Poliochus

ON SAINT POLIOCHUS

MARTYR AT CAESAREA IN CAPPADOCIA.

From the same Martyrology of S. Jerome.

Poliochus, Martyr at Caesarea in Cappadocia (S.)

G. H.

We proceed with the four ancient copies of the Hieronymian

Martyrology in which

it is thus expressed: At Caesarea of Cappadocia

the birthday of S. Poliochus. But in the Lucca MS.

is read Poliocli, and in the Reichenau MS.

Epoliochi, and the palaestra of martyrdom being omitted in the Paris MS.

of Labbe Palliaci: but in the Augsburg MS. of S. Udalric Politti,

and in the Hibernian Tamlacht Pullioli. In this diversity of writing

the name we follow the copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology,

as more ancient and consonant among themselves: we suspect

nevertheless here also that it befell the Latin writers, not

enough versed in Greek names, that Poliochus crept in

for Polyeuctus; just as at the XXI Martyrs of Caesarea the Standard-bearer Polyeuctus, in several copies

Polioctus is found. More things perhaps and surer will time

clear out.

ON S. COLLUTHUS OR ACOLUTHUS

MARTYR IN THE THEBAID OF EGYPT.

From the MS. Synaxaria of the Greeks.

UNDER MAXIMIAN,

Acoluthus or Colluthus, Martyr in the Thebaid a region of Egypt (S.)

G. H.

In the Menology of Basil Porphyrogenitus there exists

a eulogy of this Martyr, which in Greek we gave

with others of this month after the first

Tome of May, but in Latin is thus turned:

The Martyr of Christ Colluthus was under the empire of Maximian,

from a certain city of the Thebaid in Egypt. But

for the confession of Christ apprehended, by the worshippers of idols

he was delivered to the President of the region; and neither

allured by flatteries, nor terrified by threats,

Christ with the highest confidence of mind he professed. Therefore

first indeed a huge stone being tied to his neck,

he was hung by the head, and scourged by the lictors,

he said: The sufferings of this age are not worthy,

to the future glory which shall be revealed in us. Afterward

from the wood on which he had been hung, compelled to descend,

he was ordered to enter the temple of the idols, and to them to sacrifice.

But when he had refused, that with fire he should be burned he was condemned;

and accordingly into a furnace greatly kindled

cast, he obtained the end of this mortal life.

Thus Basil the Emperor. another from various MSS. In the MS. Synaxarion and MS.

Menaea of Milan of the Ambrosian library and of Turin of the Duke of Savoy these things are read. The contest of the holy

Martyr Coluthus. This man was in the time of Maximian the Emperor

in the Egyptian Thebaid, and for the profession of

the Christian religion brought to Arianus the President,

first indeed a stone being tied to his neck is weighed down,

then through fire received the end of life and the martyrdom

consummated. The Synaxarium of Dijon, which Peter

Francis Chifflet exhibited to us to be copied, a similar

eulogy has of the holy Martyr Acoluthus, with a distich

alluding to the name, whence also ἀκολουθέω I follow

is derived, which is of this kind:

Ὁ Μάρτυς Ἀκόλουθος ὡς πρὸς παστάδα Ἐπακολουθεῖ τοῖς ἄγουσι πρὸς φλόγα.

The Martyr Acoluthus follows willingly to the pyre,

As if he were being led to the nuptial couch.