ON SAINT SENZIUS
PRESBYTER, AT BLERA IN ETRURIA.
5TH CENTURY.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
On his cult at Blera and Spoleto, his fellow S. Mamilianus, and the Acts.
Senzius Presbyter, at Blera in Etruria (S.)
G. H.
Blera, in Ptolemy and Strabo Βλήρα, a city of Etruria, afterward Episcopal, now a town, to Sutri and Viterbo cities neighboring, At Blera his Church as of a Patron, and from them by X thousand paces distant, commonly Bieda called, to the Roman Pontiff is subject in the patrimony of S. Peter. Of this town the Patron is S. Senzius Presbyter, who on the neighboring mountain lived, and the Blerans the true Christ's religion taught, and there on the day XXV of May from this life departed; where also he is venerated, a basilica over the sepulchre constructed. His Life we found at Rome in a Ms. Legendary of the Lateran Church, The Life from the Mss. which here we give. Some also we described at Florence from a Ms. codex 773 of the plute 34, in the monastery of S. Cross of the Friars Minor Conventual of S. Francis, but in several places contracted, and therefore that we omit. The holy Presbyter there, not Senzius, but Sentias is written: and the city Blera, the city Bladuana is called.
[2] Relics near Spoleto His body to be preserved in his time at Spoleto, in a chapel proper among the nuns of the Order of the Servants, and to be called Sensia, hands down Ferrari in the Catalogue general: and in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy he adds, there with great religion to be venerated. From there therefore further notice to be sought esteeming, we learned from our R. P. Domenico Antonio Pierantonii, that not far from the walls of the city toward the North is seen an elegant temple, to the Most Holy Crucified dedicated in that place, where once is believed a temple of idols to have existed; which long indeed of Nuns it was, but these into the city brought now is held by the Augustinians Discalced. He added that there from the side of the major altar, at which the Epistle is read, there exists a chapel of SS. Concordius and Sentius, with the image of each, and of Sentius indeed in the Diaconal habit; within the hollow indeed of the wall to the altar overhanging is kept a chest wooden, in the chapel of SS. Concordius and Sentius. with iron bonds girt, with the head of the aforesaid Saint, half part of the cranium, and bones some of S. Concordius, from the Lucca city thither translated. But this in dignity nor is it known elsewhere to have been carried, that a part could be conveyed back; nor do the Lucchese him among their Patrons number. There was wont before S. Sentius's aforesaid in the church of the Crucified at Spoleto Relics perpetually to burn a lamp, now on those only occasions it shines, on which oil there is offered by the faithful, which then against diseases they use. On the very feast the place approaches the Magistrate of the city, which whole to that Saint most devoted is. We have, besides the Life already mentioned, a double other; one from a Ms. very ancient of the prior Cathedral church of Spoleto, the style changed and contracted transcribed by the Very Illustrious and Most Reverend D. Jacopo Filippo Leoncilli a Patrician of Spoleto, but from Capua to us sent by D. Silvestro Ayossa a Presbyter of Capua; the other distinguished into nine Lessons, to be recited at Matins, which with Ludovico Iacobilli of Foligno we found. None in either is made mention of Blera, Here in the Mss. he is said to have died there. in its place substituted the city Spoleto, as if there had died the Saint: preserved however is the name of Minio, which river far is from Spoleto, and near Blera origin has, and so proves wrongly to have been changed in the said Mss. the name of the city, after the body's translation. To be the same at Lucca in veneration asserts Ferrari, and in the Kalendar of Lucca in Florentini is related Sentius a Bishop; of whom however nothing Franciotti in his work on the Saints of Lucca: but well of S. Vincentius of Movanio, as they think of whom to suspect anyone could, a part hither related to Lucca, and Senzius by the name abbreviated to be called. Nor from such a conjecture much deters the title of Bishop, to him at Lucca attributed; since even in S. Senzius the tradition of the Spoletans varies; and whom his image represents a Deacon in a tunicle red, the Life makes a Presbyter.
