ON SS. LEOLINUS AND HILARIUS,
BISHOPS OF PADUA IN ITALY.
CENT. III AND IV.
HISTORICAL SYLLOGE
Hilarius, Bishop, at Padua in Italy (S.) Leolinus, Bishop, at Padua in Italy (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR C. J.
Philip Ferrarius, in the Catalogue of Saints of Italy, on day X September, after he had treated of S. Hilarus the Pope (whom less rightly he himself calls Hilarius); The natal day of these is unknown. subjoins to him S. Hilarius Bishop of Padua, and to this one S. Leolinus, Bishop of the same See; for no other reason, as I imagine to myself, than for the Synonymity, by which one Hilarius to the other has relation in name: nor for any other reason does he seem to subjoin Bishop Leolinus to Bishop Hilarius, than because of the same Paduan See Bishops were both. For Ferrarius himself confesses, that their Birthdays are unknown; and the cause, why to Hilarus, or Hilarius the Pope he subjoins them, no he brings. We could with better right our Hilarius on account of synonymity have referred to day XIII January, or XVI March, or even V May; on which the most celebrated Bishops of the same name, of Poitiers, Aquileia and Arles are venerated.
[2] But we have preferred to refer Hilarius Bishop of Padua to this day XXIX June, because then with principal celebrity he was once accustomed to be venerated in his own church, Why they are referred here. and now on the same day a greater solemnity is held there, than on any other, throughout the course of the whole year. But why we conjoin S. Leolinus with S. Hilarius here, the example of Ferrarius makes, and the reason, which I have adduced, because in the same episcopal Chair both sat. The most ancient memory (which yet by reason of the Author scarcely ought to be called ancient) about S. Leolinus Bishop of Padua is read in Bernardinus Scardeonius, Canon of the same city of Padua, printed at Basel in the year 1560, in this manner: Elogium of S. Leolinus, In the same Paduan See succeeded Suaderus B. Leolinus, the XI Bishop, born perhaps in an obscure place: yet with so great and so illustrious sanctity he shone forth; that not undeservedly now by all the faithful he is honored. There is extant to him a sacred chapel near Prato-Vallis, where he was buried in a stone chest, and now commonly Violinus is called. He lived in the Episcopate 12 years, which he had taken up in the year of the Lord 232. Ferrarius, who says he had drawn his things, from the aforesaid Scardeonius and other monuments of the Paduan Church, so writes on day X September: Leolinus, whom others Leoninus, but the common people call Violinus, born in an obscure place, on account of his life of sanctity, in the eleventh place, with Maximinus the Emperor, is reported to have presided over the Paduan Church: who in that acerbity of times administering the Church, celebrated for sanctity, in peace fell asleep, buried near the oratory of S. Prosdocimus: whence not far into a proper shrine, which still exists, he was translated. The day of his death is unknown. These Ughelli follows in the Paduan Bishops, and calls him B. Leonium or Leolinus, and defines the time of his Episcopate from the year 232 to 244; he had been taught indeed by Scardeonius, that he had begun the episcopate in the year 232, and held 12 years: whence necessarily it follows, that he ended in the year 244. And these things indeed about S. Leolinus. Now several more about S. Hilarius, and his church.
[3] The above-mentioned Scardeonius, lib. 2, Class 6, p. 105, these things about him commemorates: For procuring the salvation of the Paduan people Hilarius, by the Lord was chosen Bishop, who both by signs and miracles beyond measure shone forth; likewise of S. Hilarius: and on this account into the number of the Divine was reckoned. He indeed had been Roman by nation; but made Bishop, as if regenerated at Padua, seemed to me, for the honor of the city; that he, as among the Bishops, so also among the Paduan citizens should be deservedly recounted; and the more, because in his honor was dedicated to him a most celebrated temple, near the estuaries of the Adriatic sea, formerly of the Baduarii, Princes of the Venetian Republic, marked by sepulchres: from which afterwards even today the village, from the name of this Saint, S. Hilarius is named. He is reckoned among the Bishops of Padua the seventeenth. He died in the year of the Lord 346. Ferrarius here to describe nothing pertains, because in nothing from Scardeonius does he depart. More recent, Ferdinand Ughelli and Sertorius Ursatus,
depart in the year of death. Ughelli indeed the year 346, in which Scardeonius notes Hilarius to have died, ascribes to his Ordination; and adding, that he presided over the Paduan Church 22 years, necessarily defers the death to 368. Ursatus departs from both, in his Paduan History, in the year 1678 published, referring the death of the Saint to the year 363. But I do not see, why to these two more recent greater faith, than to Scardeonius should be attributed; since they bring no more ancient authority or other argument for their assertion in a matter so ancient.
