Cappadocian Martyrs Eutropius

ON THE HOLY CAPPADOCIAN MARTYRS EUTROPIUS, CLEONICUS, AND BASILISCUS, AT AMASEA AND COMANA IN PONTUS,

ABOUT THE YEAR 308.

Preliminary Commentary.

Eutropius, Cappadocian Martyr, at Amasea in Pontus (Saint)

Cleonicus, Cappadocian Martyr, at Amasea in Pontus (Saint)

Basiliscus, Cappadocian Martyr, at Comana in Pontus (Saint)

§ I. The Cult of these Martyrs on March 3.

[1] We said on February 7 that there were in Pontus two illustrious Martyrs named Theodore, of whom the one, a General of the army, who suffered at Heraclea under Licinius, is venerated on that day; the other, called by the Greeks "the victorious Theodore Tiro" (ἀθλοφόρος Θεόδωρος ὁ Τήρων), These Martyrs were kinsmen and fellow soldiers of Saint Theodore Tiro, obtained the palm of martyrdom at Amasea in Pontus. The Greeks venerate him on February 17, on which day the Acts in Metaphrastes attest that he was killed; but the Latins celebrate his feast, also in the Roman Breviary, on November 9. The fellow soldiers and kinsmen (in Greek, συστρατιῶται καὶ συγγενεῖς) of this Saint Theodore Tiro were the holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus, whom the Greeks venerate with a solemn ecclesiastical office on this March 3 in the printed and various manuscript Menaea, and in the Greek Anthologion published by order of Clement VIII, and in Maximus, Bishop of Cythera, in his Lives of the Saints. From those we give the eulogy of these Martyrs translated into Latin.

[2] "The commemoration of the holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus. These were in the times of Maximian, fellow soldiers and kinsmen of the holy Martyr Theodore Tiro, Cappadocians, sprung from the region of the Cappadocians. Brought before the governor Asclepiodotus, they were subjected to very many blows. The mouth of Saint Eutropius, beaten with blows, because he had rebuked the governor, was so filled with blows that the torturers, exhausted from the continuous butchery of the torments, gave out. But the Martyrs, healed by Saint Theodore: when the Lord and the glorious Martyr Theodore appeared to them, were made whole. When this miracle was therefore performed, many were converted to the faith of Christ, who ended their lives by the sword. The governor, changing the kind of torment, tried to turn Saint Cleonicus from the faith of Christ by blandishments, now with immense promises made, now with gifts pressed upon him. But the holy Martyr was not broken by any softness on that account, but much more incited, having overthrown an idol by prayer, and he mocked the madness of the governor and exposed the impotence of the idols to ridicule, while the others were offering sacrifices, and he himself overthrew the carved image of Diana by his prayers. Unharmed in pitch and bitumen: Therefore they poured boiling pitch and bitumen bubbling in three cauldrons upon the Martyrs; but while these remained safe and unharmed, the attendants and executors were consumed by fire. Finally Cleonicus and Eutropius, two nailed to the cross, having been crucified, completed their lives; but Saint Basiliscus, given into custody, after some time also departed this life."

[3] The Greeks in the Menaea, ode 6, sing that Saint Basiliscus was beheaded with these words: "Having hewn your heart into a temple, you overthrew the image of error. Having burned the crown, O Martyr, you received by the sword, your head having been cut off, O renowned Basiliscus." Saint Basiliscus beheaded: "O glorious Basiliscus, when you overthrew the temples of the gods, you polished your heart; when you burned the image of error, your head having been cut off, as a Martyr you received the crown by the sword." The rest about Saint Basiliscus in the following section. In the Odes many allusions are made to the names of each and to the fellowship of the three Martyrs. Praised by the Greeks, Eutropius is called "χρηστὸς τοὺς τρόπους" and "τροπαιοφόρος"—"of benign character" and "bearer of the trophy." Cleonicus is called "κλέος τῆς νίκης" and "ἐυκλεῆ νίκην ἔχων"—because he obtained "the glory of victory" and possessed "a glorious victory." Basiliscus "βασιλικῶς Ἑλληνικὴν τρέψας πολυθείαν"—because with quasi-royal power he expelled the worship of many gods introduced among the Greeks. Moreover, all are called "τρισάριθμοι Μάρτυρες" and "τῆς Τριάδος ἰσάριθμοι Μάρτυρες"—three in number Martyrs, and Martyrs to be compared in number to the most holy Trinity. On account of the triple number: Thus, "the Trinity of Martyrs confessed the venerable Trinity before a great multitude of people." Indeed, the Canon, whose initial letters are expressed in the following first Ode, is prefaced by this Iambic verse as a kind of Invitatory: "Τριῶν Ἀθλητῶν συμφρόνων μέλπω πόνους"—"I sing the labors of three like-minded Athletes."

[4] In the manuscript Menologion of the Emperor Basil the Younger, the same things as in the Menaea are read, but somewhat more briefly. In the Menologion published by Canisius, this eulogy is found: "Of the holy

Martyrs Cleonicus, Eutropius, and Basiliscus, who, inscribed in the Menologion, when they were serving as soldiers under the Emperor Maximian, were denounced as Christians; under the governor Asclepiades, after many torments and the cross itself, having been made Martyrs, they departed to heaven." But the governor Asclepiades is in the Greek Menaea, Anthologion, and in Cytheraeus Ἀσκληπιωδότης; below in the Latin Acts, Asclepiodotus, more properly to be called Asclepiodotes. With the name omitted, Galesin writes from Greek records, as he asserts: "In Greece, of the holy Eutropius, Cleonicus, Basiliscus, and their companion Martyrs." and in the Latin calendars: Molanus likewise from the Greeks: "On the third day, of the holy Martyrs Eutropius and his company, Cleonicus and Basiliscus." Today's record of the Roman Martyrology from the Menologion: "Likewise of the holy soldiers Cleonicus, Eutropius, and Basiliscus, who in the persecution of Maximian, under the governor Asclepiades, triumphed happily by the punishment of the cross." But that Saint Basiliscus departed to heaven after his head was cut off at Comana will be established below. Baronius also mentions the same Martyrs and assigns them to Asia in his Annals, at the year 305, number 16, and at the year 311, number 19.

