Alexandrine Martyrs

13 May · commentary

ON THE HOLY ALEXANDRINE MARTYRS

APHRODISIUS, AGRIPPA, SABINUS, GRISUS, LUCIUS, CYRILLA, CRIDULA, JUVINUS, AND TWO OTHERS.

Commentary

Aprodisius, Martyr at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

Agrippa, Martyr at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

Sabinus, Martyr at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

Grisius, Martyr at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

Lucius, Martyr at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

Cyrilla, Martyr at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

Cridula, Martyr at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

Juvinus, Martyr at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

Two others, Martyrs at Alexandria in Egypt

G. H.

The ancient Hieronymian Martyrologies begin

the present day from these Martyrs in this

manner: At Alexandria of Aphrodisius, Agrippa,

Sabinus, Grisus, Lucius, Cyrilla, Cridula, Jovinus

and two others. From these in place of Grisus is also read

Grissus and Grippus. From the names of Lucius and Cyrilla, a single

is concocted in the MS. of Echternach: Lucirilla: and in the same

for Cridula is Oritula, and three Companions are added.

Juvinus is in only the Corbey of Paris printed, and to two

anonymous postponed. In other Martyrologies also some

are mentioned: for in MS. of Reichenau these things are:

Alexandria of Agrippa, Sabinus, Lucius, Cyrilla. MS. of Rhihovius:

Alexandria of Agrippa. Notker thus has:

At Alexandria of Aphrodisius, Agrippa and many

Martyrs. But the place of martyrdom is not indicated

in the MSS. of Aachen, Augsburg and Labbe of Agrippa,

Lucius, Sabinus; although also Agrippus and Lucas

is also read. In Greven in the Additions to Usuard

these are handed down: Likewise of the Saints Gagus, Lucus,

Agrippa and Sabina. And in the MS. Florarium mention is made of the Holy

Virgins Agrippa and Sabina: meanwhile Sabinus

or Savinus is read in ancient Martyrologies, in

which Gagus below among other Martyrs is venerated. In the MS.

of Tamlacht are reported the names of Affrodissius, Sabinus,

Agrifa, Lucus, Credula, Quirilla, Gressus, likewise

Lucius.

ON SS. VICTOR, SATURNINUS, ALEXANDER, AGRIPPA, AGER, CYRILLA, SAVINUS, CREDULUS, MAXIMUS, GAGUS.

MARTYRS AT POLENTIA.

Commentary

Victor, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Saturninus, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Alexander, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Agrippa, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Ageres, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Cyrilla, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Savinus, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Credulus, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Maximus, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

Gagus, Martyr at Polentia (St.)

G. H.

[1] Many controversial things here occur, whether these Martyrs

should be placed together, and in what way they should

be divided. And first in the Lucca apograph

of the Hieronymian Martyrology these things are read: At

Polentia the passion of St. Victor, Names of the Martyrs in the Hieronymian Fasti. Saturninus, Alexander,

Agrippa, Agris, Cyrilla, Savinus, Credulus, Maximus,

Gagus. There were here after Alexander's name certain things about St.

Servatius, which clearly beyond the mind of the author intruded with

Florentinius we judge: because they in MS. Blumian under

the beginning of this day are placed, and in the MS. of Corbey of Paris

printed are between the previous and this class; and clearly

are missing in the most ancient Echternach codex, in which about these

Martyrs is thus read: and others, At Polentia, of Victor. At Vicia

of Dauctus, Saturninus, Alexander, Agrippa, Aëris, Cyrilla,

Sabinus, Credola, Maximus, Gagus. From the Corbey

codex these are printed at Paris: At Polentia the passion

of St. Victor and Saturninus. At Alexandria of Agrippa,

Veris, Cyrillus, Savinus, Maximus, Credilus, Gagus. In

MS. Blumian also is read of Alexandria, Agrippa,

Ageris, in the rest they agree with Lucca. From these Saints

are indicated in the MS. of Tamlacht the names of Saturninus,

Alexander, Sabinus, Maximus. But the names of Victor and

Gagus are in the MS. of Augsburg of St. Udalric: Whether Alexander is to be joined to these? Victor, Saturninus

and Gaius in the MS. of Paris of Labbe: Saturninus alone

in the Cassinensian. The arena Notker adds: At Pollentia,

he says, the passion of the Saints Victor and Saturninus.

In the MS. of Reichenau memory is made of Acer and Maximus:

Gagus finally in the MS. of Aachen and in Greven

in the Auctarium of Usuard. In some are the names of Agrippa

and Sabinus, as we indicated above, because they were also inserted

among the Alexandrian Martyrs. And thus far what

concerning these Martyrs is indicated among the ancients. And first

it is doubted whether rightly in the MSS. of Echternach, Lucca and Tamlacht

the name of Alexander like a Companion is expressed, and whether

for him the city of Alexandria is not to be supposed, which in the previous

class is expressed: which we for that reason with Florentinius do not

think, and follow the most ancient MS. of Echternach

and the other of Lucca with Tamlacht. These things being settled, the arena of martyrdom

is to be inquired into. It is called Polentia in three

apographs and in Notker, which is Ponlentia in MS.

of Echternach. But three cities famous by the name Polentia

Ferrarius indicates in the Geographical Lexicon. These are Polentia

of greater Balearia, Arena of martyrdom Polentia, Polentia in Picenum between Macerata

and Septempeda: but what to us with Florentinius

here seems to be signified is Polentia, a city of Liguria, near the river Tanarus

once celebrated, now destroyed, where Stilicho happily

fought against the Visigoths, witness Claudian on the Victories

of Stilicho in this verse:

O Polentia, to be celebrated by me through all ages.

But what is interposed in MS. Echternach Vicia daucti

cannot be equally explained. What if it should be said Vicus Adaucti, or also Vicus Adaucti?

just like Vicus Aurelii, Vicus Aquensis, Vicus Cuminarius,

Vicus Egonum, Vicus Matrini, Vicus Varronis,

Vicus Pacis? Thus the whole matter could be expounded. If however anyone Dauctus

from other MSS. shall prove a Martyr, and Vicia

shall teach to be a city, to him we shall give thanks. There is venerated on this day

among the Volaterran Patrons St. Victor the Martyr, whose

head is held there; but, because they think it is St. Victor

crowned at Milan, of him we treated on day

VIII May.

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