Gennadius

ON SAINT GENNADIUS

FROM ABBOT OF THE ORDER OF S. BENEDICT

BISHOP OF ASTORGA IN SPAIN, AND OF SEVERAL MONASTERIES THE FOUNDER.

ABOUT DCCCCXXV

Gennadius, Bishop of Astorga in Spain (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

CHAPTER I.

The time of the assumed Abbatial and Episcopal governance. The testament of King Alphonsus executed.

Among the monasteries several, which S. Fructuosus Archbishop of Braga through Spain instituted and with his own Rule informed, in the century of Christ VII, In the mountain monastery of S. Peter, of which it is treated in his Life, by us illustrated the XVI of April number 5; is recorded the monastery of Rufiana, in a most vast and narrow and far from the world remote solitude, in the bounds of lofty mountains. It today by the Spaniards San Pedro de Montes is called: and in the Testament of the Royal endowment, it is said constructed near a brook which is called Oza, under the mountain Aquiliana, beneath a castle most ancient Rufianus, in the confine Vergidense; the common people, Vierzo name. Which venerable place, although (as in the same Royal Testament speaks Ranulfus Bishop of the Astorga See, whose more ancient Testament there verbatim is inserted, but without due distinction) although; I say, the venerable place, was to the Lord long ago sanctified by the hands of B. Fructuosus, and built first for the confession of monks, because however afterward for many times it remained desert, We Ranulfus Bishop of Astorga ordained, for the consecration's office an Abbot by name Gennadius, and we gave to him a Rule of observance of holy life, and all monastic to him we prescribed instruments. But lest could be doubted of what sort that Rule was, under the rule of S. Benedict Abbot made Gennadius; the same Bishop more expressly speaks, not without that very Rule's commendation notable: All, saying, doctrine Deific, constituted in the Rule of B. Benedict, which to him (Gennadius) to be observed we have delivered, with all to him subjected monks to be retained we enjoin… so also that all holy from the Fathers institution, and of all beatitude the excellence (by which seems S. Fructuosus's Rule to be denoted) in the same under the lately erected monastery the same Abbot by name Gennadius, with to him delegated people may preserve, and in all spiritual exercise always most intent may stand; and the monks themselves, the regular commands fulfilling, the holy that monastery with good testimonies may adorn, and for themselves the gain of eternal life by piously living may augment.

[2] The whole testament to read who will, will find in Prudentius de Sandoval, by an instrument of the year 898 in the work on the Foundations of the Benedictines in Spain, part 3 fol. 20, and from the same's Spanish translation reprinted in Aegidius Davila in the Theater of the Astorga church book 2 chapter: in the end moreover is added, Made the little charter of the testament on the V (perhaps VIII to be read) Kalends of May, under the Era DCCCCXXXVI, the Moon XIV: and follow the subscriptions in this order, Under Christ's name Ranulphus, by the Grace of God Bishop of the Astorga See. Ordonius the King, confirming this series of the testament. Giloyra the Queen, this testament confirming. then after Sanctius, Adefonsus, Scema, Garsea, Ranemirus, the Royal brothers or sons, again is subscribed. Hodoarius by the grace of God Bishop confirms. Ordonius the King: not he who above, of this name the second (for he in the year DCCCCXXIII died) but the third in the year DCCCCL to reign having begun, when the aforenamed Hodoarius the Astorga Episcopate held, after Ranulphus the seventh. And again subscribes, more often afterward renewed, after other six of various Sees Bishops, Gondisalvus the successor of Hodoarius, whom in confirming follow other Bishops two, Magnates twelve: then Gondisalvus's successor, under Christ's name Notarius Bishop of Astorga confirms indeed about the year thousandth when lived Sampyrus, the same Bishop and of King Ranemirus the Secretary and general of the kingdom Notary, as him calls Davila: who in that here by name in the place of his own uses, unless perhaps the proper, by the sole letter initial written, to the copyists fell out; and follow Magnates ten: and at length the last, under Christ's name Scemenus Bishop of the Astorga See, with Magnates three, who after Godestus to Sampyrus had succeeded about the year MXV.

[3] It pleased these things thus minutely to set forth, that it might appear the aforesaid Testament, by Ranulfus the Bishop and Ordonius the King made, more often transcribed and renewed to have been. And so to be trusted not to be the numbers noting the Era DCCCCXXXVI, which to us would be the year DCCCXCVIII, as if already then King had been Ordonius II, whom from elsewhere we know in the year

only of Christ DCCCCXIV to reign to have begun. The same also who to Ordonius III to be confirmed the prior Ordonius's Testament described, into one text fused instruments two, the Episcopal namely before composed, by which was contained the institution of Gennadius the Abbot; and the Royal, in which probably he was not named, and only were expressed the donations made to the monastery, and that the note of the Era omitted, under which those donations are made; just as neither is it expressed at the innovations four subsequent. These moreover set, since Ranulfus, who Gennadius the Abbot instituted, he is made Bishop of Astorga, is found to have been Bishop already from the year DCCCXC, nothing prevents that in his year eighth an Abbot ordained was Gennadius. It remains to be asked when he was made Bishop. Aegidius Davila done says in the year DCCCXCIII, and relies on the testimony of an inscription ancient, which in the aforesaid church of the monastery of S. Peter is seen at the side of the gate toward the cloister, of this tenor: Notable in merits B. Fructuosus, after the Complutense he founded monastery, in the name of S. Peter in this place founded an Oratory: after whom not unequal in merits Valerius the Saint the works of the church enlarged; most recently Gennadius a Presbyter with twelve Brothers restored it; and in the year 919 the church he consecrates. in the era DCCCCXXXIII Pontiff made, from the foundations wonderfully as is seen, anew erected, not by oppression of the common people, but by largess of price, and the sweat of the Brothers of this monastery. Consecrated is this temple by Bishops four, Gennadius of Astorga, Sabaricus of Dumio, Ferunimius of León, Dulcidius of Salamanca, under the era nine times hundred, ten times five three and fourth, on the IX Kalends of November. If we wish to believe this stone to have been placed in the very year of Christ DCCCCXIX, which notes the Era DCCCCLVII, in the number of the Era, by which Gennadius is said made Bishop, to have been erred it behooves by the transcribers, by omission of one at least denarius; which supplied and placed the Era DCCCCXLIII, will be had the year DCCCCV, in which Ranulfus being dead he succeeded him.