[5] Tamayo Salazar in the Spanish Martyrology asserts that these Martyrs had hitherto been recognized as Spanish by no one; he himself claims them for Spain, together with the African Martyrs listed above: "At Ebora," he says, "in Carpetania of Spain, wrongly assigned to Spain with the African Martyrs, of Saints Felix, Luciolus, Fortunatus, Herodes, Antigonius, Januarius, Tertula, Gabianus, Quiriulus, Felix, Florianus, Donatus, Cleonicus, Eutropius, Basiliscus, and Quinctus, who in the persecution of Maximian, under the governor Asclepiades, having suffered torments and the cross itself, departed to heaven as Martyrs of Christ." Thus Tamayo, embracing the error of Pseudo-Dexter, who, finding these Martyrs inscribed in today's Roman Martyrology without any place of martyrdom, assigned them to some now unknown city of the Spains, and subjected those who were therein separated into two classes to one and the same governor, at the year 300 in Bivarius, or at 301 in Rodrigo Caro, where the following is read: "In this most bitter persecution, at Ebora in Carpetania, the holy Martyrs of Christ, Felix, Luciolus, Fortunatus, and Eusebius, who were crucified under Asclepiades, Governor of Spain." To which quoted words Tamayo adds: "And although Dexter there passes over the names of some Martyrs in silence, you will find all of them described at full length among the Greeks and Latins." But having conducted a careful investigation, we have compiled several classes of Martyrs, and from those who are reported by the Latins, we have shown that some of them suffered in Africa. Quinctus, added by Tamayo, reported by no one else on this day, seems to be the one who is venerated above on March 2, who departed this life in Phrygia after enduring various tortures under the Emperor Aurelian. Tamayo compiles much about Ebora of the Carpetani, which he establishes, following Mariana and others, is now called Talavera.

§ II. The Repeated Veneration of Saint Basiliscus on May 22. Compendium of His Life from the Menologion and Menaea.

[6] The manuscript Synaxarion of Clermont of the Society of Jesus at Paris contains under March 3 the above-related eulogy from the Menaea, with the day of May 22 indicated at the end, on which day the Martyr Saint Basiliscus died; on which day his name is inscribed in various Greek Calendars, also in Genebrard, The veneration of Saint Basiliscus on May 22. and from these was added by Molanus to the Supplement of Usuard. Galesin has more, from Greek records, as he notes: "In Greece," he says, "of Saint Basiliscus the Martyr, who, distinguished by a manifold and outstanding contest which he bravely sustained in the same persecution of Maximian, finally, having given his neck for Christ the Lord, flies away to the reward in heaven." The same, but somewhat more briefly, is read in the German Martyrology of Canisius. In today's Roman Martyrology, various details of the martyrdom are thus indicated: also in the Roman Martyrology. "At Comana in Pontus, of Saint Basiliscus the Martyr, who, under the Emperor Maximian and the governor Agrippa, wearing iron sandals pierced with red-hot nails, and having suffered many other things, was at last beheaded and thrown into a river, and obtained the glory of martyrdom." Baronius reports nearly the same in the Ecclesiastical Annals, at the year 304, number 58. Whether, however, as the same Baronius notes in his annotation to the Martyrology, this Martyr Basiliscus was Bishop of the city of Comana will be better discussed below and rejected when we give the Greek Menologion and Menaea; and in the former indeed this eulogy is found:

[7] "On May 22, of the holy Martyr Basiliscus, under the Emperor Maximian, Compendium of his Life from the Menologion. from the region of Amasea. He, on account of the confession of Christ, was detained by the governor Agrippa and, having been fitted with iron sandals pierced with red-hot nails, was ordered to be driven along the road that leads to Comana. And when on the journey they had come to a certain place where there was a woman named Troiana, they bound Saint Basiliscus with his hands tied behind his back to a dry plane tree, which the Saint, having sent prayers to God, made green again, and caused a spring suddenly to gush from the earth. When the soldiers saw this, together with the woman they believed in Christ. But when he had come to the city of Comana and could not be persuaded to sacrifice, having duly prayed to God, he drew fire from heaven, which consumed the temple of Apollo and the idol. Whereupon the governor, enraged, ordered the Martyr Basiliscus to be beheaded and plunged into the river; and thus he obtained the crown of martyrdom, to the praise and glory of our God. Amen."

[8] Thus far the Menologion. Another from the various Menaea. Another and more illustrious eulogy is presented in the printed Greek Menaea and in manuscripts, which we found in a double Ambrosian codex, in the Chifflet codex, the Turin codex, and the Clermont codex; the printed Greek Anthologion agrees with these, as do the Lives of the Saints published by Maximus of Cythera, and in nearly these same words everywhere: "The Contest of the holy Martyr Basiliscus. In the times of Maximian, he was in the region of the Chumiali of the territory of Amasea, Saint Basiliscus from the prison at Amasea, a cousin of the Great Martyr Saint Theodore Tiro. Earlier he had also undergone a contest with Saints Eutropius and Cleonicus, who were fellow soldiers of Saint Theodore. But when they consummated their martyrdom for Christ, he himself was detained in prison, burning with the desire of completing the course of his contest, and he prayed to God for this; forewarned by Christ, who deigned to grant him His divine apparition and commanded him to go to his own household, declaring that he would afterward undergo martyrdom at Comana. Going therefore among the soldiers to his home, he greeted his mother and brothers and exhorted them to persevere in the faith of Christ they had embraced. There he was then seized by soldiers sent by the governor Agrippa, bound in chains, led to Comana: fitted with iron sandals bristling with inserted nail-points, and was driven straight along the road toward Comana. But when they had arrived at the village of the Dacni, they were received in hospitality by a woman named Traiana; where Saint Basiliscus was tied with his hands bound behind his back to a dry plane tree, and immediately, having poured forth prayers to God, he caused the dead plane tree to bloom again he shines with miracles: and spread dense foliage of leaves; and there, where the Saint stood, a spring gushed from the bosom of the earth. When the soldiers saw this prodigy, together with their hostess, they declared that they embraced the faith of Christ and freed the holy man from his chains. But when they had entered the city of Comana, the Saint approached the governor, by whom he could not be induced to sacrifice to the idols. But at his prayers, fire descended from heaven, by which the temple of the idols and the image of Apollo were consumed. Whereupon the governor, driven to fury, he is beheaded. immediately ordered the head of the Martyr to be cut off and the body to be cast into the river. Thus the Saint obtained the palm of martyrdom, to the praise and glory of our God."

