From the Mss. of the Vatican Library.
Febronia, Martyr, at Sibapolis or Nisibis in Mesopotamia (S.)
Lybe, Martyr, at Sibapolis or Nisibis in Mesopotamia (S.)
Leonis, Martyr, at Sibapolis or Nisibis in Mesopotamia (S.)
Eutropia, Martyr, at Sibapolis or Nisibis in Mesopotamia (S.)
BY A CONTEMPORARY, FROM THE MSS.
CHAPTER I.
The mission of Lysimachus with his uncle Selenus and his cousin Primus into the East; the discipline of the Parthenon of Sibapolis; the education of Febronia in it.
[1] It came to pass in the days of Diocletian the Emperor, that Anthimus the Prefect lay sick of an infirmity of the body; and having summoned Selenus his brother, he said to him: I, my Lord and brother, am departing from human affairs, but Lysimachus my son I give into thy hands; and as we have betrothed to him the daughter of Prosphorus the senator, take care after my death to make the marriage, and to become to him as a father. The prefect, having ordered these things, after three days died. The Emperor Diocletian therefore, having summoned Lysimachus the son of Anthimus, and Selenus his uncle, said privately to Lysimachus: I, young man, mindful of the friendship of thy father, wished, after his death, to raise thee up to his throne to act as Prefect; but since a certain report sounds about my ears, that thou rejoicest in the religion of the Christians, for the present I have deferred to do this. Therefore I wish to send thee into the East, that thou mayest put an end to the religion of the Christians, and when thou hast settled the affairs there, then thou shalt sit and act as Prefect.
[2] Hearing these things, Lysimachus dared to answer the Emperor nothing; for he was young in age, about twenty years old. But Selenus his uncle, falling at the feet of the Emperor, said: I beseech thy immortal head, grant him a few days, that I may complete his marriage; and then I too will go forth with him, and all things shall be done as thy divine power commands. And the Emperor says: First having arrived in the East, and having put an end to the religion of the Christians, and having accomplished all things prosperously, when thou hast settled the affairs there, you shall have me too contributing all diligence concerning the marriage contract of Lysimachus. Hearing these things, they no longer dared to answer the Emperor. Therefore, having taken the commands, and a multitude of soldiers, they made their journey toward the East. And Lysimachus took also Primus, the Count, his cousin on his mother's side, and gave him to lead over the army, and to command the soldiers.
[3] Having therefore arrived in the East, and having entered the region of Palmyra, and in Mesopotamia, some they beheaded with the sword; for Selenus was cruel and inhuman, and not only did he do these things, but he also commanded their bodies to be cast as food to the dogs. Great fear therefore held all the inhabited world on account of the cruelty of the merciless Selenus. On one night therefore Lysimachus, having summoned Primus the Count, said to him: My Lord Primus, thou knowest, that, although my father died being a pagan, yet my mother fell asleep a Christian, and she had much zeal that I should become a Christian, but on account of the fear of the Emperor and of my father, this she could not do; and I have her commands to kill none of the Christians, but she also constrained me to become a friend of Christ. And now I see the Christians who fall in being punished by the destroyer Selenus my uncle, and my soul suffers over them. Therefore I wish the Christians who fall in to be secretly released, before they, having fallen, be wickedly slain. Hearing these things Primus commanded that none of the Christians be seized, but warned the monasteries to flee the hands of the destroyer Selenus.
[4] While they were still tarrying in those places, they wished to reach Sibapolis, which lay on the borders toward the Assyrians, but was set under the governance of the Romans. And there was in that city a monastery of women, having fifty ascetics. Over these presided a certain woman, Bryene by name, who had been a disciple of Platonis, the Deaconess before her, whose tradition and rule she well preserved unto the end. For such was the rule of Platonis. On the day of the Preparation it was not permitted any of the Sisters to work; but they gathered in the oratory, and at one time they performed the rule of the psalmody, at another time Platonis, holding the book, read the divinely-inspired scriptures to the Sisters, until the third hour; and after the third hour she gave the book into the hands of Bryene, commanding her to read to the Sisters until evening. So therefore Bryene also did, having received the ministry. And to Bryene there were two young women, brought up well by her, and pursuing the ascetic wrestling-school; the name of the one was Procla, and the name of the second Febronia; and Procla was twenty-five years old, but Febronia was eighteen years old.
[5] Now Febronia happened to be the niece of Bryene; and Febronia was exceedingly beautiful, bearing a tall stature; and she was also radiant in countenance, so that the eye could not paint the beauty blooming in her face. And there was a great struggle for Bryene how she might preserve Febronia, seeing her in such a radiant form. And while all the Sisters partook of food from evening to evening, she commanded Febronia to eat every two days. Seeing therefore herself to be in such a constitution of body, Febronia partook neither of bread nor of water to fullness; but she ordered a small bench to be made, three cubits in length, and a span and a half in breadth, and on it she rested in the hour of her sleeping; and there were times when she also laid her flesh on the bare ground. And when it happened that she was tempted by the devil with nightly phantasms, she rose up, and with many tears besought God, that he would drive away from her the tempting devil; and immediately, unrolling the book, she labored over the divinely-inspired scriptures; for the young woman, having become a lover of learning, becomes also greatly learned, so that Bryene marveled at so great a love of learning in Febronia.
[6] On the day of the Preparation therefore, all the Sisters gathering in the oratory, Bryene commanded Febronia to read the divine words to the Sisters; but since noble women came to the oratory on the day of the Preparation, and enjoyed the spiritual teaching; Bryene commanded Febronia to read behind a curtain; for the form of a man, what kind it is, she had never beheld. And the teaching of Febronia was spread abroad everywhere in the city; not only this, but also her exceedingly beautiful form, and her gentleness, and her humility. Hearing these things Hieria the Senatorial woman, inflamed with divine longing, hastened to meet Febronia. Now Hieria was a pagan, not yet having come to baptism; and she, having lived with her husband seven months, and being widowed, returned to her own city to her own parents, living quietly, for they too were pagans. She comes therefore to the monastery, and made herself known to Bryene through the doorkeeper. And Bryene having come out to her, Hieria, falling at her feet, did her reverence, and taking hold of her feet said, I adjure thee by him who made heaven and earth, do not abhor me, the pagan and unclean, and until now become a plaything of idols; do not deprive me of the teaching and converse of my Sister Febronia, that I may learn through you the way of salvation, that walking in it, I may find the things which have been prepared for the Christians. Deliver me from the vanity of this age, and from the unclean idolatry; for my parents compel me to enter into a second marriage; but let the converse and teaching of Febronia be life to me, for the punishment of my former time of ignorance is enough for me.
[7] Hieria saying these things, and wetting her feet with tears, brought Bryene to much pity and compassion; Bryene therefore says to her: God knows, Lady Hieria, that being two years old I received her into this monastery into my hands, and behold today she has been eighteen years in the monastery, and has seen neither the form of a man, nor of a worldly woman, nor has she beheld a worldly garment until now; but not even her nurse has until now beheld her face; and yet, having often besought me with tears, she was not deemed worthy to meet her. For I did not permit her; but on account of the longing which thou hast toward God, and toward her, I will bring thee in to her, but clothed in an ascetic garment. Bryene therefore, having taken Hieria, brought her in to Febronia. Seeing her therefore in the ascetic garment, Febronia fell at the feet of Hieria, for she thought she beheld some strange nun. Having therefore greeted one another, Bryene commanded both to sit down, and Febronia to read the divine scriptures; and to such a degree was Hieria pricked at heart by the teaching of Febronia, that both passed the whole night sleepless; for neither did Febronia grow weary of speaking, nor did Hieria grow tired of hearing the teaching; and so much tears did Hieria pour out upon the ground, that all the floor was sprinkled by her tears.
[8] But morning having come, Bryene scarcely was able to persuade Hieria to come down from the oratory, and to go to her parents; having therefore greeted one another, filled with tears, Hieria went down; and having arrived at her own house, she persuaded her parents to be freed from the vain customs handed down from their fathers, and from the slavery of idols, and to recognize God, the Creator of all things. Now Febronia asked Thomais, the second to the Deaconess, saying, I beseech thee, my Lady mother, who is this strange Sister, who so poured herself out in tears, as though never having heard the divine scriptures. Then Thomais says to Febronia, Didst thou not know who she is? And she says, Whence had I to know her, being a stranger? And Thomais said: This is Hieria, the Senatorial woman. And Febronia says: And why did you not tell me, and I should have spoken with her as a sister? And Thomais says: The great Lady commanded it so to be. And in those days Febronia fell sick unto death, and lay upon the bench; and Hieria did not depart from her all the time of her sickness, until she was freed from the disease.
[1] It happened in the time of the Emperor Diocletian,
that the Prefect Anthimus, seized with a bodily infirmity,
lay sick: Lysimachus, son of Anthimus the Prefect who summoning Selenus
his brother, said to him: I, my Lord and brother,
am departing from human affairs; and into
thy hands I deliver Lysimachus my
son. Therefore, just as we have betrothed to him
the daughter of Prosphorus the Senator; so do thou, after
my death, see that the marriage be completed, and be to him
will, on the third day after departed from life. Then
the Emperor Diocletian, summoning Lysimachus the son of Anthimus,
and Selenus his uncle,
said privately to Lysimachus himself: I indeed, young man,
mindful of the friendship of thy father, wished
to raise thee, after his departure, to his throne,
and to constitute thee Prefect: but since
as though thou favorest the religion of the Christians, hitherto
I defer to do this: but I wish thee to set out into the East,
that thou mayest there suppress the superstition of the Christians:
which done, returning
thence, thou shalt sit to bear the office of Prefect.
[2] he is ordered first to prove his faith in the East against the Christians: Hearing these things Lysimachus dared not
answer the Emperor anything: for he was
of age. But Selenus, falling at the feet of the Emperor,
I beseech, he said, thy immortal head,
grant him yet a few days, that I may celebrate his marriage; and then I too will set out
with him, and all things shall be done, as
thy divine Majesty commands. To whom the Emperor: By no means,
but first go into the East, and there extinguish
Christianity: but when you have done
as is fitting, then return hither, and you shall have me
union of Lysimachus. Then
they, daring to reply nothing further to the Emperor, took
his commands, who having set out thither with his uncle and cousin and with a multitude
of soldiers directed their journey into the East. And Lysimachus
took Primus with the title of Count,
his cousin on his mother's side; and set him over
his army.
[3] But when they had come into the East, passing through
the Palmyrene region and Mesopotamia,
whomever of the Christians offered to them
they either delivered to the fire, or slew with the sword.
(For Selenus was exceedingly cruel and inhuman.)
Nor only did they do these things, but
they also ordered the bodies of the slain to be cast
to the beasts to be devoured. A great terror therefore held
all that region, on account of the harshness
of the most cruel Selenus. to whom he secretly orders that they be spared. But Lysimachus
on a certain night, calling aside the Count Primus,
said to him: My Lord Primus, thou knowest that although
my father died a pagan; yet my mother
died a Christian, and labored much
that I too myself might become a Christian; but on account of
the fear of the Emperor and of my father this could not
be done, yet I received a command from her,
that I should never kill any of the Christians,
but rather be a friend of Christ. But now
I see all who fall into the hands of my uncle,
the cruel Selenus, most wretchedly tortured, and
my soul has compassion for them: I wish therefore that the Christians
who shall fall into our hands be secretly dismissed,
before he most wretchedly destroys them. Hearing such things
Primus no longer commanded anyone
to be seized: but he signified to the monasteries,
that, those who were there consulting their safety by flight,
might not come into the hands
of Selenus.
[4] And while they were still tarrying in those
parts, they resolved to set out for Sibapolis, which is situated
on the borders of the Assyrians, under the power of the Romans.
