ON S. THOMAS SALUS, MONK OF ANTIOCH OF SYRIA.
THE 6TH CENTURY.
COMMENTARY OF CONRAD JANNING S. J.
Concerning his notice from the Life of B. Martha and Euagrius.
Thomas Salus, Monk of Antioch (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR C. J.
[1] As just now concerning B. Martha, Hegumena of Monemvasia, because the day dedicated to her cultus is hidden, on account of synonymy immediately after S. Martha, the Mother of S. Symeon the Stylite the Younger, we have treated; so at present concerning this holy Thomas, on account of the mention of him made in the Life of the same S. Martha, we undertake to treat. For as it is certain, that this Thomas obtained sacred cultus at Antioch, so it is uncertain on what day he obtained it; and since it can scarcely be hoped that we be taught more certainly from anywhere, Because the day of his cultus is uncertain, no more apt place seemed able to be offered, in which he might be placed, than this very one; where at least there is some reason and connection, that in the preceding life, as I said, of S. Martha he is treated of, perhaps never to recur elsewhere. But that this Thomas, who becomes known from the aforesaid Life Num. 24 and 28, is the same with him, who was long ago known to Euagrius in the Ecclesiastical History book 4 Chap. 35 will clearly be established to one considering both passages soon to be brought forth.
[2] But it is gathered from the same Euagrius, that he flourished at the beginning of the sixth century, and died before the middle of it. For besides that he is written to have lived at that time, in which Symeon Salus of the same institute mocked the world with a wise folly in the time of Justinian; it is most openly indicated, He flourished and died before the middle of the 6th century. that he departed from life, Ephraemius residing in the See of Antioch; since the people announced to Ephraemius the miracle wrought immediately after his death concerning his corpse, not bearing others placed upon it: but that this man did not reach the middle of the sixth century, nor however was far from it, the tables added to Theophanes have. It is gathered likewise, in what region he exercised the monastic life, and also the exceptional tolerance of the man, struck injuriously with a blow: it is also known that he was endowed with the gift of prophecy, from a prophecy which obtained its issue in very deed: and finally to anyone considering the compendium of the Life soon to be subjoined, it will not be difficult to elicit other things thence.
[3] First therefore let that be brought forth which is read in the Life of S. Martha mentioned above. Num. 24 where she asks her son Symeon, that he suffer her to be buried in the common place of Daphne with the strangers; among whom, she says, Dead, he is unwilling to lie among sinners. numbered also B. Thomas obtained burial with them in that place; who, three days elapsed, having attested his glory by a miracle, did not bear himself to be mixed with sinners, such as I am, lying everywhere, and was carried with the highest glory into great Antioch. But in Number 28, S. Thomas is called a monk. More and more illustrious things Euagrius will give, in the place cited above, prefixing this title: Περὶ Θωμᾶ μοναχοῦ, καὶ αὐτου ὁμοίως προποιητοῦ Σαλοῦ. Concerning Thomas the monk, who himself too in like manner simulated folly; namely as S. Symeon Salus, of whose Life he had set forth an epitome in the preceding Chapter. Thus therefore he proceeds.
[4] Ἦν δὲ τηνικάδε καὶ Θωμᾶς τόνδε διαθλεύων, τὸν βίον, ἀνὰ τὴν Κοίλην-Συρίαν, ὄς πρὸς τὴν Ἁντιόχου γέγονε τὴν ἐπίτειον χορηγίαν κομιούμενος τῆς κατ᾽ αὐτὸν μονῆς· ἐτέτακτο δὲ ἐκ τῆς αὐτόσε ἐκκλησίας. Τοῦτον ὁ Ἀναστάσιος οἰκονομῶν τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, ἐπειδὴ συχνῶς αὐτὸν ἠνώχλει, τῆ χειρὶ κατὰ κοῤῥῆς ῥαπίζει· καὶ δυσανασχετούντων τῶν σφίσι παρόντων, ἔφη, οὔτε αὐτὸν ἔτι λήψεσθαι, οὔτε τὸν Ἀναστάσιον δοῦναι· καὶ ἄμφω γενέσθαι· Ἀναστασίου μὲν μεθ᾽ ἢμέραν μίαν τὸν βίον ἀναστρέψαντος, Θωμᾶ δὲ ἐν τῷ τῶν νοσούντων καταγωγίῳ ἀνὰ τὸ προάστειον Δάφνην, ἐν τῇ ἀποπορεύσει, πρὸς τὸν ἀγήρω μεταστάντος βίον. Ἐπειδὴ ἑνὸς καὶ δευτέρου τεθέντοιν, ὕπερθεν αὐτοῖν τοῦ αὐτοῦ σῶμα γέγονε, μέγιστον θαῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ μετὰ θάνατον αὐτὸν ἀναδεικνύντος (ἀπεπέμποντο γὰρ μακρὰν ἀποκρουόμενοι) θαυμάσαντες τὸν Ἅγιον, Ἐφραιμίῳ διαγγέλλουσι. Καὶ μετὰ δημοτελοῦς ἀγερωχίας καὶ πόμπης μετακομίζεται ὁ πανάγιος αὐτοῦ νεκρὸς ἀνὰ τὴν Ἀντιόχου, ἐν δὲ τῷ κοιμητερίῳ τιμᾶται τὴν τηνικαῦτα φοιτήσασαν λοιμώδη νόσον παύσας· οὗ καὶ τὴν ἐτήσιον ἑορτὴν μέχρις ἡμῶν παῖδες Ἀντιωχέων μεγαλοπρεπῶς ἄγουσιν.
[5] There was also at that time a certain Thomas, who in Coele-Syria cultivated the same kind of living. He at some time came to Antioch, That he lived in Coele-Syria: about to receive the annual stipend for the sustenance of his monastery. But this stipend was wont to be afforded from the revenues of the Antiochene Church. On a certain day therefore Anastasius, who was Steward of the same church, struck the aforesaid Thomas with a blow, because he was frequently troublesome to him. Which deed when those who were present bore ill, Thomas said that neither would he receive anything more, nor would Anastasius give it. Both moreover so came to pass; and died at Antioch by the death above mentioned Anastasius the next day being removed from life; but Thomas, during his return, in the hospital of the sick, which is in the suburb of Daphne, being called to immortal life: whose corpse was buried in the monuments of strangers. But since, one and another being buried after him in that place, the body of Thomas always remained above them (God namely even after his death producing a very great miracle; for the other corpses were removed further off and repelled) the inhabitants having admired the holy man, announce the matter to Ephraemius. Then his most holy body was carried with public festivity and solemn pomp to Antioch, and laid honorably in the cemetery; since by its translation it had driven away the pestilent disease, which was then raging. His feast-day the Antiochenes unto our times celebrate every year magnificently. Thus far Euagrius, himself too of Antioch, whence also of greater faith. More to be found concerning him I scarcely hope.