Egyptian Martyrs

ON THE HOLY EGYPTIAN MARTYRS

VICTOR, STEPHEN OR STEPHANA, JANUARY.

Victor, Martyr in Egypt (S.)

Stephen or Stephana, Martyr in Egypt (S.)

January, Martyr in Egypt (S.)

G. H.

The Byzantine or Constantinopolitan Martyrs being related, these two are celebrated in the very ancient apographs of the Hieronymian Martyrology, SS. Victor and Stephana. but with some diversity. For the codices Epternacensis, Lucensis and Blumianus thus have it: In Egypt of Victor, of Stephana. In which way also it is read in Notker. But the Corbeian apograph printed at Paris: in others Stephen, In Egypt of Victor, of Stephen, of January. The last, omitted by all others, we owe to that codex alone. In the very ancient codex of the Queen of Sweden, much praised by Holstenius, thus is read: In Egypt of Victor, of Stephen. In which order also the same are named in the MS. of Trier of S. Maximin. But with the order changed these things are had in the printed and manuscript exemplars of Usuard: At Egypt of the Saints Stephen and Victor. The same is in the MSS. Centulensis of S. Richarius, Brussels of S. Gudila, in Bellinus, Maurolycus, Felicius, Canisius and others. Galesinius from Usuard and his MS. very often erring, thus has it: In Egypt of the blessed Martyrs Stephen, Victor and Belladius: which last Ferrarius calls Helladius, by Peter de Natalibus also added to the prior ones: but he is in others Eladius Bishop of Auxerre, of whom we soon treat.

Whether Corona is the same as Stephana. In the MS. Martyrology of Trier of S. Martin is brought forth S. Corona Virgin, and that also inscribed in the MS. Calendar of the Breviary, and perhaps S. Stephana is understood. But often Victor and Corona Martyrs occur, as below XIV May again we shall say, indeed also in place of Corona also Stephana and Stephanides at times is read.

ON THE WHOLE COHORT OF SOLDIERS

CROWNED BY MARTYRDOM.

The whole cohort of the holy soldiers, crowned by martyrdom.

G. H.

Often soldiers were eager in professing the faith of Christ, and confirmed it with blood shed. Of these some are related in the MSS. Menaea, which at Dijon with Peter Francis Chifletius are preserved, and thus are indicated on this day VIII May. Τῇ ἀυτῇ ἡμέρᾳ Ὁλόκληρος σπεῖρα στρατιωτῶν ξίφει τελειοῦνται. On the same day a whole chorus of soldiers, who struck with the sword ended their life. Then is added this distich, alluding to the Praetorian cohort of Pilate, of which the Evangelists make mention, Matthew chap. 27, Mark chap. 15, and John chap. 18.

Χριστοφέρουσα σπεῖρα τέμνεται ξιφει,

Χρισοκτόνουσαν σπεῖραν οὐ μιμουμένη.

The Christ-bearing cohort is cut down by sword,

Not following that one which to death gave Christ.

ON S. HELLADIUS OR ELADIUS

BISHOP OF AUXERRE IN GAUL.

ABOUT 387

Helladius or Eladius, Bishop of Auxerre in Gaul (S.)

G. H.

The ancient Breviaries of the city and diocese of Auxerre in Gaul indicate the veneration of S. Eladius, or Helladius, their Bishop, on this VIII May, Veneration and prescribe three lessons with the classicum, or as others have it, with the Te Deum laudamus: but all things are recited from the Common of a Pontiff and Confessor. Some of his deeds are related in the History of the Bishops of Auxerre by Philip Labbé in volume I of the New Library of Manuscripts edited, Epitome of life, and they are these. Chapter V of Eladius. Eladius sat XXIII years. He was however in the time of Constantius and Constantine sons of Constantine, under Mark, Julius and Liberius Roman Pontiffs. This most blessed Pontiff while by word and example he converted many to Christ, to him S. Amator together also with Martha, now made his spiritual sister, run together, and falling down before him, lay open the desires of their vows, and so he was demanding to be made a Cleric. Then the Prelate considering and contemplating that they enjoyed the love of God, and on account of the love of him wished to change the secular habit, complied with both readily, relieving him of his hair, joining and associating her most devoutly to the assembly of the chaste women: and he, full of holiness and virtues, as in the deeds of the same S. Amator we read, body to earth, soul to heaven transmitted on the day VIII Ides of May, and was buried beside his predecessors on Mount Autricus. These things there. Of which most are contained in the same words in the Life of S. Amator the successor, edited above on the first day of this month of May: and is added his exhortation to S. Amator and his spouse Martha, which there can be seen.