And there was there a monastery of women,
about fifty exercising themselves there, They come then to Sibapolis,
over whom presided a certain woman named Bryene,
once a disciple of a certain Platonis, who before her
had discharged the office of the Diaconate, whose rule and
traditions until that time they preserved excellently.
And the rule of Platonis was of this kind.
On each sixth day, none of the Sisters was permitted to work anything:
but gathered in the oratory they remained;
where, after the course of the Psalmody was completed,
Platonis took the book, and read from it the divine Scriptures
to the Sisters until the third
hour. But after the third she handed the book
into the hands of Bryene, where 50 Nuns lived under Bryene the Abbess. commanding that she too should read thence to the Sisters
until Vespers: and when
Bryene herself had received the Diaconate, she also
followed the same tenor. And there were under
Bryene's discipline two girls, whom she diligently educated in
the ascetic wrestling-school, one indeed named
Procla, the other called Febronia: of whom
this one was eighteen, that one twenty-five
years of age; and Febronia was also the niece of Bryene.
[5] She, very beautiful and also remarkable for the height
of her body, excelled in such
comeliness of countenance, whom, diligently exercising her niece Febronia that no eye could sufficiently express
the blooming elegance of such beauty,
wherefore Bryene was vehemently anxious,
seeing her conspicuous in such grace, how
she might preserve her. Therefore while the other Sisters
took food from evening to evening, she commanded
Febronia to eat only on alternate days.
Febronia herself also, considering such a composition of her
body, took neither bread nor
water to satiety: and she had ordered
and a span and a half wide; to a singular rigor of life, in which at a set time
she would take sleep: and sometimes she even stretched her limbs
upon the bare ground. But if it
happened, from diabolical temptation, that she was urged by nightly
phantasms; she rose up continually,
and with many tears besought God,
that he would drive away from her the tempter Satan: and straightway
opening the book, she gave herself to the reading
of the divine Letters: for since as a young girl
she was very studious, she became also greatly knowing,
so that even Bryene admired her aptness.
[6] And so on the sixth days, when the Sisters
had gathered in the oratory, Bryene commanded that Febronia
should read to them. But since
noble matrons on such a day flocked to the same oratory
for the sake of spiritual doctrine, she uses the same one to read the Scriptures aloud to others Bryene
commanded a veil to be stretched, behind which
she should perform the reading: so far was it
that she ever permitted her to behold the face
of any man whatsoever. Hence it came about that the report of her excellent
doctrine rendered Febronia celebrated throughout the whole city:
nay both her excellent form and the lowliness
and gentleness of her mind became known from the report of the Sisters
to very many. Moved therefore by these things
Hieria the Senatorial woman, was kindled with a divine desire
of dealing with Febronia. But she was herself
still a Pagan, nor initiated by baptism:
but having been joined with a husband for seven months
and being widowed of him, she had returned to her own
city to her parents, themselves also Pagans;
and led a quiet life among them.
She came therefore to the monastery, and indicated her presence through
the doorkeeper to Bryene. whom the Pagan Hieria, desirous to hear her And as she came forth
to meet her, Hieria fell at her feet,
and embracing and adoring them, I adjure thee, she said,
by the Creator of heaven and earth, that thou repel me not,
impure and pagan, who until
now have been a mockery of idols; nor
cheat me of the doctrine of my Sister Febronia,
but let me learn through her the way of salvation, walking in which
I may find the good things prepared for the Christians.
Rescue me from the vanity of this age and the filth of idolatry,
to which my parents wish
to compel me by a second marriage: but the conversation
and doctrine of Febronia will confer salvation
and life upon me: for it is enough for my punishment
what I have hitherto done through the ignorance of better things.
[7] Hieria saying these things, watered the feet of Bryene with tears,
and being brought in to her under the habit of a Nun, so that she moved her to great commiseration for herself:
she answered however: God knows,
Lady Hieria, that I received that two-year-old child
into this monastery; and behold for the eighteenth
year now she has so lived under my hand, that
she has never seen the appearance either of any man, or of a secular woman,
nor any worldly garment at all. Nay not even her nurse
has until now seen her face, although she has often
prayed with tears, that this might be permitted her;
for I would not permit it to her. Nevertheless
on account of thy desire of knowing God and of speaking with her,
I will bring thee in to her,
clad in the Monastic habit. Receiving therefore
Hieria, Bryene brought her in as she had promised:
whom when Febronia saw in such a garment, thinking she
saw a foreign Nun, she fell at her
feet. And when they had kissed one another, Bryene commanded
both to sit down, and Febronia to read the sacred
Scriptures. Then indeed Hieria was so
compunct at her doctrine; and being vehemently compunct, that both
passed the whole night sleepless; while neither
was Febronia wearied with reading, nor did weariness of the doctrine
seize Hieria, and so much tears
did she pour forth, that the whole pavement
was wetted by them.
[8] Furthermore when morning had come, scarcely could
Hieria be persuaded by Bryene to withdraw from the oratory,
and being fully converted she converts also her parents, and to return to her parents.
At last after mutual kisses again and
reciprocal tears, she departed; and returning
to her home in the morning, she persuaded her parents to withdraw
from the vanity of their fathers' customs,
and from the worship of idols, and to recognize God the maker
of all things. But Febronia asked
Thomais; the second to the Deaconess,
saying; I beseech thee, Mother, who
was that foreign Nun, who was so suffused
with tears, as though she had never
heard the divine Scriptures explained. Knowest thou not, said
Thomais, and she ministers to the sick Saint. who she is? But I, replies Febronia,
how should I know her, since she is
Why then, replies Febronia, did you not
indicate this to me? for behold I spoke
to her as to a sister. The great Lady so willed it to be done, answered
Thomais. And when in those same days Febronia
had been sick even to death, lying upon
her bench, Hieria nowhere departed from her, until she recovered.
ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.
CHAPTER II.
Most fleeing through fear of the tyranny with Bryene and Thomais, Febronia alone remains, and is encouraged to the contest.
[9] In those days a report went out in the city, that Selenus and Lysimachus were entering the city, to punish the Christians. All therefore the Christians in the city, both Clergy and laity and monks, fled, leaving their own possessions, so that even the Bishop himself of the city hid himself on account of the impending fear. The Sisters therefore dwelling in that monastery, having learned this, coming forth, said to the Deaconess Bryene: What do we, Mother, since those beasts have seized this city, and all have fled on account of the impending threat? Bryene says, And what do you wish? And they said: That thou command us to hide ourselves for a little, and to save our souls. And Bryene says to them, Have you not yet seen the war, and do you meditate flight? Is the wrestling not yet begun, and at once the defeat? Not so, children, not so, I beseech you; but let us stand, and let us contend; let us die for him who died for us, that we may also live with him.
[10] Hearing these things the Sisters were quiet; but on the next day one of the Sisters, Aetheria by name, says to the Sisters: I know that on account of Febronia the great Lady does not permit us to leave these things here and withdraw; perhaps on account of her she wishes us all to perish. But behold I tell you, let us go to her, and I will speak the necessary things on behalf of us all. Hearing these things the Sisters, some indeed were persuaded by Aetheria, but others spoke against it, condemning her counsel. And much dissension having arisen for many hours, at last all by agreement went to the Deaconess, to see what she would counsel them. When they had come therefore, the Great one, foreknowing the counsel of Aetheria, looking intently at her, says to her: What dost thou wish, Sister Aetheria? And she: That thou command us to hide ourselves, and to flee the impending wrath; for we are not better than the Clergy and the Bishop; thou oughtest therefore also to consider this, that there are among us certain young women, lest, being seized by the soldiery, they fall under bodily corruption, and we be deprived of the reward of our asceticism; and again, lest we not endure the constraints of the tortures, and become worshippers of demons, and lose our souls. If therefore thou commandest to save us, let us leave even the Lady Febronia, and so let us go forth.
[11] But hearing this, Febronia says to her, As my Christ lives, to whom I am espoused, and to whom I have devoted my soul, I will by no means go out from this place, but here I will die, and here I will be buried. And Bryene says to Aetheria, Thou shalt see to what thou hast devised; I am innocent concerning this. Then she says also to the Sisters: Each one knows what is profitable to her, let her choose what she wishes. All therefore on account of fear, having taken leave of Bryene and Febronia, with much wailing and lamentation, beating their own breasts, went forth from the monastery. But Procla, the foster-companion of Febronia, falling upon her neck, and kissing her, cried out saying, Pray for me, Lady Sister. And Febronia, holding her hand, would not allow her to go out, saying, Fear God, my Lady Procla, and do not thou forsake us; dost thou not see that I am in sickness, lest it befall me to die, and the great Lady not even be able to carry me to the tomb; stay therefore that thou mayest bury me. And Procla said: As thou commandest, Lady Sister, I forsake thee not. And Febronia said to her: Behold, before God thou hast agreed, do not forsake me. But evening having come, Procla also, going out, became invisible.
[12] Bryene therefore, beholding the stripping of the monastery, on account of the evils that had come, entered into the oratory, and threw herself onto the ground, bitterly wailing and lamenting. But Thomais, the second to Bryene, sat beside her exhorting her and saying: Cease, Lady Mother; God is able with the affliction and the trial to make also the way of escape, that we may be able to endure. Who believed in the Lord, and was put to shame? or who remained in his fear, and was overlooked by him? And Bryene says to her: Yea, my Lady Thomais, these things are so; but what shall I do with Febronia? where shall I hide her, and save her? with what eyes shall I gaze, seeing her taken captive by barbarians? Thomais says, Hast thou forgotten the things spoken by me to thee? He who is able to raise from the dead, he will strengthen Febronia also and will save her. So therefore, my Lady mother, be changed; and ceasing from thy lamentations, come that we may support Febronia, because she lies in sickness.
[13] Having come therefore to the bench, where Febronia lay, immediately Bryene wailed bitterly, and laying her face upon her knees, was held fast by tears. But Febronia, gazing at her, says to Thomais, I beseech thee, mother, what is the wailing of the great Lady? for I heard her, when she was a little while ago in the oratory, that she uttered a great cry. Then Thomais, weeping, says to Febronia: On account of thee the Great one groans and laments, on account of the evils about to be brought upon us by the tyrants; and because thou art young and exceedingly beautiful, she is broken and laments. And Febronia says: I beseech you to pray on behalf of your handmaid; for God is able to look upon my lowliness, and to strengthen me, and to grant me endurance, as also to all his servants who have loved him in truth.
[14] Thomais says: My child Febronia, behold it is the time of the contest; if then we be seized by the soldiers, we indeed, as advanced in years, shall be quickly slain by the tyrants, but thee they will spare as young and exceedingly beautiful. If therefore we be seized, and with flattering words they exhort thee, do not be persuaded by them; and if they entice thee with gold or silver, or with raiment, or with costly foods, see that thou be not persuaded by them, child, and that thou lose the reward of thy former labors, and become a mockery of demons, and a plaything of idols. Nothing is more precious than virginity, for great is its reward and recompense, the bridegroom of virginity is immortal, and grants immortality to those who long for him. Hasten therefore, my Lady Febronia, to behold him, to whom thou hast also devoted thy soul. See, my child, that thou reject not his pledges and thy covenants with him; for that day is terrible, when the judge shall sit upon the throne of glory, when each shall receive according to his works. Hearing these things Febronia was supported, and nobly prepared herself against the spirits of the devil; and answering Thomais, she said: Thou hast done well, mistress, in supporting thy handmaid; for thou hast made my soul more brave. Yet if I had a will to flee the contest, I too could have gone forth with the Sisters and hidden myself; but since I long for him, to whom I have also devoted my soul, I will hasten to go to him, if indeed he shall prove me worthy to contend and to die for his name.
