Martyrs

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS

TIMOTHY THE LECTOR AND MAURA HIS WIFE

IN THE THEBAID.

ABOUT A.D. CCLXXXVI

Timothy, Spouse, Martyr in the Thebaid (St.)

Maura, Spouse, Martyr in the Thebaid (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Many times in this work has come to be commemorated by us the cruelty of Arianus, the Prefect appointed in the Thebaid by Diocletian, exercised against Christians there; before he himself, recognizing the truth of our faith, underwent illustrious martyrdom for the same, Suffered in Egypt under Arianus the Prefect around the year, as we judge, of the common era CCLXXXVI; which we explained on March VIII, where we gave the common Acts of him and SS. Philemon and Apollonius and the four Imperial Protectors. Here a generous pair of spouses is offered, crowned under him, namely Timothy and Maura; whose feast was kept on this day at Constantinople, as the printed Menaea and the Clermont Synaxarium testify, they are venerated at Constantinople in which the prolix narration of the Passion is terminated here in these words: Their Synaxis is held in their most holy Martyrium, which is at Pera in Justinianae: whence we understand, that their bodies or a notable part were sometime brought there.

[2] That this Translation of Relics, or at least the Dedication of the Martyrium, was a very festive yearly event, both the Greek Typicon, with very celebrated office, and the metrical Calendar persuade, indicating only the Synaxis of SS. Timothy and Maura: whence also the Russians, in their figured Calendar, today especially celebrate these Saints, out of the whole number of other Martyrs; and in the Russian fasti at Possevino the name of S. Timothy Mart. is read. composed by S. Joseph the Hymnographer. That this festivity at Constantinople was however not most ancient is suaded to be believed by the sacred Canon of this day, wholly about them, as being the work of S. Joseph the Hymnographer, who flourished in the ninth century, and indeed inclining to the end. The Acrostic of that Canon, comprising also the Theotokia and the name of the author, is this:

Τιμοθέου Μαύρας τε τοὺς πόνους σέβω. ἸΩΣΗΦ.

The labors of Timothy and Maura I venerate. Joseph.

[3] We give the Acts from the Greek Palatine Codex of the Vatican Library, The Acts are given from Greek, simply written, in nearly that manner in which from the Proconsular Acts we have certain ones, and we make great account of them. The Passion completed on the cross the Menaea further adorn with this distich:

Ἥπλωσε Χριστὸς χεῖρας ἐν σταύρῳ πάλαι· Ἥπλωσε καὶ νῦν Μαῦρα συν Τιμωθέῳ.

Christ once stretched out his hands on the cross,

Maura now stretches them with Timothy.

In the Menology of Emperor Basil their eulogy is more briefly deduced thus. eulogy from the Synaxarium. Timothy, Christ's Martyr, was Lector of the Church of God: but when by the law of marriage he had taken Maura as wife, scarcely twenty days having passed, he was apprehended by idolaters, and bound was led to Arianus the Prefect of the Thebaid, and handed to him. Who said to him: Bring your books, and burn them in my presence. But the Saint refusing to do that, they thrust burning iron rods into his ears, and immediately the pupils of his eyes fell out: then he was bound to a wheel by his ankles, and they placed wood on his mouth, and tying a stone to his neck they suspended him turned upon his head. But when the Prefect could persuade him of nothing; he said to his wife, that she should persuade him to defect from Christ: but she chose rather herself to suffer martyrdom: wherefore he ordered the hairs of her head to be torn out; and finally both to be fastened to a wall with nails, where after persevering nine days they were finished.

[4] More fully, as I said, the same things are described in the Menaea, whence we shall infer some light to the Greek context; lest we should distinguish the Latin, to be divided in our manner into three chapters, with Annotations not at all here necessary: since they would be founded on the consideration of the Greek context. Cardinal Sirletus in his Menology had made mention of these Martyrs: hence taking notice of them, Baronius thus inscribed the Roman Martyrology. In the Thebaid of the Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura his Spouse, and the Roman Martyrology. whom Arianus the Prefect after many torments ordered to be fixed to a cross; on which hanging alive for nine days, and strengthening themselves in the faith, they completed their martyrdom. He notes then that their Acts are explained more fully in the menology: yet they are abridged from the Menaea.

ACTS OF MARTYRDOM

From the Greek Palatine codex 27 of the Vatican Library.

Timothy, Spouse, Martyr in the Thebaid (St.)

Maura, Spouse, Martyr in the Thebaid (St.)

BHL Number: 8303

FROM THE GREEK MS. OF THE VATICAN.

CHAPTER I.

Torments endured by S. Timothy, Maura his wife encouraged to martyrdom.

[1] In the time of the persecution Christians were sought, and a man, by the name of Timothy, was led to Arianus the Prefect, Brought to the Prefect Lector from the village of Perapae. The Prefect said to him: Who are you and of what dignity? Timothy replied: I am a Christian, an ordained Lector. To whom the Prefect: Have you alone perhaps not heard the commands of the Emperor, ordering that whoever does not sacrifice to the Gods shall perish badly? Timothy said: The Spirit of Jesus Christ dwells in me, and therefore I do not sacrifice. Arianus the Prefect said to him: Do you not see the instruments of torment placed around you? Nor do you, he refuses to sacrifice or hand over books replied Timothy, see the Angels of God strengthening me? Then the Prefect: Give me your books that I may know their virtue. To whom Timothy: Mad and inventor of every wickedness, what man ever handed his sons over to death? Do you not therefore understand, that my books are my sons? and that while I use them, the Angels of God surround me? The Prefect said: This you pretend, because you do not wish to sacrifice nor to show your books: see and consider lest this audacity turn for you to harm. Timothy replied: I do not sacrifice, for I am a Christian.