[2] Name in sacred fasti His sacred memory is inscribed in four ancient apographs of the Hieronymian Martyrology in this manner: At Auxerre the deposition of Eladius the Bishop. In the Ms. Corbeian printed at Paris is written Heladius, in others also Elladius and Helladius, and what name more diverges, sometimes Palladius, Pallachius and Palatus: unless someone prefers then to understand S. Palladius, the XXI Bishop of Auxerre, of whom on day X April we have treated. We omit to recount other Martyrologists, who with today's Roman Martyrology recall his holy veneration, or add some things from the encomium related above. Of the same also make mention Demochares, Chenu, Claudius Robertus, and the Sammarthani in their Catalogues of the Bishops of Auxerre.

[3] Time of Sitting. The time of sitting seems best to be able to be gathered from the Acts of S. Amator the successor, who died in the year 418, when he had sat for thirty years, one month, five days, accordingly ordained in the year 388, in the happy uprising of the peoples, after the death of S. Eladius asking with concordant voice for S. Amator as Bishop, so that at least Eladius can be reckoned to have died in the year 387. There are assigned moreover to him the XXIII years, in which he ruled the Church of Auxerre, so that he seems consecrated Bishop about the year 364. We have shown moreover at the Life of S. Amator, that in the mentioned History of the Bishops of Auxerre, the years of the Emperors and Pontiffs are joined with marvelous anticipation: which therefore being neglected it must be said, that S. Eladius sat, not under the sons of Constantine the Great, or the successors Julian and Jovinian, but under Valentinian, Gratian, Valentinian II and Theodosius the Great, and these last reigning he died. Let the reader consult the things said at the Life of S. Valerian the predecessor on VI May.

ON S. GIBRIANUS THE PRESBYTER

IN THE DIOCESE OF CHÂLONS AND REIMS.

ABOUT 409

Gibrianus the Presbyter, in the diocese of Châlons and Reims (S.)

G. H.

[1] Illustrious is in the city of Reims the Royal Archmonastery of S. Remigius, where on the high altar, Acts of life and translations: golden as they call it, is preserved the venerable body of S. Gibrianus the Presbyter, whose sacred deposition's solemnity is celebrated on the eighth Ides of May, as the more ancient Acts indicate: which from the codex of the said monastery received we give, written in the ninth century. These as sincere Flodoardus the Presbyter alleges in the History of Reims composed in the tenth century: from whose third book and chapter IX we add the History of the translation from the diocese of Châlons to the village of Balbiacus, and thence to Reims to the said monastery of S. Remigius. There is another history of the sacred body translated in the year 1114 into a new chest, with various miracles in three books comprised: of which Camerarius in the third book on Scottish piety on this day makes mention. For obtaining that history, much labor we put forth, but no effect has yet followed, with commerce impeded by war: which through peace

now ceasing as they think to be composed, we hope to obtain the transcribed exemplar of the said books before the printing of this month is completed: let the reader therefore look for them at the end of this volume; if however he does not find them there, let him expect them in a future supplement of the work.

[2] Sacred cult in Breviaries and Martyrologies. An epitome of the more ancient Acts we have from the peculiar Breviary of the said Archmonastery of S. Remigius: another eulogy is extant in the Breviary of Reims printed in the year 1630, from which it is established that on this VIII May concerning him is prescribed Ecclesiastical office under the simple rite or of three Lessons, and this to be recited through the whole diocese. In the eminent codex Ms. of the Martyrology of Usuard, which Molanus used, these things edited from this are contained: At Reims the deposition of S. Gibrianus the Confessor, resting in the church of S. Remigius. In the Ms. of Reims of SS. Timothy and Apollinaris is celebrated under this formula: In the canton of Châlons the deposition of S. Gibrianus the Presbyter and Confessor. He is also mentioned in the Ms. Usuard of Hagenau and the Ms. Florarium of Saints, likewise in Greven, Canisius, Saussay, Ferrarius, and in the Catalogues of Saints of Hibernia and Scotland. Feasts of translations are celebrated on XVI April in Saussay and Ferrarius, and on XXVII September in the cited Ms. Usuard and Florarium of Saints. Simon Martin in the Sacred Relics of the Desert edited some of his Acts in French.