[4] Of this moreover now Bishop exceedingly notable memory exists in a certain of the aforesaid King Ordonius the second Testament, the same had been in the year 915 in the History of S. James, written by Maurus Castella Ferrerus book 4 page 483, made the series of the Testament under the day which remains III Kalends… running the Era DCCCCLIII, that is in the year of Christ DCCCCXV, in the year happily of our reign I, dwelling in God's name in the city Zamora: and subscribed was, Ordonius the King I confirm: subscribes likewise Geloyra the Queen; and after likewise confirming Magnates nine and three witnesses, Gennadius Bishop confirms then confirming three and as many witnesses. Thus moreover about the beginning the King Ordonius says: Doubtful to be it cannot, which to most firm remains and most known, that our parent of good memory the Lord Adefonsus King, to death coming, ordained under a juramentum's definition, for the remission of his sins, to Father Gennadius the Bishop five hundred of gold pieces, to the Hall of B. James the Apostle to be carried. Which thing also our parent the Lady Scemena the Queen, that fulfilled it should be, in all ways to the same Pontiff with mind spontaneous confirmed. by King Ordonius sent to Compostela, He indeed this to do could not, because our brother Lord Garsea, the summit of the Kingdom receiving, an access of going and returning to the same holy place the already said Bishop in no way had; nor such a man could find, through whom the little gift to him committed there he might have directed. For this cause them with himself he retained, until after the death of our Brother, We the divine procuring clemency of our parents in the throne placed, the same pieces to the aforesaid Bishop committed. These that they may be understood, to be known it is, that Alphonsus King of León, on account of things in war strongly against the Moors done by surname the Great, for the bringing thither a legate of King Alphonsus, when the exhausted by wars and buildings treasury a supplement from new taxes he sought, so far from himself alienated the minds of his subjects, that although a sedition to have suppressed in its very rising he seemed, his son Garcia cast into chains; the same yet more gravely flamed up a little after; and conspiring with their mother the sons, and helping Ferdinand of Castile the Count, whose daughter Garcia as a wife had; constrained the King of the kingdom's governance himself deprived, and his son Garcia (though unwilling) of the kingdom constituted the successor, present his sons and the more powerful of his kingdom. After these for prayer's sake the thresholds of B. James he visited: and returning from his son Garcia, whom he had exalted and who already then to his brothers preeminent, he asked that once he might assail the Saracens. And having obtained from his son what he asked, he moved an army against the Moors; and their lands with slaughters and burnings devastated, made illustrious by spoils and captives, victor to the city is restored Zamora, and just as the beginning so the end of his reign with victories he adorned: and there by his own disease compelled, his happy spirit to the Creator restoring, his life's course happily consummated, and was buried at Astorga.

[5] Hence gather the aforecited Maurus, Aegidius, and others, the fighting and dying Alphonsus to have had present Gennadius; who died in the year 910, and of the last will the executor, the deceased's body to burial to have committed. Further Roderick Archbishop of Toledo, whence the already brought we received, book 4 chapter 20 the begun narration thus pursues: Alphonsus being dead Garcia his son succeeded in the kingdom, and reigned years three: and chapter 21. After Garcia Ordonius his brother the kingdom's governance is read to have taken up, whom King Alphonsus over Galicia had set still reigning. These Roderick; but, I know not by what error, before and afterward the chronology so anticipating, that the death of Alphonsus is composed with the Era DCCCCXXI, that is in the year of Christ DCCCXCIII. But from the Epistles of John Pope IX to the same Alphonsus, and from the time of the Council of Oviedo in the year DCCCCI celebrated, it is established that chronology cannot subsist. More rightly therefore Mariana and others say, Alphonsus to have ceded the kingdom, the war last to have waged, and deceased in the year of Christ DCCCCX, which would be the Era DCCCCXLVIII: and this with the calculus by us placed best agrees. The of the abdicated Episcopate year to us suggests Sandoval, from the very Gennadius himself abdicating Testament which begins: Under of the Begetter and of the Begotten and of the proceeding Holy Spirit the name Gennadius the servant of Christ (the rest then from the same Sandoval's interpretation Spanish, while the text original is not at hand, [and the Episcopate laid down he withdrew to the place of Silence in the year 920.] thus again are rendered to Latinity.) Unworthy indeed, but yet by the great mercy of God a Bishop. Since I have distanced myself from the heavy yoke of the Prelacy, and from this malign world's turbulent businesses, that I might spend my life in contemplation, to which in the days to me about to remain I desired to devote myself, by living solitarily in the secret mountain called of Silence, with the society of certain monks Anchorites in this mountain living; therefore to the same's sustentation, on account of the laborious which they led life, and that in their prayers always they might remember me, by promising I promised and by confirming I gave, to all the monks Hermits of this place, the Place of Laguna called in the boundary of Molina and the territory of Astorga: and it thus I divided, that its half pertain to the place of S. James de Peñalba, which is a house monastic, and of the rest of the Reclusions which there around are for the salvation of souls; and that the monks may feed, when on the designated days together they shall convene: the other indeed half to this be, that into portions equal be divided through the hermitages all the fruits which thence shall be collected, and be spent for the clothing and sustentation of the monks. Made the little charter of the Testament under the day of the Kalends of October the Era DCCCCLVIII, which notes the year of Christ DCCCCXX; that plainly may seem in this very year made the cession, to which then after S. Gennadius subscribed are read the King and Queen, with two Bishops and Abbots six, and as many Conversi, and other Presbyters and Monks Deacons; so however that after the King and Queen with Gennadius signing, to have signed also are found the Kings successors Alfonsus and Froyla, just as, and the Astorga under their governance Bishops, Gennadius's successors, Fortis and Salomon.

CHAPTER II.

The monasteries founded and endowed by S. Gennadius.