[9] Thus far the Greeks in the Menologion and various Menaea present an illustrious testimony of the contest of Saint Basiliscus, excerpted from longer Acts, which we have not yet been able to obtain in the form in which they were originally written in Greek; some, formerly translated into the Latin language, we transcribed from manuscript codices of the most ancient monastery of Saint Maximin near Trier. The Life written by an eyewitness. The author of this Life reveals his name at number 2 in these words: "Christ was accompanying His Martyr, as Basiliscus himself afterward related to me, Eusignius." Elsewhere it is written "Assignius." He was an eyewitness of the entire affair: for with him, as he writes at number 5, "Eusignius went voluntarily, who was a clerk of records." And at number 14 he reports everything in the first person plural: "when we had approached the city, we heard... as we were eating, so that we would not enter fasting... as we entered and inquired, we heard," and at number 18: "we saw—we to whom it was granted to see the terrible mystery," and at number 19: "we begged the executioner not to cast the body into the river; we gave him thirty gold pieces, and he gave us... we hid, we buried, and we planted legumes... we rested." And finally he extols the praises of Constantine the Great, under whom he wrote that Life. Eusignius, afterward perhaps a Martyr. The author seems to be the Martyr Saint Eusignius, who, when he reproached Julian the Apostate with the faith of Constantine the Great, under whom he had served, was ordered by him to be beheaded at the age of one hundred and ten; as he is honored in these words under August 5 in the Roman Martyrology; the Greek Acts, which we found in three very ancient codices and which we shall publish in due time, agree with this.

§ III. Was the Apparition to Saint Chrysostom to be Ascribed to this Martyr Basiliscus? The Time of Martyrdom.

[10] This controversy is tangled, because Saint Basiliscus, Bishop of Comana, who suffered at Nicomedia under Maximian together with Lucian, Presbyter of Antioch, is narrated to have appeared at Comana to Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Basiliscus appearing to Saint Chrysostom is called a Bishop by Palladius, saying: "Be of good cheer, brother John, for tomorrow we shall be together"—as is read in the cited words of his Life, written by Palladius, his disciple. These are thus recorded by George, Archbishop of Alexandria, in his Life of the same: by George, "The Martyr of that place stood by him; his name was Basiliscus, who had been Bishop of Comana, who suffered at Nicomedia under the reign of Maximian, together with Lucian, Presbyter in Bithynia, of Antioch. He said: 'See that you be of good courage, brother John. For tomorrow we shall be together.'" Similar things are read in the Life of Saint Chrysostom from a Paduan codex, published by Henry Savile under the name of an anonymous author, chapter 122. Metaphrastes hesitates in doubt when he writes in his Life of the same Chrysostom: "When he was near Comana, and they had lodged in the martyrium of Basiliscus (whom they say was a Bishop, ambiguously by Metaphrastes, and in the time of Maximian underwent the contest of martyrdom and conquered and was crowned in the city of Nicomedia), and Basiliscus appearing in a dream said: 'Be of good cheer, O brother, and rejoice, for tomorrow will join us both.'" The Greek words enclosed in the parenthesis begin thus: Ἐπίσκοπον δὲ αὐτόν φασι μὲν γενέσθαι, etc. No mention is made of Saint Lucian, Presbyter of Antioch, who suffered with him at Nicomedia. We gave the Acts of the latter on January 7, but conversely without mention of his companion Basiliscus.

[11] We have not yet been able to find any memory of this Bishop Basiliscus who suffered at Nicomedia in any Latin or Greek ecclesiastical calendars; and so we fear that the passage may have been corrupted, and that it should be emended from the Encomiastic Oration

of the Emperor Leo on Saint Chrysostom, in which the following is read: "Those who were with the Saint had not yet approached Comana when, behold, at night Basiliscus and Lucian the Martyrs appeared to him, called only a Martyr by the Emperor Leo, saying with inexpressible exultation of joy: 'Be of good cheer, brother John. For tomorrow we shall be together.'" Those who were with the Saint had not yet approached the city of Comana when Basiliscus and Lucian the Martyrs appeared to him by night, saying with inexpressible exultation of joy: "Be of good cheer, brother John; for tomorrow we shall be together." by Sozomen, Sozomen, book 8 of his Ecclesiastical History, chapter 28, confirms the same: "They say," he writes, "that on the journey he foresaw the day on which he would die, Basiliscus the Martyr appearing to him at Comana in Armenia." These same words are transcribed in the Tripartite History, book 10, chapter 18. Theodoret, book 5, chapter 34: by Socrates, "When he came to Comana," he says, "he departed to the immortal life, free from all trouble. And his body, which had completed so many illustrious contests, was buried near the tomb of Basiliscus the Martyr (for the holy Martyr had commanded this in a dream)." Palladius also asserts that his body was buried together with Basiliscus in the same church. George says in the same way that it was deposited together with the aforesaid Martyr in the church consecrated to him. The same things are reported in Metaphrastes and the Anonymous writer indicated above, chapter 124. We possess Acts of Saint Chrysostom formerly collected by various Latin writers without any mention of the episcopal dignity of Saint Basiliscus, or of the martyrdom inflicted on him in the city of Nicomedia. and by various Latin writers. Others of these we received transcribed at Naples from an ancient Capuan codex, from which we produce the following: "Before he reached the destined place of exile, from the intolerable heat of the sun he contracted an affliction of the head; and as it grew worse, in the place called Comana, on the day that had been revealed to him through the Martyr Saint Basiliscus, he fell asleep in the Lord." Other Acts from a manuscript codex of the most ancient monastery of Saint Maximin near Trier have the following: "They say that John, when he was being led into exile, through a vision recognized the day on which he was to die, shown to him by the Martyr Basiliscus at Comana." A third manuscript codex formerly belonged to the Church of Saint Savior at Utrecht, in which the same things are indicated in these words: "When John was being led into exile, through a vision he learned the day on which he was to die, shown to him by the Martyr Basiliscus, etc."

[12] Having weighed all these things, we judge that a church was dedicated to the Martyr Saint Basiliscus, he seems to be the Saint Basiliscus of whom we are treating, of whom we are treating, at Comana; that Saint Chrysostom was buried near his sacred body; indeed, that Basiliscus appeared to him, either alone, as most sources have it, or certainly with the Martyr Saint Lucian, as was said above from the Encomiastic Oration of the Emperor Leo. In the narrative of Palladius we fear there is some error (σφάλμα) transcribed by George of Alexandria, because no memory exists anywhere of the body of Saint Basiliscus the Bishop having been brought from Nicomedia to Comana, and no indication of him is found in any calendars, as we have said.