[3] Who in the Life is related the fellow of S. Senzius chief, S. Mamilianus, a proper to himself day birthday has the XV of September, S. Mamilianus the Fellow is venerated the 15th of September: on which to be given would be some his Life, which at Rome we found in the Vatican library codex Ms. 6453: if however be approved, what there are superadded to here related unto the death of S. Mamilianus. Then also of the three Monks likewise named to be inquired it can, whether a cult some they have. They are called those in the Mss. Convuldus, Istochius, Infans; which names scarcely I would doubt to be corrupted, from Quodvultdeus, Eustochius and Euphanius; just as of the very Senzius's name already I have insinuated to have been made by an apocope of the first syllable by the common people seem. Meanwhile another, from the aforesaid Mamilianus a Presbyter and Confessor different, from whom different the Mamilianus Bishop of Palermo, would be S. Mamilianus a Bishop of Palermo, if faith is to be had to the Acts of S. Nympha; where under Maximian into a cask of oil set with flames raging, with the same S. Nympha cast he is said; but by divine virtue freed, and after a Roman journey undertaken, at Soana in the domain of Siena by a holy death glorified. Meanwhile they not sufficiently are distinguished. Of this Mamilianus the sacred cult by Octavio Cajetano is referred to the day XVI of June, by Rocco moreover Pirro in the Notice of the Church of Palermo to the day XV of September, on which S. Mamilianus a Presbyter to be related we said. S. Nympha Virgin and Martyr is venerated the X of November, when the whole matter can be examined more maturely. and S. Milianus a Bishop of Armenia, Another at length is S. Milianus a Bishop of Armenia, who having set out into Italy, made would have been a Bishop of Lucania, and under Maximian the Emperor with Martyrdom crowned the XXVIII of January; whose Acts of Martyrdom gave to us Ferdinand Ughelli, taken from Tome 2 of a very ancient Lectionary or Passionary of parchment of the Cathedral Church of Spoleto; these moreover we will set aside for an Appendix of January, then more at length to be discussed. In them through the Lucanian city to be understood seems Lucca a city of Etruria, in which after SS. Paulinus and Valerius, in the first century of Christ living, the third is assigned S. Theodorus or Theodonius or Theodulus, in the year CCCXXIV elected, that place could be for the said Milianus under Maximian Martyrdom having suffered. These indeed here more gladly we suggest, that if about these holy Bishops, Mamilianus a Bishop of Palermo, and Milianus an Armenian Bishop of Lucca, some surer things should befall, with them to us communicated with thanksgiving we may use.
[4] What below in the Acts are said of a dragon, by S. Mamilianus on the summit of the mountain of Jove slain, and another at Blera by S. Senzius struck, and into the deep of the sea cast, where it was condemned unto the everlasting day; Whether in the Acts by the dragons is understood idolatry. they afford an occasion of inquiring, whether they are symbolically to be explained of their victory over idolatry and heresy subdued, as more at length of S. George the Megalo-Martyr we set forth the XXIII of April § III. Our certainly into this part for the most part inclines opinion, by the example of Cardinal Baronius and his fellow most erudite man P. Antonio Gallonio, whose mind more fully explained and confirmed by similar examples we found at the end of the Spoleto Ms. Further since the Author of the Life was not contemporary, and confesses toward the end that innumerable virtues wrought S. Senzius, which on account of the want of a writer he did not find written, he could these to himself narrated from some tradition or picture have had, and so to the life inserted. Which however to the reader's judgment we leave.
THE LIFE
From a Ms. Legendary of the Lateran Church, with other Mss. collated.
Senzius Presbyter, at Blera in Etruria (S.)
BHL Number: 7581
FROM THE MSS.
