Syrus

ON SAINT SYRUS,

BISHOP OF GENOA IN LIGURIA.

AFTER THE YEAR 330.

On the day of death and cult, the writer of the Life, the church and age of the Saint.

Syrus, Bishop of Genoa in Liguria (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

The Martyrology, by command of Gregory XIII in the year 1584 published, had scarcely arrived at Genoa; when that most illustrious City grieved, that of the Saintly Bishops with them, whose feasts that city annually celebrated, Added to the second recension of the Roman Martyrology on this day, none was placed there, except Solomon, reported on XXIV September, from the only Catalogue of Saints of Peter de Natalibus Bishop of Equilino; who however hitherto was not solemnly venerated by the citizens on holiday with any public cult; but to pass over S. Syrus, most known to all, and titular Patron of the church then Cathedral with them. Since therefore this church which, in the year 1575 had been handed over to the Clerks Regular, whom we call Theatines, by the same had been remarkably restored to its old splendor; their Provost there Marcus Palescandalus (as they call him, not Parascandalus) wrote to Baronius, principal curator of augmenting and correcting the Martyrology; and about S. Syrus sent certain monuments under the faith of a public Notary, in whose authentic writing was expressed; In the year of the Lord 1283, on day VIII January, on the faith of the Epitaph, uncovered in the year 1283, when by Ogerius the Abbot, the primary altar of the same church was being restored, because its stone table had been broken; three distinct loculi were found, in which three bodies of Saints were hidden.

[2] In the first of them, a lead plate, signified what was hidden within, with these letters described. † m. s. here rests the body of saint Syrus, bishop of Genoa. He died on III Kalends of July. Son of Aemilianus. But in the second loculus, another plate of lead, so written, was found. † m. s. here rests saint Felix bishop of Genoa. Who lived 70 years. He ruled the episcopate 20. He departed on VII Ides of July. But in the third loculus there was no inscription; but (as the same public Acts have) the body placed there, is judged to be of S. Romulus, of the same city Bishop. So far Baronius, in the Annotations on this day; after he had taken care that to the Martyrology itself, in the next place after the Martyrs, be inscribed; with other holy Bishops of Genoa omitted, At Genoa the Birthday of S. Syrus the Bishop: which he wishes to be understood, in ch. VIII of his previous Commentary, as also in some few others so added, of him whose authority is greatest in the Church, with constant will he did. Why he did not the same for SS. Felix and Romulus, of whom this one on XIII October, that on IX July was venerated, I find no other cause; than that for these, only named on occasion, the aforesaid Palescandalus did not insist; who neither about S. John Bono, nor about S. Valentine, on XIX January and II May to be commended, was solicitous, as not pertaining to his church; because S. John is buried in the present Cathedral, but Valentine was translated from the church of S. Syrus to the same Cathedral in the year 1240.

[3] How acceptable that care of Palescandalus, for S. Syrus alone, would have been to the Genoese, where he was anciently venerated on 6 July, I do not know: to doubt, makes me, the Instrument similar in all things to that, whence in the Appendix to II May I gave the Life of S. Valentine aforesaid; in which thus, as these things there, is reported the Transcript of the Lives of S. Syrus and S. Romulus, from the same large book of parchment manuscript, and customarily preserved in the sacristy of the greater church of Genoa, made and read in the presence of a Notary and witnesses, affirming, that at other times (now there are more and more years) the Lives of the aforesaid S. Syrus and S. Romulus respectively were read and recited in the choir of the said church, in the recitation of the Office. But that Transcript, so authentically made is noted, in the year from the Nativity of the Lord 1608, according to the Life there written in the Legendary, in the V Indiction, according to the Genoese course, on day Monday XXIV at Vespers; that is in our year 1607. So transcribed the Life of S. Syrus, agrees entirely with that which is extant in Mombritius Vol. 2; except that, where this reads num. 7: But know the day of his death is on the day of the Passion of the most blessed Apostles Peter and Paul… and again below num. 9: The Deposition of the most blessed Priest and Confessor Syrus is established to be on the third Kalends of July; there from the Genoese Ms. in both places is read, on the second of the Nones of July. The first, I judge to be the genuine context of the Author himself; but the second, by the writer of the same Codex substituted, because the Genoese church, then when that Codex was being written, venerated S. Syrus on the day of the Octave of the Apostles.