[13] The time of the martyrdom of Saint Basiliscus is clearly indicated in the Acts themselves: "under the reign of Maximian and Maximinus," which is the same tradition as in the Acts of Saint Theodore Tiro, with whom he was detained in prison. These Martyrs suffered around the year 307 or the following. This is Galerius Maximianus Armentarius, who obtained the Empire in the year of Christ 304, when Diocletian and Maximianus Herculius, having been deposed, assumed private life. The nephew of Armentarius through his sister, Galerius Maximinus, created Caesar together with Severus in the year 305 or the following, presided over the Eastern Empire; whence in the immediately following years, first Theodore Tiro, then Eutropius and Cleonicus at Amasea, then Basiliscus at Comana were crowned with the palm of martyrdom and departed to heaven.

LIFE OF SAINT BASILISCUS THE MARTYR,

by Eusignius, afterward perhaps a Martyr,

from the manuscript codex of Saint Maximin.

Eutropius, Cappadocian Martyr, at Amasea in Pontus (Saint)

Cleonicus, Cappadocian Martyr, at Amasea in Pontus (Saint)

Basiliscus, Cappadocian Martyr, at Comana in Pontus (Saint)

BHL Number: 1021

By Eusignius, from manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

The Delay of Saint Basiliscus in Prison after the Death of His Companions; His Visit to His Mother and Kinsmen; the Punishments Inflicted on Him.

[1] In that time, under the reign of the tyrants Maximian and Maximinus, a successor to Asclepiodotus was sent, another governor named Agrippa, to compel all Christians to sacrifice to the idols, After the killing of Saints Eutropius and Cleonicus, and to deliver to death by various tortures those who refused. The blessed Basiliscus, however, was held captive in prison; and in his sorrow he prayed with tears, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, remember me, Saint Basiliscus detained in prison, and do not forget me unto the end; but make my calling also manifest, so that I may not be separated from those holy men who were seized with me and suffered before me and were crowned." And the Lord Jesus appeared to him and said: "I am mindful of you and shall not forget you; and your name is written among the first with those who were with you. But do not be sad as though you were last; for you precede many, and I shall cause your name to be named in every land. But go and bid farewell to your mother and your brothers and your kinsmen; and when you have returned, you will immediately receive the palm of martyrdom with the crown, and you shall rest in common fellowship. But do not be afraid, nor dread the torments that are prepared for you, because I am with you; nor fear their terrors, because the snares of men shall not prevail against you."

[2] And the blessed Basiliscus, rising up, filled with joy, prayed and saw the doors of the prison opened. And in the morning he asked the soldiers who were guarding him and the jailer, saying to them: "Grant me a respite of four days, that I may go and bid farewell to my parents, having obtained leave, who are in the village of Cumialis; and I will return again to meet my true Father, Jesus Christ." The soldiers and the jailer said: "As the Lord your God lives, whom you serve unceasingly, if we did not fear the Governor who is about to arrive, perhaps we would release you once and for all." Saint Basiliscus said: "I do not wish to be released permanently; but, as I said, I wish to go and bid farewell to my parents, for my Lord has commanded me to do this." The soldiers said: "We fear that after we have released you, your presence will quickly be demanded of us; for behold, the Governor is now expected to arrive; he goes with soldiers to his mother and kinsmen: for all who are noted and bound have been recorded in the register." Saint Basiliscus said: "It is the will of God that I go to my village; if therefore it pleases you, let some of you come with us, so that we may return together." The soldiers acquiesced in the will of God and began to go with him to the village. Rising therefore at dawn, they proceeded to his village; and his parents met them, and his mother, with great joy. The soldiers remained in his house in gladness with him and his brothers and his mother, servants of God.

[3] On the following day, Saint Basiliscus called together all his parents and friends and neighbors, and spoke to them many things pertaining to the salvation of the soul, and concerning the teaching of Christ, that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of Christ; and teaching very many things, he consoled them, and bidding them farewell, he said: "Most beloved brothers and fathers and sons in the Lord, remain steadfast in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, and do not at all depart from Him; for this world is nothing, nor are the things which are in it; he exhorts them to constancy in the faith: for all these things pass away like a shadow; but the Lord remains forever. I beseech you therefore, pray for me, because you shall not see me any more forever, most sweet fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters and sons, that I may perfectly fulfill my martyrdom, he asks for prayers, just as holy Theodore and Eutropius and Cleonicus did, who were seized with me." And when he had said these things, great weeping arose from all, and they said to him: "When you have completed your good course, and is asked to pour forth prayers for them in heaven, pray for us to the Lord, and for the whole race of Christians: that the Catholic faith may no longer be persecuted by these tyrants, but that the sacrifice of the impious pagans and the offering to demons may cease afterward, and that the whole earth may be filled with the glory of Christ."

[4] And while they were asking these things, he hastened to return to the city with the soldiers who had come with him. Sought in vain in prison by order of the Governor Agrippa: The governor Agrippa, however, was entering the city of Amasea and summoned all the leading men of the city; and when they came to him, he entered with them into the theater, and into the place called the Petason, and into the Serapion which is adjacent, and he sacrificed to their gods. On the next day, sitting in judgment, he inquired about those who were in chains. He heard from certain people about Saint Basiliscus and inquired of the registrars whether anyone in chains named Basiliscus had been recorded in the register; and when they found him recorded in the register, he sought for him diligently. The Defensor of the city came to the prison and sought Basiliscus the prisoner; and when he did not find him, he bound the guard and brought him to the Governor; and the Governor questioned him and rebuked him, saying: "How did you allow a prisoner to escape, especially one who is an enemy of the gods and disobedient to the commands of the Emperors?" The jailer answered and said: "It is the second day today since he set out with soldiers to his village." The Governor, enraged with fury, said to the jailer: "Your head shall be under the sword if you do not produce that adversary of the gods and blasphemer." And he said: "On the fourth day I will restore him."

[5] The Defensor of the city came forward as surety for him, and the Governor sent with the jailer a certain Magistrianus, a most fierce man, with soldiers, and the Governor said to the Magistrianus: When a Magistrianus with soldiers was sent to him, "Now I shall know you to be a man of valor against the fugitive and prisoner, especially since he is a blasphemer and reviler of the gods. Seize him and bring him to Comana with the other prisoners; behold, I am setting out for the city of Comana." The Magistrianus then bade farewell to the Governor Agrippa and departed, and ordered bronze sandals to be made, and fixed in them very many long nails; and taking soldiers and the jailer, and carrying heavier instruments of iron on donkeys, they went to the village of Cumialis, to Saint Basiliscus; and the Governor with his staff went to Comana, awaiting them there. The Magistrianus and the jailer, then, going with the soldiers to the village of Cumialis, and the scribe Eusignius went to meet him: Eusignius also went voluntarily, who was a clerk of records. And when the blessed Basiliscus was about to set out from his village and go to Amasea, they seized him and bound him with two chains and placed an iron collar around his neck, and shod him

with bronze sandals, and the nails penetrated all the way to the bones of his feet, fitted with bronze sandals with inserted nails: and blood flowed from his feet like water on account of the sandals with which he was pierced; and he set forth.

