Christantianus

ON SAINT CHRISTANTIANUS

MARTYR AT ASCOLI IN PICENUM.

Christantianus, Martyr at Ascoli in Picenum (St.)

G. H.

Ascoli, a noble and opulent city of Picenum, after

Ancona second to none of the rest, between Macerata

to the West and Aquila to the East

as it were in the middle, more than XXX Roman miles distant from each.

Solemn procession, In that city is venerated on this XIII May St. Christantianus

the Martyr: on which day a procession is held by the Chapter

and Magistracy from the Cathedral Church to the Parish

of St. Victor: where on the high altar of the said Church

is an image of this holy Martyr, image. in the Levitical habit

expressed, with the martyrdom suffered by him under

a hailstorm of stones. It is reported by tradition of his elders that his body

rests in the said Cathedral Church; but in what

place is unknown, from the negligence of the same elders.

He himself is the Patron for warding off hail, not

only of this city and of the whole diocese, but also of neighboring

towns: and is the peculiar Patron

and Advocate of the noble castle of Moldignano, patronage against hail, in which now

and of old has mixed dominion the Chapter

of the Church of Ascoli from the donation of Charlemagne. There was recited

formerly his Office under the double rite,

which afterwards was omitted from the general decree of the sacred

Congregation of Rites. There are not extant his

Acts manuscript, nor in print as far as we know.

Thus far the precise information about the Saints of Ascoli sent to us.

The memory of the same from the Tablets of the Church of Ascoli

celebrates Ferrarius in the general Catalogue and

another of the Saints of Italy, and tempests. and adds the same in the diocese

of Lodi, in which against adverse tempests he is invoked,

to have veneration: although he is held among them as Confessor.

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS

THEODORE THE PRESBYTER AND VICTORIANUS.

Theodore the Presbyter, Martyr (St.)

Victorianus, Martyr (St.)

G. H.

Among other ancient monuments, which we in the year

MDCLXI in the most celebrated monastery of St. Benedict

at Cassino found, was a certain illustrious Martyrology

MS. written in ancient Lombardic script,

and marked number 334: in which on this XIII May these things

are written: III Ides of May, the natalis of the Holy Martyrs

Theodorus the Presbyter and Victorianus. It is regrettable

that in the said Martyrology no time of martyrdom or at least its

arena is added. Then more easily we would judge,

whether on some other day they are venerated. There is a certain

Theodorus Presbyter at Antioch, under Julian the Apostate,

on day XXIII October, but without the Companion Victorianus.

We because of the venerable antiquity of the Martyrology,

leave both together, perhaps in neighboring Italy

crowned with the same palm of martyrdom: and we wish someday

fuller light about both to obtain.