[3] That S. Gibrianus came into France, with Clovis the first Christian King and S. Remigius Bishop of Reims, time of life and miracles. is read in the cited Breviary of Reims: Sigebert of Gembloux agrees, or certainly his interpolator, in the year 509 thus writing: Gibrianus the Scot, having sojourned with brothers and sisters in Gaul, illustrates the city of Reims by his life and death. The anonymous founder of the Auctarium of Gembloux in the year 1145 in which the body was translated into a new shrine, writes these things: At Reims in the monastery of B. Remigius S. Gibrianus the Scot shines with many virtues, and is frequented with much concourse of people. But whether he came from present-day Scotland, which is part of Britain; or from Hibernia, which Bede calls the homeland of the Scots, homeland. there is great contest between the learned men of the said regions. Flodoardus and the Breviary of Reims hand down that he came from Hibernia. The more ancient Acts and the Breviary of the monastery of S. Remigius call the island Hibernia, in which is Scotland. It is fine for Saints to be proclaimed by their countrymen: but finer to imitate their virtues: to both matters it is conducive to know of which homeland they were, and by this is rendered excusable the contention, which from this cause sometimes arises among pious men, provided that those vices are absent, into which is easy a slipping from contention, especially obstinacy. From this however I do not know whether they are sufficiently far, who deny that in the first ten centuries Hibernia, either alone or principally, was understood by the name of Scotland; although Scots in both places were named with equal right and use: but Flodoardus wrote and flourished in the X century, and accordingly there can be no doubt, to which side his authority more favored, even if he had not expressly named Hibernia, as he does, but Scotland.

LIFE

AND MIRACLES.

From the MS. Codex of Reims of the monastery of S. Remigius.

Gibrianus the Presbyter, in the diocese of Châlons and Reims (S.)

BHL Number: 3526

FROM MSS.

[1] At ^a that time when the minds of the faithful, illustrated by the grace of divine inspiration, were panting for the heavenly homeland; Comes from Hibernia into Gaul desiring far and wide to sojourn in the world, that more freely in mind, more secretly they might be able to live for Christ; there went out seven brothers and three sisters, for the love of Christ, from the island of Hibernia, with 6 brothers and 3 sisters: in which is Scotland, leaving home and family, and all their kindred, following the example of blessed Patriarch Abraham: of whom these were the names: Gibrianus ^b, Helanus, ^c Tresanus, ^d Germanus, Veranus, ^e Abranus, Petranus; ^f Francla, Pomptia, Posemna. They came moreover together into this Province of Gaul upon the river ^g Materna for the sake of pilgrimage, ^h choosing for themselves each upon the same river suitable places to dwell, and adjacent for visiting one another mutually: in which places also, after the end of life, by the worshippers of Christ their sacred bodies were buried. Of whom the first, lived in the village of Cosla Confessor of Christ outstanding and likewise an excellent Priest, chose for himself a place of dwelling to live in a certain village, now utterly overthrown by the Pagans, whose old name was Cosla, situated upon a streamlet of the same name: where with God favoring through many courses of years, soberly, justly, and piously living, according to the Apostle's precept, like a strong athlete in good contest, manfully and indefatigably even to the exit of life he contended against the ancient serpent. Tit. 2:12

[2] at the small church built over the sepulcher But after the departure from this life his sacred body by the faithful of Christ was religiously buried in a certain little hill, beside the public causeway: at the roots of which little hill on the left flows the said river into the bed of the Materna. In course of time at length a small church was built by Christians over the tomb of the sacred body, both with signs of miracles often there divinely shown, and with greater love toward the place of the Saint kindled in the minds of the faithful, they began mutually exhorting one another to come more frequently to the same place for the sake of prayer and devotion. there is gathering on the day of deposition, and miracles are done: To the solemnity of this sacred deposition, which is celebrated on the eighth Ides of May, there had been accustomed every year to come around from all sides the greatest concourse of the people, bringing with themselves most devoutly their vows which they had vowed; and there in praises to God watching the whole night, and at length the office of Masses celebrated, each one returned to his own with joy: where also for the showing of the merits of the man of God many virtues were divinely worked, which on account of the negligence of writers, and the slothfulness of the unskilled, are utterly handed over to oblivion. But in modern times, what miracles divinely have been done in that place, as we have learned from the relation of certain elders, in few words we have studied to make known to those desiring to know.

