ON THE HOLY MARTYRS TROPHIMUS, EUCARPION, AND OTHERS, AT NICOMEDIA IN BITHYNIA.
ABOUT THE YEAR 300.
CommentaryTrophimus, Martyr at Nicomedia in Bithynia (Saint)
Eucarpion, Martyr at Nicomedia in Bithynia (Saint)
Companions, Martyrs at Nicomedia in Bithynia (Saints)
After that distinguished band of ten thousand laureates, the Menaea, the Menologium, and the Roman Martyrology individually and separately present Trophimus and Eucarpion, whom Baronius wrote as Eucarpius: the Menaea add companions in the title, while the Menologium uses these words: Likewise the martyrdom of Trophimus and Eucarpion is celebrated. Galesinius says: At Nicomedia, Trophimus and Eucarpion of the Blessed Martyrs Aprilis, Cervulus, Trophimus, Eucarpion, and their companions, who, to the number of ten thousand, endured death for the faith. He cites in the Notes Bede, manuscripts of Martyrologies, and the Annals of Ecclesiastical Affairs. We could wish that he had indicated those Annals and the passages in which these Martyrs are treated; and had provided the words of Bede and the Martyrologies. We have read nothing about this Trophimus and Eucarpion anywhere else, except what Maximus, Bishop of Cythera, follows the Menaea in his customary manner of expression. Concerning Aprilis and Cervulus, or Servulus, we shall treat separately below. The Menaea and Maximus of Cythera narrate their Martyrdom as follows.
[2] When the persecution raged against the Christians at Nicomedia, all who professed the holy faith were seized and thrown into prisons. Then, mangled by many interrogations and various torments, While they persecute the saints. if they persevered in the confession of Christ our God, they were driven from life. At that time Trophimus and Eucarpion, strong and fierce and plainly military men, were persecutors and sworn enemies of the Christian name, seizing and thrusting into prison all who openly professed themselves Christians. And since they had complete power over them, some they tortured with torments, and some they released.
[3] On one occasion, therefore, when they were setting out to capture certain persons, they saw a great flame descending from heaven upon them with a terrible roar, and from it they heard a voice of this kind: Why do you hasten, threatening my servants? Do not err: for no one will be able to subdue those who believe in me; Terrified by a flame and a heavenly voice. but rather he will adhere to them and will gain the kingdom of heaven. Upon hearing that voice, those bold and savage men who had been raising themselves up against the servants of Christ fell to the ground, and terrified by the spectacle set before them and struck senseless by that voice as by thunder, uttered only this: Truly great is the God who has appeared to us today. We too shall be blessed if we become his servants. And when they had spoken these words with trembling; the fiery cloud divided and stood on either side. And again another voice came to them, saying this: Then stirred by a wondrous vision, Rise, your sins are forgiven to you who repent. And when they had risen from the ground, they beheld in the midst of the cloud someone seated, in white garments, most beautiful, and many standing around him.
[4] At which sight, struck with awe, they cried out as with one voice: Receive us too, who have sinned greatly and beyond measure. For when we were outside, we raged against you, the true and only God, and against your servants. While they were saying these things, suddenly the cloud closed together again and was lifted up toward heaven. They themselves, They are converted. lamenting, returned as holy men: and all the captives they held, released from all fear, they embraced as their own brothers, and venerated them, and bade them go home. They release the captives. When the Prefect learned of these things, he was greatly angered against them, and ordered them to be brought before him, and inquired the cause of what they had done. They themselves are seized. When they had related the whole vision in detail, he commanded them to be stretched out on the wood: and when this had been done, their sides were torn with iron hooks, and then their wounds were rubbed with haircloth. The Saints, enduring these things nobly, After tortures. prayed with exaltation and gave thanks to God. The Prefect, further irritated by this, ordered a pyre to be raised in the middle of the city, They are killed by fire. and the Saints to be thrown into it, in which they achieved the crown of martyrdom.
[5] Thus far the Menaea. But who are the ὁι σὺν αὐτοῖς companions, as the title sets forth both in the Menaea and in Maximus of Cythera, is nowhere declared. Perhaps it should be understood Who are the companions? of those whom they had previously given over to torments or even to death, or of those who after them were seized and killed by the angry Governor.