[2] Then the indignant Prefect ordered burning styles to be brought and thrust into his ears. with burning styles thrust through his ears he is blinded, And immediately by the heat of fire and excessive inflammation of the iron the pupils of his eyes leapt out: and the Prefect's soldiers said to him: Behold because you would not sacrifice you have lost your eyes. Timothy replied: The eyes indeed of the body, accustomed to see many silly things, suffer this: but the saving eyes of my Lord Jesus Christ illuminate my soul. Hearing which the Prefect was angered, he is bound to a wheel: and ordered his ankles to be bound to a wheel, saying to him: Sacrifice and you will be freed from torments. Timothy on the contrary: I do not sacrifice: for I have a Lord protecting me. Then the Prefect said: Loose him from the wheel; and binding his hands cast a bridle on his mouth, he is suspended on his head. and turned upside down hang him from a column, and from his neck hang a stone.

[3] But they were waiting and listening whether from the sentence

he would depart, Maura ordered to adorn herself to persuade her husband to defection, for grievous was the torment by which he was afflicted. But blessed Timothy, looking up to heaven, said: There is a God in the heavens, who will free me from this anguish. Then the soldiers reported to the Prefect what he was saying, suggesting to him that by humanity rather than by such torments he seemed to be turned: For he is a bridegroom, they said, nor are there more than twenty days since he celebrated the wedding, and he has a wife still very young. Therefore the Prefect ordered her to be brought and to be set before him. But she being brought, Arianus the Prefect said, What is your name? She replied, Maura. The Prefect adds, I pity your calamity, that so young you are made a widow. Therefore I command you, that having taken on various ornaments, and combed your hair, and clothed in fitting garments, you should go to your husband Timothy; if perhaps you can persuade him that converted he should sacrifice, lest you indeed become a widow while still very young.

[4] She did as the Prefect had ordered, and going off she adorned herself, and came to her husband, persuading him much: but he could not reply, hindered by the bridle. Therefore Maura turning to the Prefect, and on account of the fragrance of her garments rejected, asked that the bridle be removed: which the Prefect immediately commanded to be done. Then again when Maura had approached and drawn near to Timothy, smelling her the fragrance of her ornaments, he exclaimed, Where is, he said, my father Poecilius the Presbyter? He coming up said: What do you wish, blessed son? S. Timothy replied to him: I beg you father, work a good work in me, and bringing a small mantle wrap my face, that I may escape the pestilence of this sweet smell; for this fragrance is deadly, and drags men into ruin, this prepares hell, this is the mother of evil desire, the companion of the devil, the enemy of the saints, the abomination of the just.

[5] she lovingly complains And when with these words said he was silent, Maura said to him: My brother Timothy, why do you afflict me with such reproach, before you have been offended by me? For scarcely twenty days have passed since we were joined, and you have not yet taken experience of my morals: nor have I myself in turn yet known all the places of your house, so far am I from having shared word or table with another: but now I am wasted with mourning seeing you placed in torments, and I pity you suffering such things without fault: and I myself am afflicted by your torments, and to redeem him offers all her ornaments. because while still very young you leave me a widow. Or perhaps a prodigal too much, and so indebted, and seized to pay debt to a creditor, have you come here, that you should kill yourself and lose your life? Come, rise brother: let us go home, and selling our garments let us pay the debt to the creditor. But if for the public tributes you have been seized by the lictors, and not having whence to satisfy you have given yourself to such hardships; behold before you is all my marriage finery, both gold and garment; take this from me, and sell it, and pay the tribute to the Emperor.

[6] After these things when she had been silent, S. Timothy said: My sister Maura, I saw you coming from the house, and at your right side accompanying you a demon who held in hand a turning key, by which he was turning your heart, having turned the world. Timothy shows her deceived by the devil Maura said to him, My brother Timothy; if I shall seek you, where then shall I find you? Truly I pity you greatly. But when Sabbath or the Lord's day comes, who at last will read your books? Timothy replied: Bidding farewell to the transitory and vain things of this world, come with me Maura, to sustain this beautiful contest, that we may receive from our Saviour God the deserved crown. For if of our own accord we go to him, and penitent he will not impute to us our sins. Maura replied to him: Indeed I desired to be with you, but I was thinking that my heart was full of iniquity and deceit: but after you spoke to me, the Spirit of God entered in; and through you, most blessed brother, I have obtained justice. Know therefore that I too prefer those things which you love.

[7] he commands her to present herself to the Prefect, Timothy said to her: If truly as you feel, so you speak; go and rebuke the Prefect for the things he is doing. She replied to him, I fear, my brother Timothy, lest seeing the Prefect moved with anger and the magnitude of the torments, I shall not be able to endure the torture; for very tender is my age and only seventeen years. Timothy said to her: Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the torments and tortures of the Prefect will be like oil poured over your body, and like the spirit of dew in your bones, refreshing and reviving you from all pain. But you O God of all grace, praying to God you helped the three boys in the furnace of fire, you saved Daniel from the mouth of lions, and to the Prophet through a Prophet you granted nourishment, to remunerate their justice; you confirmed Habakkuk to bring lunch, and not only in captivity did you bring help, but also in the lions' den and the furnace of fire those trusting in you you saved, that to themselves he may grant constancy. in testimony of your benignity, by which receiving a captive you made a Martyr and a Prophet. Now however Lord, Lord, look upon your handmaid Maura: and you who joined us in marriage, do not in this contest disjoin us from the most holy choir of your Martyrs: but grant us I beseech, that with tolerance we may sustain the passion for you, and death itself; that the adversary may be confounded, because he could not lead us away from that concord, which we have in Christ our Lord, with whom to you Father and the Holy Spirit be glory in ages. Amen.

CHAPTER II.

The admirable constancy of S. Maura in torments.

[8] Timothy's prayers being completed, Maura rose; and incited by the holy Spirit, Set before the Prefect she confesses Christ she went to the Prefect, and stood before him and said, O Leader of iniquity, you ordered silver and gold to be given to me, enticing my soul to perdition: nor is anything more to your heart than to kill souls by giving gold: but by your fraud you will not prevail against me: because clothed in the armor of my Saviour Jesus Christ I present myself to you. Then Arianus the Prefect said to his men: Did I not foretell you about Timothy, that he is a magus: for behold he has bewitched even his wife to rage with him. But to her he said: Have you also, and with new nuptials offered Maura, chosen death over life? Consider, that you will be deprived of this most sweet life, sustaining torments and punishments. Or foreseeing the death of your husband, and that made a widow you will have no further rest in this life, have you proposed to die with him? Do not torture your heart: for you will not be a widow, because from me you shall receive in marriage one of my centurions, who have already merited twelve stipends, with whom you may enjoy the delights of this life, and glory in a husband much more noble than before.

