Chryspolitus the Bishop

ON SS. CHRYSPOLITUS THE BISHOP, BARONTIUS THE OXHERD, TUTELA AND THE XII WOMEN, LIKEWISE A CERTAIN SCOUT CONVERTED,

MARTYRS AT BETTONA IN UMBRIA.

UNDER MAXIMIAN.

Chryspolitus Bishop, Martyr at Bottona in Umbria (St.)

Barontus the oxherd, Martyr at Bottona in Umbria (St.)

Tutela, Martyr at Bottona in Umbria (St.)

XII women, Martyrs at Bottona in Umbria (SS.) A certain scout Martyr at Bottona in Umbria

G. H.

[1] Bettona or Bictonia, a town or municipality

of Umbria, to the ancients Vettona, below Assisi

toward the setting of the winter sun situated, a Bishop

had S. Chryspolitus, in others

Chryspoldus and Chryspoltus: nor

do we know that others there afterwards sat as Bishops. Him, as Barontius

the oxherd and his sister Tutela, and other

twelve women, The Acts from Mss. on the fourth of the Ides of May with martyrdom crowned

below have the Acts, which at Rome we obtained in the illustrious library

of the Fathers of the Congregation of the Oratory, from the Ms. collectanea

of R. P. Antony Gallonius under the mark of the letter A. There is venerated S.

Chryspolitus in the said Bettona, the Sacred cult. as the Patron of that place:

besides at Assisi, in whose diocese is the said Bettona constituted,

also with Ecclesiastical office he is honored. Ferrarius in the General

Catalogue with this title celebrates him: At Vettona in Umbria

of S. Chryspoltus Bishop and Martyr. But a long elogium

has the same Ferrarius in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, in

which he hands down that at Vettona the Abbey of S. Chryspolytus is seen, the body.

and his body in a church to his name dedicated, which

the Friars Minor hold, to rest. Jacobillus in volume 1

of the Saints of Umbria hands down that this church by S. Chryspolitus himself

was constructed to the honor of the Virgin Mother of God, the church, and

afterwards to S. Chryspolitus himself dedicated. Besides assert

the said Jacobillus and Ughelli in the Bishops of Foligno,

that he labored very much among the people of Foligno and Nocera, and

through all Umbria, and various there churches and altars

erected, and at Foligno two churches constructed, one to S.

Peter, which in the year MDCXIV was ruined, the other to the Mother of God sacred

and called S. Mary outside the gate, various temples erected by S. Chryspolitus, and afterwards S. Mary

within the gate because to the city it was enclosed, and that long

it was the Cathedral and the Episcopal See, and at this still

time it is the Collegiate: at Nocera also outside the city is handed down

that he built a church in honor of S. Peter, and likewise

at Vettona.

[2] Ughelli names him the first Bishop of the people of Foligno,

and under Domitian the Emperor in the year XCIII on this XII

of May with martyrdom crowned says with the abovealleged Barontius

and Teutilla, his martyrdom and that of the Companions, in the Acts Teutela and others: and the rest from

the Acts he contracted. The same with Ughelli chronotaxis held

Jacobillus, the beginnings of S. Chryspolitus to Nero, the martyrdom

referring to Domitian: although the history of the Life and Passion

expressly names Maximian, under Maximian, and the precepts of the Princes

often inculcate, and at last thus it is concluded, This was done

under the Empire of the most impious Maximian. To have moved them seems

that S. Chryspolitus with S. Britius and Eraclius and

with many others is said by B. Peter the Apostle to

preach into Italy to have been sent. But since this history

it is established to have been long afterwards written when Christianity flourished, and

perhaps after was built under the Saint's name the abovesaid Abbey:

equally easily or more easily can we judge, that by the name of S. Peter

is understood some successor of his, than that for

Domitian was wrongly substituted the name of Maximian:

since some S. Eraclius is said to have suffered at Todi under

Diocletian, the Colleague of Maximian. Nor does it matter that S.

Britius, Bishop of Spoleto, by whom as Metropolitan

is said to have been consecrated S. Chryspolitus, is thought first

of that city the chair to have held: for since concerning S. Britius and

his age nothing certain is had, he could from a similar error,

by which by S. Peter, that is by Peter's See, sent he was said, to

the first century equally wrongly to have been referred. Nothing therefore

in this such-as-it-is history to be changed I judge, but only need there is

of an explanation, which not inconvenient to have given we seem.

