ON THE HOLY EGYPTIAN MARTYRS
VICTOR, STEPHEN OR STEPHANA, JANUARY.
CommentaryVictor, 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.
CommentaryThe 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.