[6] They beat him severely, so that his blood was poured out twelve feet around; cruelly beaten: and all the neighbors followed him weeping. His mother said to him: "My sweetest son, may Christ, whom you have loved, be your helper in this contest of trial. strengthened by his mother: The time of your life in this world is brief, but your life in the future is everlasting; now you endure bitter perils, but you will earn an eternal crown; a flood of torments has been poured out upon you, but you shall remain impassible; wicked men persecute you upon earth, but the Angels of peace shall receive you; they judge you as a thief, but that thief who was crucified with Christ shall receive you in Paradise. Corrupt and mortal Emperors put you to death through their executioners, but the everlasting God gives you life with the host of Angels. My sweetest son, in the way of the commandments in which you walk, remember us." And when his mother had said these things, praying for him, she returned. The holy Basiliscus, having commended himself to his mother and brothers (for he had three brothers) and all his relatives and neighbors, bidding them farewell, asked them to return to their homes. he bids farewell to his mother, brothers, and others: And while all were weeping on account of such a torment, Saint Basiliscus said: "Do not weep, but rather pray that God may give me the victory in this contest, so that I may be able to overcome the temptations and snares of the devil and the cruelty of the judges against me." And when he had said these things, he kissed them all and asked them to return, saying: "For we shall see one another again on the day of the resurrection in eternal life." And while they were weeping and unwilling to return, the blessed Basiliscus said: "What are you doing, weeping and troubling my heart? Would that it were granted to me to die many times for our Lord Jesus Christ! I beg you, return and pray for me." he urges them to go back to their homes. And when the people would not consent to depart from him, the Magistrianus said to them: "By the glory of the Emperors, if you do not withdraw, I will bring you all in chains to the Governor." But the people were not willing to withdraw even at this edict. And when the Magistrianus had dismounted from the donkey on which he sat, he began with the soldiers to strike those who were following, and with great difficulty finally made the people depart from him.

CHAPTER II.

The Journey of Saint Basiliscus toward Comana. Miracles Performed. Conversions of Various People.

[7] After the departure of the people, Saint Basiliscus manfully endured the pains of the nails, Amid his pains he chants psalms: and began to chant, saying: "Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear, O Christ, for you are with me." And again: "The Lord is my helper, and I shall exult over my enemies." And again: "Lord, save me from the mouth of the lion." And again he prayed, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, make me worthy to complete my course, just as those also who were held before me and were found perfect." The Magistrianus and those who were with him, seeing him walking upon the piercing nails, marveled. For the Lord was easing his pains, and he walked as if in the dew of Paradise, free; and going ahead on the road, he prayed and chanted, saying: "I have chosen the way of truth; I have not forgotten your judgments; I have run the way of your commandments, when you enlarged my heart; I have delighted in the way of your testimonies, as in all riches; I shall exercise myself in your commandments and shall consider your ways; your testimonies, O Lord, are faithful, and holiness befits your house, O Lord."

[8] While the blessed Basiliscus was chanting these things, they arrived at the village called Dacozarum. For the Magistrianus wished to rest a little with those who were with him, because it was hot and the noon hour. The lady of that village was there, named Troiana, a pagan widow, and she was hastening to surround her village with a wall; and when she learned about the Magistrianus and those with him, she sent and invited them to a meal. There were fourteen men besides the scribe who was with the blessed Basiliscus; and when the men had entered the house of Troiana to dine, they tied Saint Basiliscus to the trunk of a dry plane tree fixed in the ground, with his hands bound behind him, and bound, he began to chant. tied to a dry plane tree, A great multitude of people stood about him, men and women and children, wishing to touch the Martyr of Christ; and seeing the blood running down from his feet, and that he was bound to a dry tree in the scorching heat, they felt compassion for him. The Magistrianus with the soldiers who were with him feasted sumptuously in the house of Troiana, with food and drink and precious wine in a cool dining room. with blood flowing on all sides, But the righteous Basiliscus, pierced with the nails that were in his sandals and beaten with scourges, a stream of his blood ran down onto the ground; and he prayed, saying: "Lord, visit me as you visited Joseph in the pit, he prays to God: as Jeremiah in the mire of the cistern, as Daniel in the den of lions, as the three youths in the fiery furnace of the Chaldeans, as Susanna from the false elders, as Peter bound with chains in prison, as Thecla from the amphitheater, and as all who glorify you in truth; so also in me, your unworthy and humble servant, show your wonders, to the praise and glory of your name, O Lord my God, Jesus Christ."

[9] When Saint Basiliscus had prayed these things, the people pressed upon one another to touch him. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, and when an earthquake occurred, so that the foundations of the earth were shaken, and a subterranean sound was made, and the powers of the heavens and all the elements of the earth trembled before the face of the glory of the Lord. And the Lord heard the prayer of his blessed Martyr Basiliscus, encouraged by a divine voice, and a voice came to him from heaven, saying: "All that has been prayed for has been heard; do not be afraid, for I am with you." And immediately the bronze sandals, he is healed: like wax before the face of fire, were melted from his feet, and his bonds were loosed and his whole body; and that dry tree to which he had been tied and the plane tree changed into a green tree suddenly became a great tree with dense leaves and spreading branches. When the blessed Basiliscus saw these things, he began to pray, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, who are before the ages the Word of God, and the Son in the Father, unsearchable and ineffable, because you deigned to descend to earth and become man, he gives thanks to God: to redeem us from the ancient tyrant the devil and from his wicked works; who exalted us but humbled and trampled him and condemned him to the depths of the abyss, and gave us life: with what mouth shall I glorify you; with what lips and tongues shall I confess you and speak a hymn to you, O Christ, and proclaim your great deeds, which now you have deigned to show in me, your servant, as also in your Saints Eutropius and Cleonicus, when we were scourged on the columns before the governor Asclepiodotus? But now, Lord, who am I, unworthy, that you have deigned to show your mercy in me? For the earth, seeing you, trembled."