[4] Considering these things, I vehemently doubt, whether it would have pleased the Clergy of the Genoese Cathedral, that on another day than that on which they venerated S. Syrus, on which sent to Rome there seems to have been treatment about changing the day; and on which in their Legendary he was read to have died, he would have been to the Roman Martyrology

inscribed. For to what other, except to asking for a change of day, could have served this diligence of transcribing from their codex the Life, which now from Mombritius was had, and by Palescandalus seems to have been sent to Baronius? For thus this in the same Annotations writes: We have received from the same certain Mss. Acts of the same saint Syrus, in which if there had been any difference of day from the Epitaph, Baronius would not have omitted to annotate, perhaps even would have doubted whether to keep the day. Yet whether at Rome that matter was moved, in the very year in which the transcribed Life is noted; or rather only some years after, I cannot define: for we do not have that first Transcript, but a second received from this, under authentication of this kind. † And because I James Cunctis qu. Lazari, by public Apostolic, Imperial and Genoese authorities Notary, the above-written instrument of the Transcript, from the protocols of instruments, composed by then Marcus Antonius Melfinus, Notary and Chancellor of the Archiepiscopal Curia of Genoa, existing with me James, Notary and Chancellor of the same Archiepiscopal Curia, caused to be extracted; therefore I have subscribed myself, in the year 1612. and have affixed the customary sign of my instruments, on this day XI May 1612, in faith and testimony of the premises. But to its legality immediately adds testimony, Papinianus Dinalius of Reggio, I. V. D. Apostolic Protonotary, Canon of the church of S. Mary in Via-lata of the kindly City, of the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend D. Horatio Carolus Spinula, Archbishop of Genoa, Vicar General; the same, before whom the Magnificent D. Antonius Maria Montebrunus, qu. Francisci, Patrician of Genoa, had caused the first Transcript to be authenticated: to which later authentication the seal of the Archiepiscopal Curia affixed, seems to represent S. Syrus, with a book in his left, with a mitre, crozier, and cope Episcopally standing; and subscribes Silvester Marcellus, Notary and Chancellor of the Archiepiscopal Curia of Genoa. And this is the instrument, which found at Rome Janning redeemed, perhaps in the year 1612 first brought there for the information of the cause.

[5] The Author of the Life, either altogether kept his name silent, or by the sole initial letter, The writer of the Life Bishop of Genoa, not understood by the transcribers, and therefore omitted, indicated; but now without it thus is read: I a tiny, indeed orthodox Bishop … the ineffable clemency … prostrate on the ground I beseech, that what from my predecessors I learned … to this Christian people for memory I might recall. Wherefore my discourse is about S. Syrus, indeed Priest of this Genoese Church, whose Life … I have propagated, but also dictated to my Notary to be written, and… in the simplicity of speech, of the most blessed man's virtue I have brought forth to be made known. From these first it appears, that the Life was written before the year 1133, in which Syrus, perhaps was Obertus, the second of this name Bishop of Genoa, from Pope Innocent II received the title of Archbishop to be borne for himself and his successors, by a Bull which is extant in Ughelli vol. 4. Then from that humility which the preface bears, of the Author and singular devotion toward S. Syrus, foundation is given for suspecting, that he is, who in the year 1052, in the V Indiction, subscribes the Charter of donation of certain Tithes, attributed to the church of S. Syrus, Obertus humble Bishop; and the same so begins j Obertus, by the grace of God Bishop of the Genoese Church unworthy.