[4] About the church, which to S. Hilarius near the estuaries of the Adriatic sea is said by Scardeonius to have been built, His church, I some time ago asked P. John Baptist Romagnoli of our Society, then staying at Padua, and about the Acts of the Saints and us well merited, in what place that consisted, of what kind it had been once, and now would be. He responded to me distinctly to the questions: but long and much he sweated, before he came to knowledge of the sought church, with the Catalogues of the Venetian Patriarchate and Paduan Episcopate vainly examined, containing the churches subject to themselves. Subjected to the Roman Pontiff, For nowhere was mention made of the church of S. Hilarius: because namely of neither diocese is it, but immediately is subject to the Roman Pontiff. The cited Romagnoli more in detail about it explains in his reply to me, nearly in this manner. Sailing from Padua to Venice there occur near the end of the journey Gates, where it is situated, as they are called, of Moranzani, from which to the right, toward the South, is distant the church of S. Hilarius, about one thousand five hundred paces; but from Fusina by an almost equal distance to the West; as the situation of each place is generally marked by Geographers: Ursatus however, in the new Chorography of the ancient Paduan country, which to his History he inserted, in a straight line to the South with respect to Fusina places S. Hilarius: which the Italians generally, S. Ilario; he himself, S. Elero, write.
[5] The place is surrounded on every side by fruitful and well-cultivated soil, and of what kind it now is. except the eastern region, which is uncultivated and marshy from the stagnant sea tide there; which then chiefly overflows, when Euronotus blowing on the sea inundates the land for about a mile. The church is very small now, containing in length not more than 29 feet, in width only nine; although from certain ruined walls it appears, to have been once more ample. Around lies a small plot of grassy earth like a meadow; which, as Romagnoli judges, is so left to denote, that the place is sacred; which also the surrounding earth, which is somewhat higher, seems to indicate. On this eminence of the place, where it faces the rising of the sun, some had begun not long ago to dig up the earth, about to investigate what finally there lay hidden; and they had already in fact uncovered some very ancient marble chests; when what was being done was carried to the ears of the most serene Republic, and from this further attempt at the work was forbidden.
[6] Above the door of the church within is read this inscription: Its recent inscription, To the most blessed Virgin and the Divine Hilarius this church, fallen from age, in which the most serene Princes and many Patrician men were buried, Marinus Marius, Referendary of each signature and Abbot, for affection of mind, restoration, from entire restored; and to the place, especially frequented by serpents and harmful animals, made health-bringing, of men and heavenly things the commerce restored. In the year of the Lord 1631. first founders, The prior church fallen from age, of which here mention is made, is said by Sansovino to have had as its founder Doge of Venice, Angelo Participatius, whose family now under the name of Badoera shines, among the Venetian Patricians most noble. But the indicated foundation is established from a distich, which Sansovino brings forth from a tablet, representing Angelo Participatius, which formerly in the Palace of the Venetian city existed. In it Angelo himself so speaks about the buildings constructed by himself. The very large roofs of the palace of the Commune I found; I build holy Zacharias, and Hilarius. The body of Angelo, deceased in the year 827, into the church of S. Hilarius was brought; and his son Justinianus, as in the Dukedom colleague and successor, so in the tomb companion there from the year 829 he had; time of foundation. the same Sansovino as witness: who also in the Venetian chronicle at the year 816 notes, that the Abbot of S. Servulus had transferred his Monks to the church of S. Hilarius, situated on the island of the Gambararii, on the borders of Rialto. So that before the aforesaid year 816, not only the church of S. Hilarius, but also the monastery there was built. They mention also S. Hilarius the Cortusii, lib. 9 ch. 10: as also Sabellicus, who in book 1 on the situation of the Venetian city, says, the tower of Hilarius, above the bend of the river Brenta, in places less subject to the lagoon, consists.
