CONCERNING THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS TIMOTHY, ZOTICUS,
ITALICA, ZOILUS, GELATUS, CURSICUS OR CAIUS THE PRIEST, AND LEO THE SUBDEACON.
Notice of the names from the ancient Martyrologies.
Timothy, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Zoticus, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Italica, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Zoilus, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Gelatus, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Corsicus, or Caius, Priest, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Leo, Subdeacon, Martyr in Africa (St.)
G. H.
The names in various Martyrologies The two former Martyrs are recorded by the manuscripts of Rheinau, Reichenau, Trier of St. Maximin, the Roman of Cardinal Barberini, the Brussels of St. Gudula, and Notker, everywhere with these words: In Africa, of SS. Timothy and Zoticus. The manuscript of the Queen of Sweden, published by Holstenius, brings forth four: In Africa the birthday of the Saints Timothy, Zoticus, Italia, Galatus. The Lucca copy of St. Jerome indicates five: In Africa the birthday of the Saints Timothy, Zoticus, Italia, Cursinus the Priest, Leo the Subdeacon. The Blume copy has the same, and besides, after the name of Italia, interposes the names of Gelatus, Gitta. Of which last there is no mention elsewhere.
[2] The most ancient copy of the monastery of Echternach enumerates seven: more in the more ancient ones, In Africa, of the Saints Timothy, Zoticus, Italica, Zoilus, Gelatus, Cursicus the Priest, Leo the Subdeacon. The Corbie copy changes the African arena, indicated by the others, with these words: At Rome the birthday of SS. Timothy, Italia, Gelatus, Zoilus, Italica, Cursinus the Priest. Another Corbie manuscript, extracted from the former, thus has it: At Rome the birthday of SS. Timothy, Zoticus: whence it is clear, that the name of Zoticus in the former was by the carelessness of the copyists omitted. But the names of Italia and Italica seem by a similar error to be doubled: nay "At Rome" instead of "In Africa," is prefixed.
[3] Usuard celebrates the two latter separately, in this manner: On the same day of St. Corsicus the Priest, in the more recent ones fewer and Leo the Subdeacon. In some manuscripts is added, "in Italy." Maurolyco also abstracts them from the arena, and commemorates them thus: On the same day of St. Visicus the Priest, or Corsicus, and Leo the Subdeacon, Martyrs. Galesinius thus has it: At Rome likewise of the Holy Martyrs Corsicus the Priest, and Leo the Deacon: but he advises that "Subdeacon" should be read in his Notes. Baronius in the Roman Martyrology: On the same day of the Saints Caius the Priest and Leo the Subdeacon; and in the Notes he cites Usuard and all the more recent ones. We follow the more ancient ones; the copies of the more ancient Martyrologies.