[6] Erred Marieta, in the History of the Saints of Spain book 5 chapter 80, when he believed the death of S. Gennadius to be able to be referred to the year about DCCCCXVI. S. Gennadius in the year 915 Erred also Aegidius Davila, in the Theater of the Astorga Church book 2 Chapter 1, who the following year absolutely noted. Each indeed to err made a certain other of S. Gennadius Testament, written in the year DCCCCXV, and by them so understood, as if for the cause of death (and indeed a little before it) made it had been; since the name of Testament (as already above often) indeterminate is, to signify whatever will absolute and irrevocable, by public authority confirmed. It whole, and indeed in Latin, exhibits Sandoval: from which to transcribe it congruous I judge, since, the of life Acts being lacking, of these the place in part it supplies. It is moreover, changed a few little points, which the of the transcribers carelessness seems to have altered, of this tenor described: To the most holy, most glorious Lords triumphers, after God to me Patrons, of the heavens the Key-bearer, on the citadel of the Apostolate constituted, the most chosen Peter; the Holy Apostles beseeching by an equal vocation, Andrew the kindly; through Iberia's bounds James the most illustrious; and the master Thomas, followers of Christ and His Martyrs, from the constitution of the world to God known Apostles: a client, your servant Gennadius, poor in merits, abundant in crimes, unworthy of the Bishop's name; most firmly I hold and undoubtedly I know, that you, most pious and strenuous Patrons, at the one of the Lord calling voice, at once all things which of the world are to the world you left, unwearied adhering to the footprints of the Savior; so that neither by a point indeed you would withdraw from Him, even nor to the funeral of a father, the seeds of divine wisdom drinking, preachers excellent made, the whole world with the light of truth you illuminate; and what with mouth you taught, with work you fulfilled, and through the effusion of your most sacred gore you strengthened. What therefore I most wretched should do? Who unmerited in this vocation called, neither in work nor in preaching am fit, that of the threatening Prophet, nay of the Lord voice I dread saying, To the sinner said God, Why do you narrate my justices, and assume my testament through your mouth? you indeed have hated discipline. Ps. 49, 16 For the Vessel of election, the Preceptor of the Gentiles wonderful, who above the heavens' visible stars rapt, by the word of the Lord fed and refreshed [was], fearing our detriment, of himself said, Lest perchance to others preaching myself reprobate I be made. 1 Cor. 9, 27 By my conscience's testimony terrified, and by the weight of sins burdened, your patronage I long for most humble, that on the day of judgment for him they may intercede, the shade of your summit I seek earnestly, to be defended and protected by your intervention I trust intrepid, nothing hesitating, nothing doubting, that whatever you shall ask from the Father celestial may be done for you. And therefore while the Shepherd of shepherds shall appear, while in the glory of His majesty He shall come, while in His sight fire shall precede, when on the throne of brightness at once and of dread to judgment He shall sit, both You and all the Saints

with Him about to sit upon thrones judging; I beseech, that to the best King for me you intercede, that may overcome mercy judgment, and I be transferred from of the left and of the goats the flocks into the right, with the lamb's fleece clothed: and who of session merit not the chair, to stand in the sights of divinity without dread by your merits I may be able.

[7] When still under the Father Apostolic, my Abbot Arandiselus, in the Ageus monastery I lived; by the life of hermits delighted, with twelve Brothers and the blessing of the aforesaid Arandiselus, he sets forth how the monastery of S. Peter being constructed, to S. Peter's holy hermitage I proceeded: which place placed by B. Fructuosus and instituted [was]: after whom S. Valerius it obtained: how great moreover [in] life of sanctity they were, and how great by virtues' grace and miracles' profit they shone, the histories and of their lives writings declare. Then the aforesaid little place, into antiquity reduced, almost to oblivion given, with brambles and densest woods covered, and with great trees from the immensity of years overshadowed, the help of the Lord with the Brothers I restored, buildings I built, vineyards and orchards I planted, lands from the squalid I cast, gardens and all things which to the use of the monastery pertain I imposed. But the rival of virtues, our life envying, as if, made Bishop of Astorga, for the edification of many, the minds of very many stirring, to the Pontificate of Astorga [and] to the suburbs I was drawn away: in which for many years, unwilling and more in the beginning enduring than with spontaneous mind, but neither fully of body present, there I dwelt. All moreover solicitude and all industry about the aforesaid hermitage exercising, the church of S. Peter, which long ago I had restored, with wonderful buildings revolving I enlarged, and into better as I could I raised. also other three places he erected, Then moreover in those mountains a hall, by name S. Andrew, I constructed; and another monastery, to the monastic order between a valley stretching, in memory of S. James again I constructed, which is called Peñalba: between each indeed, in a place which is called Silence, in honor of S. Thomas a fourth oratory I built: and to each church gifts, little presents, or books now I offer separately; and that now they may have through this testament to dispose I desire, and by the Prelates' or Princes' precept to affirm I decree and for ages infinite long to be valid to persist and to remain I order.

[8] In the first place the monastery of S. Peter let it have all which in its circuit are, orchards and lands and all then his own to each he assigns gifts and books, through its boundaries. Likewise in Oza, a village which is called S. Mary of the valley of Scalius with all its inheritance: or also another church of SS. Justus and Pastor, lands, vineyards, orchards, gardens, from the whole with the validities afforded, and adjacent through their boundaries, in integrity let them be proper of the monastery of S. Peter, and nothing of communion there let them have ever the rest of churches, which in the aforesaid hermitage constructed are, unless perhaps for unanimity's sake something for mercy granted be. In the treasury at length of the said church of S. Peter I offer a chalice with a paten, besides a Gospel-book and crowns of silver, a bell, a cross, and a lamp of bronze; books also ecclesiastical, that is, a Psalter, a Comes, an Antiphonary, a Manual of Prayers, an Ordinary, a Passionary, and an Hourly. But to the church of S. Andrew all the lands, whatever it has through its boundaries, and orchards, or whatever from today's day there the Brothers to augment shall be able: likewise books ecclesiastical a Psalter, an Ordinary, a Passionary: but the vessels of the altar, to be had privately, a chalice of silver with a paten and a crown, a bell, a cross, and a lamp of bronze. Likewise to the monastery of S. James the lands [and] orchards, which through the circuit and boundaries it has; books, a Psalter, a Comes, an Antiphonary, a Manual of Prayers, an Ordinary, a crown and a Gospel-cover of silver, a lamp and a bell of bronze. Likewise to the church of S. Thomas the lands and orchards through its boundaries; books, a Psalter; in the treasury of the church a chalice, a crown, a lamp and a bell of bronze. These all above comprehended, each singly and separately, its proper place let it claim its own, nor one with another communion let it have, but each church for itself let it claim what separately I offer.