[6] His own devotion the same shows, when he so begins the charter: We all easily understand, in the year 1052 well merited about the church of S. Syrus, that it pertains to the office of a Bishop, toward all who are committed to his care, to expend paternal piety and to bear watchful care and solicitude about the salvation of all, and to all needing the aid of mercy to extend the hand of mercy as he can; and to those especially, who having left the vanity of this age, are understood to have consecrated body and spirit to the service of omnipotent God. We therefore, who undertake the care of all the churches of the Genoese Episcopate, ought not to neglect the church of B. Syrus the Confessor, which both was the head of this Episcopate. For the most holy and most glorious See of this Pontificate is known to have been that; and by want and poverty's burden it is pressed, and there according to the most holy Father Benedict's institutes most diligently is lived, and the discipline of spiritual military service under Lord Ansaldus the Abbot is not feebly guarded. For these therefore and other things, it seems worthy enough and just, that we should burn with more abundant charity around it; and to its blessed poverty mercifully condescending, and to its monastery of Order of S. Benedict, we should provide some solace. Therefore while with ourselves by thinking we revolve, what to the aforesaid church, whence its poverty may be tempered, we may be able to add; behold suddenly to us certain ones, as we believe by divine inspiration moved, came, praying and asking, that their Tithes we should grant to the same church; and they ask that for the soul of the Lord Emperor we should do this, and they promise that there willingly, if we shall have done this, with the highest devotion, the Tithes they shall give, where the bodies of their deceased parents rest. Indeed those Tithes had been of controverted right between possessors and Bishops; and therefore Obertus had to be asked, that he also should donate them.

[7] But it must be known, that when John II Bishop of Genoa, about the year 985, had transferred the Episcopal seat from the same church of S. Syrus, to the building of S. Lawrence within the walls of the city, founded about the year 994: Landulf his successor in the year 994, in the same church of S. Syrus constituted Monks of the Benedictine Order, under Abbot Peter; where through many centuries with greatest religion the monastic Order flourished; until by the injury of Commendatarii the convent was nearly collapsed; and with the Monks removed, in the year 1575 the Clerks Regular Theatines reduced that church into a more spacious and firmer form, with a noble convent built opposite, where that pristine Apostolic form of living, entirely restored, they holily and piously cultivate. So Ughelli where he also wove the Catalogue of Abbots of that place; and as the second established for the year 1036 Ansaldus; but as the thirteenth Ogerius, where the third loculus, in the year 1263 uncovered, under whom were brought back into the light in the year 1283 the loculi of Saints Syrus and Felix, and of another Anonymous. But this seems to me not rightly believed to be S. Romulus: for he who about the year 900 from the villa Matutiana, the place of his first burial, cannot have been of S. Romulus; transferred him to Genoa Sabbatinus, Pontiff of Genoa, completed the Epitaph in hexameter and pentameter verses, and placed it inscribed on the marble tablet front of the chest, in which the body of B. Romulus is contained. But nothing such was found with the loculus of the third body.

[8] I would therefore rather say this to be of S. Salo or Solomon (if there was such a one once at Genoa) or of someone of those five, who are believed to have preceded S. Felix, predecessor of S. Syrus; or also of the successors, of whom from S. Romulus to John I, but of another anonymous of the 5 first. in the year 680, who subscribed to the Roman Council under Pope Agatho, only two are named; namely Diogenes, who in the year 381 was present at Aquileia; and Paschasius, who in 440 lived under S. Leo I. Indeed I tried in vol. 7 of May in the Appendix to his day 2, so to arrange the Chronology of S. Valentine, that him whom for 12 years, 11 months it was established from the Epitaph that he held the Episcopate, and in the XIII Indiction deceased; I should establish to have died in the year 325 or 40; and then make to succeed him SS. Felix, In these I formerly believed S. Valentine to have been. Syrus, and Romulus; by which reasoning it would have been necessary that all be involved in those most savage tempests, by which after the East already from the year 315 began to be shaken, the West also was involved under the Emperor Constantius; and in the Arles and Milan Synods, in the year 353 and 55 gathered in Gaul and Italy, things were acted topsy-turvy, with Bishops compelled to go into exile, who refused to subscribe to the condemnation of Athanasius.