[15] Hearing these things Bryene began, she too, to say to her: My child Febronia, remember how thou hast followed my teaching; remember that thou becamest also the teacher of others; remember that, being two years old, I received thee into my hands from thy nurse, and until now no man has seen thy face, I have not made thee to dwell with worldly women; behold until now I have kept thee as thou knowest. But now what shall I do, my child? Therefore do not insult the old age of Bryene, do not make vain the labor of thy spiritual mother. Remember the former combatants, who gloriously bore witness, and received the crown of victory from the heavenly umpire of the contest, not only men, but also women and children. Remember Lybe and Leonis, the two sisters, who gloriously bore witness; and Lybe was beheaded by the sword, but Leonis was delivered to the fire; remember Eutropia the child, who, being twelve years old, bore witness with her mother. Didst thou not always marvel at the submission and endurance of Eutropia, that, when the judge commanded her to be shot with arrows without bonds, that being afraid she might flee, hearing from her mother, My child Eutropia flee not, she bound her own hands behind, and did not flee, but being struck by the bow, fell to the ground, and immediately expired, and did not transgress her mother's commandment? Didst thou not always marvel at her endurance? And she indeed was a child and unlearned, but thou hast become also the teacher of others. While they were saying these things and more than these, the night passed.
[9] In those days there came into the city a report of Lysimachus coming with Selenus, to inflict punishments upon the Christians: At the report of the coming tyrants wherefore
all who were there, both Clergy and Laity
and Monks, all things being abandoned, took to
flight; nay even the Bishop himself of the city
on account of the impending fear sought hiding-places.
The Sisters therefore who dwelt in that monastery,
came to the Deaconess Bryene
saying: What do we, Mother? for now almost
those women have entered this city, and all
have fled on account of the impending punishment. But what
do you wish? said Bryene. To whom they; the Nuns consulting about flight Bryene confirms: That thou command
us also to hide ourselves a little, and so
to save our souls. Then she: Not yet
have you seen the war, and you think of flight? not yet
is the battle begun, and already are you conquered? Not so,
daughters; not so, I beseech you. But let us stand, and fight
and die for him who for us
died, that we may live with him.
[10] These things being heard the Sisters were quiet: but on the next day
one of them, but again, being persuaded to ask her, named Aetheria, said
to them: I know that on account of Febronia the great Lady does not
permit us to leave this place
and depart: or perhaps on account of her
she wishes us all to perish? I tell you therefore,
Let us go to her, and I will speak for all as
is fitting. Then indeed hearing this they partly
assented to Aetheria, partly
dissented, despising her counsel: whence
when great dissension arose among them, at last
unanimously they came to the Deaconess to see
what counsel she would give. But as they approached,
Bryene, foreknowing what Aetheria had counseled,
and looking at her, said: What
dost thou wish, Aetheria? She said, That thou command us to hide ourselves
and to flee on account of the coming wrath: for we are not
better than the Clergy and the Bishop. Thou oughtest
also to consider that among us there are some
young girls, who being seized with us by the soldiers,
might at the same time be subjected to bodily
defilement, and we be deprived of the reward of the discipline
bestowed on them: and again
it is to be feared, lest we not endure the atrocity of the torments,
and so we ourselves destroy our own
souls. But if thou commandest us to save ourselves,
we will take also the Lady Febronia, and so
we will depart.
[11] But Febronia, when she heard her; The Lord lives,
she said, to whom I am espoused, and to whom
I have entrusted my soul, Febronia swearing in vain that she would stay, that I will not go out of
this place, but here I will die and be buried. But Bryene
said to Aetheria; Thou shalt see what thou hast devised;
I am innocent on this score: then
she said to the Sisters: Let each know what is expedient
for herself, and let her choose what she will. All
therefore on account of fear bidding farewell to Bryene
and Febronia, with much wailing and lamentation,
and striking their breasts, went out
of the Monastery. they extort license to depart. But Procla, the foster-companion of Febronia,
embracing her neck and kissing her,
cried out saying, Pray for me, Lady
Sister. Whose hand when Febronia
had taken hold of, she would not permit her to go out, but
said; Fear God, Lady Procla, and do not
thou at least forsake us: dost thou not see how infirm
I am, and that if I should chance to die, the Great Lady might not even
suffice to give me burial?
Stay therefore, that thou mayest care for my funeral.
Procla answers: Since thou so willest,
Lady Sister, I do not leave thee. To whom again
Febronia; Behold, before God the witness of these things,
I beseech that thou forsake me not. Nevertheless in the evening
Procla went out, and disappeared.
[12] Then Bryene, seeing the desolation of the monastery
on account of the impending evils, Hence Thomais comforts the dismayed Bryene, entered
the oratory; and prostrated herself on the ground, bitterly wailing
and lamenting greatly. But Thomais, second to her,
sat beside her, consoling and saying: Be at peace,
Lady Mother; God is able to make
with the temptation and tribulation also a way of escape, that
we may be able to endure. Who believed in the Lord, and
was confounded? or who remained in his fear,
and was despised by him? Bryene says to her: Altogether,
my Lady Thomais, so the matter stands: but
what shall I do with Febronia? where shall I hide
her and save her? for with what eyes shall I be able
to behold her carried off captive by the Barbarians? Thomais
answered; Hast thou then forgotten what
I told thee? He who is able to raise the dead,
he will also strengthen and save Febronia.
Come therefore, my Lady Mother, pass hence,
and ceasing from tears come, that we may comfort Febronia,
for she lies infirm.
[13] Therefore they came to the bench, in which
she lay: but Bryene immediately began bitterly to wail;
and casting her face upon the knees of her who lay there, and with her she approaches the sick Febronia
she was suffused with tears. Then directing her eyes upon
Thomais, Febronia; I beseech thee,
she said, Mother, what is this wailing of the Great
Lady? for a little while ago also I heard her in
the oratory emit a great cry. But Thomais
weeping answered her: On account of thee
the Great one has groaned and weeps, and on account of the evils to be
inflicted upon us by the tyrants: for because thou art young
and beautiful, she is grieved beyond measure. To
this Febronia: I beseech you, pray for me
your handmaid; for God is able to look upon
our lowliness; and to strengthen me
and to grant patience, as also to all his servants,
who have loved him in truth.
[14] But Thomais: My daughter, she said, Febronia,
behold the time of the contest is at hand. whom, encouraging to the imminent contest, she herself If we be taken
by the soldiers, we indeed as old women
they will straightway put out of the way, the tyrants; but for thee,
as young and beautiful, they will lay snares.
When therefore we shall be seized, and they begin to soothe thee with flattering
words, do not yield
to them: and if with gold and silver
and precious garments and dainty feasts they
assail thee; see, daughter, that thou let not thyself be persuaded,
and lose the reward of past labors,
becoming a mockery of demons and idols.
Nothing is more honorable than virginity, for which
of Virgins is immortal, and bestows immortality
on those who desire him. Strive
therefore, my Lady Febronia, to behold him,
to whom thou hast given thyself. See, daughter, that thou make not vain the promises
thou hast made to him, and let not go the pledges he
gave thee: for terrible will be that day,
when on the throne of his glory the judge shall sit,
to render to each according to his works.
Strengthened by these things Febronia, and generously
preparing herself for the contest to be entered with the diabolical
spirits, answered Thomais;
Thou doest rightly, Lady, in confirming thy handmaid;
for thou hast made my soul more robust.
Know however, that if I had wished to flee the contest,
I would surely have gone out with the Sisters,
and hidden myself: but because I ardently
desire him, to whom I have consecrated my soul: I will strive
to attain to him, if indeed he shall make me
worthy, to contend and die for his name.
[15] Hearing such things Bryene began, she too,
to speak to her: and, My daughter, said she, Febronia, and Bryene,
remember, how having followed my teaching,
thou wast made teacher of others also. Remember
that I received thee, a two-year-old, from thy nurse into my
hands, and so guarded thee, that until now
no man has beheld thy face,
nor did I permit thee to behold secular women.
Behold, how hitherto I have guarded thee, thou knowest.
But now what shall I do, my daughter? Do not, I pray,
dishonor my old age, nor make vain
the labors of thy spiritual mother. Remember
those champions who went before us, others being brought as an example.
and how, having fulfilled their glorious confession,
they received the crown of victory from the heavenly Judge of the contest,
not only men, but also women
and girls. Recall Lybe and
Leonis, sisters and renowned martyrs;
of whom Lybe submitted her head to be cut off by the sword,
but Leonis was delivered to the fire.
But also recall Eutropia the twelve-year-old girl,
martyred with her mother. Didst thou not
also admire her generous endurance;
whom when the judge, who was to be killed by arrows,
had ordered to be loosed from her bonds, that being terrified she might
take flight; and her mother had said to her, Flee not,
my daughter Eutropia; she herself bound her hands
behind her back, nor turned aside, and pierced by the dart
fell to the ground, and immediately crying out
expired, nor in this even did she transgress her mother's commandment.
Didst thou not always praise her virtue?
But she was still a girl unlearned;
thou however wast the teacher of others.
Amid these conversations the night passed.
CHAPTER III.
Febronia being denounced to Selenus, and about to be carried off by the soldiers, bids farewell to Bryene and Thomais.
[16] But morning having come, and the sun having risen, there was a tumult and a cry among those dwelling in the city, as Selenus and Lysimachus had now entered the city. Many therefore of the Christians being seized by the soldiers, and put in prisons, certain of the pagans reported to Selenus concerning the monastery, and immediately he sends soldiers to the monastery. The soldiers therefore having surrounded the monastery, and having broken the doors with axes, entered the monastery. And immediately seizing Bryene, they wished forthwith to slay her with the sword. But Febronia, beholding the danger impending over her, threw herself from the bench at the feet of the soldiers, and crying out says to them: I adjure you by the God who is in the heavens, slay me first, that I may not see the death of my Lady. But the Count Primus arriving, and being angry against the soldiers, ordered them to be cast outside the monastery, and says to Bryene: Where are those who dwell here? Bryene says, On account of fear of you all have withdrawn from the monastery. Primus says, Would that you too had been saved. And he says to them, Behold you have liberty, going out, to save yourselves wherever you wish; and taking the army he withdrew from the monastery.
[17] And having arrived at the praetorium, he comes to Lysimachus. And Lysimachus says to him: Were we taught truly concerning the monastery? Primus says, Truly; and taking him aside privately, he said to him. All those in the monastery have used flight, and we found none except two old women, and one young woman; but a strange thing, my Lord, I have to tell thee which I beheld in the monastery. I saw there a young woman, such as I have not seen until now among women, bearing such a form; the gods know, I saw her lying on the bench, and my mind was amazed; and if it were not that she was poor and needy, she were worthy to become a wife to my Lord. Lysimachus says: If I have commands from my mother not to shed the blood of Christians, but rather to become their friend, how shall I plot against the servants of Christ? Nay, but I beseech thee, my Lord Primus, taking them, lead them out of the monastery, and become to them a savior, that they fall not into the hands of Selenus my merciless uncle. But a certain one of the most wicked soldiers, running to Selenus, announced to him saying, That we have found a certain young woman in the monastery, exceedingly beautiful, and concerning her Primus the Count speaks of marriage to my Lord Lysimachus. Hearing these things Selenus, and being filled with wrath and anger, sent guards into the monastery to guard them, lest perchance fleeing they should escape; and immediately he ordered heralds to cry out in the city, Tomorrow the public bringing-forth of Febronia. And hearing this, those dwelling in the city, and not only they but also those of the surrounding country, ran together, a multitude of men and women, to behold the contest of Febronia.