[9] It remains moreover (because not on bread alone lives man, but on every word which proceeds from the mouth of God) that I deliver the other books divine, that is, and others to be had in common, the Library whole, the Morals of Job, the Pentateuch with the history of Ruth one book; or also especially of the Doctors, that is the Lives of the Fathers, likewise the Morals, Ezekiel, likewise Ezekiel, Prosper, the Kinds of offices, the Etymologies of Cathajvanis, books of the Trinity, a book of Apringius, the epistles of Jerome; likewise the Etymologies and Glosses, the book of the Comes, the book of the Rules of illustrious men. All these books I order that to all the Brothers in these places common be; nor let anyone of them [any] for domination for himself claim; but, just as I said, by parts and in common possessing let them see the law of God, and to the above-written churches let them run: for example's sake, that as many as shall be of them in S. Peter, others as many in S. Andrew, and others as many likewise in S. James; and mutually among them they shall dispose these: which whoever shall have read in one monastery, let them exchange them with another; so through single places they shall run, that all of them in common they may have, and all in order they may read. By that only reasoning preserved, that to none be it permitted of these into another place to transfer, cautioning lest anything be alienated by anyone, to give, to sell, or to exchange: but only in these places let them remain, and in this hermitage founded be; or also if still other oratories within these mountains still constructed be, let them have participation in these special books. If any moreover Brother or Abbot, from these places having gone out, another monastery in another place to build shall wish; let him not have power to carry off nor to eject from all things which in this testament resound, nor to transfer from the proper place where now it I confer: but only in these places, which shall be from S. Peter unto Peñalba, always them there to abide I decree, institute and order.

[10] And on those contravening grave penalties imprecating. If any breaker, Prince or Judge, Pontiff, Abbot, Presbyter, Monk, Cleric or Layman, this vow my to infringe or to change shall wish, or otherwise than this writing contains to act shall dispose, in the first place bereaved this let him lack light; with an ulcer most evil divinely avenged, from the sole of the foot unto the crown of the head, with a river of wounds running moistened, [and] swarming with worms, a horror let him be to all sights; and in the future with the impious and wicked overwhelmed, let him be delivered to flames avenging: besides into secular damages mulcted, compelled by a Judge, let him confer to the same church as much as to carry off he had attempted by elevenfold; and this testament most firm vigor let it retain forever. Made and confirmed the testament in the Era DCCCCLIII. Under Christ's grace Gennadius Bishop on this testament, which to be made I willed, with my hand I have strengthened. Ordonius Most Serene Prince confirms. Geloira the Queen confirms. Ermigius by the grace of God Bishop confirms. Didacus by the grace of God Bishop confirms. Segeredus confirms. Dulcidius confirms. Sarracinus who is Notary.

[11] The Era prenoted, with the year of Christ DCCCCXV agrees, and notes the year from the taken up Abbey's governance the seventeenth, In the year 916 he restores the monastery of S. Leocadia the tenth indeed from the ordination Episcopal. In the year moreover following another monastery he rebuilt, says § XI Sandoval, which in ancient times S. Leocadia of Castañera was called, and which he himself in the Testament thereupon made asserts first to have been built by certain holy and elect Fathers, Valentinus and Moses, Monks and Abbots there, who there lived an arduous exceedingly and to God pleasing life: after whose holy Fathers' death, through the negligence of the monks, the monastery perished, inasmuch as by them delivered to the Bishop Indisclus, who it plainly to his own uses converted and desolated: it moreover to be rebuilt undertook S. Gennadius on the VI Ides of January in the Era DCCCCLIIII, present S. Attilanus Bishop of Zamora, and Fronimius, and other many Abbots, the same Testament confirming: from which also and from another of the Era DCCCCLXIII is understood, that S. Gennadius so greatly had at heart the increase of this place, that immediately after the abdicated Episcopate thither himself to receive he thought, and in fact received. The first in the prior, the second in the latter charter could be indicated: because it is established from the time of the dedicated church of S. Peter, that S. Gennadius still in the Episcopate was in the year after the prior Testament's writing the third. The latter Testament not of S. Gennadius himself, but of the Bishop Fortis to have been seems: for it pertains to the year DCCCCXXVII and Sandoval §15 expressly says, after the Era DCCCCLVIII, that is after the year DCCCCXX no longer is found memory of S. Gennadius.

CHAPTER III.

The time of death, and the day of cult of S. Gennadius.

[12] The saint seems to have died before Fortis: As regards the end of life by the holy Prelate led, altogether seems to be held, that before from the living he departed Fortis, the same already had departed Gennadius. For if he had lived, not so easily through the death of the Bishop would have stuck in the place of Silence the interrupted work of the new monastery by Fortis begun. To have stuck moreover for the whole in which Novidius after Fortis sat of years several time, is understood from a certain Testament of the Bishop Salomon, composed about the year DCCCCXXXVII: which because to the present matter not a little makes, from the Spanish Sandoval's translation, for a while into Latin I render; until the original text to us send someone. In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity, I Salomon, an unworthy Bishop and the least of the servants of God. Doubtful none it is, but to all notorious, that Lord Gennadius, my Lord and Father in Jesus Christ, was placed in the grade Sacerdotal and the See of Astorga by our Prince of good memory Lord Adefonsus; [who to him, the Episcopate dismissed the monasteries by himself founded seeking again,] and that placed in this order in this place he was for many years: and he built a monastery in the place called Peñalba under the mountain Aquilanus, where once, before he was Bishop, also he had built another, where are the Relics of SS. Peter and Paul. Besides he built other many monasteries and places, as many as at this time built we see. But when he was Bishop he visited the said places, and full of the Holy Spirit, contemning all that is terrestrial, and esteeming what is true and eternal, he renounced (just as always he had wished to do) the See and dignity Episcopal; and himself to those deserts received, choosing for his dwelling the holy those monasteries which he had built: in which he was unto the end of his days, reigning at that time Lord Ordonius of divine memory. Who seeing the glorious contention of this saint in the monastic life, A successor substituted, and that the See of Astorga

no one had by whom it might be governed; from the opinion and consent of the same Lord Gennadius ordained, that his disciple Lord Fortis should be Bishop of Astorga. But when Lord Fortis already was Bishop of Astorga, entered him a desire great of founding some monastery near his Master, in which should remain always his memory for the remedy of his soul. Hearing indeed this his Lord and Master, full of joy sanctified the place, which is called Silence, in which should be built a monastery which to found he had decreed: he had begun in the place of silence a monastery to build: and in that which he himself commanded manner, began the work Lord Fortis: but before it could be completed, he died. Then I aforenamed Salomon unworthy was elected in his place Bishop of Astorga, by our Prince Lord Ranimirus. Seeing therefore myself placed in the place of my Master, I determined to complete the memory which he had begun; and that determination pursuing, gathered the Abbots and Monks all of those places it seemed, which Salomon to another place transferred, that the site in which had been begun the work was not congruous, and was into another part to be transferred. So built was there in the vicinity, in a place more commodious, which is called of S. James the Apostle, where buried is the body of the same S. Gennadius.

[13] Thus far the words of the Testament so to be understood, that each place both of Silence and of Peñalba, before for a few hermits had built S. Gennadius: which work further pursuing the same Salomon, says Sandoval, immediately completed: in the year 967, and in it placed many holy Monks confessors, for whose sustentation and aid of life, that this kind of care them might not distract from contemplation and the spiritual life, under the ordination of the most pious Prince Ranimirus, and with the consent of all the Clerics his fellows etc. he gives to them the place and the church of S. Columba, in the month of February the Era DCCCCLXXV. Aegidius Davila of the Bishop Fortis the memory to be found says for the year of Christ DCCCCXXII and thinks that the Episcopate laid down also he himself to a monastery himself received: the one being dead who had neglected the work Novidius. but in this him to be deceived seems from the aforesaid to be clear. Died therefore Fortis the begun in that which perhaps (when completed it was) he thought himself to receive monastery, and a successor received in the See Episcopal Novidius: who to pursuing his predecessor's begun no care accommodating, for the long which he sat time, perhaps nor a name even now would have in history, unless his, just as Davila says, existed memory in the Astorga archives, through a charter relating, how commanded Ranimirus the King at Astorga, to be gathered the Bishops, Abbots and Nobles of his Kingdom, in the year DCCCCXXXIV; and that in that great convention defined and decreed was, that should be restored to the Church of Astorga and its Bishop Novidius, the churches which are of Braganza, Sanabria and Quiroga, which from it from its own right proper and ancient had been taken away, in the times in which on account of the barbarians' tempest and the rushing-in persecution very many churches were destroyed.

[14] But before Novidius that one Bishop became (which seems made before the year DCCCCXXX) being dead S. Gennadius, Gennadius other several monasteries founded, for his immense desire of multiplying monasteries, also founded a monastery of SS. Peter and Paul of Castañera, in the boundary Vergidense, constituted there as Abbot Lord Attillanus. For although such foundation's year be unknown, faith however of it makes Hodarius the Bishop, in a certain writing of the Era DCCCCLXXXXVIII. Distant moreover is monastery that four leagues from the monastery of S. Peter de Montes, toward Menbibra about the river Sil. So Sandoval: Aegidius moreover numbers from Yepes in the diocese of Astorga monasteries and hermitages of the Benedictine Rule to forty-eight, of which for the greater part the author was S. Gennadius, filling those deserts with a holy nation, which by their prayers would break the Moors' forces, the greater and better part of Spain then holding. Among these however is not found a monastery of S. Michael, which made the Saint (as says Marieta, a little before his death, in which also buried he lies. Nor wonderful: for already we have heard Salomon saying, that S. Gennadius's body in the monastery of S. James buried is: and a surer, for the present also time, witness Sandoval §. 14 thus speaks. Of the aforenamed monasteries, of all of which the head was the monastery of S. Peter, only survive hermitages; he is buried in the Peñalba one, except for the monastery of S. James de Peñalba, which of S. Gennadius calls the common people, because there is buried the founder of the place; it is moreover a church parochial of certain rude mountaineers, and the Lord of the place has the title of Abbot and of Dignity in the church of Astorga. Here lies the body of S. Gennadius, as he is venerated against fevers. which with great veneration is visited and adored by the peoples, who at some times through the year, even from places most remote, of pilgrimage for the sake there come, the Lord by frequent miracles their devotion approving. It is moreover composed within a chest of stone, moderately standing out from the earth, in which it is sunk: from the very moreover earth is taken dust against fevers, and these driven away it is brought back, whence it is that this holy sepulchre wholly covered is with little cloths with earth stuffed. Pure is the stone, and by no graven letters, nor anywhere appears any of the year or day of death memory.

[15] These Sandoval, but so that he interpose a mention of some Translation made by Salomon, from the place where first had begun to be built a monastery to S. James: which indeed not is improbable: but that likewise translated was the body of the Bishop Fortis, it would behoove him there to be buried to have wished, which by no argument yet proved I find, but from a bare presumption asserted. The same then Sandoval by mere conjecture relates S. Gennadius's death, between the Era DCCCCLVII and VIII, that is between the year DCCCCXIX and XX. To us nothing of reason appears, on account of which it should be believed the Saint immediately from the dedicated S. Peter's church to have abdicated the Episcopate, much less why that abdicated he should be said soon to have died; He seems to have died about the year 925 nay rather seems among the monks a monk to have lived at least a few years, that his death fell about the year XXV of that century; in which however nothing slothful Fortis proceeded to urge the work of the begun building, until also he himself died, not long perhaps surviving his Master. Meanwhile from the said collapses the Pseudo-Julian's figment, which Tamayo and Cardoso seize, as a sacred anchor in the fluctuation of authors about the year of death, while they read in the Adversaria number 504 Famous is the memory of S. Gennadius Bishop of Astorga under the Moors, on the day XXV of May of the year DCCCCXVII. For the years of Christ, for that in which Julian ought to have written age, knew not Spain to number. Nothing more to be heard deserves the same fabulist, when in the same Adversaria he presumes to define, in what place was the Ageus monastery, whence came forth this Saint, writing boldly number 509 S. Gennadius the Lusitanian of Braga, of the monastery Agen near Braga. Whether there is or was some monastery near Braga, Agen called, which to this fiction occasion gave, indeed I know not; I doubt moreover whether the Saint in the aforepraised Testament wished his own name of the monastery to indicate, and not said appellatively Ageus, in the place of Agium monastery, that is Holy, as that word without aspiration, by which in Greek is expressed Ἅγιον, in frequent use of the Latin writers of his age to have been, sufficiently is established. Whatever of it be, a graver author to me there is need, than is that one Pseudo-Julian, that I believe either the use of light, or of discipline monastic the form to have drawn S. Gennadius outside the kingdom of León or of the joined to it Galicia's bounds.

[16] uncertain whether the 25th of May: The day XXV of May, whether it of death was, or of a translation some from the church of Astorga, to S. Gennadius sacred already long ago was; and so also in the place of burial, to which a great of pilgrims multitude to flow yearly on the day festal testifies Marieta. Teaches this Tamayo from an ancient Astorga Breviary Ms. where for that day his is indicated an Office with brief Lessons (which would that he had expressed!) and this Hymn at Vespers and Matins: in which is inscribed an office in the Breviary of Astorga.

Our let us sing Prelate Gennadius, who from the mountains of Rufiana is compelled this staff to receive. Life leaving silent he was drawn forth to the court, In which neither further could he abide many times. So the infula to dismiss he resolved, the site loving Of his old monastery, where he seeks the laurel.

THE COLLECT.

God, who the present day honorable to us in B. Gennadius Your Confessor and Pontiff, on the solemnity have made; give to Your Church worthily of so great a Patron to rejoice, that with Your mercy by his examples and merits we may be aided.

CHAPTER IV.

Abbots and Saints, successors of Gennadius in the Mountain monastery of S. Peter, and the Peñalba one of S. James.

[17] In the same place buried as a saint, Urban the Abbot. Sandoval, of the chief which of S. Gennadius are had notices the author, after the described, as above, sepulchre in the same, he says, chapel, in which entombed is S. Gennadius, at the other side of the church is found a chest of stone, to the Gennadian similar: and in this is the body of S. Urban, Abbot of this monastery and of so great sanctity, that with the same with which the holy Founder of burial honor worthy he was held, and with the same with which that one in manner religiously is venerated. To be known it is moreover, that within this church of the parishioners none buried is ever, on account of the reverence of the place. Within the wall lateral, to which adjoined is the sepulchre of S. Gennadius, outside is an arch ancient, with two small arches a middle column them sustaining built, and under it within the wall excavated a great chest of stone, whose epigraph in Gothic letters written, and by time's antiquity consumed, nothing more to be read exhibits than these three words, SERVANT OF GOD JANUARIUS: nor seems another there deposited than S. Fortis Bishop of Astorga the disciple of S. Gennadius: Likewise Januarius, for indeed the dwellers venerate the body there enclosed, as of a Saint. In the same part which looks to the North, is another stone within a little window, to which outside inscribed ✠ HERE PETRONATUS. Petronatus, And it signifies within, yet not within the body of the church, buried to be someone so called; and indeed him, who worthy was of the title of eminent sanctity in such a place to be buried: for neither by nobility's title or other similar that done to be believed can in that place, where no around noble, but oxherds only and rustic folk.

[18] In the same part, at the entrance of one gate, through which from the portico the church surrounding into it is entered, Stephen, in the very threshold lies a great stone sepulchral, and at the side of the gate is a comely stone, with letters quite elegant and almost from the whole Roman thus inscribed:

Closed is in Christ under marble this Stephen, An excellent Abbot, in morals choice, A man of the Lord upright, and of right by tenor severe, Discreet, wise, sober, and patient;

Of great honesty, and of great a man piety, While to him power there was, to live while it was permitted: Whom to us illustrious begot the nation of the Frankish-born, A Rector of the young, the doctrine and ornament of the old, On Gervasius's feast he yielded and to frail old age: The virtue lofty of God let it be propitious to him. The hundredth year lead, seven times add the tenth, A thousand to which you join, what was the Era, you will know. On the III Kalends of July, died Stephen MCLXX, Pelagius Fernandus ordered to be made, and Peter noted it.

[19] In a certain little window of the porticoes, by which I said the church to be surrounded, Franco, where are buried the parishioners, which is at the right of that gate where buried is Stephen, this kind also on a stone of writing is discerned,

STEPHEN OF GOD FRANCO, WHEN HE MIGRATED

FROM THIS WORLD, PRAY FOR HIM.

These words thus explains Sandoval, as if of the same or of another Stephen the Epitaph they are. I fear lest uncorrupted be all things, and lest Famulus is to be read, where Franco is placed; Migrabit moreover, where is read Migravit: that the sense be, that Stephen, in the time of his death, prepared a burial for himself in the threshold, under the there placed stone; and of those passing the prayers when he is dead to ask: or rather, that Stephen the Abbot for his predecessor the servant of God Franco that memory placed. Vilias, Finally, says Sandoval, in the part of the church southern outside, at the foot of the last wall, to which inside is adjacent the burial of S. Urban, another is a burial within the portico, by the sole of the wall interposition distinguished from that which I said of S. Urban, under a great stone with these words inscribed,

✠ HERE LIES VILIAS THE SERVANT OF GOD: HE DIED

IN THE ERA MLXXX.

[20] These moreover minutely to relate I wished, says Sandoval, because by the common opinion of the natives, the sepulchres there are believed of Saints to be, and by fame from the elders received are said seven altogether Saints with S. Gennadius to have been buried. So he, to whom, as regards Urban, of the title of sanctity undoubtedly I assent; inasmuch as whose burial within the church was. The Bishop Fortis either at Peñalba to be buried, whether all as Saints? or, if he is, outside to have been placed, by a proof more solid seems than a simple presumption to need: since truly there buried to have been could someone, as still the stone says, of God a servant Januarius, who, equally as the rest here named, an Abbot of the monastery was. But if true it is, I would say, that the monastery they ruled in this nearly order. First Urban, then Vilias deceased in the year MXLII; then Januarius, Petronatus, Franco, and Stephen, dead in the year MCXLVIII, and his successor Pelagius Fernandez; whose monument no one to place took care, collapsing perhaps already then the discipline of the place, and Abbots of the monastery? and its property to the Astorga Chapter devolved. Indeed if S. Gennadius's successor Fortis the Saint's title and veneration at Peñalba ever had had, I do not see why the church of Astorga, not equally of this the feast as of that one would have taken to be celebrated. The Abbots moreover of that place, with a special monument's prerogative endowed to have been, before the common of Monks and of Laymen, exceedingly conformable to reason is.

[21] Something similar in the mountain S. Peter monastery in use to have come seems. There indeed, as writes the same Sandoval, in the chapel major, behind the altar's panel, In the church of S. Peter are behind the altar chests of four Saints: under a certain arch are four chests, he says, which I saw and opened, and within each of them of one Saint a body I beheld. In one of these is presumed to be the body of S. Valerius. The other, as the prior, of wood is and gilded, with some histories of the new Testament, expressed with brush and colors; in which they say is the body of S. Vincentius, Abbot of this monastery after S. Gennadius, one of the twelve first of his fellows. The third, overlaid with leather and with circles silvered bound, various had on the very leather designated pictures, of which nothing more can be discerned: the bones indeed inside placed so are whole, that of ivory turned to seem they could, and they are fragrant with an odor not adventitious, but proper and that most sweet. The fourth at length wooden, figures some of work exceedingly old painted displays, of our Lady namely and of her Son; not however in the same in which the rest esteem it is. It contains moreover of a more recent note a writing on parchment, from another of older or Gothic character transcribed, which says: These are the bones of a certain best man a hermit, who was called Alfonsus Petri, who in this mountain lived forty years, in the greatest penitence and perpetual from flesh abstinence. He had a companion, who himself in this grove hanged, and there is buried. Let no one these bones hence carry off. That moreover holy Hermit seems to me there to have lived, before S. Gennadius into a monastery's form the place reduced.

[22] Would that, as in the latter, so also in the three prior were found this kind of writing; for more securely we would proceed to the aforenamed Valerius to ascribe to the Saints at the XXV of February; of whom one to be of S. Valerius quite doubtful is: although of such a day not very certain us would render the Epitaph, unknown to Sandoval, and brought forth by Tamayo, and thus ending:

The Era seven-hundredth, three added to the thirties, In the month of February, on the day which less in the Kalendar, If well you weigh, is numbered the fifth Kalends Of the following month, in the year eighth of Egica.

For just as none is in the verses a form of style in the century VII used, so from the first verse, by which is said, In this cemetery in the place lies the body notable of Valerius consequent would be the century XII, in which such a thing to be written could (for not before began epitaphs rhythmically to be woven) still in the common cemetery of Valerius that one's body entombed to have lain: which would not have been, if before three centuries a public it had had cult as a Saint. To this however to him to be adjudged little me moves that consequence; because as that Epitaph, so very many others through the Spanish Martyrology scattered, from the faith of a Ms. in Tamayo preserved under the name of Aulus Halys, most suspect to me is of recent fiction, and so from it I do not think can be a solid any consequence formed, not only of cult or non-cult, but neither of the day or year of death, which according to the Era there noted would be the DCXCV year of Christ, and XXX from the death of S. Fructuosus; whose begun things to have promoted indeed is known Valerius that one; but frequently from place to place to migrate wont, gratuitously is supposed to have died and to be buried in the monastery of S. Peter.

[23] Nay rather from this that his works Ms. are preserved in the Cerrado, now of Cistercian monks, monastery, to suspect anyone could, that the Author there died. But if anyone those into light brings forth, gladly at the XVI of April, after the Life of S. Fructuosus, we will give the Life of his successor Valerius by his own words collected, since he could have died in the Cerrado monastery where are his works, which now only we have interpreted by others. Those moreover works, either to be published into light, or the places from which the Life is collected thence transcribed to us to be sent, so much the more we wish, the more gladly at once we shall receive his epistle, to the Monks of Complutum directed, in which the Life of B. Eucharia a Nun is described; and the History of the holy Abbot Dodonaeus, and the History and Revelations and Miracles of SS. Maximus and Bonellus monks, by us wished. of all of which hitherto no, neither with us nor with Tamayo exists notice: but if I knew Maximus and Bonellus of the same monastery of S. Peter inhabitants to have been, I would begin perhaps to think, in the said without a name certain chests, their bodies to be contained.

[24] But, that from a longer digression I may return to S. Gennadius, worth the labor it will be from Sandoval to learn, of what sort were the caves, The caves of S. Gennadius in the place of Silence, to which he the name of Silence made, and by his dwelling venerability not a little conferred, whence also today the name from him they retain, that of S. Gennadius caves they are called. They are those in number five, within the living of a most lofty mountain rock, by nature's sole leading hollowed: to which not except through a narrow path, to goats rather than to men passable, so it is ascended, that it is necessary to grasp the shrubs, nor downward the eyes to incline, otherwise into vertigo easily to be driven. Above the very caves rises the rock, so high that horror it strikes into those looking up: their indeed mouths the sun look at rising; and beyond half of a man's stature not opening, of gates at once and of windows afford the use: what treasures they preserve. within indeed with quite an ample space to a moderate height they rise, hollowed all around for sitting at the sides with a long stretch. Hither the Saints of those times Monks, and of cloistral life by exercises inveterate, to spiritual contests with the highest silence to be undergone themselves betook, in the Lord's Advent and Lent time; that thence more prepared they might return to the sacred of the Nativity of Christ and the Resurrection solemnities, within the monastery with the Brothers to be celebrated. Here great treasures to lie hidden the barbarous of the rustic dwellers throng to themselves persuades; rightly, if sanctity it understand, which there left its inhabitants, through of austerer penitence works there exercised: other indeed treasures there in vain you would seek.

ON S. JOHN PSYCHAITA,

CONFESSOR AMONG THE GREEKS.

UNDER THE ICONOCLASTS

HISTORICAL COLLECTION.

The eulogies from the Synaxaries: the surname of Psychaita whence to him given.

John Psychaita, Confessor among the Greeks (S.)

D. P.

[1] Celebrate this Christ's Confessor the Greeks in this month of May; but on so many diverse days inscribed in their sacred calendars, that deservedly to be doubted it can, to which chiefly day he ought to be attributed. Among the older calendars we reckon the Menology of Basil Porphyrogenitus the Emperor in which at the XXV of May he is praised in these words. The eulogy from the Menology of Basil the Emperor 25 May, John holy Father our, from his beginning age Christ with love embracing, and Elias's and John the Precursor's of living manner imitating, the world left: and into the laura of Psychaita going, the monastic life took up: and so far to a rigid life's institute himself addicted, that a gift from God he received both of demons putting to flight and of diseases curing. But when in the Iconoclasts' time skillfully he contended, and the orthodox doctrines defended; he was denounced to the tyrant reigning, and by him summoned a mandate received of abjuring of the sacred images the veneration, to the heresies of assenting, and to the party of abomination of subscribing. But he, to obey the commands refusing, nay rather the Emperor arguing, and him calling a heretic, into exile relegated was; in which when by the impious and iniquitous Iconoclasts very many to him inflicted hardships constantly he had sustained, his life with death exchanged. These in the Menology of Basil the Emperor, and from a Ms. Synaxary 24 May, at the day XXV of May at the end of the first tome in Greek brought forth. But on the day before, or the day XXIV of May, is celebrated his memory in a most ancient Ms. Greek Synaxary of the Church of Constantinople, which belongs to the college Clermont of the Society of Jesus at Paris, with this kind of encomium.

[2] Οὗτος ὁ Μακάριος, Ἰωάννου καὶ Ἠλιοῦ ἐκ νιπίου τοὺς

τρόπους μιμουμενος, ἄκρᾳ σκληραγωγίᾳ τὸν βίον ἑαυτου ῥηθμήσας, τοὺς πολέμους τῶν δαιμόνων ἐνίκησεν ἀνδρικώτατα· ταῖς τῶν δακρύων πηγᾶις τὴν ψυχὴν προκαθαρθεὶς, καὶ παννύχοις στάσεσι τὸν Θεὸν ἱλασκόμενος· καὶ ἰκμάδας προχέων δακρύων, ποταμοὺς ἐξήρανε τῶν ἁιρέσεων· τοῦ Χριστοῦ τὸ ὁμοίωμα προσκυνῶν ὡς σεβάσμιον, καὶ τῶν ἀσεβῶν τὰ βουλέυματα καταστρεψᾴμενος ἠρίστασεν, ἐξορίας πικρὰς καὶ φυλακὰς καρτερῶς ὐπομείνας· καὶ νόμων προἳστάμενος καὶ πατρικῶν παραδόσεων, νόμων βασιλικῶν κατέπττυσεν· ὅθεν καὶ αθλήσας καρτερῶς, καὶ ἀυτὸς τὸν ἴσον τοῖς ἁγίοις αγῶνα ὁμοιως καὶ τὸν, στέφανον ἤρατο, νοσούντων σώματα καὶ ψυχὰς θεραπεύων, ὡς τῶν θαυμάτων την χάριν ἐκ Θεοῦ δεξάμενος. Blessed this one, from his cradle of John the Baptist and of Elias the life having imitated, a rigid of living institute assumed, himself excellently exercised, and the hostile infestations of demons most generously overcame; after now before with tears' streams his soul he had purged, and through whole nights with assiduous of prayers station God to himself propitious had rendered, and with tears' founts the rivers of the heretics had dried up. The sacred indeed of Christ image as to be venerated he honored, and of the overturned of the impious counsels he triumphed. Grave and bitter exiles and prisons generously he endured, while the Fathers' constitutions and traditions he defended, and the decrees of the Emperor he spat upon and rejected. Whence also strongly contending, an equal he himself to other Saints contest underwent, and an equal with them crown carried back; and the from God of curations gift received, of many bodies and souls he healed.

[3] The same nearly are related at the day XXIII of May in Mss. Greek Menaea of Milan of the Ambrosian library, and in others on the day 23 and 26, likewise 7 and 28 May. and in another codex of Turin of the Duke of Savoy, in whose other he is ascribed at the day XXVI of the month, as in the Mss. of Dijon of Peter Francis Chifflet at the day of May XXIII; added a distich, by which his soul to the bosom of Abraham, with Lazarus the poor man, by Angels carried elegantly is intimated, on the occasion of his name, from the word ψιχή that is Crumb taken. It and whatever the interpretation, with a freer, as those we are wont to render, meter receive:

Δέξαι σύνοικον Λάζαρε Ψυχαΐτην, Ὃς τὸ πρὶν ἦρας καὶ τῆς τραπέζης ψίχας

Receive the Crumb-man, Lazarus, as a cohabitant, Who to have taken up are said the crumbs of the table.

The Synaxaries indeed and Menaea, however many we saw, not by I but by Y the surname of the Saint express: but that of writing manner, besides that the whole of the aforesaid Distich's it enervates elegance (for neither between ψυχή soul and ψιχή crumb any is of signification proportion) of error easily even by this is convicted, The surname of Pschaita, that no anywhere is known to be a place, ψυχή called, whence could the Psychaita name formed be said: there was moreover in the royal city (as in his Christian Constantinople book 2, chapter 16, number 76 teaches Du Cange) a certain place Psicha called, and it not far from the Forum situated: for thus suggesting the same Du Cange, I find in Leo the Grammarian, that before Christophorus the Caesar's death, which happened in the year DCCCCXXXIIII in the month of August, happened a fire immense and horrendous in the forum's portico, taken from a place of the city of Constantinople where he dwelt. to the temple of the most holy Mother of God neighboring, so that of the wax-makers and of the furriers the workshops μεχρι τῶν ψιχῶν (for so to be written it was not ψηχῶν, and so also has the Anonymous of Combefis the same fire narrating in Du Cange) so, I say, that the workshops even to Psicha were consumed. Nay also the Mica golden in the region second of old Rome set Publius Victor, whence to the new Rome of the same name into Greek rendered the use to have flowed could. And these therefore be said, for understanding, what otherwise we would not know, John, of whom we treat, to have been of the Constantinopolitan city an inhabitant, in Psicha near the forum a Recluse and solitarily living, just as others through the same city several did, in the midst of cities a hermitage for themselves finding. Finally in the Menaea printed twice he is related with the same encomium already last related, namely at the day VII and XXVIII of May. On each day, according to custom, he is related in Maximus Bishop of Cythera; but on none of these or of the aforenamed days in the Menology of Sirletus.

ON SAINT OLBIANUS

AMONG THE GREEKS.

from a Ms. Synaxary of Dijon.

Olbianus, among the Greeks (S.)

Two of this name Saints in this month of May celebrate the Greeks, the one a Bishop of Aneum and Martyr, on the day XXIX; the other this XXV of May, on which day he is indicated in the Mss. Menaea of Dijon, in the college of the Society of Jesus with Peter Francis Chifflet once preserved; in which these few are related:

Ὁ ἃγιος Ὀλβιανὸς ἐν εἰρήνῃ τελειοῦται: Holy Olbianus in peace is consummated. and then this distich is subjoined:

Τὸν Ὀλβιανὸν, οὗ πανόλβιος βὶος, Λαβόντα καὶ πανολβίαν λῆξιν γράφω.

Because to Olbianus life thrice happy was, With a thrice also happy death loosed I say.

An allusion is made to the name. For to the Greeks βίος, Life; and ὄλβιος, Happy, fortunate, rich, wealthy is.