African Martyrs

ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS,

MAJULUS, VICTORINUS, FORTUNATUS, SEPTIMUS, COMINUS, JULIUS, CRISPUS,

JANUARIA, PRIMULUS, NEREUS, MANILUS, LIKEWISE MANILUS, VICTORIA, FORTUNATA,

JANUARIUS, AND JOCUNDUS.

Majulus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Victorinus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Fortunatus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Septimus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Cominus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Julius, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Crispus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Januaria, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Primulus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Nereus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Manilus I, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Manilus II, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Victoria, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Fortunata, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Januarius, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Jocundus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

G. H.

These African Athletes are referred to in four ancient apographs of the Hieronymian Martyrology: with some variety in writing. For Majulus is also written Majolus: Victorinus and Fortunatus, in Lucca Victorina and Fortunata: Septimus and Cominus in MS. Blumian Semtimus and Comminus: and the latter is missing in the Corbeian, as is Crispus in the Epternach, but they are in others. In place of Victoria in the Epternach is Victoris, and to him Fortunata, in others is Fortunatus, to whom Jocundus is added from MS. Corbeian printed at Paris. Of these six are mentioned in MS. Richenovian in this manner: In Africa Mauvilus, Septimus, Julius, Januaria, Victurius, Fortunatus. Majulus in Africa is in MS. Rhinovian. Notker has these things: In Africa Majolus, Victorinus, Fortunatus, and many others. But the MSS. Liège of the cathedral church of S. Lambert and of the monastery of S. Lawrence, with MS. Florarium, propose two of the same thus: In Africa of Victorinus and Fortunatus. With the arena of martyrdom not indicated, in MS. Tamlacht in Hibernia, are referred only the names of Julius, Victorinus, Fortunatus, Comminus, Septimus, Primulus, Nereus, Marnilus and Martinus the Martyr in place of the second Manilus: unless it be Martin Bishop of Vienne also on this day referred, but he was not a Martyr. But MSS. Augustan of S. Udalric and Parisian of Labbé suggest SS. Septimus and Majulus. Among the Romans soon to be referred is placed Januarius: but he seems to be reckoned among the African Martyrs here. Of Mavilus the Martyr at Adrumetum in Africa we treated on IV January, and from this Majulus we esteem different.