[7] It was once solemnly frequented on 29 June, The Venetians hand down, as the same Romagnoli writes, that the Doge with the whole Senate was once accustomed to convey himself every year, on the feast of SS. Peter and Paul the Apostles, to the church of S. Hilarius. Whom indeed then with so much more splendid pomp I would believe to have performed his feast, the less now with apparatus it is celebrated. For on the same day of the holy Apostles, except for some Sacrifices of Mass, which there are offered, nothing at all is done now of the time; now with little resort, and in the whole rest of the year not even one Sacrifice is ever there offered, unless perhaps by some passing Priest, who from his journey for celebrating turns aside there. Which desolation perhaps arises from this, that that church is of no diocese, as subject immediately to the Roman Pontiff; just as also subject to him are the churches of S. Gregory and S. Benedict: after made a Commenda. over which the Pontiff places whom it pleases him, and confers on him the title of Abbot of SS. Gregory, Hilarius and Benedict of Venice, with the color of the vestments blue. He now enjoys that title, as also the truly opulent revenues of those three monasteries, the most eminent Cardinal Chigi; namely in that year in which Romagnoli wrote this back to me, while that Cardinal was still living.
[8] But that the dignity of the church and monastery of S. Hilarius, and their amplitude, riches, estates, Privilege of Lothair II for the abbey of S. Hilarius, how great once they were, may to some extent become known; it will not be beside the point here to append the Privilege of Lothair II, in the year 1125 elected King of the Romans, and in the year 1133 crowned Emperor: by which to the Abbot of SS. Hilarius and Benedict he confirms its privileges. But this I the more willingly append here, because it enumerates various places, subject to the Monastery; and because they indicate by name the Abbot of that time; and also because they name the Bishop of Treviso, unknown to Ughelli. The very privilege was moreover in the year 1382 transcribed notarially from the original, transcribed in the year 1382 and examined and collated with it, in the presence of the Patriarch of Grado Urbanus, as the following Writing, embracing the Privilege itself, in many words so testifies; This is the example of a certain authentic Privilege of Lothair the Third (rather the Second) Roman Emperor Augustus, found in the public archive, namely the Chancery of the Commune of Venice, from an authentic book. from a certain authentic and ancient book, in which Privileges and Instruments are authentically inscribed; of which the tenor in all things is such.
[9] In the name of the most holy and individual Trinity. Lothair, with divine clemency favoring elected Emperor Augustus of the Romans. That Emperor Knowing in this especially to consist the salvation of our soul, and to be established the Imperial honor, if of the churches of the poor of Christ we shall have had assiduous care; we wish to make known the industry of all our faithful, both future, and present; how the Venerable Abbot, by name Ugerius, of the churches of saints Hilarius, and Benedict of the province of Venice, on the borders of Rivoalto near the river Dira, the Abbot of S. Hilarius asking this for his petition we have heard quite benignly, after the example of all our predecessor Emperors, from time past; confirming to him and his churches all things, which either through donations, or oblations, or in any way legally have been conferred on them, their colonists, namely in Ceresaria, and in Pladanum, and in those borders. Similarly with the chapel, in the same Pladanum founded in honor of Peter the Apostle; and the tithe of Ceresaria in Pladanum, confirms its privileges and of other colonists pertaining to the chapel itself, with vineyards, lands, woods, fields, meadows, pastures, marshes, bridges in the aforesaid Pladanum established, with ritrates * (?) of tolls, of quarters, and with all things pertaining to the aforesaid places.
[10] The Precepts of Charles also testify, that this man the same places through exchange had ceded back from the Bishop of Treviso, and the precepts of Charles he holds valid, by name Landulus, and offered to the same churches; and that he himself and all his successors would be, through these Precepts confirmed. All these things also, on account of the devotion of the aforesaid Abbot, wishing them to be valid, we confirm to those churches the aforenamed places, with appurtenances to their rights, of the hospice of blessed Peter, and Vitus the Martyr, which is in the city of Crusiana, and from all things, which to the aforesaid places pertain; Ceresaria, and Pladanum, and the aforenamed chapel; with the aforesaid donation with the designated, and described boundaries, on one side bounded on the river Curcatia near the aforenamed villa Zitu, on one side Aurelia, on the third side from Cronius, on the fourth in the salty Waters. All these to the same churches we confirm, with lands, vineyards, meadows, pastures, woods, newer parts *, waters and water courses marshes, mills, banks, harbors, shores, tolls; of quartersinis, tithes, with all things to the aforesaid monastery pertaining. Under the same confirmation no less we comprise, and grant to the same churches, the court of Torsoculi, and another, which is called Aureliacum, and the court of S. Maria, which lies near Pedraor in the county of Treviso, and with all its appurtenances, and with all the manses pertaining to the same by right, and all other lands … legally attributed, to be received with all things … by Royal and Imperial authority.
