ON SAINT ANTONIA.
MARTYR AT NICOMEDIA IN BITHYNIA.
CommentaryAntonia, Martyr at Nicomedia in Bithynia (S.)
G. H.
The ancient apographs of the Hieronymian Martyrology, the Epternach and Blume, thus this day begin: Memory in the Martyrology of S. Jerome, IV Nones of May. At Nicomedia of Antonia. In the Apograph of Lucca is read: At Nicomedia the birthday of S. Sinesius, of Antonia. But S. Sinesius seems to be he whose body is at Lucca, and there this day is venerated, and accordingly in the first place ought to have been named, then added, At Nicomedia of Antonia. In the same way that in the MS. Corbie at Paris printed is added Justus, seems the Bishop and Martyr of Vienne to be, also this day reported, of whom below it will be treated. Let it remain therefore the constant reading of the Hieronymian Martyrology this: At Nicomedia of Antonia. Nor does it hinder that in the Epternach these with the following Martyrs are subjoined to the preceding day, because that by the error of the copyists done to have been from other apographs is manifest, and is confirmed from the following Martyrologies; of which the first be of Florus, in his auctarium to Bede, in the MSS. Arras, Tournai and Liessies, where these are read, IV Nones of May. At Nicomedia the birthday of S. Antonia, the eulogy in Florus and others. who exceedingly twisted and
with various torments afflicted, from one arm for three days hung up, and in prison for two years confined, by Priscillian the Governor with flames burned, died. Which same things in almost the same phrase are read in Ado, Usuard, Notker, Bellinus, the author of the Martyrology falsely ascribed to Bede, Maurolycus, Galesinius, and in the chief MS. codices and at length in the present Roman Martyrology, in which also at the last by Priscillian the Governor in the confession of the Lord with flames burned to have been she is said. The same are read in Peter de Natalibus book 4 chapter 123 citing the Martyrology of S. Jerome, in which her mention to be made we showed. Vincent of Beauvais also book 13 of the Speculum Historiale has the same.
[2] In the same ancient codex Epternach, these as proper to this day are read: IV Nones of May, in the city Nicia the birthday of Antonina. S. Antonina Martyr at Nicaea, Of the same Antonia mention is made in the MSS. Paris of Labbe, and Hibernian of the monastery of Tamlacht. In the MSS. Reichenau and Rheinau is held: In the city Nicaea of Antoninus. But an easy error of one final letter could have crept in, since another Antoninus Martyr this day is reported. But we S. Antonina the Martyr at Nicaea in Bithynia celebrated on the very Kalends of March. March 1: And what most pertains here, we subjoined the eulogy of another, perhaps Antonina the Martyr, from the MS. Greek Synaxarion, in which she is said in the times of Diocletian and Maximian and Priscillian the Governor with scourges on the breasts beaten, whether the one there reported pertains here. on wood hung, on the sides scorched, and over a fiery gridiron stretched, and with awls glowing and fiery little spits in the hands and ankles transfixed, and then for two years with all hardships to be consumed in prison left, and at length into the sea cast. To which in the Menaea is added, that unharmed to land restored, she was with stones overwhelmed, and at length beheaded. In the Menology of Sirletus she is said under Priscillian the Governor, with beatings slain, on wood hung, on the sides torn, with awls pierced, with flames burned, as also reported June 12. finally with the sword struck, with martyrdom crowned. These things there more largely can be read, and although at Nicaea in Bithynia she is said to have suffered, perhaps nevertheless this is the same, who here at Nicomedia in Bithynia is handed down crowned, although that one Antonina, this one Antonia is called. The same of S. Antonina are read on the day XII of June, in the Menology of Basil the Emperor, the Synaxarion MS. Paris and the Menaea, and in the Martyrology Roman.
[3] In the MS. Martyrology of Prague of the Cathedral Church, and in another Prague proper on this IV of May is said Charles the King, or IV Emperor of that name, The head of S. Antonia at Prague. the head of S. Antonia the Martyr to have given to the Church of Prague. In the Diary of the same Church edited by John Peßina Dean of Prague and Bishop of Samadria it is only said, a part of the head was brought from Italy with many other relics of saints in the year MCCCLV; but in the Bosphorus or Majesty and glory of that Church, which the same author published in the year 1673 and to us donated sent, page 463 where of those relics and of others mention is made, is added, that the Testimonials of all from that journey Roman, on which the Crown received Charles, brought to this day exist in the Archive of the Chapter: but these since afterward they were sought could not be found, was answered to us. There is celebrated, by faculty from Innocent IV the Pontiff granted, the feast of the bringing of the relics on the second day of January, as there in the Appendix page 1084 we said. But whether it be this Antonia who suffered at Nicomedia is not at once clear.
[4] The same by Bivar to the supposititious Chronicle of Dexter is feigned Antima to be called: because there at the year 100 number 3 these are read: Antima Maximilla wife of Ægeas, wrongly she is feigned to be Antima Maximilla. of Patrae in Achaia Proconsul, by B. Andrew converted, into a cave she hid herself after the death of her husband. Was she of Novum Comum, of Pliny the Younger a kinswoman, afterward she married C. Fonteius Capito; and into Nicomedia carried, for the faith of Christ on May IV she suffers. Which it does not please to sift, since they lack a due foundation. And first whence is it proved that Maximilla be called Antima; and that others err, while they write S. Antonia in the place of Antima? She is said Maximilla by the interpolators of Abdias, wife of Ægeas the Proconsul, but this to others plainly incredible seems, and it will be on the Life of S. Andrew more largely to be sifted. Meanwhile consult Andreas Saussay book 3 on the Glory of S. Andrew the Apostle chapter 20 article 2 and 3. Tamayo Salazar of this S. Martyr Antima in his Spanish Martyrology plainly keeps silent, although otherwise the fables of Dexter everywhere he embraces.