[9] But now, when I more attentively consider the Lives of each, and find in them no mention of the Arians troubling the West, with whom for them there should have been some business; both also reading again the names of Bishops, now I judge that he must be placed after SS. Syrus and Romulus, who at the Roman Council of whatever kind, under S. Pope Sylvester, in the year of Christ 324, are written to have been present more than two hundred eighty; and are named in the first Action, in Labbe vol. 1 of Councils, and among the first finding named Syrus; I am nearly forced to believe, this very to be, of whom here we treat, then recently to S. Felix substituted. And when this one had held the Episcopate for some years, and after him Romulus, to about the year 342; Valentinus succeeded, deceased on day second after the Kalends of May, ordained about the year 342, in the XIII Indiction, and indeed in the year 355; easily excusable by his great age of 75 years, if he could not go to Arles, and by his very death snatched from exile; which otherwise awaited him at Milan, with SS. Dionysius, and to have died in the year 355. Eusebius and Lucifer; if he had held equal constancy with them, as his sanctity persuades that he was going to do. Let therefore, by the opinion of those, who in the Episcopal order learned anciently to place sixth Felix, not the fifth, but the ninth, be Valentinus; whose successor, in the Council of Ariminum seduced with the rest, deserved to be handed over to oblivion, and whoever else before Diogenes sat. Let there also remain the seventh and eighth, Syrus and Romulus, to whom not virtue, but Syrus to have begun in the year 323, but the occasion of tolerating grave evils was lacking: which occasion could not have been lacking to the five predecessors of Felix, governing that church in the time of most grave persecutions, perhaps even crowned with Martyrdom; whose both acts and names yet have perished, in the most savage and newest persecution of Diocletian and Maximian.

[10] From all which finally I conclude, that S. Syrus within the year 30 and 40 of the IV century died, on the day of passion of the most blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and to have died after 330 at Genoa whose doctrine the best Bishop obtained: on which indeed day he merited to be crowned with a heavenly triumph (as is read in the Life in Mombritius) but long since began to be venerated at Genoa on day VI July, in the Octave of the same Apostles; and finally, lest these too should suffer some diminution, on day VII of the same July; when also it was ordained, that S. Syrus, as one of the chief Patrons, should be celebrated with an Octave; where now he is venerated 7 July with Octave. as we find in the proper Offices of the holy Genoese Church, by Apostolic concession, and by the command of Stephen Cardinal Duratii the Archbishop reviewed, and again edited in the year 1640. Finally let someone ask, what in the Epitaphs of SS. Syrus and Felix, as in Baronius they are read printed, the three first marks ✠ M. S. nowhere else so to be found that I know among so many hundreds of ancient Inscriptions collected by Gruter, wish for themselves. ✠ M. S. in the Epitaph why are they? If divination be needed, I will say, they can be equivalent

to this sentence; Cross of the world salvation, or Christ salvator of the world: but I shall wish more examples to come forth, which prove that formulas of this kind in Liguria or Insubria were used on the sepulchres of Christians: but if anyone should bring a happier conjecture, I will willingly embrace it.

[11] Furthermore Syrus, whom above he said, second Bishop of Genoa of his name, Whether at Genoa another S. Syrus Ughelli names a Saint equally with the first; and after many distinguished acts of his, through 33 years, in which he held the See, says he died, col. 1202, in the year 1163, on the last day of the month of December. I in the Calendar of feasts of that Church, which is prefixed to the praised proper Offices, find only one Syrus a Saint; if however to him without an Office some cult is paid, Bishop, younger, such as is wont for many Blessed, and this should be explained to us, we shall not be grieved to give him a place in our work for December; and therefore it pleased to indicate this. Augustinus Justinianus, Bishop of Nebbio in Corsica under the Archbishop of Genoa, lib. 1 of Annals of Genoa written in Italian and offered to the Senate in the year 1535, ch. 25 treating of S. Valentine and his successors, to Theodulf, who flourished about the middle of the X century, judges that they err, who believe, that the church of S. Syrus (from which, S. Gregory narrates lib. 4. Dial. ch. 23, at night by demons was extracted of a certain libidinous man, already buried, whether Bishop or Martyr. the cadaver) is of S. Syrus the Bishop, of whom here we treat. The reason for Justinianus is, because S. Gregory there names the church of S. Syrus Martyr, and does not mention, that he was Bishop of Genoa. A weak reason. Because we have already elsewhere said, that S. Gregory in titles of this kind little accurate, gave occasion of doubling Saints Herculans, Zenones, Juvenales without any verisimilitude. A stronger proof therefore would be; because the church, which now is of S. Syrus, of whom we treat, the Bishop, in old times was called of the Holy Apostles; nor did it receive the name of S. Syrus, except from the discovery of his sacred body, long after the times of S. Gregory. Therefore there was once another S. Syrus Martyr at Genoa, whose memory then obliterated, or with the more celebrated S. Syrus Bishop confused.

Note, Reader, num. 3 of this Commentary at line 16 after — XXIV — must be added — of March.

LIFE

Author probably Obertus the Bishop. From Mombritius and the Ms. of the Genoese Church.

Syrus, Bishop of Genoa in Liguria (S.)

BHL Number: 7973

FROM THE MSS.

The Author a Bishop, Faith grows to the increase of interest, the hope of the Catholic Church is strengthened, future rewards are weighed, and charity in the Trinity is propagated and solidified, when the deeds of the holy Fathers are narrated. Therefore I a Tiny, indeed Orthodox Bishop, supported by no learning of eloquence and science, of small indeed talent, examiner of the divine Scriptures, finally only enjoying the love of the Saints; the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who teaches man knowledge I have beseeched; as also through itself Truth says; For it is not you, who speak, but the Spirit of your Father, who speaks in you. Mat. 10, 20 Therefore because Catholic and lover of right faith I am regarded, yet not lacking the contagion of vices, Acts received from the Elders under the weight of whose offenses I am pressed; the ineffable clemency of God omnipotent with poured-out prayer and tearful voice, prostrate on the ground often, I have beseeched; that what from my predecessors I have learned, with the Holy Spirit revealing, to this Christian people for memory I might recall. Wherefore to me arises discourse about the holy and most blessed Confessor Syrus, makes it to be written by his Notary. indeed Priest of this Genoese Church, whose Life, with Christ presiding, with myself with highest veneration and diligent care conferring, I have propagated; but also to my Notary I have noted to be written; not in sublimity, or deceitful flattery of words, by which always truth is hidden and defrauded; but only in simplicity of speech, the Acts of the most blessed Man to be made known to the Christian Congregation I have brought forth.

[2] Most blessed Syrus, sprung from a place, which is called Imiliana, not far from the city of Genoa, more or less four miles; in which place, on his own sod, Born in the territory of Genoa, an oratory to his name to the present day is established to have been founded. Which since they are so, without any ambiguity to be true is established. Who when from his infancy with the fruits of holy meditation he flourished, by his parents to holy Felix the Bishop of Genoa was offered: whom the man of God certainly, as is the custom of Priests, with every divine tradition instructed. For most blessed Syrus was endowed in all good works, and by S. Felix ordained Levite, so that by all he was venerated, and loved. Whence it happened, that the holy Priest Felix raised the worthy one to the office of the ministry of the altar. And while joyful according to his order, in the title which is called hitherto Dextera, the Priest offered the sacrifice; and on the same day standing by the Lord's table, sees the right hand of God above the Host. there the holy minister Syrus ministered, [and] the same Bishop the vows of the Christian people fulfilled, above the holocaust immediately a splendor shone forth, and radiated. In which shining the right hand of the Lord S. Syrus deserved to see: which seen the trembling blessed minister, prostrated himself on the ground, until the Sacrifice was completed.

