Martyrs Ephenicus

9 May · commentary

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS EPHENICUS, CASTUS AND POLLIMIUS

AT MILAN IN INSUBRIA.

Commentary

Ephenicus, Martyr at Milan in Insubria (S.)

Castus, Martyr at Milan in Insubria (S.)

Pollimius, Martyr at Milan in Insubria (S.)

G. H.

We proceed with the apographs of the Hieronymian

Martyrology; from which on the day VI of May

we brought forth a great class of athletes

who suffered at Milan, and on the preceding day

VIII of this we gave the most celebrated Martyr

S. Victor crowned also at Milan: to him on this day

we add another, of whom the most ancient Epternacian

apograph thus briefly makes mention: At Milan of Ephenicus.

In the MS. of Tamlacht Effenicus is reported. In the apographs

of Lucca and Corbeie double, quite different things are reported

in this manner: At Milan of the Apostles John,

Andrew and Thomas in the basilica at the Roman gate.

This festivity of the Apostles is indicated on account of their relics in

the MS. of Tamlacht. Outside this gate by S. Ambrose was found

the body of S. Nazarius the Martyr, hands down on the following day

in his Martyrology Galesinus. Perhaps the said basilica at that

gate was dedicated to the said Apostles, or some of their relics

were once preserved there. In the place of these Apostles

we add to S. Euphenicus two other Martyrs, Castus

and Pollimius whom the ancient Milanese

Missals exhibit, printed in the year MDXXII and the year MDLX, and

likewise the Milanese Breviary printed in the year MDXXXIX.

For these although perhaps they may not be reckoned crowned with martyrdom

at Milan, are nevertheless celebrated there as Martyrs. John

Peter Puricellus in the Milanese monuments of the Ambrosian

basilica chapter 19 alleges a parchment MS. Codex

of Gualvaneus Flamma, in which the bodies of Saints lying in this city

are enumerated: where these things are read. The feast

of the Holy Confessors and Levites Castus and Polimius

on the ninth day of May. They lie at S. Victor. And Puricellus

adds at the Golden Heaven. Of S. Victor and his

Churches we treated on VIII of May. But those who here are called Confessors,

are held as Martyrs in the said Missals and Breviaries.

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