CONCERNING SAINT SELEUCUS IN SYRIA.
CommentarySeleucus in Syria (S.)
[1] A great consensus is found in assigning the birthday of this Saint in ancient Martyrologies, as in the Martyrology of S. Jerome in four copies -- the Lucca, the Corbey printed at Paris, the Blume, and our Antwerp copies: also the Reichenau, Rhine, Cassinese, Barberini, another of Queen Christina of Sweden, S. Seleucus the Vatican of S. Peter, the Neapolitan of Caraccioli, another of S. Maximinus, Centula, and other ancient ones, in nearly these words: In Syria, of Seleucus, or of S. Seleucus, or the birthday of S. Seleucus. whether a Martyr In Usuard one reads: In Syria, of S. Seleucus: nor would there be any doubt that the word Martyr should be understood, since he is found in first place in the said copies of S. Jerome and most others; unless in Maurolycus and Galesinius, and in the present-day Roman Martyrology and indeed another printed at Cologne in the year 1490, the title of Confessor were added: or should he be called a Confessor? which plainly seems to have been drawn from Peter de Natalibus, who in book 11, chapter 130, number 97, writes thus: Seleucus the Confessor rested in Syria on this very day. Let others discuss whether such credibility should be given to this.
[2] The genuine Bede is silent: but what is printed under his name has thus: And the birthday of the Saints Seleucus and Agabus. whether companions should be joined? In the Cassinese manuscript, two are joined: The birthday of the holy Martyrs Romulus, Seleucus, and Agapitus. In the manuscripts of Tournai of S. Martin, and of Liessies and of the Cathedral Church of Arras, they are thus expressed: In Syria, the birthday of SS. Seleucus, Agapitus, and Romulus: Molanus is also added in the Cologne manuscript of S. Mary ad Gradus. But of these we shall now treat. Baronius had annotated that another reading has, At Seleucia, of S. Agapitus: upon which reading having fallen, he adds that there came to mind Agapitus, otherwise Agapetus, Bishop of Seleucia, who attended the most holy Council of Nicaea and subscribed to it. But almost all codices place Agapitus as distinct from Seleucus, as is read here. In the manuscript of S. Cyriacus is read, In Syria, of Eleusus, for which Seleucus should certainly be substituted, as is clear from all the others.