CONCERNING ST. CASTOR OR CASTORIUS, DOROTHEUS, AND MENELAMPUS, MARTYRS AT TARSUS IN CILICIA.
CommentaryCastor or Castorius, Martyr at Tarsus in Cilicia (Saint)
Dorotheus, Martyr at Tarsus in Cilicia (Saint)
Menelampus, Martyr at Tarsus in Cilicia (Saint)
Tarsus, the very well-known metropolis of Cilicia Prima, had very many Martyrs for the faith of Christ, whom we enumerate repeatedly throughout this work; but how many we should assign to it on this 28th of March is not equally easy to determine. In the triple copy of the Martyrology of St. Jerome -- namely the Luccan, Blumian, and our own -- only one is given, in these words: "At Tarsus in Cilicia, Castor." The same is read in the very ancient Barberini manuscript; Castor or Castorius as also in the Reichenau manuscript and the other one of the Queen of Sweden esteemed by Holstenius; but in the latter is written "the birthday of Castor," in the other "Castorius." In the Hieronymian Martyrology printed at Paris it reads thus: "At Tarsus in Cilicia, Castorius, Menelampus"; but no mention of this companion Menelampus is found in other manuscripts. Another companion is joined to him by Usuard in all his copies generally; and the Roman Martyrology agrees with Maurolycus, Galesinnius, Canisius, and others in these words: "At Tarsus in Cilicia, the holy Martyrs Castor and Dorotheus." Dorotheus In the Altemps manuscript the name of Adaucta is added, but this undoubtedly pertains to the Caesarean Martyrs, among whom there is also a Dorotheus. Galesinnius adds more: "At Tarsus in Cilicia," he says, "the blessed Martyrs Adauctus, Dorotheus, Castor, Pollux, and companions." In his Notes he adds that he received "Castor" from a written codex, from Usuard. Baronius also cites, besides Usuard, old manuscripts. Francesco Maria Florentini objects in his Notes on the Martyrology of St. Jerome that often these manuscripts of Baronius are from Galesinnius, who, having obtained corrupt codices, whether there are other companions? makes Adauctus and Dorotheus, Caesarean Martyrs, into Tarsan ones along with Castor, Pollux, and companions. We do not admit Pollux with companions, nor
SS. Thirteen or Sixteen, Martyrs in Africa (Saints)
These anonymous Martyrs we read of in various codices, but not in the same number: concerning whom our most ancient copy of St. Jerome has the following at the end of this day: And in Africa, of thirteen others, namely Martyrs.
In the Martyrology of Rabanus the following is read at the end: And in Africa, of sixteen others. This was thence transferred to the Martyrology printed under the name of Bede: in whose manuscript Albergen codex, however, seventeen are noted. In the Tamlacht manuscript, after the Martyrs named by name, twelve others are established: but only ten are indicated in the Tournai, St. Martin's, and Laetian manuscripts, as we noted above. We have nothing else to say about them, until a clearer notice may shed light from some quarter.