[10] The Magistrianus and those who were feasting with him, when the earthquake occurred, rose from their couches in great fear, while the adversaries trembled, and leaving their meal, they came trembling to where Saint Basiliscus had been tied to the dry tree, which had put forth leaves and become a great tree. The holy Basiliscus, when he had been tied in the heat under the dry tree at the noon hour, had prayed to God to make the dry tree green and shade him from the scorching heat. And the Lord heard his prayer, and the Christians glorified God, and in the blink of an eye it became a great tree. The people who were present, seeing this wonderful sign, all the Christians glorified God. But some unbelievers thought it was an illusion; others said it was sorcery. But amid these wonders, greater wonders followed. a spring arises: Where the holy Martyr stood, and his blood was poured out from beneath his feet onto the ground, a spring of living water immediately flowed, which is that very spring of water to this day; and many who are sick and suffering from unclean spirits, when they drink faithfully from that spring, are healed. Many people also, seeing so wonderful a sign, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, the possessed are healed, saying: "This man is a man of God, and has been sent by God to sanctify our places." a paralytic, They also brought a paralytic on a pallet, and when he touched the Righteous One, he was immediately healed, and taking up his pallet, he went to his house, glorifying God. And they brought lepers, lepers, and when they touched him, they were immediately cleansed from leprosy. And they brought a man with dropsy, and as soon as he touched him, he was healed. those with fevers: And they brought to him those suffering from fevers and chills, and all were healed; and they brought many other sick people to him, and they were healed, and believers glorified Christ; for great joy was made in that village. And when Troiana, Troiana is converted with her household: the lady of that village, saw the signs that had been performed through the Martyr of Christ, Basiliscus, she believed in the Lord together with her son Troianus and with her entire household, and they were all baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and all rejoiced. And Eusignius the scribe also rejoiced at these wonderful signs.

[11] The Martyr is honored by oxen: A great herd of oxen came down from the mountains at midnight with other beasts of burden, and bending their knees they worshipped the Righteous One, praising God with their voice. The Magistrianus also was moved to compunction by these wonders that were performed, and was repentant for what he had done against the Martyr of Christ together with the soldiers who were with him. In the morning at dawn, the Magistrianus rose and said to the Saint with a gentle word: "If it please you, Lord Basiliscus, let us walk, lest perhaps we too be endangered." Saint Basiliscus said: "Let us walk." And as they were going out of the village, all the men followed him, he advances with Christ as his companion, and the Saint asked them to remain; and some of them returned, but some continued to follow. When they had come to the bridge of the river Iris, even the great structure of the bridge trembled at the coming of Christ (for Christ was invisibly accompanying His Martyr, as Basiliscus himself afterward related to me, Eusignius), and when

the bridge had been shaken, the Saint stood in prayer and, bidding farewell to the people, asked them all to return to their homes; and he began again to chant as he crossed over to the territories of the Varismi. And on every higher ground he knelt and prayed, saying: "In every place of His dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul."

[12] When they had entered the village called Saon, they wished to eat. They also urged Saint Basiliscus to eat bread. But he would not consent, he refuses to taste bread, saying: "My Lord Jesus Christ feeds me." And they said to him: "Eat, man, lest you die of hunger; and we shall perish on your account if we do not bring you to the Governor; behold, it is now three days fasting for three days: since you have been willing to taste anything in this most severe heat." But he said: "I am filled with immortal food and shall not take mortal food. Earthly bread nourishes you, but the heavenly Word of God nourishes me; wine gladdens you, but the grace of the Holy Spirit gladdens me; meat satisfies you, but prayer to God satisfies me; the strength of the body sustains you, but the thanksgiving of Christ sustains me; gold serves you, but Christ the Son of God serves me; beautiful and varied garments adorn you, but frequent fasting adorns me; you exult in laughter, I in prayers; you look forward to seeing your temporal King, but I look forward to the sacrifice of the Angels; you love a mortal King, but I love the eternal King, Christ; you keep the law of a corruptible King, but I embrace the law of my heavenly God; you look forward to honor on earth, but I look forward to honor in heaven; you look forward to praise from men, but I look forward to praise at the resurrection of the just judgment, when the Lord will say: 'Come, blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'"

[13] He refuses to ride: When Saint Basiliscus had said these things, the Magistrianus ordered the animals to be saddled and Saint Basiliscus to sit upon one donkey. But he would not consent, saying: "The Lord Jesus Christ gives me rest." The Magistrianus said: "For three days you have been walking without food; sit down a little." But he said: "The Holy Spirit provides me with every rest and refreshment." In the evening, when they had come to a certain village, the Magistrianus asked him to eat something; and he would not consent, but while they were dining, he chanted and prayed the whole night; for the Angels also were with him, singing a hymn.

CHAPTER III.

Events before the Governor at Comana. The Overthrow of the Idol and the Temple of Apollo.

[14] In the morning they went to the city of Comana. At about the fourth hour, when we had approached the city, we heard from many how the Governor was punishing those who refused to sacrifice to the idols. The Lord appeared to Basiliscus and said to him: "Be confident He comes to Comana: and do not fear the threats of those who are without law, for I am with you." While we were eating, so that we would not enter the city fasting, he prayed. And as we entered the city and inquired where the Governor was, we heard that he was sacrificing to the gods in the temple with all the people of the city. The Magistrianus therefore went to the temple of Apollo and found there all the people of the city; and entering, he announced to the Governor that Basiliscus had arrived. When the Governor heard this, he rejoiced. He also reported to him about the signs that the Lord had performed through Basiliscus on the journey, but the Governor did not believe, saying they were sorceries; and he released the soldiers who had been with him from the charge. But he ordered the holy Basiliscus to be brought into the temple of Apollo to sacrifice, saying: "If he refuses, he is led into the temple of Apollo: he shall speedily perish by a most bitter death." The soldiers therefore went out and struck him, saying: "Enter the temple; the Governor has commanded you to sacrifice so that you may live; but if you refuse, you shall perish tortured with various punishments. Consider then within yourself, that you may not perish, believing without reason in an invisible God." Saint Basiliscus said: He spurns the threats, undaunted, "I have considered that my Lord, through His signs and wonders, is always seen by those who believe in Him, that He is God, that He created all things, and besides Him there is no other God; and He visits those who are worthy and chosen. And if I am silent, those who were with me will not be silent about these wonderful signs which they saw on the road as we came." The soldiers who had been with him explained to them, The Magistrianus and the soldiers seek pardon: saying: "Truly we have seen wonderful signs and powers of God, which were not done by magical art." And the Magistrianus affirmed that this was indeed so, saying: "If it were not at risk to ourselves, we would restore you, Lord Basiliscus, having seen such signs. Lord, I pray you, pardon me, because in ignorance I did evil things to you." Likewise the soldiers who had brought him asked that he would pardon them and pray for them.

