Martyrs

From Eusebius and Rufinus.

Commentary

Martyrs who suffered in Cappadocia and Mesopotamia (SS.)

G. H.

The memory of these Martyrs is celebrated in the Roman

Martyrology in these words: "In Cappadocia,

the commemoration of the Holy Martyrs, who in the persecution of Maximian Galerius

were killed with their legs broken: Martyrdom related from the Roman Martyrology. likewise of those, who

at the same time in Mesopotamia were hung up by their feet on high,

with head turned downward, suffocated by smoke, and

consumed by slow fire, completed Martyrdom."

Eusebius in book 8 of his Ecclesiastical history treats of these, and according

to the division of chapters in Christophorson chapter 24,

but in Valesius chapter 12, these things are read: "What is now

needed to commemorate the rest by name, from Eusebius, or

to recount the multitude of men, or with the brush of speech to depict

the various kinds of torments?

Since indeed the admirable Martyrs were partly cut down with axes, as happened in Arabia;

partly perished with broken legs, just as happened in Cappadocia;

some with head turned downward suspended by their feet,

with a gentle and slack fire kindled beneath, were suffocated by the smoke

of the blazing material, as was done in Mesopotamia."

[2] Of the Holy Martyrs who then suffered for Christ in Arabia

we have treated on February 22. from Rufinus, But of the Martyrs related here

Rufinus has these things in book 8, chapter 11: "But how can we

enumerate one by one the proper sufferings of each Martyr?

For who could repeat those things,

by which in Arabia the Martyrs were cut down with axes?

How might one repeat what things were done in Cappadocia,

where the worshippers of God were ordered to have their legs broken?

Who would relate the tortures of Mesopotamia, where Christians

in the manner of swine's hide they suspended by each hand and foot,

and slew with bitter smoke kindled beneath, with unworthy

tortures? Others by slow fire near applied to longer torments

they consumed." from Nicephorus Callistus.

Thus there. Similar things has Nicephorus Callistus in book 7, chapter 11,

who however writes, that the Martyrs were lifted up on high

by one foot, with a softer fire set under, suffocated by the smoke

coming from green material.

Feedback