Certainly those several churches, which is said to have caused to be built

S. Chryspolitus, the age of Diocletian and Maximian

rather, than of Domitian to us insinuate.

[3] George Cardosus in the Hagiology Lusitanian, by I know not what

dream led away, transfers S. Chryspolitus into his Lusitania,

and Bishop of Britonia makes him, wrongly attributed to Lusitania, constituted

by a certain S. Brisso de Mertola, Prelate of Évora.

But similar figments, supported by no authority, of themselves

fall. Arthur du Monstier in the Sacred Gynaeceum relates

Teutilla, or Tutela on the XXIII day of May, but by what

authority he does it, he does not indicate.

LIFE

From a Ms. of the Vallicellan Library.

Chryspolitus Bishop, Martyr at Bottona in Umbria (St.)

Barontus the oxherd, Martyr at Bottona in Umbria (St.)

Tutela, Martyr at Bottona in Umbria (St.)

XII women, Martyrs at Bottona in Umbria (SS.) A certain scout Martyr at Bottona in Umbria BHL Number: 1800

FROM THE VALLICELLAN MS.

[1] In the time when the Lord wished the human race from

diabolical snares to loose, in divers orders

from one and the same stock Teachers He chose: After the Patriarchs and Prophets,

the Patriarchs first, that the uncultivated field, of briars

purged, fruitful they might make: He sent after these

Prophets who the same from its contagions might restrain.

But because not yet the time had come, which to their

preaching should receive salvation, as many as to

the work He had directed by various punishments they slew; and no one

of these to souls help before the coming

of Himself could confer. For He Himself through His own said

Prophet: A brother does not redeem, a man shall redeem. Psal. 48, 8

For who was that brother but Moses, who although

the Lord's people from the servile yoke of Pharaoh corporally

he rescued; by no means however him spiritually could

succor. But the man, through whom the Prophet redemption

promised, is Christ our Lord: Christ came, who

human nature assuming, as a man in this world

corporally walked: of whom David sang saying:

I am made as a man without help, free among the dead. Psal. 87, 6

For He for us born as a man among men

conversed, and after ^a thirty years to the Cross's gibbet

affixed, for the cause of our salvation the bars of death and hell

He broke, very many thence drew out, and into paradise's

joys introduced: and sent the Apostles through the world, on the third day He rose, to the disciples

the twelve, whom before the passion He had chosen, and also

to the seventy-two He appeared, and in many ways

spoke to them of eternal beatitude, comforting them;

and sent into the whole world, the word of life unto the remission

of sins to preach.

[2] Of their college Chryspolitus was, who by B.

Peter the Apostle with S. ^b Britius and ^c Eraclius, and

with many others, by S. Peter S. Chryspolitus sent to Bittonia, was sent ^d into Italy, who by preaching

came unto Bittonia the city. But at his entrance

a certain woman, by a demon for almost

thirteen years possessed, met him, and with immense clamor

vociferated saying; the demoniac freed he baptizes with 9 others. Man of God, thou comest our

rite to take away, and of Jesus the Nazarene to introduce the faith.

At whose voice presently B. Chryspolitus said: In

the name of God the Father Almighty to thee I say, demon,

go out from her. Who straightway with a most foul smoke and the mouth's

foam went out. But she suddenly made whole, fell at the feet

of him, his faith asking, through whose name she was

freed. Then S. Chryspolitus sanctified water,

and baptized her: and all her house believed in

the Lord, and were baptized that day to the number of ten.

For in her house an oratory he constructed, and by day

and night God there with the Christians secretly he served.

On a certain night when in God's praises they persisted, he is constituted Bishop:

all the God-worshippers hearing who with him were,

a voice resounded of the Lord saying: Through Britius my son

to thee here the Pontifical dignity I concede:

For thy people of this city through thee to me will believe,

and afterward in no long time to

eternal joy thee I will receive. But in the same night

to B. Britius He commanded him as Pontiff to constitute:

which also was done ^e.