[3] In the time indeed of ⁱ King Charles, afterwards however a long time later, the second of his name reigning, that is the son of Louis the Emperor, with ^k Erchanrai holding the fasces of the Prelacy in the city of Châlons, a blind woman is healed, there came a certain woman to the church of the said Saint from the village of Recejus, situated upon the river Materna, named Richildis, deprived of both lights of day, who trusting in the merits and intercessions of the said Confessor of Christ to be healed, devoutly came with her gift of vow: and as soon as she approached the sepulcher of him, for the sake of devotion and recovering health; with supernal clemency favoring, the Matins office completed, immediately she was restored to her former light. After two years had passed, after the above miracle was performed, the mercy of God did not fail, that another to this it might add to the showing of the merits of the most holy man: for similarly a certain woman, named Erlefreda from the village of Matusgus, situated at the beginning of the river Materna, equally bereft of two lights, and besides also dissolved in all the joinings of her sinews; likewise blind and paralyzed, when to the sepulcher of the Saint by others' hands she had been carried, on the very day on which she was brought there, by the virtue of God and the intercession of the Saint, by evening she was restored to her former lights: and she who shortly before by the hands of others had been brought down, by her own steps to her own with great joy returned. After five years had elapsed, no less to the tomb of the said Saint, a certain woman from the village of Luventius, named Grimara, with a contracted hand, who for an entire year had been gravely contracted in her right hand and withered, in the merits and intercessions of the Saint trusted to be healed from her infirmity: and when longer she awaited intently the help of health to be present to her, for which she had come; at length toward evening, by divine virtue she was loosed from all weakness. After this miracle finally, with many succeeding years, there came a certain woman from the canton of Hasbania named Gertrudis, likewise blind in the other eye. deprived of the right light for two months, wishing and desiring to visit Richildis her aunt, a little earlier healed from infirmity of eyes. And when often from her she had heard the fame of the virtues of B. Gibrianus, or how at his sepulcher, by his merits she had received the light of eyes; immediately with great clamor pouring forth tears, she vowed a vow to God and S. Gibrianus, that she would make a candle of such magnitude, with which she would encircle her whole head in circuit: who after she completed her vow, and placed it at the sepulcher of the Saint; immediately to her former light she was restored, and to her own with joy returned.

[4] When therefore in the times of ^l Odo King of the Franks, very many slaughters of ^m Christians were being made all around, by the cruelty of the Danes; and many fires were everywhere being made both of churches and villas; in the small church burned. the city of Châlons being entirely captured and burned by the Pagans, with the greatest temple ⁿ of the most blessed Stephen the Protomartyr; then also the very small church of the said Saint was likewise burned by them, only the body of the same Saint being safe, as it lay hidden in the sepulcher under the deepest earth. ^o voices of singers heard and lights seen. After the burning of this church also, it happened often by those passing along the public road to be heard in that place voices of those sweetly singing; indeed even to the guards of the walls of Châlons relating, by many often were seen by night lamps clearly burning. What however did this presignify; except that in that place a lamp was hidden under the bushel of the earth: for he himself was the lamp there hidden, whom Christ the Lord honored with such great signs of miracles, there most evidently shown; and which upon the candlestick of the Church was to be displayed from the bowels of the earth; just as not long after the event of the matter proved.

ANNOTATIONS.

of the monastery of S. Remigius these omitted is read: In the time of Louis the Stammerer son of King Charles the Bald, who succeeded him in the year 877: but from the See of Erchanraus the error is corrected.

HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION

By the Author Flodoardus book 3 chapter 9.

Gibrianus the Presbyter, in the diocese of Châlons and Reims (S.)

FROM MS.