[18] But dawn having come, the soldiers arrive at the monastery, and having entered, dragged Febronia from the bench, and securing her with irons, and putting a collar about her neck, dragged her outside the monastery. But Bryene and Thomais, clasping their hands to Febronia, cried out bitterly, and besought the soldiers to give her a little respite that they might speak with her. And the soldiers, deeming Febronia worthy of much compassion, granted her respite. Bryene therefore and Thomais besought the soldiers, that they too might come to the contest, that Febronia might not be taken alone, lest, being left alone, she be enticed. But the soldiers said. We were not commanded to present you at the tribunal, but only Febronia. There began therefore both Thomais and Bryene to exhort and to support Febronia. Bryene therefore says, Child Febronia, behold thou goest forth to the contest; see that the heavenly bridegroom watches over thy contest, and the powers of the angels hold the crown of victory; see that thou not
be terrified by the tortures and become a mockery of the devil; do not have pity on thy own body being dissolved by the scourgings, for this, even if we will not, after a little, the tomb receiving it, will dissolve it into dust; behold I will wait in the monastery lamenting, and awaiting news of thee, whether good or ill. I beseech thee therefore, my child, to hear good news of thee. Who will bring me the good tidings, that Febronia was perfected and was numbered among the martyrs.
[19] Hearing these things Febronia says to Bryene: I believe in God, my Mother, that as I never transgressed thy commandment, so neither now will I transgress this thy commandment and exhortation; but the peoples shall see and be amazed, and shall call blessed the old age of Bryene, and shall say, Truly this is the plant of Bryene the great; for I will show in the body of a female a manly resolve; but pray for me, and let me go. Thomais says, The Lord lives, Febronia my child, that I too, putting on a worldly garment, will come and behold thy contest. And as the soldiers led her away, Febronia says to them, I beseech you, my Mothers, give me a blessing for the journey, and pray for me yet this once, and let me go. Bryene therefore, stretching her hands to heaven, and crying with a great voice, said: Lord Jesus Christ, who didst appear to thy handmaid Thecla in the contest in the form of Paul, appear over this lowly one in the hour of the contests. Bryene having said these things, embracing Febronia, and kissing her with many tears, released her. The soldiers therefore taking her went out. But Bryene returned into the monastery mourning and lamenting; and throwing herself onto the ground in the oratory, crying out she besought God on behalf of Febronia.
[20] Thomais therefore, the second to Bryene, leaving her in the oratory, and putting on a worldly garment, comes to the spectacle. All therefore the worldly women, who used to come together to her in the monastery on the day of the Preparation, and enjoyed the teaching, beating their own breasts with tears, ran to the place of the spectacle, and lamented the loss of their teacher. And Hieria the Senatorial woman also having learned, that Febronia the nun is being brought forth publicly, rising cried out with a great voice, so that her parents and all in the house were amazed, and inquired of Hieria what had happened to her? And she answered saying: My sister Febronia is being brought forth publicly, my teacher is being prosecuted as a Christian. Being therefore much exhorted by her parents to cease from lamentation, she cried out the more lamenting, beseeching her parents and saying, Let me weep bitterly over my sister and teacher. As she said these things, she stirred up her own parents also to lamentation, so that they too lamented Febronia. Having therefore persuaded her parents to come to the spectacle, she took a multitude of servants and attendants, and going down ran to the place of the spectacle lamenting; and overtaking a multitude of many women running together and lamenting, she overtook also Thomais on the road, and recognizing one another, both lamenting, they come to the place of the spectacle to see the contest.
[16] But morning being come and the sun rising, throughout
all who dwelt in the city, Soldiers being sent into the monastery a tumult
and clamor grew strong, because Lysimachus
and Selenus had now entered the city. And when
many of the Christians were seized
by the soldiers, and shut up in prisons;
certain of the pagans gave information to Selenus
of the monastery: who immediately sent thither armed men.
These, surrounding the place, and
breaking the doors with axes, entered there;
and seizing Bryene at once,
they wished to slay her with the sword. But seeing
the impending danger, Febronia, Febronia offers herself to death for Bryene; rolled herself
from the bench, to the feet of the soldiers, and crying out
said to them: I adjure you by God who is
in the heavens, that you slay me first, lest I see
the death of my Lady. But the Count Primus coming up,
and rebuking the soldiers, ordered
them to be cast out of the monastery, and said to Bryene:
Where are those who dwelt here? Through your
fear, she said, all have departed from the monastery.
To whom Primus; Would that you too were thus
saved! and he said to them: Behold you have the means,
that going out you may save yourselves wherever you can;
and taking the soldiery that was there he withdrew
thence.
[17] But having entered the praetorium he went to
Lysimachus; and to him asking whether the things were true
which they had learned of the monastery; Lysimachus, being instructed by Primus of her beauty True, he said.
And taking him aside he said to him: All
who were there have escaped by flight; and we found there no one
except two old women and one young girl.
But nevertheless I must relate to thee,
my Lord, what astonishing thing I saw in
the monastery. For I saw there a girl, such as
until now among women I have not beheld, possessing such great
comeliness. The gods are my witnesses,
that seeing her lying on the bench, I was wholly
astonished; and were she not so poor and abject,
she were worthy to come to thee my Lord as a wife.
he orders her to be brought to safety: To which Lysimachus: Have I
not a precept of my mother, that I should not shed
the blood of Christians, but rather use them
lovingly? how then shall I plot against the servants of Christ?
I will not do so indeed; but I ask thee, Lord
Primus, take those women, and lead them out of the monastery,
and be to them a savior, that they fall not
into the hands of Selenus, my harsh uncle.
Then one of the most wicked soldiers running
came to Selenus, and announced to him that there was found
in the monastery a most beautiful girl, and
that Primus the Count had spoken with Lysimachus
about uniting her in marriage to him. Which
being heard, Selenus, full of indignation and anger, but Selenus forestalls the attempt. sent
immediately to the monastery those who should guard
them, lest they could escape by flight: and he ordered the heralds
to proclaim through the city, that on the following
day Febronia was to be brought to public
examination: by which proclamation excited, not
only those who were in the city, but also those who
dwelt round about, men and women, ran together
to behold her contest.
[18] On the next day therefore in the morning the soldiers came
into the monastery, and snatching Febronia from the bench,
they bound her with iron chains, She to be dragged to the tribunal,
binding also a collar about her neck, and so
dragged her outside the monastery. But Bryene
and Thomais, embracing her with their hands, cried out
sorrowfully, and asked the soldiers
that they would grant them so little a delay, through
which they might speak to her for the last time. And they, deeming
Febronia worthy of much compassion, when they had
granted this to them, those women began to pray further, that
they too might be brought to the contest, and not be compelled
to leave Febronia alone, lest perchance
fear should seize her. But they answered:
that they had not been commanded to present them at the tribunal,
but Febronia only. There began therefore
Thomais and Bryene to console and exhort her.
First Bryene: Behold, she said, daughter, thou goest forth
to the contest: see how the heavenly Spouse
looks upon thy contest, and the Angelic Powers
hold ready the crown of victory. See
that thou fear not the torments and give the devil occasion
to insult us. she is again encouraged by Bryene Let no commiseration of thy
body touch thee, when it shall be dissolved by scourges:
for it, even if we would not, the tomb will
soon receive and reduce to ashes.
Behold I remain in the monastery mourning, and
awaiting news of thee, fortunate or unfortunate.
Make, I beseech thee daughter, that I may hear the fortunate. O
who will signify to me, that Febronia, her contest
consummated, has been inscribed in the number of the Martyrs!
[19] To these things Febronia said to Bryene: I trust
in God, Mother, and Thomais; that as I have never
transgressed thy commandment, so neither
now will I make vain thy exhortation: but
the peoples shall see and shall marvel, and shall call blessed
the old age of Bryene, saying; Truly this
was the plant of the great Bryene: for I will show
that in a womanly body a manly mind lies hidden.
Meanwhile pray for me and let me go. To whom
Thomais; The Lord lives, she said, my daughter
Febronia, that I too will come, having put on a secular
garment, and will watch thy contest.
And when the soldiers led her away, then having received the blessing of both, she generously departs, Febronia said to
them, I pray you, my Mothers, give
me, going to the contest, your blessing,
and once more pray for me,
and so permit me to go. Bryene therefore stretching
her hands to heaven, and crying with a great voice
said: Lord Jesus Christ, who didst appear to thy handmaid
Thecla set in the contest under the figure
of Paul; appear also to this lowly one, in the time
of her contest: and these things said, having embraced Febronia
and kissed her with tears, she dismissed her:
whom the soldiers taking went out of the
monastery; into which she returning, lamenting
and wailing prostrated herself upon the pavement
of the oratory, nor without a strong cry prayed to God
over Febronia.
[20] But Thomais her second, having taken on
the secular matrons also who had been wont on the sixth
days to come to her in the monastery, for the sake of hearing
her doctrine, striking their breasts
hastened to the same place not without weeping, and lamented
that they were deprived of such a teacher.
But Hieria the Senatorial woman, hearing that the Nun
Febronia was to be brought into public,
rising cried out vehemently, so that her parents
and all the household, dismayed, asked
what had happened to her: to whom
she answered saying: My sister Febronia
is brought forth publicly to be examined: my Teacher
is led into judgment, as a Christian.
And when her parents urged her with many words to be quiet
from lamentation, she cried out the more, wailing, but Hieria openly.
and said to her parents: Let me weep bitterly
over my Sister and Teacher. Therefore even her
parents were moved to mourn
Febronia; and being persuaded to
give her license to go to the spectacle, they added to her a multitude
of menservants and maidservants; with
whom she, running forward and lamenting, found
she found also on the way Thomais;
and mutually recognizing one another and weeping they hastened
together to the place, to see the contest
of Febronia.
ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.
the whole series of the torments to the command of Lysimachus; wrongly: since the same in the end say that Selenus perished on that account, but praise Lysimachus, as more mildly disposed.
CHAPTER IV.
Febronia, interrogated and solicited in vain, is twice tortured.
[21] A great multitude therefore being gathered in the place, the judges also come to the place of the spectacle. Having sat down therefore, Selenus and Lysimachus, they ordered Febronia to be brought in. She was brought in therefore with her hands fettered and bearing a heavy collar about her neck. Beholding her therefore the crowds wept, and there was a wailing and weeping of all. She therefore being brought forth into the midst, Selenus ordered the tumult to cease; and great silence having come, Selenus says to Lysimachus, Put the questions, and receive the answers. Lysimachus says: Tell me, young woman, what art thou by condition? a slave, or free? Febronia says: A slave. Lysimachus says: Whose slave then art thou? Febronia says: Christ's. Lysimachus says: What is thy name called? Febronia says: A lowly Christian. Lysimachus says: I wish to learn thy name. Febronia says: I told thee, that I am a lowly Christian; but if thou wishest to learn my name, I am called Febronia by my Lady.
[22] Then Selenus, having stopped Lysimachus from the questions, himself began to question Febronia, and says to her: The gods know, Febronia, that I did not wish to deem thee worthy of a question; but since thy gentleness and meekness with thy exceedingly beautiful form have conquered the swelling of my fury and of the indignation against thee, I will no longer question thee as condemned, but I will exhort thee as a child, and as my daughter. Hear therefore, daughter. The gods know that with much wealth and much substance we betrothed a wife to my Lord Lysimachus, both I and Anthimus my brother; nevertheless today I will dissolve the contract concerning the daughter of Prosphorus, and I will make the covenants in thee, and thou shalt be a wife to my Lord Lysimachus, at whose right hand I now sit, whom also thou seest that he himself is exceedingly beautiful as also thou. Hear therefore my counsel as of thy father, and I will make thee glorious upon the earth; and let not poverty terrify thee, for I have neither wife surviving, nor children; all my things therefore I will bestow upon thee, and I will make thee mistress of all, and these things I will give as a dowry to my Lord Lysimachus, and I will be a father to you, and thou shalt be glorified upon the earth, and all women shall call thee blessed for the honor of which thou hast been deemed worthy. And our gloriously-victorious Emperor will also show favor, and he too will bestow many things upon you, for he promised to raise up my Lord Lysimachus to the throne that is over the Magistrates and to act as Prefect. Behold thou hast heard all, give answer to me thy father who both worships the gods and rejoices my soul; for if thou shalt be found disobedient to my exhortation, the gods know, that thou shalt not live three hours in my hands; answer therefore what seems good to thee.