[3] A certain Pagan of the city, to explore from the Princes

sent, He baptizes a mute man healed then given to martyrdom. in what place the Christians stayed,

when he had come to the house, where the Holy

Chryspolitus remained, straightway lost his tongue: but such

bellowings as he could before the door he gave. Hearing him B.

Chryspolitus called him to himself, and by a triple invocation to him

at once restored speech. Then he, knowing

great to be the faith of the Christians, asked himself to be made

sanctified, and baptized him in the name of the Father, and

the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But morning being come, required

by Austerius, he was found God with his whole heart to worship.

Then Austerius ordered him to the temple of Mars to be led,

that to it a holocaust he might offer. And when he the diabolical

sacrifice denied, he was ordered to be beheaded; but when he was led

he ceased not according to the measure of his knowledge the living

and true to invoke God, saying: Lord King

Almighty, who man to Thy likeness didst fashion,

and the deceived by the ancient enemy to the pristine

degree to restore camest, confirm my heart,

that in Thy love the future punishments on me inflicted to bear

I may be able. And saying these things, one of the executioners drew

a sword, and cut off the head of him. Then S. Chryspolitus

came to him with the Christians, and took the body

of him, and with praises and hymns buried him ^f.

[4] But now because of such a Prelate the omnipotent

God would not hide the light under a bushel, but in

the open to place, that with the Prophet truly to chant

he might be able, Lord Thy justice I have not hidden in

my heart, Thy truth and Thy salvation I have spoken;

therefore publicly to preach the name of the Savior to all

he began. Psal. 39, 11 But the abovesaid Austerius to his own commanded, that if

him they found, before the sight of him they should bring.

Of this Austerius, a certain Valerius by name, a nephew was,

who from a horse fell, and his legs and shins broke; for whose

cause the aforesaid Austerius hasty to the footsteps of the blessed

man's feet fell, and mercy asked of him, who in

the cause of death had been terminated; and whole if him

he should restore, contrite from the fall, all the worship of idols he promised himself

to renounce. To whom S. Chryspolitus said: I know thee a man

fallacious to be, and after the health of that body not

about to believe. But because the name of the Lord Almighty

far and wide ought to be divulged by men, therefore

Him with prone prayers I beg, who the broken world

with His own proper blood restored, and three dead

raised, the world from nothing fashioned, man

when he was not founded; that this broken

youth to pristine health He may render. The prayer being made when

all said, Amen, with such velocity rises up

the broken man from his bed, and healed, that by all he seemed as if

from a light sleep to rise. But he presently health being received,

at the feet of the abovesaid man rolled, spiritually and again

the soul's salvation asks: and baptized in

the name of the Trinity, began to magnify daily the Lord,

and through him many to the faith came, and

the holy people devout in the Lord to grow began. But

the savage Austerius, in the same hour changed, denies the miracle to have

been done through the invocation of the kindly Trinity,

but through the help of Mars affirms the broken

man restored. From that day he began to watch

him, how through himself or through his own he might slay him. The holy

man moreover more and more to the Lord ministered,

because neither by terror was he convinced nor by blandishment

persuaded. Psal. 24, 2 And so by day and night he chanted to the Lord,

saying: My God in Thee I trust, I shall not blush,

neither let my enemies deride me, and again, Let them be confounded

who pursue me: and likewise with the Prophet,

The Lord is with me as a strong warrior, I will not

fear what man may do to me. Psal. 34, 3 Thus everywhere armed

with the protection of omnipotent God, of a savage people a true

he made Catholic, and the whole province of Bittonia

he converted to the Apostolic faith.

[5] At the same time also through the divers sides of the mountain

wolves were found, who men devoured, so

much that on a certain day an oxherd plowing they seized

and carried off. Then it was related to the holy

man of God, who close by near the fountain of Sambro and ^g

Cleoton met a wolf, the oxherd snatched from the jaws of the wolf. the wolf at the invocation

of the Trinity he stayed, and the oxherd unharmed dismissed: and to the wolves

he commanded that into another part they should go, in which no

man they should find whom to harm they could: for the place

constituted was in the field of Bucaro, where

with many already Christians God he worshipped secretly,

on account of the fear of the most impious ^h Maximian, who to his apparitors

had ordered, that wherever Christians they found,

either they should sacrifice to idols or by various punishments should be slain.