[3] The Priest pondering which happening, solicitous lest perhaps after the seen miracles, as is wont; he be exalted, relegated to Matutiana, sent the aforesaid holy minister to exile. Which the man of God not bearing grievously, by the command of the Father joyful, to the place, which is called Matutiana proceeded. And there finding Hormisdas a Co-bishop ordained by B. Felix the aforesaid Bishop; he was honorably received by him. With whom for some time he stayed, in the praises and service of God both persisting, they showed marvelous things over those who were ill. Among which the daughter of Galio the Fiscal Exactor, frees a possessed woman; B. Syrus by his prayers from the demon freed. To whom immediately the aforesaid Galio the court, which Tabia is called, most devoutly offered, with subscribed surety, situated near the river Tabia and the shore of the sea, to the ridge of the Alps with farms, and families of both sexes pertaining to his right, with a chapel built there in honor of B. Peter Prince of the Apostles; which court is distant from Matutiana villa, which is now called of S. Romulus, about four miles.

[4] recalled to the city, insists on preaching, The aforesaid finally Most blessed Syrus, shining with marvels, persisting in the same villa, until from most blessed Felix he was recalled to the city of Genoa; by his preaching recalling the people from error, was associating them with the Lord. And after many days the Father commanded the minister to return; whom the Priest with paternal affection, and with the word of divine charity addressed, saying, that miracles had appeared to himself: whence it happened, that both were urged by greater love of divine pleasantness, shining in the sacred ministry. In their times therefore flourished the Catholic Church, and rejoiced in the firmness of its members; and by the Lord's command the Priest, and to Felix is substituted as successor. by merit and name Felix, migrated to Christ. After all these things the People of the city of Genoa, unanimously and with consonant voice, the holy minister Syrus into Priesthood substituted: which thus divinely to have been done most manifestly is established. For he was prospering in all good works, so that with his aid he might assist the people committed to him.

[5] A Basilisk publicly harmful, At the same time too the people was afflicted by the blast of a most powerful serpent, which commonly is called Basilisk. The same serpent was lying in a well, not far from the courtyard of the Basilica of the Apostles, which now S. Syrus is called. And when often by the blast of the serpent the people was struck down, the holy Priest, with divine exhortations and spiritual arms assailing the people, was staying, so that the whole people with fasts and prayers and weeping, for three days in equal manner with the Priest Christ the Lord beseeched. But on the third day, to the place, where the snake lay, with the whole multitude he proceeded: and there in prayer before all the people prostrate, the author of salvation the Lord asked. But with the prayer completed rising, a bucket together with a rope he ordered to be brought: but standing above the mouth of the well, with his hands those into the well he immersed; and in words of this kind addressed the serpent, saying: Venomous serpent, and deceiver of souls, leads out from the well in which he resided, draw your hurtful blast to yourself, and close your mouth, and ascend into this bucket. In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth you are commanded to ascend. Which heard the serpent immediately at the command of the Priest into the bucket, which the Priest was holding, gathered itself; which the Priest drawing upward, to all the people showed: and the serpent shone forth. But it was exceedingly terrible, whose head had a crest like a cock.

[6] Which seen all the peoples, with consonant voice giving thanks to God omnipotent, were magnifying the Priest, saying: Truly this is he, of whom David prophesied, saying; You shall walk upon the asp and basilisk, and you shall trample the lion and the dragon. Ps. 90, 15 For with these four names designated the devil, the enemy of the human race, with Christ as author he laid prostrate: as also Truth through itself says; Behold I have given you the power of treading upon every power of the enemy. Luc. 10, 19 These, and similar things, with them saying, the holy Priest of God asked for silence: whence thanks are rendered to God: which done, thus he addressed the people, saying: From Christ to you this salvation was provided; which all seeing, namely the mouth of the serpent, by the command of the holy Man to be obstructed, so that to no one could it any longer harm, were blessing the Lord Jesus Christ. And before all the Priest commanded the serpent, that it should cast itself into the sea. Which when done, all acclaimed him just and holy, saying: Truly this is the servant of God, through whom divine operations are shown.

