ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS
CÆLESTINUS, FELIX, URBANUS, ROMANUS, BELLICUS, MARTIALIS OR MARCIANUS, MITTUNUS THE PRESBYTER, FLORIANUS, PETER.
CommentaryCælestinus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Felix, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Urbanus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Romanus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Bellicus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Martialis, or Marcianus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Mittunus the Presbyter, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Florianus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Peter, Martyr in Africa (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
The four apographs of the Hieronymian Martyrology report these Martyrs, who in the codices of Lucca and Corbie thus are read. In Africa the Birthday of Cælestinus, Felix, Urbanus, Romanus, Bellicus, Martialis, Mittunus the Presbyter, Florianus, Peter. In the MS. Blume is omitted Urbanus. In the MS. Epternach are all, but Marcianus is written in place of Martialis, and Mittunus is not called Presbyter. To whom are subjoined in order changed Peter, Florianus. Which therefore to be noticed we judge, because in Riverside Noricum at Lauriacum is venerated this day S. Florianus the Martyr, and the said place although corruptly without the name of S. Florianus is subjoined in three apographs, namely Lucca, Corbie, Blume. With which forewarning made we leave among these Martyrs S. Florianus, until from elsewhere it be established he rather ought to be absent. Reported also is Florianus the Martyr in the MS. Monte Cassino, as below it will be said. In the MS. Reichenau near Constance of Swabia these are read: In Africa of Cælestinus and thirteen others, for which in the MS. Rheinau is held, and fifteen others. Nay also in the MS. Epternach these are repeated: In Africa of Cælestinus and forty others. Of the Forty Martyrs separately we treat, who both are doubled, and to diverse ones also are joined. Are here companions of S. Cælestinus only eight by their names expressed, to whom seem by some adjoined, who on this day separately are remembered. In the MSS. Augsburg of S. Udalric and Paris of Labbe is made mention of SS. Cælestinus, Felix, Florianus, Romanus and Fortunatus. But Fortunatus seems to be referred to the Martyrs of Africa on the preceding day proposed, among whom two were Fortunati called. In the MSS. Monte Cassino and Altempsian are remembered having suffered in Africa Cælestinus, Felix, Urbanus. Are also these three in the MSS. Trier of S. Maximinus, and Roman of Cardinal Barberini, but the first Cælestis or Callistus is written: thus in another MS. Romanus and Cælestina in place of Cælestinus is indicated. They mentioned Cælestinus the MS. Aachen, Greven and Galesinius; but to others they join. In the MS. Tamlacht are the names of Urbanus, Romanus, Florianus, then of Cælestina and Emetunus, in place of Cælestinus and Mittunus.