Vincentius his colleague in prison placed

was. Then B. Chryspolitus by night to him came, the chains of S. Vincentius of Menavia by the sign of the Cross he looses

and the little sign of the Cross being made all broken were the chains

from the hands and feet of B. Vincentius and the fetters

fell; and through the whole night in God's praises

persisting, a light among them so very bright appeared,

that the men who in the tower of ⁱ Bibania kept watch,

from the heavenly parts into the prison itself the light coming

did not doubt. Of whom one straightway as to the place

he came, and them praying he found, to the earth he came down, some in the prison he baptizes: and

Christ's faith asked. Then B. Chryspolitus

with S. Vincentius sanctified water, and baptized

him, and many who in the prison with them were thrust back.

But the holy man to Bittonia the city returned, the name

of the eternal God more amply began to preach. Which related

was to the most impious Maximian by Austerius the Prefect

his, through an epistle namely containing thus.

Most invincible Emperor, known to thee be it, that from

the parts of Jerusalem certain ones came, who the sect

of the Christians cultivate, which your excellency to exterminate

ordered; and one indeed is called Chryspolitus,

who the whole province seduces, and to Jesus the Nazarene's

doctrine converts. Moreover also our Gods,

through whom the Imperial honor flourishes, he says to be

demons and vain and deaf images, which neither to themselves

nor to anyone can succor. To these things let safety everywhere

Imperial be diffused far and wide.

[6] Then the Emperor commanded his soldiers that

to Bittonia they should go as quickly as they could, and

him should seize and all the companions of him: Brought to the Prefect and the Emperor's messengers, and into

prison to send, until new punishments he should devise, by which

them he might destroy. Who when they had come, inquisition

being made in what place S. Chryspolitus lay hidden, with very many

Christians found, was brought before the Emperor's

messengers; who with the Prefect of the city Austerius

ill to handle them began. But on the morrow

they were ordered to come before the sight of the Prefect, and before

the Emperor's envoys: who when they had come, interrogated

them the Prefect, saying: Of what condition or of what

sect are you? or what are you called? To whom B. Chryspolitus

with great constancy said: he teaches that the human race proceeds from Adam: We one race to have

think with you, for two we judge the first

men to be, whom in paradise constituted the Most High;

who always there would have remained, if they had not prevaricated

the precept of their Founder, of whose stock all

we draw origin. But that inequality among us to be

began from the beginning of the first sin. For who in paradise

would desire more powerful to be, in which all by one drink

and food are nourished, except the devil, who by his boasting

higher to be than all the Angels wished, and these things thinking

from heaven fell, and all the honor and comeliness

of his beauty lost? To these things the Prefect

said: to sacrifice to the gods he refuses: Why dost thou seduce us with manifold speech? Either sacrifice

to the gods, or the orders of the Princes manifestly deny. To whom

the holy man said: The Princes' orders, if honorable, are not to be despised:

but the sacrifice of demons

in every way I renounce and despise. To which the Prefect:

I that same thing repeat, that thou sacrifice, and adore

the immortal gods. To whom he, that the immortal gods

thou affirmest, demons to be we have known and effigies

of stones or of woods.

[7] Then the angry President with slaps ordered him to be beaten, and

his hands and feet being bound they cast him on the ground, he is beaten with cudgels,

and with cudgels his back beating they said:

Do not blaspheme the gods, through whom the helms of the kingdom

stand. Then he his hands and feet being loosed

upright, manfully said: O most impious and of truth the enemy,

why dost thou not rather say, that through them are destroyed

men inwardly and outwardly, and the fruits of the earth and all

the goods of the world? with thorns he is scourged: Then the Prefect ordered him on the rack

to be placed, and naked with thorns to be scourged; and afterwards

they took him down and sent into prison, and said:

Now concerning thy safety treat how thou mayest live,

and thy days before the term mayest not let go. But

he sent into prison through days fifteen ceased not

the name of the Lord to preach; and the properties, which

by his own proper labor he had, he distributed to the poor.

A certain Gentile, already a long time in the same prison

for a certain homicide sent, in the prison he baptizes a certain guilty man, when he heard

the preaching of him, asked of him himself to be made a Christian.