[23] Febronia says, I, judge, having a bridal chamber in the heavens not made with hands, possessing an indestructible bridal bower, having for a dowry all the kingdom of the heavens, having an immortal bridegroom, I neither endure to dwell with a mortal and corruptible man nor to hear of it; wherefore, judge, do not labor, for neither by flattering wilt thou profit, nor by threatening wilt thou frighten. Hearing these things the judge, and being greatly angered, commanded the soldiers, saying: Tearing off her garments, and girding her with rags, set her up disgraced and unseemly before all, that seeing herself in such unseemliness, she may bewail herself for the great glory from which she has fallen, and the utmost dishonor she has met. The soldiers therefore quickly tearing off her garments, and girding her with rags, set her up naked before all; then Selenus says. What sayest thou, Febronia? Dost thou see from what goods thou hast fallen, and what dishonor thou hast met? Febronia says, Hear, judge, even if thou take away the whole covering of garments from my nakedness, I do not reckon this unseemliness; for one is the Creator of the male and of the female, nor do I await only the stripping of garments, but I await also the punishment by sword and fire, if indeed I shall be worthy to suffer for him who suffered for me.
[24] Selenus says, Shameless one and worthy of all dishonor, I know that thou pridest thyself on the beauty with which thou art clothed, and on this account thou reckonest not as shame and dishonor the stripping of thy body, but thou thinkest it some praise thus to stand naked. Febronia says, My Christ knows that until now I have not beheld the form of a man, and that I should fall into thy hands shameless, in what way have I appeared to thee? But, foolish and senseless judge, tell me, which of the athletes ever contending in the Olympic contest joins in the wrestling clothed in garments? Does he not naked accomplish the contest until he conquer his adversary? But I, awaiting the threat of tortures and fire, how shall I join in the wrestling clothed in these garments? Shall not my naked body receive the torments, until I have overcome thy father Satan, despising thy tortures? Selenus says: Since she has become to herself the cause of punishments and tortures, and has dared the threat of fire, stretching her out by four, and kindling fire beneath her, let four soldiers standing by tear her back with rods. This being done, and she being beaten for a long while, certain showers of blood from both parts of her back fell to the ground. And the fire too worked beneath her, burning her inwards; and the fire being provoked with oil, more and a fiercer flame being produced consumed Febronia. And she being beaten for many hours, all the multitude of the people cried out, and besought the judge saying: Spare, kindly judge, spare the young woman. But he not being persuaded, but commanding her still to be vigorously scourged, when he saw her flesh with the blood falling to the ground, then he commanded the executioners to cease; and thinking her to be dead, they cast her outside the pyre.
[25] But Thomais, having beheld the tortures inflicted on Febronia, fainting, fell to the ground at the feet of Hieria; and Hieria, crying out with a voice, said: Woe to me, Febronia sister, woe to me, my Lady teacher, that from this day I am deprived of thy teaching; not only of thine, but also of that of the Lady Thomais; for behold she too on account of thee is dying. But Febronia, hearing the voice of Hieria, lying on the ground, besought the soldiers to bring water to her face. And the soldiers immediately bringing the water, applied it to her face; and having come to herself, she begged to see Hieria. But the judge not willing it, commanded her to rise and make her defense, and says to her. What sayest thou, Febronia? how is the first bout of the wrestling? Febronia says, Thou hast learned from the first trial that I am unconquered, and that I despise thy tortures. Selenus says, Hanging her on the wood and scraping her sides with the implements, and applying fire, burn her even to her bones. The attendants therefore taking the implements, scraped her so much, that even her flesh with the blood fell to the ground; and applying the fire, they burned her inwards. But Febronia, raising her eyes to heaven, says, Come, Lord, to my help, and do not deliver me up in this hour; and having said these things, she was quiet, for she was greatly burned by the fire.
[26] Many therefore of the spectators fled from the spectacle, on account of the cruelty of Selenus; but others cried out, and besought the judge that the fire be removed from her. The judge having permitted the fire to be removed, while she hung on the wood, he tried again to question her. But she not being able to answer, he commanded her, having been taken down from the wood, to be bound to a stake, and orders a physician to be called, and says to him: Since this thrice-accursed and defiled one will not answer the tribunal, let the speaking organ be cut, and be cast upon the fire. But Febronia, putting forth her tongue, made signs beseeching the armor-bearer and saying, Cut. And the armor-bearer touching her tongue, and attempting to cut it, the crowds adjuring Selenus by the safety of the gods, persuaded him not to do this. But the thrice-accursed and all-defiled Selenus, commanded her teeth to be rooted out. Immediately therefore the physician taking the iron, began to root out the teeth of the holy maiden, and to cast them on the ground. Seventeen therefore of her teeth being rooted out, and the blood flowing strongly upon the ground, Selenus commanded the physician to cease; and Febronia fainted at the violence of the blood. Immediately therefore the physician, applying some medicine, stopped the flow of the blood.
[21] The Virgin being brought to the tribunal, The place into which the great multitude had flocked
was full: into which the Judges also having advanced
and sat down, Selenus and Lysimachus,
ordered Febronia to be brought in. And she was brought in
with her hands bound and bearing a heavy collar
on her neck, beholding whom the crowds burst forth
into tears, and there was a great wailing
and lamentation of all: but when she had been brought into
the midst, and Selenus had ordered the tumult to cease,
silence being made, he said to Lysimachus; Begin
the questions and receive the answers. Lysimachus therefore said:
Tell me, and questioned in passing by Lysimachus, young girl, of what condition
art thou, a slave or free? A slave, said
Febronia. But whose? said he; and she,
Christ's. Then again Lysimachus, By what
name art thou called? A lowly Christian, answered
Febronia. But I wish to know thy name,
said Lysimachus: to whom Febronia, I have already told
thee that I am a lowly Christian: but if thou
desirest also to know my name, I am called Febronia by my Lady.
[22] Then Selenus, bidding Lysimachus to cease
from questioning, began to question also
himself, and being solicited with many words by Selenus, and said: Let the gods be witness to me, Febronia,
that I had resolved not even to deem thee worthy
of a question: but since thy modesty and honesty,
joined with so excellent a beauty, conquer the ardor
of my fury and of the anger conceived against thee;
come, I will question thee not as a defendant, but I will approach thee as my daughter
by persuasion. Hear therefore,
daughter. The gods know that I and my brother Anthimus
betrothed to my Lord Lysimachus
endowed: but now I dissolve the betrothal contracted
with the daughter of Prosphorus, and thou shalt be a wife
to my Lord this Lysimachus, who sits at my right hand,
and whom thou seest to be beautiful
as also thou art. Therefore hear my counsel as of a father, Lysimachus offering marriage,
and I will make thee glorious upon the earth. Nor
is there cause for thee to be ashamed on account of thy
poverty: for I have neither wife nor children;
and so all my things I will deliver to thee and constitute thee Mistress
of all; which to my Lord
Lysimachus I will give for a dowry, and I will be to you
all women shall call thee blessed, deemed worthy of such honor.
But also the most invincible Emperor
will gratify you, and he too will bestow many things;
for he has promised to confirm my Lord Lysimachus
on the high throne of power
and to create him Prefect. Behold thou hast heard
all, give to me thy father an answer, which
may please the Gods, and gladden my soul: but if
it appear that thou canst not be persuaded, I call the Gods to witness,
that under my hands thou shalt not live three hours.
Answer therefore as it shall please thee.
[23] To this Febronia; I, she said, have in the heavens
inviolable spouse, and for a pledge the whole
kingdom of the heavens, a spouse truly immortal,
with a mortal and corruptible spouse I neither wish nor
am able to be joined. Therefore, O Judge, do not
labor in vain: for I shall neither be softened by flatteries,
nor terrified by threats. Such an answer being heard,
the Judge, vehemently angry, commanded
his soldiers, saying, Take away from her her garments,
and gird her with torn rags, that before all
she may appear vile and contemptible; and
seeing herself placed in such vileness, she may begin
to accuse herself, that for the great glory from which she fell
she has cast herself into such contempt.
And so the soldiers immediately snatching away her garments
and girding her with little cloaks, set her naked
before all. and therefore being stripped Then to her
Selenus; What sayest thou now, Febronia? Dost thou now see,
from how great goods thou hast fallen, to how great
dishonor thou hast come? To whom Febronia: Hear,
she said, O Judge: even if thou shouldst utterly strip me of every
garment, I will not turn it to my own disgrace:
for I await not only the stripping
of garments; but also the punishment of sword and fire:
and would that I might be found worthy to suffer
for him, who for my sake suffered so much.
[24] Then Selenus, Shameless one, he said, and
worthy of every disgrace, I know that thou gloriest in
the beauty in which thou excellest, and being accused of immodesty, and therefore countest not as ignominy
the nakedness of thy body, nor
art ashamed on account of it, but countest it comely
thus to be seen naked. My Christ knows,
said Febronia, that until now I have never
known the face of a man: but because I have fallen into thy
hands, I have seemed shameless. Tell me, foolish
and senseless judge, who, about to contend in the Olympic
contest, ever entered the wrestling
clothed in garments? does he not enter
the contest naked until he has conquered his adversary?
But since I await the punishments of torments and fire,
how shall I encounter them clothed in these? she answers that for this reason she is the more stripped for the torments.
must not the body be stripped,
that it may receive the blows? Come! when shall I encounter
with thy father the devil, despising thy
torments? To this Selenus, Since,
he said, she of her own accord demands punishments and
torments, and rises up boldly even against the threats of fire itself;
stretch her out to four stakes, and set fire beneath; meanwhile while four
soldiers continually tear her back with rods.
This being done, when she was beaten a long time, Fire being set beneath, she is stretched out and beaten with rods, from each
part of her back as it were a bloody shower rained down
to the ground: but also the fire set beneath her inwards,
exerted its strength, the more vehement
because it was watered with oil, and the more was kindled
the flame, consuming Febronia. And she
being thus long tortured, the whole multitude of the people
cried out, and besought the Judge saying,
Have mercy, most merciful Judge, have mercy
on the young girl. But he was nothing moved,
but rather commanded the blows to be redoubled,
until he saw her flesh together with the blood
flow down to the ground: then first he ordered the executioners to cease;
and thinking that she had died they drew her from
the fire.
[25] Then Thomais, when she had seen the torments inflicted on Febronia,
Thomais fainting at these, failing in spirit fell to the ground
at the feet of Hieria: But she with a great voice
cried out: Alas for me, Sister Febronia! Alas
for me, Lady and Mistress! behold not only
am I deprived of thy doctrine today, but also of Lady
Thomais, who is dying on account of thee. But hearing
the voice of Hieria, Febronia, there where she lay upon
the ground, asked the soldiers, that they would pour water
on her face; which being brought and sprinkled on her
face she came to herself, and returning to herself
prayed that she might see Hieria.
But the Judge would not consent, but ordered her
to rise to render her account, then being raised onto the rack saying, What
sayest thou, Febronia? how has this first encounter
succeeded for thee? To whom Febronia: Now
thou canst have learned from the first trial that I am invincible,
and that I despise thy tortures.
Selenus therefore, Hang her, he said, on the rack,
and scrape her sides with combs, and with fire applied
burn her even to the very bones. Then the ministers
seizing the combs, scraped her so far,
that her flesh with the blood fell to the ground;
and applying fire they also roasted her inwards.
she is grievously lacerated and scorched. But Febronia, lifting her eyes to heaven;
Come, she said, Lord, to my aid,
and do not forsake me in this hour. And
saying these things she fell silent: for vehemently
the fire was burning her.
[26] Then indeed many of the spectators, not
being able further to endure the cruelty of Selenus, She offers her tongue of her own accord to be cut out;
ran away: but others crying out besought
the judge, that he would order the fire to be removed from her.
He ordered therefore the flames to be taken away; and while she still hung
from the wood, he attempted again to question her.
And when she could answer him nothing, he commanded her,
taken from the rack, to be bound to a stake, and a physician
to be called; to whom brought he said: Let the organ
of speech be cut out from that most unhappy and most impure one,
who in judgment refuses to answer,
and let that same tongue be cast into the fire. But Febronia,
stretching out her tongue, made signs
to the minister, as though she exhorted him and said,
Cut. But the minister taking hold of the tongue,
when he wished to cut it out; the crowds prevented it,
beseeching Selenus by the safety of the gods
that this be not done. her teeth are rooted out. And he indeed, most wicked and
execrable, acquiesced thus far; but he ordered all her teeth
to be plucked out. So the physician, immediately
seizing the iron, began to extract the girl's teeth by the roots,
and to cast them on the ground; and when
he had now rooted out seventeen, and much
blood flowed through the ground; Selenus commanded
the physician to desist; but Febronia's spirit
failed her, on account of the excessive shedding of blood;
but the physician applying a medicine
stopped it.
CHAPTER V.
Febronia, deprived of her breasts, hands, and feet, is beheaded and expires; Selenus the judge takes his own life.
[27] Selenus therefore began again to question her, and says to her, Febronia, even now wilt thou yield to the tribunal and confess the gods? But Febronia says, Anathema to thee, thrice-accursed old man, that thou hinderest my way and dost not let me at last go to my bridegroom; hasten, he has called me from the clay of this body, for my lover awaits me. Selenus says, I will little by little destroy thy body by sword and by fire; for I know that even now the rashness of thy youth makes thee act shamelessly; but thou shalt have no profit from this; for this thy arrogance has prepared these things to come upon thee. But Febronia, not being able to answer because of the weight of the tortures, brought the judge to greater indignation. Then Selenus orders the physician, saying, Let the breasts of the shameless one be cut off; and the physician taking the sword, and approaching Febronia, attempted to cut; but the crowds cried out beseeching the judge and saying, We beseech thee, lord judge, let this punishment be remitted to the young woman; and as for many hours they cried out and besought, Selenus being angry at the physician; says to him, Cut, thrice-accursed and alien to the gods; and the physician taking the lancet, and touching the right breast of the maiden, began to cut; and she cried out with a great voice, and lifting her eyes to heaven, said. Lord my God, behold my violence, and let my soul come into thy hands; and she spoke no more.
[28] Her two breasts therefore being cut off, and cast on the ground, he commanded fire to be applied to her at the two places; and for many hours she being burned, for her inwards were consumed; the crowds beholding, the most of them withdrew from the sight, crying out and saying: Anathema to Diocletian, and to his gods. But Thomais and Hieria sent to the monastery to Bryene, announcing the things that had happened. The maidservant therefore having arrived at the monastery to Bryene, cried out with a great voice and said: Thus says the Lady Thomais and Hieria, Let not thy hands be weary, stretched out to God, let not thy heart grow faint to cry out to him, and to pray earnestly; for Febronia has fallen into great contests; receiving therefore the message, Bryene cried out to God saying, Lord Jesus Christ come to the help of thy handmaid Febronia. And for many hours praying, she threw herself onto the ground, lamenting and crying, Bra, bra, bra, Febronia where art thou? Again therefore the maidservant ran to the spectacle; but Bryene having her hands stretched out to heaven, cried out saying: Lord, look upon the lowliness of thy handmaid Febronia, and come to her help; let my eyes see, that Febronia was perfected, and was numbered among the Martyrs.
[29] Again therefore the judge commanded Febronia to be loosed from the stake. And she being loosed, fell to the ground, for she had no longer strength to stand. Then Primus says to Lysimachus: This young woman is destroyed. Lysimachus says, Let her be, my lord Primus, she labors for the salvation of many, and perhaps even of myself; for many such things I have heard from my mother. Was it not in my power to release her and to save her? But let her contend, for she has contended for the salvation of many. And Hieria standing up, cried out against the judge saying: O thou alien to human nature, wast thou not satisfied with the former evils, which thou broughtest upon this wretched maiden? Didst thou not remember thy mother, that she too was clothed with this body and form? Didst thou not remember that
born in evils, thou wast first nourished from these milk-flowing breasts, and then camest to the perfection of thy evil deeds? I marvel how none of these things confounded thy merciless and inhuman mind. May the heavenly King not spare thee, as thou hast not spared this lowly one. Hieria having said these things, the judge being greatly angered, commanded her to be brought down, and to be punished publicly; and Hieria knowing this, with much haste and joy came down, saying, O God of Febronia, receive me too, the pagan and lowly, with the Lady Febronia.
[30] But while she was coming down, the friends of Selenus counseled him, saying, Do not bring Hieria down publicly, since all the multitudes with her are confessing, and the whole city is perishing. Receiving this counsel Selenus no longer brought Hieria down to the proceeding; but raging and maddened against her, he cried with a great voice saying, Hear, Hieria, may the gods seek vengeance, that thou hast procured many evils for Febronia; and immediately he orders the two hands of Febronia to be cut off, and the right foot. Immediately therefore the armor-bearers setting the wood under her right hand, striking with the axe cut it off, and likewise the left, doing thus, they cut it off; and setting the wood under her right foot, the armor-bearer taking the axe, and striking with great force upon the ankle of Febronia, could not take off her foot, and likewise bringing a second blow, could not; and great was the cry made by the crowds; and bringing a third blow, he scarcely was able to take off her foot. Febronia therefore, becoming trembling in her whole body, and about now to faint, forced herself to put the other foot also on the wood, asking that this too be taken off. The judge therefore beholding says, See the obstinacy of the shameless one? and with much wrath says to the armor-bearer, Cut, and cut off this foot too.
[31] Lysimachus rising, says to Selenus: What further hast thou to do to this wretched one? Let us go at last, for it is the time of the meal. But the most lawless Selenus says, May the gods seek vengeance, that I will not leave her alive, but here I will remain until she gives up the spirit. And for many hours she being in her death-agony, Selenus says to the armor-bearers, Is this thrice-accursed one still alive? Yea, we beseech thee, even now, her soul is in her. Then Selenus orders her head to be cut off. The soldier taking the sword, grasping the hair of her head, and drawing it back, putting the sword under, as one sacrifices a sheep, thus slaughtering her, cut off her holy head; and immediately the judges went to the meal. But Lysimachus went weeping; and the multitudes running together wished to seize the body of Febronia; but Lysimachus commanded soldiers to remain, and to guard the body. Lysimachus being therefore in much anguish and grief of tears, ate not, nor drank, but shut himself in his bedchamber, and lamented the slaying of Febronia; but Selenus his uncle, learning that Lysimachus was troubled, ate not himself either; but rising, he walked in the courtyard of the praetorium. And being in much grief and trouble, suddenly as he walked, gazing into heaven, and for many hours being struck dumb, and like a bull leaping, he dashed his head against one of the columns and falling, expired.
[27] Then again Selenus began to question
Febronia, and said; Dost thou even now obey
the will of the Judge, and confess the Gods? To whom
she: The Saint despising the repeated threats Anathema be to thee, execrable old man,
because thou hinderest my journey, nor sufferest me at last
to set out to my spouse. Hasten, and lead me
out of the clay of this body, for my lover awaits me.
Selenus answered, Indeed shortly
with iron and fire I will exterminate thy body: for I know
that even now the confidence of thy youth
makes thee shameless; whence however thou shalt take
no advantage, because that presumption is the cause of all evils to thee.
And when Febronia could answer nothing further, after the cutting off of one breast she ceases to speak. on account of
the bitterness of the torments, with more vehement anger
the Judge grew hot; wherefore he said to the physician,
Let the breasts of that shameless one be cut off. Taking
therefore a razor the physician, and approaching Febronia,
wished to do what was commanded; when the people
began to cry out, saying; We pray thee,
Lord Judge, remit this punishment to the young girl.
But as they thus cried out longer
and besought, Selenus, indignant
at the physician, said to him: Cut, impious one and alien
to the gods. The physician therefore seized the knife, and at the same time
began to cut off the right breast of the girl:
and she crying out with a great voice, and lifting her eyes to
heaven said: Lord my God,
behold what I suffer, and let my soul go into thy
hands: nor did she speak anything more.
[28] But when each breast had been cut off,
Selenus ordered fire to be applied to each wound, by the long
force of which even the inwards were burned: The other being cut off too, the wound is burned: which
seeing the crowds were indignant, and not a few, not being able
to bear the monstrous spectacle, went away crying out,
Anathema to Diocletian and his gods.
But Thomais and Hieria sent a maid
to the monastery, to announce to Bryene what was done.
She therefore coming there, with a raised voice said:
The Ladies Thomais and Hieria charge thee; Bryene, understanding the matter, prays the more earnestly.
Let not thy hands be wearied, stretched out to God,
nor grow faint in crying out to him, and continually
beseeching: for with great labors is Febronia
involved. This message being received, Bryene cried out
to God, saying: Lord Jesus Christ,
come to the aid of thy handmaid Febronia:
and praying thus a long time she prostrated herself on the ground, and cried out
Bra, bra, bra! Febronia where art thou? Again
therefore the maid ran back to the place of the spectacle:
and Bryene, with hands spread to heaven,
with a strong cry; Lord, she said, look upon
the lowliness of thy handmaid Febronia, that my eyes may see
that she has consummated her contest,
and has been counted in the number of the Martyrs.
[29] But the Judge commanded Febronia to be loosed
from the stake: who, loosed, fell to the ground; for she could
no longer stand. Lysimachus praises the Virgin's patience. Then Primus said to Lysimachus:
This young girl is dead. To whom
Lysimachus: Do not speak so, my Lord Primus:
for to the salvation of many, and perhaps
even mine, she thus labors; for many
such things I have heard from my mother. Could I have brought it about
that she be released and saved? Let her
contend, for to the salvation of many will it
serve. But Hieria standing cried out to the Judge,
O cruel one and devoid of all humanity, do not
so many evils inflicted hitherto on this miserable
girl suffice thee? Dost thou not remember thy mother, Hieria rebukes the ferocity of Selenus, who
herself also had a like body? dost thou not recall,
that, born under an evil omen, thou tookest thy first nourishment
from breasts, and thence ascendedst to this summit
of evils? I marvel indeed, that
none of these things could bend thy harsh
and inhuman mind. May the King
of the heavens not spare thee, as thou hast not spared this poor little one.
She saying these things, the Judge growing hot, ordered
her also to be brought to undergo public
examination: which Hieria understanding, with much
joy and full of cheer she went, saying;
Receive me, O God of Febronia, though a pagan
and lowly, together with my Lady.
[30] But as she came to the tribunal, the friends
counseled Selenus, not to admit Hieria to the public
examination; who hence growing more enraged saying; that the whole multitude
with her would together confess Christ,
and the whole city perish. And he indeed obeyed
their counsel, not to proceed against her by law; gnashing his teeth
however at her, with a great voice he cried out; Hear,
Hieria, and may the gods avenge thee, since
thou hast stirred up many evils for Febronia: and immediately
he ordered that both hands and the right foot
of the Virgin be cut off. he orders the Saint's hands and feet to be cut off, Putting therefore under her right hand
the lictors a wood, with an axe they cut
it off, likewise also the left. But when the executioner
had put the right foot also on the wood,
and about to cut it off had seized the axe,
and had struck with great force upon Febronia's ankle,
he could not take off the foot, nor
even with the second blow did he accomplish anything: whence
there arose a great clamor of the crowds, and he
scarcely at last striking the third time, executed the command.
But Febronia, trembling in her whole body,
and now about to faint, tried
to put the other foot also on the wood,
asking that this too be cut off. Which
beholding the judge said: Do you see the pertinacity
of the shameless one? and with great fury to the minister,
Cut, he said, and take off that foot too.
[31] Then Lysimachus rising, said to Selenus:
What further wilt thou do to this wretched one? and to be beheaded:
let us go at last: it is the time of the meal.
But the most cruel Selenus answered: May the gods
avenge me, if I let her go alive:
here altogether will I remain, until she give up the spirit.
But she long in her death-agony, Selenus said
to the executioners: Does that execrable one still live?
Where is your strength? behold still
the breath remains in her. And he ordered her head
to be cut off. So one of the soldiers seizing
the sword, and at the same time wrapping his hand in the hair of her head,
and marking the blow, with the sword struck
cut off the holy Head, as when a sheep
is slaughtered for a victim: and immediately rising
the Judges went away to the meal. but learning the grief of his nephew But Lysimachus
wept, and the crowds running together wished
to seize the corpse of Febronia: but Lysimachus
ordered the soldiers to remain there, and to guard it.
And when Lysimachus, placed in much grief and great
perturbation of mind, would neither eat
nor drink, he kills himself. but shutting himself in his
bedchamber lamented the slaying of Febronia; hearing
that his nephew was thus afflicted, his uncle Selenus,
neither did he himself taste food: but rising he walked about
through the hall of the praetorium: and seized
with great sorrow, while thus walking he looked up to heaven,
snatched out of the control of his own mind,
and roaring vehemently and like
of the columns, and falling fell silent.
CHAPTER VI.
The body of the Saint being carried to the monastery, the funeral rites are celebrated, and many converted are baptized with Lysimachus, Primus, and Hieria.
[32] A tumult and cry having arisen, Lysimachus running, and standing over the corpse, asked what had happened. And they told him what had occurred; but Lysimachus for many hours shaking his own head, said: Great is the God of the Christians, blessed is the God of Febronia; God has avenged the blood shed in vain. And saying these things, he ordered Selenus to be carried out, and he being carried out, Lysimachus having summoned the Count Primus, said to him: I adjure thee by the God of the Christians, do not
transgress my command, but quickly order a coffin to be made for Febronia out of incorruptible woods, and send heralds everywhere proclaiming, that the Christians who wish to come to the funeral of Febronia may come without fear, especially now that my uncle is dead. Thou knowest, my Lord Primus, my desire; take the army, and whomever thou wilt, make these carry the body of Febronia, and so let it be brought to her monastery to Bryene; let none of the crowd snatch any of her limbs, or any of the things cut off from her body, nor let a dog or any of the unclean things lick of her shed blood; but also digging up the earth, where the blood of Febronia was shed, carry that too to the monastery.
[33] Hearing these things Primus the Count did all just as Lysimachus had commanded; and the body of Febronia he ordered the soldiers to carry; but Primus himself taking the head of Febronia, and the feet and the hands, and all the limbs that had been taken from her, and putting these into his cloak, thus went to the monastery. But the multitudes running together attempted to snatch any of the cut-off limbs of Febronia, so that from this Count Primus underwent great danger from the violence of the crowds; and the soldiers attacking the crowds with drawn swords, scarcely were able to drive away the multitudes. Having therefore reached the monastery with much force, they were able to bring in the relic of holy Febronia into the monastery, allowing none to enter except Thomais and Hieria; and the soldiers held off the multitudes. But Bryene, beholding the body of Febronia thus cut up, fell to the ground fainting. And Primus, setting guards by the monastery, went to the praetorium to Lysimachus.
[34] But Bryene after many hours rising from the ground, embracing the body of Febronia, cried out saying, Woe, my child Febronia, that today thou art taken from the eyes of thy mother Bryene. Who will read the divinely-inspired scriptures to the sisters? what hands will turn thy books? While Bryene was crying these things, all the sisters who dwelt in the monastery arrived with Aetheria, and falling upon the body, did reverence; and likewise Hieria also cried out saying, Let me reverence the holy feet which trod down the head of the serpent, let me kiss the wounds of the holy bodies, through which my soul was healed, let me crown with the flowers of praise the head which crowned our race with the beauty of the contests. While Hieria was crying these things, and likewise all the sisters, the time of the ninth hour came, and crying out greatly Bryene says, Febronia, behold the time of prayer, come and stand, my child, at the prayer. And she began in the Syriac dialect to exhort Febronia and to say, Bra, bra, she is healed; she is perfected, arise, Talitha cumi, arise, which is, My child Febronia where art thou? Arise and come. And Thomais says also, My child Febronia, never didst thou transgress the command of the Great one, and now why dost thou not obey her voice?
[35] While they were saying these things, and there being much confusion and crying, evening having now come, having washed the holy body, they laid it upon a bench, fitting each limb to the body; and Bryene ordered it to be opened to the crowds. The multitudes having entered, glorified God. And the worldly women lamented the loss of their teacher Febronia; and there arrived also certain of the holy Fathers, and great multitudes of Monks, and they continued sleepless all the night. But Lysimachus, having summoned Primus the Count, says to him. I, my Lord Primus, having renounced all the ancestral customs and all substance, come to Christ. Primus says, I too, my Lord, anathema to Diocletian, and to his kingdom, I renounce all the ancestral things, and come to Christ; and leaving the praetorium, they too come to the monastery with all the multitude.
[36] But morning having come, those who carried the coffin arrive, and with much prayer and tears they carried together the relic of holy Febronia; and laying this in the coffin, they set each of the cut-off limbs of the holy one in its own place; both the head, and the feet, and the hands, and the remaining limbs; but the teeth of the holy one they laid upon her breast. And the crowds filled the coffin with myrrh, and musk, and incense, so that the body of the holy one was not seen. And much disturbance arising, and the crowds crying out, and not permitting the coffin to be secured, and the Bishop of the city, and the Monks, and the Clergy beseeching much, that the relic be laid to rest, the crowds were not persuaded. Then Bryene going up onto some high place, besought the multitudes saying, I beseech you, my lords and brothers, let her go to her own place; and so all the multitude was persuaded by Bryene, and with many prayers and tears they carried together the holy relic, and laid it in the monastery in a notable place, and all glorified God.
[37] Many therefore of the multitudes of the Pagans were baptized, and believed in the Lord; and Lysimachus also was baptized, and Primus, and having renounced the world they went with the Lord Marcellus the Archimandrite, and having well accomplished the ascetic wrestling-school unto the end, they ended their human life in Christ; and many also of the soldiers being baptized believed in the Lord. And Hieria and her parents being baptized themselves also, believed in the Lord; and Hieria leaving her parents, and having renounced the world, entered into the monastery, and dedicated all her things to the monastery; and she besought Bryene, saying: I beseech thee, my Mother, thou shalt have me thy handmaid in the place of my Lady Febronia, I will serve thee as she also did. Having therefore loosed all her adornment, Hieria secured on every side the coffin of holy Febronia with plates of gold and pearls.
[32] A concourse being made at these things and a clamor of the household, Lysimachus also ran up, Lysimachus orders a coffin for the body,
and learning by inquiry what had been done, he shook his head and said, Great is the God of the Christians! Blessed is the God of Febronia! He has avenged the blood unjustly shed. And Lysimachus ordered Selenus to be carried out: and he being carried out, having summoned to himself Count Primus, he addressed him thus; I adjure thee, by the God of the Christians, that thou transgress not my command; and the funeral rites to be made by the Christians.
but straightway order a coffin for Febronia to be made of incorruptible woods; and send heralds everywhere, that the Christians, whoever shall wish to be present at the funeral of Febronia, may appear without fear, since now my uncle is dead. Thou knowest, my Primus, my desire: take the soldiery, and those whom thou wilt make to bear the body; and so lead it into her monastery to Bryene. Let none of the crowd take away any of the limbs, cut off from the body; nor let a dog or any unclean animal lick the shed blood: but also dig up the earth which received it, and carry it to the monastery.
[33] Thus instructed, Count Primus accomplished all just as Lysimachus had ordered: and the body of Febronia he committed to the soldiers to be carried; but he himself took the head, Primus carries out the commands, with the hands and feet and the other limbs that had been removed, and wrapping them in his cloak went off to the monastery. But the crowds running together, to snatch something of the cut-off limbs, Primus underwent no small danger, on account of the pressing of those running together, whom the soldiers, armed with swords, scarcely could drive away. But coming with much difficulty to the monastery, he permitted no one to enter there except Thomais and Hieria, the soldiers keeping off the crowds. But Bryene, as soon as she beheld the body of Febronia thus mutilated, fell to the ground fainting. And Primus, setting guards at the monastery, returned to the praetorium to Lysimachus.
[34] Bryene furthermore, at last rising from the ground, and embracing the body of Febronia, she delivers the body to Bryene. cried out in these words; Ah! my daughter Febronia, today taken from the eyes of thy mother Bryene! Who now will read the divine Scriptures to the Sisters? what hands will handle thy books? While she said these things there came all the Sisters of this monastery together with Aetheria, and prostrating themselves before the body adored it; likewise also Hieria cried out saying: Let me too adore thy feet, which crushed the head of the serpent: let me kiss the wounds of thy holy limbs, through which my soul was saved: let me adorn with the flowers of praises the head, which crowned our sex with the beauty of the contests. Amid these cries of Hieria, and the like of the other sisters, the time of None came, and with strained voice Bryene proclaiming; Febronia, she who lamenting her with the others, she said, the time of prayer is here, come thou too, daughter, and stand by us: then she began to say in the Syriac Dialect, Bra, bra, bra, teliotha coume talitha coumetha, that is, My daughter Febronia, where art thou? Arise and come. And Thomais added, My daughter Febronia, never hast thou transgressed the command of the great Lady, why then dost thou not obey this her voice?
[35] While such things were being said, and there was great confusion of voices, and evening was coming on, having carefully washed the body they laid it upon the bench, exhibits it to the crowds to be beheld, fitting each limb to its own place: Bryene ordered the door to be opened to the crowds, who entering glorified God: but the secular matrons lamented, because they were deprived of their Mistress. There came also some of the holy Fathers with a great multitude of Monks, Lysimachus and Primus come to the same place: and they passed the whole night there sleepless. But Lysimachus, summoning Primus the Count, I, he said, my Lord Primus, renouncing the paternal customs and all my substance, come to Christ: And I, replies Primus, say anathema to Diocletian and his empire, I execrate the paternal institutions, and adhere to Christ: and the praetorium being abandoned both came to the monastery, and joined themselves to the crowds.
[36] But morning being come there came those who bore the coffin; into which after many tears and prayers, and the coffin being closed the next day, they also carried the body of holy Febronia; and composing it within it, they applied each cut-off limb to its place: but the teeth they placed upon her breast. But the crowds so filled the coffin with ointment and musk and incense, that the body no longer appeared. Meanwhile there arose a great clamor of those forbidding the coffin to be closed; and the Office being finished, and although the Bishop and the Monks and the Clergy persuaded with many words, that they would allow the body to be buried, they accomplished nothing; until Bryene, from a higher place addressing the crowds; I beseech,
she said, my Lords and Brothers, suffer
the Saint to go away to her own proper place.
At her voice the crowd was persuaded to acquiesce,
and with many tears and prayers they accompanied
that sacred Deposit, within the monastery
to a place fitting for it; and all
glorified God.
[37] Henceforth a great number of the Gentiles
converted to Christ were baptized. And there were baptized
also Lysimachus and Primus,
and renouncing the world they followed the Lord
Marcellus the Archimandrite, they are baptized and become Monks, and the Monastic
exercise, as long as they lived, having beautifully fulfilled,
they completed their mortal life in the Lord.