[7] After these things indeed assiduously him accompanied the grace of cures, to the day of his calling: but know the day of his death to be, on the day of the Passion of the most blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, the saint dies 6 July: whose doctrine the best Bishop Syrus obtained: on which indeed day he deserved to be crowned with a heavenly triumph. On the day therefore of his exit, while that holy body to the basilica of the Apostles on a litter was carried, and an infinite people with tearful voice on account of excessive veneration were tearing his garments, so that the porters because of the exceeding crowd put down the bier from their shoulders: among whom also a skipper of the Province of Libya, with most full faith acting, when he had approached that holy body; blood from the nostrils of the dead taken up. immediately he saw from his nostrils blood flowing out. Who hastily taking the sudarium, which he had upon his head, the flowing blood wiped away. But after that holy body was given to burial, the skipper returning to the ship, the sudarium with veneration, and diligent care placed; with completed

business indeed sailing to his own home prosperity accompanied him. And when he was approaching his own fatherland, when he was still far off there came to meet him a multitude of sick people, who were vexed by unclean spirits, saying: Behold S. Syrus comes, who is to cleanse us. And the more the ship approached the port, the more those were urged by a greater stimulus, even that they should cast themselves into the sea, saying: Because now comes he who is to free us.

[8] And when into the port he had entered, with anchors fixed the skipper to the shore goes out. Seeing therefore the crowd standing, and the sick crying out and saying; Our liberator comes: and when from the people the skipper was being asked, whether he had Relics of Saints; he was amazed, what it was, that the sick had run together to the shore. But the skipper had handed over to oblivion those things, which had been done in the city of Genoa: but from the voices of the sick, he testified B. Syrus had come. And when they wished to cast themselves into the sea, the same virtue indeed the skipper brought back to mind; how when the holy body of the blessed Man had been buried, he had been present; and to those standing by many he said: Thus duly I have remembered: On a certain day, when I was in the Province of Italy in the city of Genoa, a certain Priest of that very city migrated to the Lord: and while his body to the basilica of the holy Apostles was being led, with the crowds rushing, those who were leading the bier, put it down from their shoulders. And when the Christian people crowded around his most holy body on account of excessive veneration, they were tearing the fringe of his garment. Among whom I your servant, approaching to his holy body, saw blood coming out from his nostrils, and with my sudarium the gore I wiped away: and besides this deed, another I do not know. The name namely of him, who had migrated to Christ, most blessed Syrus was called: perhaps this is he, of whom the sick cry, as now to you openly it is given to be understood.

[9] The skipper therefore went to the ship; and the sudarium, with which the sacred blood he had wiped, soon to the shore he brought. And when they were rushing upon it who were vexed, but he himself from the sudarium which he had touched them; immediately all from their infirmities were cleansed. With this so done, all the people of that place, to the church together with the skipper proceeded; giving thanks to omnipotent God; and saying, Truly salvation has been provided to us from heaven. Which seen the Bishop of that place, together with the Christian people, founded a basilica to his name: and there under the cover of the temple they hid the sudarium: by whose touch the sick from langours have been healed, and even to the present day are healed: whose deposition of the Most Blessed Priest and Confessor Syrus is established to be on the third Kalends of July: with our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, to whom is honor and glory, through infinite ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

p Mergeret, that is, would crowd and press, in which sense I have not yet elsewhere read this word in usage. q If in the century, as I think, the XI this Life was written, the author could not so speak of his own time; someone could have so written from Libya, before it came into the power of the Saracens, or rather before the irruption of the Vandals into Africa; and that verbatim transcribed our man here: unless for Libya you wish to understand Liburnum, a port of Etruria on the same shore. There were indeed also Libici in transpadane Italy, whose city is Vercellae named by Livy and Pliny: but in the middle age, in which these were written, unknown, and so inland, that they do not even have a river by which they can be carried to Genoa.