Martyrs

15 May · commentary

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS

PRÆSTABILIS, FELIX, VICTOR, CYRICUS, JANUARIUS, HEROLUS, PAUL, MINERVUS, AQUILINUS, HERACLIUS, DIONYSIA.

AT THE ROMAN PORT.

Commentary

Præstabilis, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Felix, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Victor, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Cyricus, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Januarius, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Herolus, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Paul, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Minervus, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Aquilinus, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Heraclius, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

Dionysia, Martyr at the Roman Port (S.)

G. H.

Four copies of the ancient Hieronymian Martyrology set forth to us these holy Martyrs, and that which excels in antiquity, the Epternach, indicates them to us in these words: At the Roman Port of Præstabilis, Memory in the Hieronymian Calendars, Felix, Victor, Cyricus, Januarius, Herolus, Paul, Minervus, Aquilinus, Heraclius, Dionysia. Which with little variety are related in the other three copies of the same Martyrology. For in place of Cyricus in the Lucca MS. Cyriacus is read, and in the Corbie MS., printed at Paris, in place of Herolus is Herulus; so in place of Minervus is Menerus in the said Lucca and Blumian: in which there is also Heraclius, and in the Corbie Eraclius, for which in the Epternach is Heradius, and in this alone Dionysia is added. Who, or certainly Dionysius, is in others reckoned among the Martyrs of Lampsacus. But her, on account of the antiquity of the codex, under this caution we also permit to be joined to the Martyrs. Of these various ones are found in other ancient calendars: and in various others. and in the Arras of the Cathedral Church and the Tournai of the monastery of S. Martin these things are read: At the Roman Port the birthday of SS. Præstabilis, Felix, Januarius. To whom are added in the Vatican MS. of S. Peter Victor and Cyricus, in the Barberini Gerulus and Cyrinus, above Herolus and Cyricus: which Cyricus is also found in the Laetian MS. These are, moreover, the Martyrologies from which and three others we gave the genuine Martyrology of Bede with the auctarium of Florus. The martyrdom-contest being omitted the names are related in the Tallaght MS., of Felix, Victor, Cyricus, Januarius, Paul, Herolus, Aquilinus, Minervus, Eradius, Dionysius. In the MSS. of Augsburg of S. Udalric and of Paris of Labbé, Præstabilis, Victor, Felix, Cyricus: in the Aachen MS., Præstabilis, Felix: which last is in the Auctarium of Greven to Usuard. As also the Author, here he is called Victor. But Cyriacus is in the MS. of the monastery of S. Cyriacus, unless he be treated of as their own Patron, which we do not judge. We illustrated on the second day of March the memory of SS. Paul, Heraclius, Secundula or Secundola, Other Martyrs in the same place March 2 Januaria, Luciosa, Martyrs in the same Roman Port, whom we judge diverse from these: as also another Paul with Primitivus or Primitiva crowned in the same Port on the XXIV day of February. and Feb. 24.

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