Many besides of the soldiers being baptized believed
in the Lord. Hieria also and her parents, baptism
being received, believed in the Lord, as also Hieria. to whom she
bidding farewell and sending away news of all human
things, entered the monastery, and brought to it
whatever she possessed: and falling at the
feet of Bryene she said: I beseech thee, my Mother,
receive me thy handmaid in the place of Febronia:
I will serve thee, as she did: and breaking all
her adornment, with golden plates and pearls
she clothed round about the coffin of S. Febronia.
CHAPTER VII.
The annual festivity of S. Febronia, wont to be honored by her apparition:
[38] But on the day of her contest, when her memory is celebrated, the monasteries of the women come together, and great multitudes, especially on account of the sign that occurs. For at the time of midnight when they perform the prayers, the holy Febronia appears standing in her own place until the third prayer, so that great fear comes upon them in that hour; yet no one dares to touch her, or to ask her anything. For in the first appearance of hers, all the sisters were afraid with fear; but Bryene cried out saying, Behold my child Febronia, and running forward to embrace her, she immediately became invisible. No longer therefore does anyone dare either to approach her or to touch her; but only, when she appears, there is a flood of tears, and at the same time great joy upon all on account of the vision that occurs.
[39] The Bishop therefore of the city, raising a most beautiful church to Febronia, finished the work in six whole years; and the work being completed, summoning the neighboring Bishops, and making a great reception, he celebrates the all-night vigil on the twenty-fifth of the month of June; and there came together so great multitudes that neither the church nor the monastery could hold them; for in every place the psalmody was performed. But morning having come, having finished the morning prayers, the Bishops come to the monastery, that they may make the translation of holy Febronia; and the multitudes also followed with torches and incense. The Bishops having entered the monastery, and having prayed, sat down, and summoning Bryene, began to say to her: Of thy conduct upon earth, and of thy virtuous labors, who could bring forth the praise? no one will be able worthily to praise thee; for such ought the superiors of the monasteries to be, and to offer such fruits to God. Since therefore it is impossible to speak forth the praises of the prize-bearer, these things must be passed over in silence; for no tongue is sufficient worthily to praise the Martyr. Since therefore we have met with nothing worthy of the prize-bearer either in words or in deeds, coming to thee as to a Sister we beseech thee concerning the matter at hand. Therefore honor thou too with us the Martyr, and grant her to us, that she may dwell in the church, which has been built in her name.
[40] Hearing this all the Sisters cried out with one mouth, and falling together at the feet of the Bishops, said: We beseech your holy footsteps, have pity on us the lowly, and do not deprive us of our pearl. And as all lamented and supplicated for many hours, the Bishop says to Bryene, Hear, Sister; thou knowest how great was my zeal to raise the church for the glory and honor of the prize-bearer, and behold today it is six years; do not therefore desire my labor to be fruitless and unprofitable. Hearing these things Bryene says: I beseech you, if it is pleasing to the Martyr, who am I that I should hinder this? Therefore entering, take her and go. And the Bishops rising, and entering, performed a prayer. But Hieria cried out saying: Woe to us, that of a great blessing the monastery is deprived today; woe to us, that today affliction and orphanhood has come upon the monastery; woe to us, that we betray our pearl. And she cried out to Bryene saying, What dost thou, Mother? why dost thou deprive me of my sister? for her sake I left all things, and fled under your hands. But Bryene, beholding Hieria thus lamenting, turning to her, said: Why dost thou grieve, child Hieria? if it is pleasing before her to go, she will go; but if it is not pleasing to her, she will by no means go.
[41] But the Bishops having finished the prayer, and all having said the Amen, when they touched the coffin, there came thunder in the air, so that all the multitude fell down from fear. Again after a little, when they stood near, there came a great earthquake, so that all the city seemed to be cast down. And the Bishops knew, and all the multitude, that the Martyr is not willing to go out of the monastery; and being exceedingly grieved, they say to Bryene: If the Martyr is not willing to leave the monastery, take one of the removed limbs, and give to us, and taking this we will go. And Bryene, taking the key, opened the coffin; and behold like a ray of the sun so was the body seen, and like a flash of fire so it overspread the body. With much fear therefore stretching out her hands, and touching her holy hand, wishing to give this to the Bishop, her hand was held below, and became deadened. And Bryene weeping said: I beseech thee, my child Febronia, be not angry with thy Mother, remember my toils, and do not make an example of my old age. And her hand being restored, again stretching it out, she besought with tears saying, Grant us a blessing, do not grieve me, Lady. And taking one of her teeth which were upon her breast, she gave it to the Bishop, and immediately secured the coffin.
[42] And the Bishops taking the holy relic in a golden box, went rejoicing; and the multitudes went before singing, with candles and incense. And reaching the church, the Bishops going up onto a high place, signified to the people the mystery. As many therefore as were blind, or lame, or possessed by demons, were healed. And this becoming known to all, the young men ran everywhere, and bore on their shoulders the sick, and others on beds, and others setting on beasts they carried, and all were healed, and with whatever disease anyone was held he became whole; and until they ceased carrying the sick, the crowds did not permit the relic of holy Febronia to be laid to rest. And all who were ill being healed, and praising God, the relic of the holy Martyr was laid to rest on the twenty-fifth of the month of June; and all having enjoyed great gifts, returned to their own homes, rejoicing and glorifying God and our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; to whom be the glory and the might, unto the ages of ages. Amen. And Bryene, having lived two years after the dedication of the church of holy Febronia, and having well ordered all things, fell asleep in peace; and I Thomais, after the falling asleep of Bryene, succeeded to her ministry; and knowing all things from the beginning that had befallen Febronia, and afterward also being taught the rest by the Lord Lysimachus, I wrote together the whole life and the records of her, for the praise and glory of the prize-bearer and Martyr Febronia, and to rouse the eagerness of those who hear toward the adoration and glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
[38] On the day of the passion and supplication which
is led in honor of Febronia, the Saint appearing every year on her anniversary, the monasteries of the women
and a great multitude are wont to come together,
especially on account of the miracle which
happens. For at the time of midnight when
the prayers are recited, S. Febronia appears
in her place until the third prayer, all
at that hour vehemently fearing: for no one
dares to touch her or to ask her anything.
For in the first year, when she thus
appeared, and all were afraid; Bryene crying out,
Behold my daughter Febronia, ran forward
to embrace her, and immediately she disappeared.
Wherefore no one any longer presumes
to approach her, much less to touch her, but only,
she appearing, all who are present are bathed
in tears, are filled with joy on account of the vision
offered to them.
[39] The Bishop therefore of the city, raising a beautiful
church to Febronia, within six years
finished the work: which completed, summoning all the Bishops round about
and instituting a great banquet, a church is built under her name he celebrated a nocturnal
Synaxis on the twenty-fifth of June, to which came together
so great a multitude; that neither the church nor
the monastery could hold them all; through every
place the psalmody resounded: but on the following
day, the morning prayers being finished, the Bishops came together,
about to perform the translation of S. Febronia:
and there followed them a great people, with
lamps and incense: with whom the Bishops having entered
the Monastery, prayer being premised
they sat down; and Bryene being called they began to
say to her: Who upon earth could bring forth the praise of thy
conversation and of thy beautiful labors? worthily
indeed no one could glorify thee. Such
ought the Superiors of monasteries to be, and Bryene is asked to hand over the head to be carried thither: and
to offer such fruits to God: but since to set forth
the praises of your triumphant laureate Martyr
is impossible, these it is fitting to pass over in silence:
for the tongue of no one will
suffice worthily to celebrate the Martyr. But since
we can bring nothing worthy of her either in words or in works,
coming to Thee as to
our spiritual Sister, we pray,
honor with us also the Martyr, and
grant her to us, that we may place her in
the temple which has been built under her name.
[40] But hearing this the Sisters,
all with one mouth cried out, which she, against the will of the Sisters, and falling together
at the feet of the Bishops said, We beseech
your holy footsteps, have mercy
on our lowliness, and do not deprive
us of our Pearl. But as all thus long lamented
and supplicated the Bishop said to Bryene:
Hear me, Sister. Thou knowest,
with how much diligence I have labored to raise a church
to the honor and praise of the Martyr, and
behold today it is six years: do not therefore wish that
this labor of mine should have been fruitless and vain.
To which Bryene: I beseech, since indeed it is pleasing
in your eyes and acceptable to the Martyr herself,
who am I that I should hinder this? Enter
therefore, and taking her, depart.
Then the Bishops rising and entering the monastery
composed themselves for prayer. But Hieria
cried out saying: and Hieria crying out against it, she consents: Woe to us, for
of a great blessing will the monastery be deprived today!
Woe to us, for tribulation and bereavement
today have come upon the monastery. Woe to us,
for we ourselves hand over our Pearl! And
turning to Bryene: What dost thou, Mother,
she said; why dost thou deprive me of my Sister? For
her sake I forsook all things, and into thy hands
I cast myself. But seeing Hieria thus
lamenting, Bryene, turning to her, said: Why
art thou so afflicted, my daughter Hieria? If it please her
to go hence, she will altogether go: but if not, she will not
go out hence.
[41] Meanwhile the prayer being completed the Bishops
rose, and the Amen being said by all, when
they applied their hands to the coffin, there came thunder
in the air, but being divinely forbidden to take it away so that all from fear fell down.
But after a little, when they again insisted
on the undertaking, there came a great earthquake, so that
the whole city seemed about to be destroyed. The Bishops therefore knew,
and all the multitude of the people,
that the Martyr was not willing to go out of the monastery;
whence being made sad, they said to Bryene;
Since the Martyr refuses to leave
the monastery; take one of the cut-off limbs,
and grant it to us that, having received it, we may depart.
Taking therefore the key, Bryene, and not being permitted even to take her hand, unlocked
the coffin: and behold a ray like that of the sun
shone round the body, and like a certain lightning
spread above it: wherefore not without great
trembling she stretched out her hands, and took hold
of one of the sacred hands, wishing to deliver it
to the Bishop: but she felt her hand fall down
and die. Weeping therefore
Bryene said; My daughter Febronia, be not angry
with thy Mother. one tooth being obtained Remember my labors, and do not
confound my old age with shame. These things said,
when she had put back the sacred Hand in its place, again
stretching out her hands, she prayed thus tearfully:
Grant us some blessing, and do not
sadden me, Lady. And taking one of the teeth,
lying upon the breast of the dead one, she delivered it
to the Bishop, and immediately closed the coffin.
[42] Then the Bishops receiving the holy Relic
in a golden case, began exultingly
to advance; and the crowds went before them
singing with candles and incense. And when
they had come to the church, they dedicate the church on June 25, the Bishops ascended into
the mystery. And as many as were then present,
blind, lame, or demoniacs, were healed,
all. Which being divulged among all present,
the young men ran everywhere,
and partly began to bring the sick on their shoulders,
partly to carry them on pallets, in which presently all the sick are healed. or set on beasts
of burden to lead them: and all were healed,
from whatever infirmity they were held.
But as long as the sick did not cease to be brought,
the people did not permit the Relic of S. Febronia to be laid down:
but at last all being thoroughly healed and glorifying
God, the most holy Relics of the Martyr
were laid down on the twenty-fifth
of the month of June: and all having received great benefits
returned to their homes, rejoicing and
praising our Lord Jesus Christ,
and his holy Spirit, to whom be honor and
power, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
[43] But Bryene after the dedication of the church
bearing the name of S. Febronia survived yet two years;
and after she had rightly disposed all things,
fell asleep in peace. And I Thomais,
after her falling asleep, received her monastery:
and when all that befell Febronia,
and the other things relating to it, from the Lord
Lysimachus I had learned, I wrote her whole life
and history, to the praise and glory of
the triumphant Martyr herself, and for the profit of those who hear;
that those by whom these things shall be read,
may all be made more eager, in adoring and praising the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.