ON SS. OLBIANUS BISHOP OF THE ANEANS
AND DISCIPLES, MARTYRS IN ASIA.
UNDER MAXIMIAN
CommentaryOlbianus, Bishop of the Aneans, Martyr in Asia (S.)
The Disciples, Martyrs in Asia (SS.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
The Menology of Basil Porphyrogenitus the Emperor mentions these Saints with these words: On the same day IV of May the contest of the most sacred Martyr Olbianus and of his disciples. Eulogy from the Menology of Basil the Emperor Saint Olbianus the Martyr of Christ suffered under Maximian the Emperor, and Ælianus Governor of Asia. When moreover a certain priest of idols, by name Agrippinus, sacrifices to Juno offered; apprehended Olbianus, was ordered also himself to sacrifice, and on the altars incense to burn. But he with many arguments and pious discourses the Christian faith exalted and praised, and on the contrary the superstitious cult of idols depressed and condemned. Wherefore with fiery awls first his viscera and loins are burned, then with iron rods beaten into prison he is thrust. But afterward from prison brought out, and again ordered Christ to abjure and to idols to sacrifice, when constantly he had spurned it, together with his disciples to the fire he was condemned: and accordingly a huge furnace being kindled, together with them into it cast Martyrdom he consummated. Thus far the said Menology.
[2] The eulogy in the old Synaxarion MS. Greek of the College of Clermont of the Society of Jesus at Paris, is of this kind. another from the Synaxarion of Clermont. This man was under Maximian the Emperor and the Governor of Asia Julius Sextus Ælianus. When Agrippinus and Clementius the petty-priests of Juno the sacred rites performed, ordered also Olbianus the Bishop to sacrifice. But he with many words and oppositions the Christian faith praised and extolled, and the cult of idols condemned and rejected. Wherefore with fiery spits on his back and viscera he is burned. But when neither he yielded anything, nor that to the Sun he should sacrifice could be brought; the Proconsul on his account returning and commanding, cruelly with rods he is beaten, and so at length with his disciples through fire martyrdom he underwent. That this Saint while still he lived many miracles wrought, as also in the place, where his sacred relics rest, shines with miracles, the history of his life written declares. Thus there. Other eulogies but to these similar are read on this or the following day in the Menaea MS. of Milan of the Ambrosian library, and other MSS. of Turin of the Duke of Savoy, of Dijon of Peter Francis Chifflet and a double codex of Cardinal Mazarin.
[3] Meanwhile in the printed Menaea is celebrated on the day XXIV of May with this eulogy added. and May 29 in the printed Menaea. On the same day of the holy Martyr Olbianus Bishop of the city Aneo. He was under the Empire of Maximian, the Consuls Alexander and Maximus, and led he was to Julius and Ælianus: by whom asked whether he wished to sacrifice, and he refusing, of all garment stripped, with glowing spits through the viscera he is transfixed and burned. Then brought back into prison, and to a second question brought out, when in the faith he persevered, again stripped foully he is torn, and into a pyre huge and high as a javelin cast, in it his spirit to God rendered. Thus there. Which thence to his Menology transferred Sirletus.
[4] From this last relation is dug out the Episcopal See, which here Ἀνέω, in the ancient Notitia of the East, which from a MS. Vatican stands edited in the Sacred Geography of Charles of S. Paul, is called Ἄνεα and Ἔνεα, situated in the Province of Asia, under the Metropolitan of Ephesus, Anea his Episcopal See on the western coast of Caria opposite Samos the island. Of that city the Bishop Modestus subscribed the Council of Ephesus Oecumenical. The time is assigned in all the eulogies the Empire of Maximian, but who in the last encomium are added the Consuls Alexander and Maximus, are not to be reckoned Roman, and universal of the Empire, but particular of the city Anea or of the province under which it was. The Governor of Asia in the first relation is called Ælianus, the time of the martyrdom. in the second Julius Sextus Ælianus; in the third is said S. Olbianus led to Julius and Ælianus, and their condition is silent. Which of them is righter to judge we could, if there existed the history of the Life of S. Olbianus written, The Life is desired and by the author of the Clermont Synaxarion cited, which would that someday it emerge into light! still for somewhere yet to survive to hope makes the age of the Synaxaria not the greatest, while of it as known they speak. Nay the Ephemeris metrical which used the compiler of the Chifflet Synaxarion, while his name it reports, where the other which we give it names Pelagius, signifies to some in chief honor this Saint to have been. Thus moreover it has Olbianus sent down on the fourth the divine-burning fire the etymon of the name. On the fourth Olbianus the fervid fire transmitted. The same in the same place is praised with this distich. Incorruptible wealth Olbianus having hoped, For Thy love wholly he was burned, O Word. Wealth immortal while he hopes Olbianus, With love wholly for Thee burns, Christ. The allusion is to the signification of the Greek word ὄλβος riches, wealth, beatitude, whence ὄλβιος blessed, opulent, and hence Olbianus: for which to the Romans in Latin seems to be said Ulpianus, among the old authors of the Civil Law most renowned; just as Orbanus sometimes is to the Greeks, which to the Latins Urbanus.