[1] In the time of Constantius the Emperor,a son of the most pious Constantine the Emperor, who namely Constantius the Catholic faith left perverted was by Arius the Presbyter into heretical depravity, and thence through the whole world the heresy sprouted. At that therefore time the greatest part of the Bishops and Priests into the impious dogma fell; because not rightly in God they believed, nor in the faith of the holy Trinity stably persisted. Therefore the Lord regarded the malice of their depravity, the Arian heresy prevailing, because the Priests, who placed were to cure the wounds of the languishing peoples, themselves were sick in faith, and were imperiled, seduced and captured by the snare of perdition. For indeed they ought to have been the salt of the earth, which in their hearts had become foolish, because they kept not the Evangelic doctrine, but all the depravity of error in their hearts augmented. Therefore angered was the Lord upon them, and stirred up the King of the Vandals, Genseric by name, who tookb Carthage with his soldiers, and struck them with an immense plague, by Genseric King of the Vandals, and wounded many, and in chains them afflicted: famine and nakedness grew in the Christians, and there was not in them any mercy; and many just were afflicted on account of the impiety of sinners, and a multitude of the people of the Africans was put to flight, on account of the nations' persecution, into Italy along the shore of the Romans; and from Tuscia and Campania manyc passed over into the African region. there are translated into Africa SS. Senzius and Mamilianus, with 3 monks, Among whom men most Religious of the Lord servants, Senzius and Mamilianus Presbyters, with three monks, Covuldus, Istochius, and Infans, were deported into Africa, with their own goods.
[2] Yet not ceasing to work the works of God, by nights and days hymns and praises to the Lord they rendered, and assailed the Father Omnipotent, that He would free them from the hand of the enemies most wicked; because with much affliction they were moved, nor could they sustain their misery. The nod of God, who despises not those hoping in Him, nor removes His mercy from those loving Him, prepared for them a little boat, where alike into one they came together, and blew a wind Metabolarius,d and strewed the seas. And more quickly they came into the port of Sardinia, which is called Cagliari,e and Plumbinos. Seeing them the inhabitants of that place, they sail into the port of Sardinia of Cagliari, cast themselves at their feet, that a blessing to them they would give. Some gold, some silver, others garments bringing wished them to prove: but they contemning spurned, except only the food, whence they could through single days refresh themselves. They preached to them fasting and alms, and to have perfect charity in themselves, and they cured the infirm; and marveled the inhabitants of that place at their doctrine, and they attempted to hold them by force. Then they perceiving such things, asked the sailors who there were, that unto the mountain of Jove them they would deport. The present night they fled, and sailing after two days came into Turarius.f And the sailors, who with that ship had come into Turarius, to the place where the servants of God desired, went away on their way. thence to the island Turarius: But they remaining, neither their hearts nor their faces were changed: but having full trust in the Lord, they prayed for them. And while through days very many in the island Turarius they tarried, there by days and nights incessantly to the Lord they prayed nothing else eating, except the creature of water, or what they captured, as birds, which before them fell down by the bidding of God. Nor wonderful, if they fed had been without bread on that mountain, since indeed God in the desert from five loaves five of men thousands satisfied. O the ineffable power of God! Repelled the servants of the Lord, Senzius, and Mamilianus, and Istochius, and Covuldus, and Infans by men; but not repelled by their Creator; who gave manna in the desert, and flesh delicious to the Israelites, and commanded from the rock waters His servants to nourish; as it pleased God's power.
[3] Beholding indeed a small little boat, coming from the parts of Barbaria, which lies under the power of Sardinia, they besought earnestly the Lord, that they might put in at the place, where the servants of God tarried. By God's counsel, as if for cold water, came the sailors to the feet
of the mountain, which is called Turarium: and they found the servants of Our Lord Jesus Christ praying, and rejoicing in the Lord, and they were greeted, and after the sailors all and they asked from them a blessing, and gave kisses to one another. And said the servants of God: We pray you, that you deport us to the mountain of Jove. But they mocking them, would not fulfill the will of the servants of the Lord, because they knew that any fare not they had, by which to them a reward they would give, and they went away leaving them. moved by a tempest, But the little boat while it had distanced itself from Turarium, a strong wind rushed into the sea, and the sea to be disturbed began with waves, so that they thought that Charybdis would swallow them. They began moreover to weep, because they saw the peril of death before them, considering not to be able from that peril to be freed. One moreover of them recollected the fault, which they had done to the servants of God, that they would not consent to take up the friends of God. And they said to one another, Let us go, and let us take up the servants of the Lord, and lead them where their will desires, lest we perish. And was placated the sea, and hastening they returned to the mountain Turarium. And casting themselves at the feet of S. Senzius, of the fault which they had done mercy they begged; asking the friends of God, that into the little boat they would ascend theirs. Then the most chaste Confessors of Christ Senzius, and Mamilianus, with the three monks their, a prayer made ascended the little boat; to the mountain of Jove: and passing over a tranquil sea were deposited on the mountain of Jove. They received moreover a prayer from the servants of God the sailors, and went away on the journey which they had estimated, with glory blessing the Lord, because they had known His wonderful things. Holy moreover Senzius, and S. Mamilianus, when there deposited they had been by the Lord's bidding where predestined they had been, rejoicing and blessing the Lord, who spurns not their prayers; began to God alone to devote themselves, praising Him by days and nights. Then the servants of the Lord Senzius and Mamilianus Presbyters, with the said three monks, much abstinence had, and innumerable wonderful things on that mountain of Jove, which is calledg Christ's mountain unto hither; and themselves with three-day and four-day fastings exercised. With garments not other except only hair-shirts they used, God's praise incessantly they made, and by divine counsel it pleased them that there they should dwell.