[9] To whom Maura, Since to all the things of the age I have sent farewell, generously despising, I bind myself in marriage to none of the centurions: but I tell you for certain that I am joined to a heavenly bridegroom Jesus Christ the Son of God, in whom trusting with constant mind I have presented myself to you, fearing nothing unjust of your tribunal. Angered the Prefect ordered the hairs of her head to be plucked out: which being done, he said to her, Behold the hair of your head is now plucked out, why I urge that you make profit on the rest of the many and grave torments awaiting you. Maura replied: Now I know, O Prefect, she rejoices at her hair being plucked out, that Christ has taken me to himself, not imputing to me that sin which through ignorance I committed persuaded by you: for you have cut my hairs, which to adorn for the deception of my blessed husband you fraudulently effected: but God transferred that great crime from me, that none other of those standing by may be scandalized in this spectacle.

[10] Exasperated by such a response the Prefect ordered her fingers to be cut off and cast away. To whom Maura said: and her cut-off fingers, Even in this I confess myself owing thanks to you: for you ordered to be amputated the fingers, by which I myself imposed on me the ornaments of deception. Know therefore that you do not know what you are doing concerning me: for this was my second sin, and through this torment, you have made it remitted to me: wherefore I joyfully present myself to you for whatever inventions and machines of tortures. Seeing such tolerance in bearing torments, he was vehemently astonished. But the Presbyter Poecilius, beholding her constancy (for he was not far off), said to her, O Maura, strong and worthy, how do you have it now, daughter, seeing the cut-off and cast-away fingers? To whom Maura said, As, she said, you have often seen a man in an irrigated garden plucking up vegetables from the root, so I too saw my fingers cut off, nor did I feel.

[11] Then Arianus commanded twelve soldiers to fire up a great cauldron, and to cast S. Maura into it; cast into a cauldron of boiling water, and the cauldron was boiling, and seething made a noise like thunder. And when she had been cast into it, she was seen to stand in the middle of it, suffering nothing grievous: and so she began to speak to the Prefect: Again for this I give you thanks: for you ordered me to be washed and thoroughly cleansed from the sins by which I had defiled myself before, and which a little while ago in the world I committed: and so now with clean heart approaching God, she insults the Prefect, I shall receive the crown of life: for what I suffer from you, profits me to salvation in Christ. But you have hastened too much to send me into the cauldron not yet boiling, for the water in it is very cold; nor do I feel the heat, nor your prior torments.

[12] When the Prefect heard such things, he was vehemently angered; and began to suspect, thinking cold water poured in, that the soldiers, colluding with Maura, had substituted one for another; and pouring out the boiling water, had poured cold water into the cauldron; that when she was let down they receiving her, would shamefully use her for their own lust. Therefore thinking these things he leapt from his throne, running and wishing to know, whether truly the water in the cauldron was cold: and said to the Saint: If because of your great insensibility you despise the water, come take a little of it, and pour on my hand, that I too may understand the water of the cauldron is truly cold. To whom Maura, So cold it is, that I do not know how to feel any heat of it: wherefore if you lack a supply of wood to fire the cauldron, send to my father, who will give you a wagon of wood, for he is a smith, he takes a test of it to his own harm. that you may make this cauldron boil more. But this she said mocking the Prefect, and his contrivances.

The Prefect said to her: Are you so cold that you do not feel the heat of the water? I have already told you to pour from the cauldron on my hand. The Saint poured into his hands, which immediately on account of the vehement heat of the cauldron were burned: and the Prefect astonished at her great tolerance, exclaimed in admiration and praised her; and said, Blessed be the Lord God of Maura: and there is no other besides him in whom she glories. And saying this, he ordered her to be released.

[13] But yet, while she is being released, the devil again entering into his heart, again solicited to sacrifice to fight against those who judged nothing better than to have a good conscience toward God; he called her and said, Cease at length, Maura, hoping in Christ, and immediately sacrifice to the Gods. Maura replied, I do not sacrifice: for I have a Lord protecting me. To whom the Prefect: Filling your mouth with coals I shall burn it, unless you consent to sacrifice. Maura replied, Foolishly stirred you do not know what you are doing: coals to be put in her mouth, for you order my mouth to be filled with coals, that I may altogether be taken from the offenses and sins into which through tongue and lips I fell. So also my Christ, when he showed his glory to the Prophet Isaiah, and made him hear the harmony of the heavenly virtues; saying him still defiled with sins, sent to him one of the Seraphim ministering to himself, having in hand a fiery coal, which with tongs he had taken from the holy altar, and applied that coal to the lips of the Prophet, she shows them desirable to her. and said to him: Behold this has touched your lips, and all your iniquity is taken away, and you are cleansed from your sin. Therefore if through one coal a Prophet deserved to receive remission of his sins and offenses; I beseech you, that not only you order my mouth to be filled with coals; but also my face and my whole body to be covered as a sweet odor to Christ: that he who once descended on the Prophet, the same God may descend on me, and free me from all my sins.

[14] At these words the consternated Prefect, at the same time burning with anger, and burnt with a burning lamp ordered a lamp full of sulphur and pitch to be brought, to scorch her. But the crowd which stood around for the spectacle, exclaiming with a great voice said: How long, O Prefect, will you persist, devising new tortures, and indeed against a girl. Cease at length to rage, for we much wonder at her tolerance. But Maura turning to them said to the crowd: Let each of you attend to your own affairs, let men exercise virile works, but women act womanly things moderately and chastely: I have no need of your patronage, for God, in whom I hope, is my protector. The Prefect ordered the lamp to be applied to her speaking such things, that her body might be burned by the flame. But Maura seeing the flaming lamp, said to the Prefect: As if you had no experience of me by the prior torments, do you think to terrify me with one wretched lamp? Is not the boiling cauldron more, in which I was wholly immersed, and in whose bottom I felt as it were the cooling of water, as you yourself are witness to me, when your hands were burned, than a single lamp, she asks for a whole furnace. applied to a single place of my body? If therefore you can do anything, fire up a furnace most vehemently, and cast me into it, that you may take a test of my constancy: because I am the handmaid of Christ, nor will my God, who called me to sustain this contest through my blessed husband, abandon me. But the lamp which you think you have applied to me, is to me as morning dew, which descending from heaven to the earth makes a tree to germinate and bear fruit.