[1] In the times of ^a Fulco the Archbishop of Reims, the limbs of S. Gibrianus were brought to the church of B. Remigius from the canton of Châlons, S. Gibrianus piously dead in Gaul, where he is known to have sojourned and been buried. There had come into this province seven brothers from Hibernia, for the sake of pilgrimage on account of the love of Christ, namely this Gibrianus, Helanus, Tresanus, Germanus, Veranus, Abranus, Petranus, with their three sisters Francla, Promptia, Possenna, choosing for themselves upon the river named Matrona suitable places for living. Of whom this Gibrianus the holy Priest chose for dwelling a certain village, called Cosla, where through many courses of years soberly, justly, and piously living, even to the exit of life, he strove to fight the good fight. Whose body first is reported to have been buried beside the public causeway: where afterwards above his tomb a small church-oratory was constructed, on account namely of certain notable miracles there manifested: to which had been wont to flow together the frequenting of the people, especially when the feasts of his deposition were celebrated.

[2] For there many remedies of healings were bestowed: of which some are had described, but very many are concealed unknown. Yet three women ^b with names ascribed are noted there as illuminated. is illustrated by miracles To a certain man besides named Grimoart his hand with entire health was restored. In the time at length of King Odo, with the cruelty of the Normans raging, and devastating the lands of the Franks, the small church of this Saint was burned with fire with many others of the same canton. After whose burning often were heard reported voices of singing persons not appearing: yet certain lamps by night were seen there burning.

[3] And when the fame of such virtues had grown widespread all around, led by supernal love and veneration of the Saint, Hadericus the religious Count, the body to be translated, the boat of its own accord approaches. approached ^c Rodoardus, Bishop of the Church of Châlons, earnestly demanding, that since that place, where this sacred body lay under the open sky, was utterly destroyed; he would give him license to translate it, where more devoutly and venerably it might be preserved. Who while persisting long in prayers, at length had obtained the effect of his petition; a sailor having been called he is reported to have given him passage on this condition, that by night before cock-crow he should await his arrival on the bank of the river. And when at the appointed time of night three men with a certain Priest were present at the river bank, sent by this Count; the sailor failed, with his boat fixed on the further bank of the river. With these men also long awaiting the arrival of the boatman and by turns crying out, with no one answering them; struck with grief they fall to the ground prone, devoutly praying that, if it were pleasing to God for the body of that Saint to be translated from the same place, with some signs he might deign to show it to them. And immediately the boat loosed by divine virtue from the bond by which it was fixed, marvelously approaches the bank where it was being awaited: which wondering they perceiving, and giving the greatest thanks to God, they ascend the boat, made more secure of the will of God. And approaching the place of the sepulcher, is lifted and carried to Balbiacus, from the open stone sarcophagus in which the sacred limbs lay, they reverently lift them, transferring these into a small shrine newly prepared for this work; and so with great joy returning to the boat, they cross swiftly the river; this pledge with praises bringing to the village of Balbiacus, where for three years it is established to have been honorably preserved.

[4] thence to the church of S. Remigius, After these things to the church of B. Remigius it was honorably brought, and devoutly committed to the keeper of the church, and beside the sepulcher of this most holy Father honorably placed. After two years the said Count with his wife Herisinda humbly entreated Lord Fulco the Prelate, requesting that he would grant him a place of burial on the right side of this church, beside the door of the crypt: which obtained, and the altar set up, and covered with silver decoration, there fittingly are deposited these venerable limbs.

[5] there also with S. Veranus invoked a blind woman is illuminated. Finally after they were taken from the said place of their burial, a certain blind woman, named Erentrudis, bringing thither a candle, approached for the cause of obtaining healing. But having learned the sacred body to be entirely taken from there, affected with great anguish she began weeping to complain, why this Saint of the Lord had permitted himself to be taken away from there, and why he had deserted the neighbors, to whom he was wont to bestow divine benefits. Therefore beseeching to be aided with groans, it seemed to her she ought to set out to the village of Matusgus, where her brother Saint Veranus rested. At whose sepulcher placing a candle, and prostrating herself in prayer, she began weeping to invoke both brothers. And while she repeats often the name of Saint Gibrianus, the dimness of cataract began to be broken away from her eyes, and so by divine kindness favoring she is restored to her former light.

ANNOTATIONS.