[15] While they were asking these things, soldiers came out from the temple, saying: "The Governor summons Basiliscus to sacrifice." And he was led in, rejoicing and with a cheerful countenance. The Governor said to him: "Are you Basiliscus?" And he said: "I am." The Governor said: He answers the Governor concerning the sacrifice of the true God: "What then do you say? Will you not sacrifice to the gods?" Basiliscus said: "And who told you that I do not sacrifice? I sacrifice to my God a sacrifice of praise." The Governor, not understanding in what sense he had spoken, rejoiced, saying: "Thanks be to the gods! Only sacrifice to whichever one you wish." The holy Basiliscus said: "I offer and sacrifice to my God." The Governor said: "I told you, only sacrifice to whichever one you wish." The holy Basiliscus, approaching the idol, said: "What is the name of your god?" And they said: "Apollo." Saint Basiliscus said: "You have spoken well, for he is called Apollo: for he will destroy those who believe in him, since he is called a god who is not one. I know Him who is truly the eternal and true God, who glorifies those who love Him with their whole heart; to Him I will sacrifice a sacrifice of praise. But pay attention, all of you, to my sacrifice, for I wish first to pray." And he began to say: He pours forth prayers, "O God, who alone are true, with your only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit, who are Lord of heaven and earth, who are invisible, incomprehensible, whom no one can describe or contain, who are kind and good and do not regard the person of man, who brought forth the things that were not as though they were, and who, when we were in darkness, illuminated us and gave us the knowledge of your divinity: you are the helper of all who believe in you. O God, who alone are holy and dwell in the saints, show also in me, your humble servant, your kindness, and confirm the prayer of your servant, with which I beseech you through your grace; who stretched out the heaven like a curtain and established it immovable by your command, and adorned it with the brightness of the stars and the splendor of the sun and moon and the hours of the days; who fashioned it like a vault and set an everlasting boundary, and placed the moon in the course of times and designated for it the hours and days and months; who founded the earth by your command, that man might dwell upon it, and gave it an everlasting boundary, and adorned it with diverse flowers and trees; who founded the sea and enclosed it by your command and gave a way in it; and who formed man with your own holy hands in your image, and gave him wisdom and understanding, and breathed into his face the breath of life. O Lord, who created the whole world, who from Adam until now, and after this unto the ages of ages, guard those who love you and glorify those who fear you, who take away sins and remove iniquities. Lord Jesus Christ, hear the prayer of your servant and stand by me in this hour, and the shattered idol, dumb and deaf and blind and without sense, crush, break, and dissolve—the thing made by hand. And show to the eyes of the foolish pagans whom they worship and to whom they sacrifice as to God, and why do you permit, O Lord, your enemies to provoke you to wrath, and why do you not teach them your truth? Why do the nations rage and the peoples meditate vain things, and their princes gather together against your Saints? Look down, O Lord, and be not silent, for to you belongs all honor and glory and magnificence, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen."

[16] While his enemies tremble, he shatters the idol of Apollo, And when he had said "Amen," immediately a great earthquake occurred, and at once so immense an idol, falling, was crushed to dust. When the Governor saw this, he fled outside, and all who were present, terrified, fled. But Basiliscus alone remained in the temple, chanting thus: "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before His face; as smoke vanishes, let them vanish; as wax melts before the face of fire, so let the worshippers of idols perish." And the Governor ordered Saint Basiliscus to be led outside, and gnashing his teeth against him, he said: "Enemy of the gods, why did you profess one thing and do another? When you were to sacrifice to our god, you destroyed his statue." And while, filled with fury, he was devising torments against the righteous one, he prayed, saying: "Lord, do not withdraw your help from me, but hasten to my aid." And turning, he said to the Governor: "He who crushed your god, behold, will also burn his temple." And Basiliscus had not yet finished speaking when fire fell from heaven and burns his temple: and consumed the temple of Apollo down to the foundations. When the Governor had fled some distance, he ordered Basiliscus to be summoned and said to him: "You have learned many spells, Basiliscus; you have shattered our great god's statue and burned his temple with fire." Saint Basiliscus said: "What kind of god is yours, if I have shattered him and burned his temple with fire? If he can, let him avenge himself on me and help himself as a god."

CHAPTER IV.

The Constancy of Saint Basiliscus, His Martyrdom, Burial, Miracles. Praise of the Emperor Constantine the Great.

[17] The Governor said: "Our gods are benign and do no evil to their adversaries." Saint Basiliscus said: "O blindness of men! How can demons

be benign, He ridicules the gods: so as to do any good, when they are malignant—and truly drag you down with themselves to hell, you who love and worship them?" The Governor said: "So our gods seem to you to be demons?" Saint Basiliscus said: "And most bitter demons indeed are your idols." The Governor said: "Sacrifice, that I may release you; but if you refuse, I will quickly deliver you to a most bitter death." The Saint said: "I do not sacrifice to senseless idols and the forms of demons; but I sacrifice a sacrifice of praise to the everlasting God." The Governor said: "Sacrifice to the gods, that I may not deliver you to a most bitter death." Saint Basiliscus said: "Wild beast, blood-licking dog, he refuses to sacrifice to them: luxurious Agrippa, image of the devil, appearance of demons, cruel one without law, why do you detain me? He is sentenced to death: For I hasten to complete my good course." When the Governor heard these things, he was greatly enraged and ordered him to be beheaded, saying: "If I order this man to be tortured further, he will provoke me more to insult and will stir up the crowds against me." They therefore led Saint Basiliscus outside the city, to a place called Dioscorum, and beheaded him. For a great multitude of people accompanied him. He is beheaded; The Governor ordered his body to be cast into the river, saying: "If I learn that anyone has taken up his body, I will subject him to tortures, and his property shall be confiscated."

[18] While Saint Basiliscus was praying and after he was beheaded, we saw— His soul is seen being led by Angels to heaven, we to whom it was granted to see—a terrible mystery. For a multitude of Angels and Archangels had come to receive his soul; and the Lord Jesus Christ, standing in the firmament of heaven, said: "Come, Basiliscus, enter the kingdom of heaven, and admitted by Christ: into the choirs of the righteous, where also those are who were seized with you on my account for martyrdom." And all of us who saw this mystery and heard this voice of the Lord, falling on our faces, worshipped the Lord, giving thanks to Him who made us worthy to see this mystery.