[4] And when through many days now there they had existed, and for the weakness of abstinence never had ascended into the summit of the mountain; one of them, by name Mamilianus, collected his strength, and a prayer made ascended, and saw there a most iniquitoush dragon like a beam great: there went out a flame from its mouth, and hissings horrendous, fire also from its eyes proceeded. He trembling on the earth himself cast: trusting however in the mercy of God, forthwith he raised his eyes, and his palms to the heavens stretched, the immense power beseeching; Lord God omnipotent, where the dragon being slain, who shut the mouths of lions, lest they should devour Daniel in the den, where he was sent to be destroyed; shut the mouth of dragon this, and neither to me nor to others may it be able to harm. And intrepid he approached to it; and struck the serpent iniquitous with the staff which he held, and dead was the dragon. Then he descended more quickly, and indicated to his Brothers what to him had happened. And collecting each their strength they ascended into the summit of the mountain, and taking thence the dragon the servants of the Lord cast it into the sea: which four pairs of oxen, while alive it had been, to move could not. Thence from the cave, whence the dragon went out, emanated water most cold unto the present day. they shine with miracles. These hearing the inhabitants of the neighboring island, came to them with great haste. Knowing indeed so great virtues, which were done through God's servants; they asked prayers, beseeching that for them they would intercede to the majesty of God. Others brought the languishing to the servants of God: by whatever languor detained they were, sound they became through their prayers. And then all glorifying the Lord, returned made safe to their own homes.
[5] The body of S. Mamilianus there dead is carried into the island Egilium, Not for much indeed time there tarrying, to Mamilianus approached the day of his repose in the Lord. And so he gave a sign, that all might know, when him God from this life would receive; saying: When you shall see a cloud ascending from the summit of the mountain like smoke, know you, that from this world I shall migrate. And then the neighbors of that island awaited, who of them worthy would be the sign itself to see, that the body of the servant of the Lord to burial might be delivered. Then the mercy of God affording, the inhabitants of the island of Egilium,i solicited before the rest, first of all the sign saw: and more quickly to Christ's mountain themselves joined before all, and with all haste raised the body of S. Mamilianus into a little boat, blessing Our Lord Jesus Christ. Further when was led through the seas the most holy body, S. Senzius with the same monks honey-flowing modulations before the body of Mamilianus the Confessor sang. Walking also the little boat through the liquids began to fluctuate, because suddenly from on high was given rain great, so that even the other little boats, which to the sign hastened, which had foretold S. Mamilianus, on account of the onset of the rains knew not, where that little boat had proceeded. And so it pleased God omnipotent, that the little boat, where the body of S. Mamilianus was borne, the rain not touched. Singing psalms and praying they arrived at the Egilium mountain, with the virtue of Our Lord Jesus Christ: and went out to meet the inhabitants of that place, with great glory receiving the body of S. Mamilianus, more than gold and gems precious, and buried it: where mysteries and virtues many it works unto the present day. in which also three monks buried. Then the three monks of holy Mamilianus Istochius, Covuldus, and Infans, day and night at the body of the same praises to the Lord rendering, virtues many wrought in God's name: and through their prayers many infirm were cured, who by languors detained were. Deposited were moreover in peace near the tomb of B. Mamilianus, and buried in a near time, from when S. Mamilianus migrated to Christ.
[6] Holy indeed Senzius, a little boat having been found, by divine counsel sought the shore of the Romans. And when deposited he was from the ship in a very small port, which is calledk the Columns in the bounds of Civitavecchia;l thanks he gave to the Lord together also the sailors. S. Senzius comes into a village near Civitavecchia. Not long indeed was a village from that shore, into which proceeding Senzius, saw the inhabitants of that place tormented for the penury of water. So by himself he took a hoe, and dug: and went out water most cold unto the present day. And while he sought a place B. Senzius the Confessor of Christ, which to him would please for dwelling; [as] by the nod of God sent a physician, that the infirm in faith who were vexed he might cure from languors; not knowing he began a journey, and whither him the Angel of God leads thither he goes. And then he arrived at the Bleran city, which held the infirmity of a dragon. Not far moreover from the Bleran city, thence to Blera, on the very mountain which is situated near it, which is calledm Olim by name; made the Confessor of Christ a small refuge: where shoes he makes, and there the cobbler's art he exercised on account of the stipend of life: and whatever from his arts he received, on another day never he reserved; but ministered to all, as to each necessary he saw. O truly Christ's Confessor, who lost terrestrial substances, but did not lose substances eternal! you lost cities terrestrial, and obtained the celestial Jerusalem! O sublime Priest, who yourself in God's sacrifice delivered! and the Blerans he instructs: Not knowing the Blerans blind had near them a light, by which they ought to be illumined; to lie hidden wished the light, nor could; lay hidden in a dunghill a gem, but did not become foul from the dung; he thought himself to conceal, who to gain had come the Blerans.
[7] When therefore B. Senzius many benefits of God in that small refuge showed, with hymns and psalmody and readings, by days and nights, incessantly to the Lord he devoted himself (the help of God protecting the Blerans, who would not them to be frustrated of such a Patron; but kindled a lamp, and placed it upon a candlestick, that it might shine to all who in the house dark were) it happened that a shepherd a certain, before the humble of the same servant of God lodging, with a flock of sheep a journey took. Saw moreover S. Senzius among the flocks a lamb elegant, a lamb by the shepherd denied from a wolf he receives: which he asked that it to himself he would grant. The shepherd indeed answered; The lamb, which you ask for yourself, as a ram of the flocks I will reserve. And while after three days the shepherd the sheep to pasture led, the aforesaid lamb, which had asked S. Senzius, the shepherd seeing by a wolf was taken away: which the Lord helping at the feet of the holy man Senzius it cast. Seeing moreover that very lamb B. Senzius, to the Lord thanks rendered, because He did wonderful things great in His servant own: and nourished it through a whole year. After completed indeed the year it was done, that that shepherd, who the lamb to give would not to S. Senzius, before the lodging of him a journey making, saw S. Senzius; to whom a reproach of augury he complains, saying to him: Not a good petition, but a bad you have; that lamb, which from me you asked, my eyes seeing taken was by a wolf. Said moreover S. Senzius to the shepherd: Shepherd, if you should see the lamb, which you say in the year past to have been by a wolf taken away, you would acknowledge its character, or not? and after a year he shows it to the shepherd. Answered moreover the shepherd: Yea so I think that I would acknowledge. Blessed indeed Senzius showed to him the lamb, now a ram made. Which seeing the shepherd knew his character own, and the lamb. Then the shepherd prostrated was at the feet of the holy Confessor of Christ Senzius, beseeching to him pardon to give him, and for his sins to intercede: but truly he had understood, that a man of God he was.
[8] This moreover the first virtue wrought S. Senzius in the Bleran city. But the inhabitants of the same city hearing, with the whole mind Christ confessed; he shines with miracles, and seeing the virtues of the holy man came to it with their own, who by infirmity were detained, casting them at the feet of S. Senzius. Holy moreover Senzius invoked the Lord Jesus Christ for the infirm: and sound they returned into the city, praising the Lord. And while so great virtues in the Confessor of Christ they knew; all unanimously him besought, that he would expel the dragon, which under the wall of the city was, from whose breath very many sinners by disease were imperiled. Holy moreover Senzius enjoined them a three-day or four-day fast: and intrepid coming to the place, where was the dragon, he bent his knees on the earth, his eyes and palms to heaven stretched, and prayed saying; God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, who a threefold invocation, in these three Patriarchs named; who sent Your word from heaven, that
the world which was lost You might restore; who made that Charybdis should swallow Pharaoh with his proud ministers; the dragon he removes: who in the desert solitude pasture gave to the Israelites, and from the rock made flow waters, and stone tablets written with the law without a pen to Moses Your servant on mount Sina gave, and the sun to stand at Gibeon ordered while Joshua fought; You I invoke upon this dragon, whose breath vexes daily the inhabitants of the city of Blera. Hear me Your servant, that You may restrain him from his malices, and command me to lead the serpent this of iniquity from this place, that more it not harm the inhabitants of the Bleran city. When this indeed he had prayed, he entered intrepid to it; and bound its mouth, and struck it with the staff, and drove it from the crypt, where that most wicked one dwelt; and like a little ass he drove it before himself. Further seeing such wonderful things of God all the Blerans, with a rapid course followed him. He moreover with a ferule exterminated it, and pursued it, until it migrated beyond the river, which is called Minio,n and it is at the great sea, and he pursued it, and there bound it in the deep of the abyss in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and there it is condemned unto the everlasting day.
[9] And because some still at that time alien were held from the faith, S. Senzius disclosed, that of a Presbyter he held the Order. he converts and baptizes the Pagans. Then a font of baptism he constructed, and those whom Pagans he found, to the worship of the Christians he recalled. O most blessed Priest, not only Confessor, but also Martyr; because two are kinds of martyrdom, one in secret, and the other in public; one of those slain by the sword, the other of those by themselves tormented. You destroyed once dragons; now you triumph with the Blerans. Rejoice O city Bleran, with such a Patron, which once you wept oppressed by a dragon. Patron of the Bleran city, Run together all to the triumph of the holy Confessor, that you may have the grace of the Savior. Many and innumerable virtues wrought S. Senzius in his life and afterward, which we in no way found written on account of the want of a writer. I indeed, reader, as by my powers I could, explained. By the bidding of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the peace of life he fulfilled the gift, he dies the 25th of May. under the day the eighth of the Kalends of June, to the sepulchre delivered by men God-fearing; and by some a Basilica constructed was, in which virtues many and benefits it works unto the present day;o our Lord Jesus Christ affording, who lives and reigns in the ages of ages. Amen.
ANNOTATIONS.
ON S. LEO ABBOT,
IN THE TROYES DIOCESE OF THE GAULS.
6TH CENTURY.
HISTORICAL COLLECTION.
On his Life, cult and miracles.
Leo Abbot, in the Troyes diocese of the Gauls (S.)
BHL Number: 4843
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
Mentuniacum, a village two from the Troyes city leagues removed, now from S. Leo the Abbot having received a name, commonly from his name Saint-Lue is called. In this place once a monastery had founded S. Romanus, From his name called. the first there Abbot, having obtained from Clovis the first King of the Franks a confirmation of the donation of certain estates: and dedicated it to SS. Gervasius and Protasius, of whom some Relics still are kept. Under this Abbot lived a monk S. Leo, made in the monks' governance Abbot, his Successor, in the year DXXX created Bishop of Reims, as more at length to his birthday the XXVIII of February we set forth. But that monastery Mentuniacum or of S. Leo, six hence centuries ago either by fire or by hostile irruption so utterly overturned and ruined was, that no at all of it survive vestiges, nor exist indications of a once-built there building, besides a Cross, which in the same place for the matter's memory erected remains. As writes Nicolaus Camuzatus, in the Promptuary of the sacred Antiquities of the diocese of Troyes, The epitome of the Life in Camuzatus to the History of S. Leo, which he asserts he extracted from the Troyes Church's Breviary, leaving a fuller history another: which lest to the public he should give that prohibited, because in many places maimed and truncated it was, nor among themselves the periods by any bond bound cohered. Of this fuller history (which we teach, and for a Supplement we wish to be granted) not even fragments could we obtain: therefore a compendium from Camuzatus receive.
[2] There was the man most blessed Leo the Abbot in a village, whose name is Mentuniacum, of the Troyes town, brought forth; whereby is described his sanctity, of parents indeed free, but freer in mind, more venerably growing up with age. He to schools delivered, with wonderful speed the science of the Psalms attained: and in all things and through all in the regular dogmas was erudite. Therefore B. Romanus, of the Mentuniacum monastery the Abbot, into Bishop of Reims elected, B. Leo of that monastery was made Abbot: for he was in chastity and abstinence most pure, in fastings and prayers most prompt appeared: and so great in himself he had charity, and benignity of faith, and purity of mind, that of his virtues the insignia in work shone. On a night therefore certain, while in the baptistery, after his duties performed, now his little body, on a most vile bed asleep, rest took; there came to him three men splendid, with a clear shining light, and death by the Saints to him foretold singing with voice unanimous a sweet song. Waking moreover the man of God, at the feet of them prostrates himself, adoring them; and their footprints kissing, with voice diligent with trembling and fear earnestly them addresses, saying: Whence are you? But they said: Strengthen your powers, do not fear. Said moreover one of them: I am Hilary a sinner, and these are S. Martin and B. Anianus. Wherefore, son, ships and oars by the overturning of the waves are imperiled, which the help of God we come to free: whence also when to you the third day we shall have returned, after S. Maurelius buried to the spiritual place with us you shall be about to go: so that more certainly you may believe, the venerable man Maurelius the Presbyter, from this light snatched away, has migrated to the Lord. Therefore on the second day at first dawn rise, and, with that praise of which he is worthy, bury him in the basilica of S. Ursio. Then he proceeding swiftly, what to him had been said faithfully fulfilled, and returned to his monastery own. Meanwhile the Priests, just as they had foretold, came: and they say to him: We are present, called to the spiritual banquet. Come with us. Answering moreover B. Leo said: A straight journey, my Lords, to proceed I could, if with you to the same place myself I had prepared. I beseech therefore that to me for three days respite you grant, that, what promised I have, to attain I may merit the death-bringing garment. Which moreover he asked obtained he had. and a three days' respite, Soon indeed the excellent man to an illustrious woman his niece directed: A command to you (he says) I will set forth, lady: for already our Father, leaving the world's lights, hastens that a light coruscant called he may receive in the future. Wherefore I beseech, that (what devotion had promised) a garment to him you transmit funeral. But she answering: Alas (she says) O Father mine, foolish and lying I have appeared, since his death later I hoped: therefore that with age heavy he was not, not it I prepared. But await I beseech three only days, and I will prepare it. She him for three days retained: and finished the lethal habit transmitted. But indeed the most blessed Leo, the garment received, migrated to the Lord.
[3] In the Register of benefices of the Troyes diocese, there in the year MDLXII published; S. Leo's parish and in the Register general of benefices of the Archbishopric of Sens, and of the Bishoprics of Troyes, Auxerre and Nevers, at Paris in the year MDCXLVIII printed, is named under the Deanery of Troyes the Parish of S. Leo, whose Patron is the Abbot of the Cella monastery, but the collation pertains to the Bishop, lord of the place, where notable its castle is seen. In this church the sacred body of S. Leo most reverently is guarded, and consecrated to the annual solemnity a day in the Troyes diocese the XXV of May is celebrated. So Camuzatus, in whom (but by a fault typographical) is read the 23 of May, instead of 25: which σφάλμα, into Arabic numbers or ciphers easily creeping wont, deceived Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology. it has the body in the altar, To this moreover XXV of May and the Sunday next following, to be celebrated
this feast with great concourse of peoples, from everywhere with great sense of piety flowing to the said church and his sacred body, enclosed in a chest of wood gilded, and to the major altar inserted, testifies Nicolaus Des-Guerrois on the Saints of Troyes. Usuard in his Martyrology at the said XXV of May inscribed him, in these words: In the district of Troyes of S. Leo Confessor. he is venerated the 25th of May. Which same things commonly in various Churches' Martyrologies Ms. and in the present Roman, and in Bellinus, Maurolyco, Galesinio, Canisius and others are read. In the Ms. Ado of the Liège monastery of S. Lawrence, these things are had: In the territory of Troyes of S. Leo Confessor and Monk: who so himself to the divine obsequies devoted, that even miracles through him the Lord deigned to work. Some of these are narrated by Des-Guerrois, which it pleases here from the French to give, until both these and many other things from the original Latin to us are sent; for not yet in that city could we find anyone, who such things would care for; although with several letters thither directed we strove to stir up the Troyes diligence, when of SS. Helena and Mastidia to be treated it was on the IV and VII of May. The text further French into Latin rendered thus has.
[4] Some harpers, not far from the village of S. Leo, wishing with their songs to recreate men, thence gain for food about to receive, drew to themselves alms, which better had been on the poor scattered. And behold there were found two men, who at the song of these harpers dancing, soon among themselves mutually began with fists to rise: and at length one the other with a dagger wounded so in the head, that the little skin of the cranium appeared. Captured this one, The captive his bonds of themselves loosed is freed: by the Count or Praetor of the place into prison is cast. The wretch, who conquered by anger had wounded the other, the night following in the silence from his captivity God having prayed, and through the merits of S. Leo His mercy imploring, saw before his eyes the Saint, like a Monk with a shaven head; by whom he was loosed from bonds and chains, and saw the gate of the prison open. At first these to him as in a dream seemed done: but soon fully waking, he found all in truth so to have happened: and with great gladness having gone out, his bonds soon brought to S. Leo; and acknowledging his redeemer, to him and God the due gave thanks. The tomb of the body of itself into another place withdraws: There succeeded S. Leo in the governance of the monastery of Mentuniacum the venerable Baudemundus: who to the honor of God desired to build a magnificent temple, and among other industries of his genius wished to translate the tomb of the body of S. Leo: and to that end he approached S. Winebaudus the Abbot (whose Acts we gave the VI of April) and his religious monks, that they would honor with their presence this of the body of S. Leo transposition. And behold before all this wonderful thing was done, that the sacred body was seen of its own accord to have moved, and into another place to have withdrawn.
[5] A war some had undertaken the King of the Franks Chlothar, two men that from the hands of marauding soldiers they might be freed, that the rebellious and seditious peoples to his empire he might subjugate; when some insolent soldiers, in the Troyes domain the husbandmen fiercely vexed, and everywhere places sacred and profane and churches to God and the Saints consecrated violated, spoiled, and burned. At which time two men, lest by the said rascals they should be spoiled or captive led away, into flight cast themselves; and when the pursuers otherwise they could not avoid, they ran into the church of S. Leo, and the gates closed, that there under the protection divine safe they might stand. Then those soldiers when another of avenging manner they did not find, the church set on fire and fled. And when now the fire everywhere all things consumed, the church being burned under the tomb of S. Leo they are saved, those two men to S. Leo fled, under his tomb themselves hiding: and, what supremely to be wondered at is, the remaining parts of the church by fire consumed, they safe and unharmed preserved were by Him, who the three boys saved in the furnace of Babylon. Which same virtue in them exercised all asserted.
[6] But because some by error this S. Leo different, is proposed Leo a Martyr at Troyes: but in this city only is venerated the said S. Leo Confessor. The same to his Martyrology Benedictine inscribed Hugo Menardus, confessing however in the Notes, not so certain it to be whether he was the Ecclesiastical Annals of the Franks at the year 535 number 7. Better, he says, it would have been the name to expunge, because S. Leo older is than B. Maurus, of the Order Benedictine on this side of the Alps the first founder. Menardus thinks him to have lived about the year of the Lord five hundred sixtieth: but whether not he was before the said year dead, to be doubted it could: because he is said not to have been at death with age heavy. Who him to the eternal joy called the Holy Bishops, were Hilary of Poitiers whose Acts we gave the XIII of January; S. Martin of Tours, and S. Anianus of Orléans; of whom that one the XI, this the XVII of November are venerated.