CHAPTER III.

The pious death of both spouses crucified together.

[15] Therefore overcome the Prefect by her responses, proven by the very deeds; and not knowing any graver torments, which he might inflict on her; was anxious in mind, Condemned to the cross and ordered her with her husband to be crucified, one opposite the other. But as they were going to be crucified, her mother running up seized her, and exclaiming said: Daughter Maura, do you so desert your mother seeking you? Who henceforth will use your finery, your silver and gold and all the rest? Who will wear them out, in vain Maura's mother runs up: after my daughter has ceased to be among the living? Maura replied to her: Gold, O mother, perishes, and moths eat garments, but the comeliness of form withers with age and time: but the crown of Jesus Christ is unwithering for all eternity. And when she could not contradict her in anything or further oppose, breaking from her mother's hand, she stood straight on the cross and said to her mother: Why do you distract me, lest I should at once enjoy the Lord in the likeness of his death?

[16] Then they crucified them turned toward each other: and they were on the cross for nine days and as many nights, mutually exhorting one another with mutual encouragement. she admonishing Timothy to keep watch, But S. Maura said to B. Timothy: Let us not give ourselves to sleep, lest perhaps the Lord come upon our habitation, and finding us asleep be angered with us. For a burning lamp in the house of a vigilant householder turns away the thief about to enter; but when extinguished, he easily breaks in who desires to plunder. Let us therefore be vigilant and intent on prayers, that our Lord again and again may find us in constant expectation of him, nor may the enemy presume secretly approaching to lay snares for us on the cross.

[17] And again she said to him, Wake up, my brother, and drive somnolence from you, and be vigilant: for I saw as in ecstasy a man standing before me, and having in his hand a cup full of milk and honey, and she narrates to him how twice tempted by a demon, and he was saying to me, Take this, drink. But I said to him, Who are you? And he replied to me, I am an Angel of God. Then I to him, Rise then and let us pray: but he, Pitying you I have come here; because when you have fasted up to the ninth hour, you say that you are hungry. But I replied: Who moves you to say these things? Or whence are you incited against my tolerance and temperance? Do you not know that what is impossible, God grants to those praying? And when I prayed, I saw his face turned away from me: and immediately I recognized this to be the contrivance of the enemy, wishing to oppress us even placed on the cross: and immediately he departed from us. But behold there came another, and led me out to a stream flowing with milk and honey, saying to me, Drink. But I: I have already said that I will not drink water, or taste any drink at all, until I drink the cup of Christ, which is tempered for me through death unto salvation and the immortality of eternal life. But he drank, and as he drank, the river was changed: and so this one too departed from us.

[18] at length with an Angel showing her But again a third stood there in becoming habit, whose face shone like the sun; and seizing me by the hand he led me into heaven, and showed me a throne spread, on which lay a white stole and a crown. But I astonished said: Whose are these, Lord? And he replied to me, these are the prizes of your victory, for you is prepared this throne and crown. Then he led me a little higher, and showed me another throne, similarly having a white stole with a crown: she had seen thrones prepared for both: and to me asking, whose they were, These are, he said, your husband Timothy's. Then I prayed him to say, why the thrones were apart from each other: and he said to me, Much is the difference between you and your husband. Do you not know that on his account and through his exhortation you receive the crown? Go therefore, and return to your body until the sixth hour: for tomorrow the Angels of God will come to receive your souls, and to bear them to heaven: yet be vigilant, lest the enemy attack you again.

[19] When therefore they were spending the tenth day on the cross, at the sixth hour the Angel came for their souls: and both expire together on the tenth day. and S. Maura cried out to the people saying, Brothers, remember, because we have done the things that were of this world, and have also performed the things that were of God, and now we shall receive an immortal crown from the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore when you have done what is of the world, do likewise what is of God, and you shall receive the crown of the same our Lord: for whoever receive his crown, their sins shall be remitted. And as she was saying these things, both rendered up the spirit in peace. Their martyrdom was accomplished through a good and perfect contest, in Christ our Lord, to whom be glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, in ages of ages. Amen.

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS

ALEXANDER AND ANTONINA

TRANSLATED TO CONSTANTINOPLE.

A.D. CCCXIII

Alexander the Soldier, Martyr, translated to Constantinople (St.)

Antonina the Virgin, Martyr, translated to Constantinople (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

These two Saints also have most celebrated cult at Constantinople: and that, as we have from the MS. Synaxarium of the Clermont College at Paris, ἐν τῆ μονῇ τοῦ Μαξιμίνου, διακειμενῃ ἐν Κωνσταντινουπόλει, On account of the Relics they are venerated at C.P. on June 9 ἔνθα τὰ τίμια ἀυτῶν κατάκεινται λείψανα, ἐξ ὧν καὶ πολλῶν θαυμάτων ἰάσεις ἀναπηγάζουσι, in the monastery of Maximinus, situated at Constantinople, where their venerable Relics are deposited: from which also the miracles of many healings flow. So the aforesaid MS. on the IX day of June. The same day the rest which we have seen preserve: especially the MS. of Emperor Basil, which the Russians follow in their figured Calendar. Similarly it has been done in the metrical Ephemeris, although I cannot prove it, the verses of this and the following day being lacking in the printed Menaea, whence we receive them; yet that very omission of the said verses brings the suspicion, in some on the 10th or 8th. that the Menaea, while they wholly occupy this day with the Office of S. Cyril of Alexandria, the Office of these Saints having been thrown to the following day, have something not commonly common at Constantinople, and proper perhaps to that one church alone, from whose codex this month was printed. Which one may also suspect of another exemplar, whence Sirletus in his Menology at Canisius took the day VIII June: if however he had another, and did not (as elsewhere often) err in transcribing.