The blessed therefore Chryspolitus, water being brought

sanctified it, and baptized him. Then the soldiers

who guarded the prison, when they had seen that more

in it the name of the Lord grew, reported

to the Prefect, and that Gentile they brought. Whom when

saw the Prefect, he said to him: Since already long it is that punishment

thou hadst, and despairing, as I hear, of others the sect

thou hast taken up; now is the time in which mercy thou mayest have,

only the faith of the Christians dismiss, and the rite

of the Princes, by which men are saved, take up.

But he: And if in this world for a small crime the law

ordered someone into prison and into exile to be sent,

how much more the omnipotent God, who our

soul and body made, has to condemn us? whom

daily a hundred times we offend: and whom to fear we ought

and to praise night and day, then constant in the faith, Him we renounce by our evil

acts. Whence to know thee I wish and to admonish

thee, that thou renounce the false gods and their sacrifices,

and the light of truth acknowledge, in which true life consists

and beatitude perpetual remains. To whom the Prefect said: So

far thee I bear, and thy vain words, that thou do what

I said, otherwise thee and thy teacher with various punishments I will destroy.

And he: Rather I choose thy punishment, than that the joys

of paradise I lose. The Prefect said to him: By my gods

immortal, I promise that thee and thy joy

I destroy. To whom he: The joy of Christ no one indeed

is able to take away, unto death. except by evil works anyone him

may lose. Then the angry Prefect ordered him to the temple

of Mars to be led, and if he should not sacrifice, there to be beheaded

him. Who when he had come to the place, prayer being made,

the temple collapsed, and he himself passed to Christ.

[8] Meanwhile S. Chryspolitus confirms the faith

of the Christians with signs and virtues, awaiting continually

the end of this world, and assiduously prays the Lord, that

the holy Church openly and in peace might be able to Him to minister. Anianus instructed in the faith he baptizes:

A certain Anianus, who a long already time the right

side had lost, to the prison came, and the Holy one asks,

that to him he succor. To whom the Holy one: If thou believest Jesus

Christ, the Son of God, true God to be, thou wilt be able

of soul and of body salvation to have. To whom he said:

If another salvation substantial to give me thou couldst, that

in every way I would renounce, which when I have received quickly

I lose. To whom the Holy one: For not salvation only

to the body is given, and as soon as it is had with great

grief is lost: but the salvation of eternal beatitude here

is sought, and in that without end remains world: in it no

error nor any mourning, no sighing is, nor

can anyone there another accuse; but so one for another desires,

as for himself: for all one hold

charity, because one they loved God in their life:

there for daily there is a frequency of Angels,

and God face to face is seen: of it for chanted

the Prophet saying: How lovely are the tabernacles

Thine, O Lord of hosts; and again, I chose to be cast away

in the house of my God rather, than to dwell in

the tabernacles of sinners. Psal. 83. 2 & 11 There plainly no cupidity

of gold or of silver is held: but, as says the Apostle,

Charity seeks not the things that are her own. 1 Cor. 13. 5 To these things Anianus.

Only give me the faith of the Christians, and the sweet

health of the body I do not wish, that these things which thou sayest to attain

I may be able. Then S. Chryspolitus sanctified

water, and baptized him in the name of the Trinity, and

dismissed him. But he wherever he went, the name of the Lord

Jesus Christ openly magnified.

[9] Then it was brought to the Prefect, that the holy man

all the provinces of Bittonia in prison more converted

to the Lord, than before than into prison

he had been thrust back. Sent he two soldiers that they should lead

him before the sight of him: to whom when he had come he said: before the Prefect set,

Wretch, our law ordered that without cause no one

we should condemn: but thou not only the cause of a great evil

didst make, but also through the audacity of an illicit presumption

all dost seduce from the worship of our gods

to recede, and to Jesus the Nazarene's faith to be converted, whom

the Jews for the same superfluity condemned,

and to the cross's gibbet affixed; which also thou shalt suffer, if

thou recede not from the magic art, and again those thou lead not back

to our law, through which all kingdoms are governed. Ez. 28, 12.

To which the holy man: he explains the fall of the Angels, Now again to remember

thee I wish, that concerning this sect a contention between me and thee

was: for I said that an Angel of light first with all

comeliness and beauty founded God, of whom through

Ezekiel it is said, Thou wast the seal of the likeness in

the delights of the paradise of God; but by pride led he boasted

himself to place his seat from the North, and to be like

the Most High: who by opinion alone the glory of the other

Angels lost, and all honor lost, and

of the glory of our immortality straightway envious arose:

for in the manner of a serpent he deceived the first parent. From

that day for by his persuasions to destroy us he began,

and this to do ceases not unto the world's end. and idolatry introduced.