[11] Forbidding that anyone contravene this privilege Namely, that no Patriarch from this point, nor Bishop, or Bishop of Treviso, nor any Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, or any great person, that the aforesaid donation … or in similar things, or in possessions, or in other things, the aforesaid churches to disturb, to molest … should dare without Royal judgment, we forbid; the men of the same churches and lands inhabiting, to all judicial persons; so that of the same men no plea may they pronounce, or anything publicly from them demand, or even take, nor any violence inflict on them; under the most grave fine. but in the power of the same Abbot freely may they remain. But if anyone, what we do not believe, of this Precept shall be a violator, let him know himself about to compound a thousand pounds of pure gold, half to the Chamber, and the other half to the aforesaid churches. But that it may be more truly believed … let this Precept be guarded through the writing of the charters marked with our seal … Of Lothair the third Emperor of the Romans most invincible. I … In the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand one hundred thirty six, in the thirteenth Indiction, but in the eleventh year of the Reign of King Lothair, the fourth of the Empire. Done at the Castle of saint Bassianus. In
the name of Christ happily.
[12] The faith of the transcribing Notary In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. In the year of his nativity one thousand six hundred eighty-second, in the fifth Indiction, on the twenty-sixth day of the month of March, this example from the authentic by me below subscribed, Joanninus de Andalo Notary, was written; by me, and other below subscribed Notaries diligently audited, in the presence of the Reverend in Christ Father Lord Urbanus, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See Patriarch of the Grado Church, at Venice in his Patriarchal Palace: and because the same Reverend Father Lord Patriarch had found it to agree with the authentic, into full faith of the example, and testimony, his authority he interposed; and ordered by decree the same with the affixing of his seal, which he now uses, to be confirmed. Other below subscribed Notaries, who are here said to have diligently audited; the same they testify also by their subscription, and of others who were present. and assert that the transcript agrees with the original. They are by name, Desideratus Lucius, William Philip de Claratis, John Plumatius.
[13] This Privilege, You have here, Reader, the Privilege of Emperor Lothair, given to the church of S. Hilarius, as it was submitted to me, with its faults and lacunae; yet sound, although the Indiction wrongly, by the probable fault of scribes, is noted thirteenth; when fourteenth ought to have been noted. For even without the Indiction; still it sufficiently appears, although the Indiction errs, that the Privilege was given in the year 1136, and indeed between day VI July, on which began the IV year of the Empire of Lothair, and day XIII September, on which ended the XI year of his Reign: which together running, the Privilege was undersigned; and never at other times could they concur.
[14] That Third in the Privilege is called Lothair, when commonly now he is named and written Second; has nothing of evil omen. Because the usage of those times so obtained; and in many Diplomas of Lothair, which I have seen, he is called the Third of his name, not only while he was King of Italy, but even after he was crowned Emperor. Diplomas of this kind can be seen in the Paderborn Annals of P. Nicholas Schaten at the year 1129; in Miraeus in the Belg. Dipl. p. 323 and 325; in the Belg. Donations p. 116. While he was only King of Italy, is judged to be sound. he could be written Third; because between him and Lothair I, grandson of Charles the Great, had intervened another King of Italy Lothair, son of Hugh, Count of Provence. But why, after he was crowned Emperor, he was also called Third of that name, I indeed prefer to be ignorant, than by divining to bring forth many things. Certainly no Emperor Lothair preceded him as Second. Whether the Chancellors and Scribes of the Court, who were accustomed to ascribe the ternary number to the name of the King, from mere custom continued to add the same to the name of the now Emperor?
Annotations* perhaps, intratibus, * whether huntings?