[2] Only this Menology of Sirletus did Baronius see and follow, when in the Notes on the Roman Martyrology he wrote, that the Greeks treat of these on VI Ides of June. The day itself however he did not think to be retained: Inscribed in the Roman Martyrology on May 3 but he attributed the memory of both Saints to the day V Nones of May, when the Acts, rendered in Latin in Lipomanus, and inserted into volume 3 of Surius, had them suffer Martyrdom: wherefore there he wrote thus. At Constantinople of the Holy Martyrs Alexander

the soldier and Antonina the Virgin, as having then suffered under Maximian who in the persecution of Maximian under the Prefect Festus condemned to a brothel, and by Alexander, who had remained there for her, in changed habit secretly led out, with him afterwards was ordered to be tortured: and both together with hands cut off, were cast into the fire for Christ, the noble contest performed are crowned. I would not believe Baronius from mere conjecture took the persecution of Maximian, named nowhere else where these Saints are treated, from his own imagination. He may have found perhaps in other Acts of Greek Martyrs the famous name of the Prefect Festus in that persecution: just as the name of Arianus the Prefect in the Thebaid expressed in the prefaced Acts of SS. Timothy and Maura, gave us the cause of referring the same to the times of Diocletian and Maximian, in which Arianus the Prefect raged in the Thebaid was certain to us from elsewhere.

[3] We would willingly therefore yield to the authority of Baronius, in a matter otherwise uncertain, that we should place these Martyrs and the magistracy of Festus at the beginning of the IV century; were not against probability, offered to itself from every side, found an inexorable reason from the Acts, when it is said, that the holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina completed their Martyrdom on V (or VI) Nones of May on Saturday; and that on the seventh day after Festus died and the persecution ceased. By no means can these things fall on the end of that persecution, which through the whole time of his Empire Maximian Herculius, Colleague of Diocletian, exercised in the East, and his successor Galerius Maximian most cruelly continued there. For he himself put an end to it before he died in the year CCCXI, when the beginning of May fell on the second Feria. There is however reason why we are unwilling to depart far from the opinion of Baronius, which rather should be said to have been done under Maximian and we can excuse him, that under the name of Maximian he comprehended also that storm, which a little after his death stirred up Maximinus, with difficulty induced by his Imperial Colleagues Licinius and Constantine, that he should make it cease in the East (where he almost alone was master of affairs) by a contrary decree promulgated, which Eusebius recites, in the year CCCXIII, when the day of Saturday fell on VI Nones of May, in the year 313 May 2 which is the most express reading of our MS. πρὸ ἓξ Νόννων, where in another codex Sirletus seems to have read πρὸ ε᾽, by the numerical letter responding to the Latin V. The same congruence perhaps will be found in the end of certain other persecutions, especially in that, which moved under the Emperor Severus, after the death of its author Plautianus languished in the year CCVI, and in the following year, when VI Nones of May was Saturday, altogether ceased. But until it is more certainly known that the age of Festus the prefect should be referred so much higher, I do not wish to depart from the times of those tyrants, whose most impure morals brought into more frequent use that Christian virgins (as is here done to Antonina) were dragged to brothels.

[4] Not so circumspectly and moderately, in correcting Baronius and defining the time of this martyrdom, do Francisco Bivarius and Juan Tamayo proceed: because after they found in the figments of Pseudo-Dexter, Others fictitiously place them suffering in Spain in the year 100 in the year one hundredth of Christ, this notable pair of Martyrs ascribed to the Olcades in Carpetania of Tarraconensian Spain; they did not doubt at all that the Prefect also and the time of their Passion were held in their hands: since the inscription of the bridge of Alcantara testified, that it was placed under Vespasian Imperator and … CALPETANUS, RANTIUS QUIRINALIS, VALERIUS FESTUS, LEG. AUG. PR PR. Where the last four letters Bivarius thinks should be read "Propraetor," and Tamayo asserts unhesitatingly that Festus was called Prefect of Spain. I should prefer to explain the doubled letters in plural, the title common to several last named, and that of a far inferior order, and to be called Primipili of the Augustan Legion. Certainly I see nothing here, that elevates Festus, the last of several Colleagues, to an office, by which he should be held singular before all.

[5] But why should it please us to dwell on these things, while it is now abundantly clear to learned men, and thence translated to Constantinople even in Spain, that the whole Chronicle of Dexter is spurious and a novel figment: whose author, that he might cling to the Roman Martyrology, as far as seemed allowable through the new right ascribed by him to Spain over the said Martyrs; says that they are venerated and worshipped at Constantinople as citizens, although elsewhere, namely in that imaginary Carpetania, they suffered. Here meanwhile in passing the reader should note the phrase and title of cult, first beginning to be used in the previous age, and in this age most used by the Spaniards; after by these and other figments it has come to pass, that the new Spanish Fasti, with very many Saints snatched up from everywhere, as if born in Spain or sprung from Spanish lineage, are filled. That they were born at Constantinople no author of good faith hitherto has taught us: their fatherland, on the contrary, the Acts which we give say Antonina was born from the village of the Brodamni or Crodamni; about Alexander's fatherland they keep deep silence: and unless the Menaea and Synaxaria named Constantinople, we should not even know now the place known formerly for the cult of the Relics. Whether Baronius judged them to be afflicted with martyrdom at Constantinople, or as they then said at Byzantium, I do not know: certainly Byzantium was not, in the year CCCXIII, uncultivated and ruined, the seat of Prefects or Proconsuls of Thrace; which yet it ought to have been, that that conjecture should rest on some foundation.

[6] The parchment codex of the Clermont Synaxarium of which I spoke, where the transcript reads κώμης Βρωδάμνων or rather Κρωδάμνων, But Antonina brought from the village of the Crodamni as in the MS. of Crypta Ferrata Sirletus found at Lipomanus (for as to the letter K all the other examples agree) has Κρωδάμων. Further from this depart the printed Menaea, and following them in the Menology Sirletus, where it is written κώμης Καρδάμου, in the Menology more corruptly expressed Cardemi. The reading of the Menaea, the matters not yet so accurately discussed, I followed on April XXVIII, treating of the similar contest of SS. Didymus and Theodora, performed at Alexandria under the tyranny of Diocletian and Maximian, which by error is placed in Thrace, I wrote that Alexander and Antonina who suffered on this III day of May, were sprung from the town of Cardamus: which when in the Geographic Thesaurus Ortelius wrote was a place around Thrace, I scarcely doubted that within Europe not so far from Constantinople the place of this contest should be sought. But while I consult book 23 of the Miscellaneous History, cited by Ortelius; I find there indeed much mention of Cardamus, but none of a castle, but a Lord of Bulgaria, so called.

[7] Let us therefore confess, that as far as the region in which Alexander and Antonina lived, nothing at all is established for us: and content with this alone which the Constantinopolitans suggest, when it seems rather to be sought in Asia around Ephesus. let us hope to receive more light from elsewhere about both, and likewise about the very monastery of Maximinus, in which the bodies are said to have rested, brought rather from any region of the East than from Spain. If anything must be said by conjecture; I should rather believe, that the village of the Crodamni is to be sought in Lesser Asia; and the Martyrdom performed in that city, in which the Prefect of the Province was accustomed to reside, namely at Ephesus; since in this city it is established that there was the principal cult of Diana, whose Priesthood is said to have been offered to Antonina by Festus. Because however the cult of Diana, with the example taken from the Ephesians, also through other provinces of Asia Minor flourished widely; I am content, if the matter is believed to have been done in the East. or at least in the East. For to Asia and the Eastern Provinces, not however to Europe, pertains that kind of punishment, which is repeatedly called in the Acts σπαθίζεσθαι, and is rendered "to be beaten with rods," not with any kind, but with palm-rods, which alone are called by the Asians σπάθας in this matter is known; nor less, what dire and lasting torture such inflict by the asperity of their points, as one may see in S. Athanasius, who calls them ῥάβδους τῶν φοινίκων, and in his Apology deplores the cruelty by which those forty citizens were scourged, of whom we have treated from him on March XXVI, in the matter of S. Eutychius number 5.

[8] We judge that the Acts were written before the translation of the bodies, because they make no mention of it; Acts from the Greek Vatican MS. yet we do not judge them altogether most ancient; nor for the simplicity of style, do they seem also to contain the most simple narration; but the author seems to have indulged his own genius, when he repeatedly reports voices made from heaven, now to the Saints, now to the Prefect, which it is probable were not, except for the most part, internal: and as these so other circumstances the writer may have explained according to his own grasp, whom you would by no means call Metaphrastes, if you know his style from the Lives, which Allatius proves him to have written. We give those Acts to which prelude is made through this distich:

Εὕρατο Ἀλέξανδρος ἅμ᾽ Ἀντωνίνῃ,

Τὸν βόθρον, ἀκάτιον εἰς τρυφὴν φέρον.

A pit Alexander together with Antonina,

Found, as a ship bearing to delights.

The author of the whole Canon distributed by Odes, the same who composed the Canon on SS. Timothy and Maura indicated above, S. Joseph the Hymnographer: Canon composed by S. Joseph. from whose age you may conjecture; the origin of celebrating the feast of these Martyrs more solemnly, indeed perhaps the very translation of them, was not much earlier than the ninth century of the Christian era, in which he flourished. The aforesaid Canon on SS. Alexander and Antonina is set forth under this Acrostic:

Ὕμνοις ἐπαινῶ τὴν καλὴν ξυνωρίδα. ΙΩΣΗΦ.

The beautiful pair of Martyrs in hymns I praise. Joseph.

ACTS

From the Greek Vatican Codex 655.

Alexander the Soldier, Martyr, translated to Constantinople (St.)

Antonina the Virgin, Martyr, translated to Constantinople (St.)

FROM THE GREEK MS. OF THE VATICAN.

When at that time there was persecution, and many of the Brothers were killed for Christian piety; Antonina the virgin, after no few days a Christian virgin, by the name of Antonina, from the village of * Brodamni, was led to Festus, a most savage Prefect: whom living honestly, God showed worthy of contests to be entered for the subversion of the enemy. For when she had been handed over, as I said; the Prefect began to flatter insidiously and to say: Lady Antonina, refusing the Priesthood of Diana offered by the Prefect Festus, since you are so chaste a virgin, I wish not only to make you Priestess of Diana, but also to confer gifts and honors on you, and that you should rule over my whole household.

[2] She was silent for some time, and at last scarcely breaking into words, said, Why do you promise vain gifts? Rather you, she asserts the divinity of Christ, Festus, become a sharer of my wealth: and believing in the Lord Christ, you shall obtain eternal riches. Far be it, replies Festus, that I should believe in such a God, and indeed crucified. I would not deny crucified and buried, she said: yet also on the third day he rose, and now sits at the right hand of his Father, as is written in Psalm CIX, The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. To these things Festus: These are vain artifices of words: rather therefore obeying me sacrifice, that you may live in quiet. Antonina replied and said: I

do not sacrifice to such inanimate gods; for they are demons, as in the law of my God it is written, All the gods of the gentiles are demons, and struck with blows she is deferred for three days. but the Lord made the heavens. To whom Festus: Do you call our Gods demons? Most certainly, said she, since, those in whom no virtue, no subsistence is, are not gods, but demons. Then Festus, Fill her cheeks with blows, that thus at least she may a little blush: But by the Gods I swear, Antonina, that unless you obey the commands of the Emperor, most badly tortured I shall send you into the brothel, and then I shall consume you with flames: now I grant you a three-day delay, that you may consider, whether repenting of your beginning you wish to sacrifice: for what you now dare, many others have tried to do; but afterwards repenting they sacrificed. Antonina replied, Impious tyrant, do what you will.

[3] Therefore handed to four soldiers, she went joyfully to the prison: whose Prefect being secretly called to him the Prefect said, Do nothing evil to her at all, but persuade that with mind changed she may sacrifice; which spent in prayers, for the race of Christians is stubborn. Therefore leading her into the prison the Prefect, began to persuade her and to say; Lady Antonina, why have you obstinate your mind in your purpose? Be rather converted, and sacrifice, and so be safe. But she replied to him nothing, so that the Prefect was anxious in mind, thinking what this was. Thereupon B. Antonina, with knees placed on the earth, persevered praying day and night: but when the time of three days was filled, suddenly about the sixth hour there was thunder, from heaven strengthened by which the bolts of the prison were broken and the doors unlocked; a great light also shone in the custody, and a voice from heaven came saying, Rise, Antonina, and taking bread and water for refreshment be strengthened, and do not fear the impious Prefect Festus: for I am with you. Therefore rising and completing her prayer, with Amen added, she asked for water and bread, and ate and drank, and gave herself to sleep.

[4] But morning being come, the Prefect sat in his tribunal, and said, she is led back to the tribunal, Lead this sacrilegious woman here, that we may see in what mind she now is. The soldiers therefore went and brought her: but brought, the sitting Prefect ordered her to stand before him. Then B. Antonina looking up to heaven; I give thanks, she said, to you, Lord my God, because you do your will in me; do not therefore desert me unto death. And a voice from heaven was made saying: Go in your way, for I am with you. But the Saint approaching the place where the Prefect was sitting, smiled: which seeing he; Why, said he, do you laugh, Antonina. But she; Do you wish, said she, that I tell, impious one, why I laughed? I saw your throne overturned, and laughing at the Prefect she is trampled, and therefore I laughed at you. Moved by the insult the Prefect, ordered her to be trampled by feet: who lifting the eyes of mind to heaven, I give thanks, said she, to you Lord my God, because me a wretched and sinner you deign to receive into your inheritance with your Saints; but this bloody man you will quickly hand into the hands of the underworld, that he may know that vain are the Gods in which he hoped.

[5] Hearing these things that cruel man was more disturbed, and said to the soldiers, thence dragged to a brothel This impious and impure woman not only offends the gods, but afflicts us also with injury: wherefore lead her into a brothel, that whoever wishes may be filled with her lust. She was therefore led into a certain small dwelling. Meanwhile an Angel of the Lord appeared to one of the soldiers, young in age, since he was completing his twenty-second year, by name Alexander, and said to him: Alexander, speak to the Prefect and enter to Antonina, and clothe her with your chlamys, that going out she may escape the impious Prefect. He himself, who was a perfect soldier of Christ, said to the Prefect, Order that I enter to Antonina, if perhaps I can persuade her: if not, do as you will. Alexander with garment exchanged sends her out: The Prefect granted his petition: but Alexander entering into the cell, where B. Antonina was, fell at her feet, saying, Handmaid of God Antonina, the Lord has sent me to you, that I may say to you whatever he has spoken to me. She was astonished, and was vehemently terrified: but a voice suddenly came to her and said, Do not fear, Antonina, for he who has brought you to this contest, has by his benignity also acceded this Alexander to the communion of the same prize. Take therefore his cloak, and cover your head, and going out address the Prefect, nodding to the same: for he will not recognize you: because I shall conceal you from him. Therefore Antonina taking Alexander's cloak, was clothed with it, and wrapped her head with the same: and going forth she signaled with her hand, and said to the Prefect, Do what you will: and immediately, like a doe snatched from snares, she pursued her way rejoicing.

[6] Then the Prefect, judging that it was Alexander who said these things to him, sent to her four soldiers, ordering that they use her at their lust, then lead her out, to be afflicted with even greater contumely. who being arrested, But the soldiers entering to inflict rape on her, found none but Alexander alone; and astounded they said: Where is she? and how are you here? And seizing his hand, they led him out to the Prefect, and said: This one alone we found inside. But the Prefect looking at him, is interrogated and beaten with rods. and much disturbed, Tell me, said he, unhappy and miserable man, how have you done this to us? Where is that impious harlot? Wholly enjoying her embrace, you sent her away with your chlamys given, promising that you would have her as wife: but it shall not so be, for you shall not escape my hands. And when the Prefect had much deliberated within himself, he ordered Alexander to be suspended, and beaten with palm rods.

[7] But while he was being beaten the Prefect said to him: Where is that sorceress? But Alexander replied nothing, and again after 7 days brought forth, but only looked into heaven: and a voice came from heaven to the Prefect saying, Impious Festus, why do you torture this innocent man? Hearing therefore this voice he ceased to torture him, and laid down from the rack ordered to be held under custody, A delay, said he, we give him, that with space of deliberation taken he may be turned from impiety. But seven days passed, the Prefect sent for Alexander, and said: What have you decided? To whom Alexander, What was for me to decide? O impure drinker of blood. with Antonina freely presenting herself, But the Prefect: Where is she to whom you entered? Alexander replied to him, I do not know. But while they were still speaking, the Lord said to Antonina: Be strong, Antonina, and go to that place where the impious Prefect sits. She therefore went and standing before the Prefect said: Impure and unclean Festus, whom do you seek? me? Behold I am here, that I may dissolve your power.

[8] But he, on seeing her, was anxious in mind, and began to be much disturbed; and sending soldiers ordered her to stand closer, and beaten also with rods, and similarly suspended to be beaten with palm rods, wishing to know whether she was still virgin, or corrupted. But when she was beaten, she emitted no voice at all. Then taken down from the rack interrogating her the Prefect said: Tell me sincerely, whether you are a virgin. B. Antonina replied, O sacrilegious and cruel one, we have not yielded to your savagery and petulance, for the Lord by his clemency has preserved me uncontaminated. Then he, looking at her and admiring: If therefore you are virgin, sacrifice to the gods, and together with Alexander be safe. But Alexander and Antonina, lifting their voice as if from one mouth said: Not so far, unhappy Festus, do your torments avail against us, that you can persuade us to offer sacrifice to those vain gods, of whom there is no virtue. But the Prefect, with the tips of their hands cut off To both, said he, cut off the tips of the hands. They however, as generous soldiers of Christ, stretching out their hands said, We have foretold you, impure and impious, that no contrivance of yours could break our religious purpose: do therefore whatever you wish.