Hence it is that men he persuades to idols to worship,

and false gods to adore, whence you I admonish

that you leave all vain superstition, and only

worship God Almighty, who made heaven

and earth and all things which are contained within and without.

To whom the Prefect said: Therefore thou alone the true God

worshippest, and we false ones? Answered him S. Chryspolitus.

Truly, Prefect, gods false esteem those, who neither to themselves

nor to anyone help can, but harm: certainly not

are they gods, but are effigies by the hands of men made,

and in whose honor they stand men were

most wicked, namely Jupiter, Hercules, Mars, Maja,

Venus, and many others, who in hell continually burn

for their crimes.

[10] Then the Prefect angry, a furnace to be kindled

ordered, he is not harmed cast into the furnace with S. Barontius, and S. Chryspolitus with his oxherd into it

to be sent. Who when they had been put in, was extinguished the fire,

and a wind in it to blow began. Then the Saints through the midst

chanted and said: With fire Thou hast tried me, and

there was not found in me iniquity. Then beholding

the executioners the fire extinguished, and the Saints in the midst

chanting, reported to the Prefect. But he straightway

came, and seeing them in the middle of the furnace chanting,

with mercy was moved, and called them to himself, and said to them:

Still the gods make mercy with you. To

whom Barontius the oxherd of S. Chryspolitus said: Most miserable one,

still blind thou art, because thou sayest a miracle of God

omnipotent by a diabolical work done. But he with too great

fury filled, ordered him by the executioners in the field,

where he was wont to plow, to be beheaded. But they seizing

him, led him into the field of Bucaro.

Whom when saw S. Chryspolitus to the martyrdom's crown

going, then beheaded. said to him: Son, I rejoice over thee, because today

to the kingdoms of the blessed pole by a glad journey thou goest; but sad

I am for the solace of the holy Church, because today with me

of thee it will perish. Then S. Barontius said: My Lord

Father, thou if still thou wouldst live, thou canst, but I the end

of my life lay down. But when they had come into

the field of Bucaro, they beheaded him there near the fountain

of B. Chryspolitus, in which first he did marvels.

[11] Then the Prefect said to B. Chryspolitus, Choose

what thou wilt, either sacrifice or thy sorceries I will destroy. Answered

him S. Chryspolitus, scourged through the midst he is cut: saying: O Prefect, why

so dost thou err, that the virtues of God omnipotent thou thinkest

by sorceries wrought? Then the angry Prefect ordered him

so long to be scourged, until he should expire. Who when long he was beaten

and the executioners were wearied, and he himself by no means harmed;

was ordered with a sword to be cut through the midst.

Then the executioners, the right and the left holding, struck

him in the middle, S. Teutela and the 12 women are crowned. and of his body two made

parts in the Imperial castle. Then there came

twelve women, with Teutela the sister of B. Chryspolitus,

the Martyr and Bishop, that they might see the end of him:

who straightway as they were seen, it was said to them that they should sacrifice

to idols. Who when they would not a sacrifice offer

to the gods, were ordered to be tortured in the breasts, afterwards

they scourged them so long with leaded scourges, until some

of them expired. And when long them with various punishments

they afflicted, and could not them from the good purpose

the executioners draw back, at the last they beheaded

them on the same day, on which also S. Chryspolitus the palm

of martyrdom received with Barontius his oxherd,

who also in the abovesaid field of Bucaro was beheaded.

Then there came a few Christians of the aforesaid city,

with hymns and praises and balsams and aromatics, and there are buried.

and there they buried the bodies of them near the tower

between two rivers, which are Cleoton and Sambro. In

which place the Lord bestows benefits for the merits

sacred of them, from that unto the present day to all

who suppliantly come there: and in honor of B.

Chryspolitus a basilica there they constructed, and also

to the honor of the kindly Mary the Virgin and of all

the Saints. This was done under the Empire of the most impious

Maximian, on the fourth of the Ides of May, our Lord

reigning Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory unto ages

of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS