ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS ADRIAN, EUOLUS, EUSEBIUS, JULIAN, OCTAVIUS.
CommentaryAdrian, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Euolus, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Eusebius, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Julian, Martyr in Africa (St.)
Octavius, Martyr in Africa (St.)
[1] We give for this fifth of March two classes of Martyrs whom the land of Africa sent to heaven; of whom, while their eulogies are wanting, we endeavor to collect at least the bare names correctly from the most ancient Martyrologies of various Churches. In Africa From these, the manuscript of the monastery of St. Cyriacus, which Baronius used extensively in revising the Roman Martyrology, sets forth as the leader and captain of the others with these words: On the third day before the Nones of March. In Africa, of St. Adrian. SS. Adrian, The same things are in the manuscript Martyrologies of Cassino and Altaemps, with the Vallicellian Calendar. But the next companion is joined in the manuscript Martyrology of St. Jerome, which we have used thus far. Euolus, The third day before the Nones of March. In Greece, of Adrian and Euvolus. Which error having been corrected, Hermann Greve in his additions to Usuard relates them: In Africa, of Adrian and Euvolus. The third companion is read in the Martyrologies of St. Jerome, Eusebius, the Lucca and Blumian texts. In Africa, of Adrian, Euvolus, Eusebius. The same are read in the Cologne manuscript of St. Mary ad Gradus with the place omitted. But the Aachen manuscript has these: In Africa, the Birthday of Adrian, Eusebius, Eusepius. Where instead of the last, Eusepius, either Euolus should be read, Julian, or another Eusebius is meant, about whom and his nine companions we treat in the second class of African Martyrs. The Corbie manuscript, which is believed to have been written more than eight hundred years ago, adds a fourth Athlete: In Africa, of Adrian, Euocus, Eusebius, Julian; the name Euocus having been written instead of Euolus. Finally the Martyrology of St. Jerome printed at Paris lists all: The third day before the Nones of March. In Africa, Octavius. of Adrian, Euolus, Eusebius, Julian, Octavius.
[2] Various of these are recorded in other Martyrologies, but mingled with other athletes joined with other Saints. who are also venerated on this day. Thus, with no place assigned, St. Rusticus is joined as a companion to St. Adrian in the Cluniac manuscript; those with SS. Victor and Eusebius are also recorded in the ancient manuscripts of Tournai, St. Martin's and Laetia; but the Prague manuscript, omitting Victor, adds others with these words: In Africa, of Peter, Eusebius, Rusticus, Adrian, Euolus. The last is written Eobolus in the Reichenau manuscript, and Eouolus in the Parisian manuscript; and Africa is also established as the arena of martyrdom. But with the place omitted, Euolus is mentioned in the Augsburg manuscript. Adrian, also ascribed to Africa, is recorded in the small but more ancient manuscript of St. Maximin; in which other companions are joined, as will be evident from the classes of Martyrs that follow. Concerning Adrian who suffered at Caesarea in Palestine under Diocletian, we have already treated, and we remained doubtful whether Adrian and Euolus should be considered different from that Martyr Adrian and his companion Eubulus.
[3] Galesinius has these words: In Africa, of the Holy Martyrs Euolus, Peter, Victor, and 300 companions. In the Notes he adds: at what time are they said to have suffered? In the year of the Lord 254, under the Consuls Decius II and Rusticus, in which year the most blessed Lawrence is said to have been crowned with martyrdom on the third day before the Ides of August. Concerning these Martyrs it is written in the book, a manuscript of which we used. Thus Galesinius, whose manuscript codex we acknowledge was written by an author who was not sufficiently skilled. To these African Martyrs belongs Euolius, or Euolus. Two Martyrs named Peter are venerated on this day, one in Africa as the leader and captain of others, the other who suffered at Antioch with Victor; and companions are added, 12 in some sources, 22 in others, who here are said to be 300. But what we have brought forth from the Notes was very carelessly committed to paper. Decius II was not Consul with Rusticus, but with Quintus Etruscus Decius Caesar; and both perished toward the end of the year 251, in which they had been Consuls: not in the year 254. Nor was St. Lawrence crowned with martyrdom in this year, but under Valerian in the year 259; nor on the third day before the Ides of August, but on the fourth day before the Ides, on which day he is recorded by Galesinius and other Martyrologies. All of these things, therefore, about the time when the Martyrs were crowned, having been gratuitously assumed, we do not willingly admit. That his conjectures are criticized by Baronius and Ferrarius, we noted on March 4 regarding the 900 Roman Martyrs.