[19] When the executioner Priscus was carrying the body of the Saint to cast it into the river, the body is ransomed so it will not be submerged: we begged him to wait a little, and we gave him secretly, along with his companions, thirty gold pieces; and he said to his companions: "Go ahead, and after I have cast him into the river, I will rejoin you." They, believing him, departed, and Priscus gave us the entire body of Saint Basiliscus, saying: "Let no one know, lest I too perish along with you." Legumes grow overnight at the tomb: And when he had departed, we, having received the body of the holy Martyr, hid it, and by night we carried it into a plowed field and buried him there, and sowed legumes over him. That very night, by divine power, the legumes germinated, and the next day they flowered and bore fruit. When the men who had dug the grave of the blessed Martyr were thirsty and invoked the Lord through the prayers of Saint Basiliscus, it came about that He gave them water to drink, and immediately, near where he was buried, a spring of water flowed forth, and drinking, we rested, a spring flows forth, glorifying God. And to this day much water comes forth from that spring to the praise and glory of God and of the Martyr of Christ, Basiliscus; and healing of the sick comes to those miracles are performed: who drink from it with faith.

[20] An evil spirit was also sent upon the Governor Agrippa, and he sought the body of the blessed Basiliscus, saying: "If I touch his body, I shall be saved from the evils The Governor is seized by the devil. that oppress me." And no one dared to say that his body was safe; and some said to him: "You ordered him to be cast into the river, and now how do you seek one whom the river has carried away?" Agrippa himself therefore went to the river having obtained a drop of blood, he is freed: where Saint Basiliscus had been beheaded, and when he found a small drop of his blood, gathering it in his hands together with the dust and placing it in a cloth, he girded his body with it, and immediately he was cleansed of the demon, and becomes a Christian: and he believed in our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the ages.

[21] Saint Basiliscus suffered on the twelfth day before the Kalends of August. And the most impious Emperors Maximian and Maximinus died, and all their generation, After the deaths of the pagan Emperors, and those who were with them as persecutors of the Christians and worshippers of idols. According to the placid will of God and the prayers of the holy Martyrs, there arose a just, truthful, pious, benign Emperor, beloved of God, a Christian, named Constantine, Constantine succeeds, who dissolved the temples of the pagans and burned their images with fire and trampled upon their sacrifices and poured out their libations; he taught their priests wisdom, he converted their diviners to knowledge, he corrected their persecutors, he removed their sorcerers, he strengthened the sorrowful, he taught the foolish to be wise, he made those subject to demons free, endowed with many virtues. he made those who hated Christ beloved of Christ, he subjected those who were unruly to God, he ransomed captives, he made the sad joyful, he made the mourners rejoice, he pacified the perpetual war of the world, he pursued demons, he subjected the unfaithful beneath the yoke of Christ, he adorned the whole world with altars, he preached the knowledge of God among Christians, he built churches with his own imperial authority; and what is greatest of all, he became also a servant of Christ in uprightness of heart and sincerity, he who was the first Constantine among Christians to be crowned by the King of Kings alone—just, pious, truthful—who, after the error of the pagans was corrected, also restrained heresies and silenced them; and the earth was filled with the glory of Christ. And the priests, confirmed in every place, glorify God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

ON SAINTS ZENO AND ZOILUS, AMONG THE GREEKS.

Zeno, among the Greeks (Saint)

Zoilus, among the Greeks (Saint)

[1] The Greeks in the large printed and manuscript Menaea and in Maximus, Bishop of Cythera, in his Lives of the Saints, celebrate on March 3 these two Saints with this brief eulogy: "On the same day, Saints Zeno and Zoilus fell asleep in peace." Saints Zeno and Zoilus died in peace. In the Menaea these verses are added:

"The dissolution of life for Zeno and for Zoilus Proved to be the acquisition of a better life."

The rest is lacking—whether that which pertains to the place and time where and when they lived, or by what exercise of virtues they merited eternal life, or finally by what famous miracles they were inscribed in the sacred calendars.

[2] We gave two Zenos in January and five in February, but as Martyrs, who cannot be transferred here. We celebrated on February 10 another Zeno, a monk near Antioch in Syria, Several holy Zenos: and reported his deeds from the Philotheus of Theodoret, and we noted that our Rader reports that the same person seems to be listed again on this day in the Menaea, without however adducing any argument for why he thinks so. But other illustrious Zenos existed. Thus in book 3 of the Lives of the Fathers by Rufinus of Aquileia, at number 7, a certain Zeno is reported who overcame the gluttonous thought of a stolen cucumber through the severe experience of torments, and this while traveling to Palestine. Another Zeno praised in the Lives of the Fathers: This generous deed is again reported in book 4 of the Lives of the Fathers, booklet 4, number 17, whose translator was Pelagius; in whom again, in book 10, number 22, a Zeno expounds to the brethren that passage of Job: "Nor is heaven clean in the sight of God." Job 1:5 This is perhaps the same as the preceding; but is he also to be considered the same as the one who lived in Syria and taught that vices should be revealed and virtues concealed, in the same Rufinus, number 111, and in Paschasius, book 7 of the Lives of the Fathers, chapter 12, number 4? In Pelagius, booklet 8, number 5, Abbot Zeno, a disciple of Abbot Silvanus, counsels the pursuit of humility. But the aforementioned Rufinus, book 3, number 46, and Pelagius, booklet 10, number 69, and booklet 11, number 28, report that Silvanus lived on Mount Sinai. But in booklet 14, number 5, he is said to have had a disciple in Scetis named Mark and to have visited his cells and those of others; and in booklet 18, number 15, he is said to have wished to go to Syria, where he perhaps also had disciples, and among them Zeno. Thus also Zeno is said, in Rufinus at number 210, to have been in Scetis, and in Pelagius, booklet 18, number 7, while staying in Scetis, to have tested a phantom by prayer. All of which seem to be able to be explained as referring to one and the same Zeno. But whether Zoilus was his disciple or companion, by what reasoning shall we ascertain, Various Zoili. since not all things have been written in the Lives of the Fathers? There, in Pelagius, book 15, number 9, a certain Zoilus is reported as a disciple of Saint Arsenius, of whom we find no mention elsewhere, among so many various accounts related about Saint Arsenius. Another, younger Zoilus, a Rector of Alexandria, is praised by John Moschus in his Spiritual Meadow, or book 10 of the Lives of the Fathers, chapter 171. Leontius the Bishop, in the Life of Saint John the Almsgiver published under January 23, mentions in chapter 7 a Zoilus to whom Saint Peter Teleonarius had been sold.