[9] Then the soldiers with sword drawn amputated the tips of their hands: which they not feeling as it was being done, began to glorify God, and said to the Prefect; Carnivorous and most wicked, we do not even feel the trouble which you wish to inflict on us: but you God shall shortly transfer to the underworld to torments never to be lightened. By which words and contumelies said to him moved to anger the Prefect, again she is beaten, ordered a deep pit to be dug: meanwhile he was saying: Suspended beat them with rods until they feel torture, then cast them into the pit full of fire. But while the Saints were beaten, and felt nothing but praised God, the impious Prefect ordered lamps to be brought, she is burned with lamps, and to be applied to their sides. But Alexander and Antonina exclaimed with a great voice, We indeed, unhappy one, suffer these things for piety toward Christ, believing that after death we shall receive a reward: but you God shall quickly destroy, because you torture his servants.

[10] No further did Festus contain his fury: but, Light, said he, in the pit a great pyre, and finally burned in the pit she is buried. that they may immediately be cast into it. The soldiers therefore did as had been ordered them by the Prefect, and reported to him that the pyre was prepared which he had commanded to be lit: to whom that merciless one commanded, saying: Immediately anoint them with liquid pitch, and cast them into the flame. Which when also it had been done and both cast into the fire, the Prefect ordered besides dry pitch to be cast in; So, said he, they shall be utterly consumed and even the very bones reduced to ashes; lest little women coming should gather anything of their bones, as is the custom with Christians. The Prefect seized by a demon is extinguished. Finally he ordered the pit, in which they had been burned, to be filled with earth; and went into his house, drinking nothing thereafter or eating and remaining mute. For an evil spirit, sent through avenging angels, until the seventh day was tormenting him: but seven days passed, amid great and grievous tortures he gave up the spirit, and they buried him; and so the persecution ceased.

[11] The Saints Alexander and Antonina underwent Martyrdom on VI Nones of May, at the ninth hour, on the day of Saturday, in the reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor in ages of ages, Amen.

* al. Krodamnorum

ON SS. DIODORUS AND RHODOPIANUS THE DEACON

MARTYRS AT APHRODISIAS IN CARIA.

Diodorus, Martyr at Aphrodisias in Caria (St.)

Rhodopianus the Deacon, Martyr at Aphrodisias in Caria (St.)

G. H.

Cult on May 3 The Greeks in the Menaea and at Maximus Bishop of Cythera celebrate these Martyrs on the III day of May with these words: Contest of the holy Martyrs Diodorus and Rhodopianus the Deacon. These were in the times of Diocletian: but for the faith from their own fellow citizens many contumelies, punishments and stripes they bore

at Aphrodisias in Caria: at last with frequent stoning by the same overwhelmed, they returned their spirit to the Lord, and on April 29 which same words on April XXIX are read in the MS. Synaxarium of our Clermont College, which we received on loan at Paris; and in another which we saw at Milan in the Ambrosian Library. In the Menology of Sirletus they are said to have been stoned by executioners. The rest is the same. With this Menology cited, they are inscribed in today's Roman Martyrology with this phrase: At Aphrodisias in Caria of the holy Martyrs Diodorus and Rodopianus, who in the persecution of Diocletian were stoned by their fellow citizens. The same Galesinius reports and ascribes to Greece in his manner, by which he does not distinguish from it neighboring Asia, in which is the province of Caria between Ionia and Lycia, and in it Aphrodysia or Aphrodisias the metropolis.

ON ST. ARBONUS THE MARTYR.

Arbonus Martyr (St.)

G. H.

Four transcripts of the Hieronymian Martyrology, after the Roman Martyrs Alexander, Eventius and Theodulus reported, refer this Martyr only with these words: Birthday of Arbonus. In the Echternach codex was prefixed the copulative particle, &. Whether also at Rome he suffered, but in some year different from the aforesaid Martyrs, can be doubted: perhaps from other monuments at some time a resolution will be found. We have hitherto not yet known a Saint of this name.

ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS

MARIANUS, FORTUNATUS, SATURNINUS, RUFINA, FORTUNIO, AND ALSO FORTUNATUS

Marianus, Martyr in Africa (St.)

Fortunatus, Martyr in Africa (St.)

Saturninus, Martyr in Africa (St.)

Rufina, Martyr in Africa (St.)

Fortunio, Martyr in Africa (St.)

Fortunatus II, Martyr in Africa (St.)

G. H.

The Echternach Martyrology of S. Jerome thus sets forth these Martyrs: In Africa of Marianus, Fortunatus, Saturninus, Rufina, Fortuno, and also Fortunatus. In the remaining three transcripts of the same Martyrology Fortunionis is read, and the name of another Fortunatus is absent, but wrongly transferred to the Roman Martyrs Alexander and his companions. In the MS. of Reichenau these are held: In Africa of Marcianus, Fortunatus, Rufinus: for which Rufinæ is read in others. In the MSS. of S. Udalric of Augsburg and the Parisian of Labbe are reported the names of Urbanus or Orbanus (which pertains to the African Martyrs of the following day), Marcanus or Marcianus, and Fortunatus. In the MS. of Tamlactum, Rufina, Saturninus, Marianus, and Fortunatus.

ON SAINT VIOLA

VIRGIN AND MARTYR AT VERONA.

Viola, Virgin and Martyr at Verona (St.)

G. H.

Philip Ferrari in the Catalogue of Saints, who are not in the Roman Martyrology, on this III day of May from the tablets of the Veronese Church writes these things: At Verona Commemoration of S. Viola Virgin and Martyr: and adds in the Notes that her Commemoration is held there on this day. But where she suffered and when, neither from the monuments of the aforesaid Church, nor from elsewhere had he been able to know. The same Ferrari in the Catalogue of Saints of Italy celebrates the same, asserting that at Verona she is venerated on V Nones of May, as the Ecclesiastical tablets composed for the use of the Veronese Church testify. The rest is unknown. Following Ferrari, Arthur du Monstier reported the same in the Sacred Gynaeceum. Nicholas Brautius Bishop of Sarsina in his Poetic Martyrology honors the same with this distich.

The cruel tyrant could lacerate the body with torments,

But could not violate the faith of Viola.