Zenobius

ON SAINT ZENOBIUS,

BISHOP OF FLORENCE IN TUSCIA.

5TH CENTURY.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

On his cult and Life wrongly attributed to S. Simplicianus, ancient however and by S. Antoninus and Laurentius of Amalfi rewritten: likewise another double one, by John of Arezzo and Raphael of Volterra published.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Saint Zenobius, a citizen of the city of Florence, was born, a Bishop died, and hitherto Protector and Patron with a solemn rite is venerated on the XXV of May: He is venerated on the 25th of May, on which day to his altar its oblations bears the Senate, the first parts in that function performing the Nobles, born from the Girolami family. For, Ferdinand Ughelli attesting in the Florentine Archbishops, it is established that the Girolami family, everywhere and always, of the highest dignity was a family, which besides the other ornaments deservedly may glory S. Zenobius to have had as a nursling; by whose sanctity's rays both the fatherland Florence and the Girolami family wonderfully is ennobled. These things we would wish, for the Girolami family's honor, from ancient Acts to be able to establish; wont otherwise to set at naught new inventions, and by two at most centuries' adulation confirmed, by which all the ancient Italic Saints among families, at this time indeed noble, but before not many centuries most unknown for the most part, are distributed. To this is added that the Captain Cosmo della Rena, among the few in such things most knowing, esteemed himself to have proved, that of two Synonymous Bishops the memories were confused; and that S. Zenobius, founder of the churches of S. Michael at Passignano and S. Gervasius in the Florentine city, both within the old bounds of the Fiesole diocese, although now to the Florentine they pertain, look to S. Zenobius, of that name the first Bishop of Fiesole under the end of the century IX; whom the aforesaid Cosmo believed to the Girolami family to pertain, and consequently of this rather than the other to be the ring, which in the XV century lent to Louis XI King of France, laboring with leprosy, by the same, after the obtained grace of health, was sent back endowed with a golden chest, and among the Girolami is preserved.

[2] As if born from the Girolami family? The memory of S. Zenobius of Florence is celebrated in today's Roman Martyrology through these words: At Florence the birthday of S. Zenobius, of the same city Bishop, of life sanctity and miracles' glory conspicuous. Similar things before Baronius in their Martyrologies had written Bellinus, Greven, Maurolyco, Molanus, Galesinio, and others after the Florentine Martyrologies both printed and written by hand. His first Translation is cherished on the XXVI of January, as there among the passed-over we said. To explain moreover the singular of the Florentine Clergy and People toward this their Saint Patron veneration, makes the old Ms. of that church, whose title, The customs and usages of the Canonical of Florence, where thus is read: On the feast of S. Zenobius we ring Vespers, Vigils, and Matins four times, as on the highest Feasts. with a most solemn rite plainly: Let the church be cleaned throughout, let the lamps be washed, and let it be adorned everywhere in the church, especially under the vaults, and in the middle of the nave of the church: let seats for the Clerics before the vaults be prepared. At Vespers indeed, the Vigil, and Mass all the Clerics of the city ought to be present. The whole Office, diurnal namely and nocturnal, before his altar today and through the whole Octave we do. In the morning indeed, after the said Mass of the people, let all the bells be rung for the Episcopal preaching, or of another if the Bishop is not present. The preaching done we assemble all in the church of S. John, and there we say Terce. Meanwhile the Bishop is prepared with the sacred Ministers: whom prepared, the Cross preceding, and the tapers last before the Bishop ordered, we proceed from the church of S. John into the church of S. Reparata, where rests the body of the Most Blessed Father our Zenobius; and there Mass we say, singing in the Procession the Responsory, Now I will not call you servants, of the Apostles, namely because he was our Apostle. And in this manner unto today two then Masses are sung: the Senate likewise and the People, to the tapers' oblation from the old institution to be made, on the same day proceeds.

[3] Silvanus Razzi Abbot Camaldulese, in tome 1 on the Lives of the Etruscan Saints in Italian published page 74, brings forth of Milan and successor of S. Ambrose. Giovanni Pietro Puricelli that much he in vain labor put, The Life wrongly supposed of S. Simplicianus, that such a Life he might obtain, writes in his Dissertation Nazariana chapter 49 toward the end. It deserved certainly, that with great study it be sought, which so great preferred authority, as it befitted to be of an eye-witness, thus concluding his writing. In the fifth year of his dormition his body, namely of S. Zenobius, from the Ambrosian Basilica (that namely, which at his request S. Ambrose at Florence had consecrated, but which you would scarcely believe so to have been called so quickly) was translated on the seventh day of February, to the major church of S. Salvator, where before he himself had buried Eugenius and Crescentius: and there, near their bodies and of other Saints, lies honorably placed. These things were done moreover, residing in the city itself Andrew the Bishop, a man of great sanctity and honesty. And I Simplicianus an old man, servant of Jesus Christ, called a Bishop, what with my eyes I saw and with my ears I heard from the Lord Ambrose Bishop of Milan, my predecessor, took care to write faithfully; that of so great men the merits may not remain under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that they may shine, to the praise, glory and honor of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is praise, glory and honor, in the ages of ages. Amen. But the more this conclusion confidently the Author a Bishop and Ambrose's successor makes, the less it deserves to be received. For Saint Simplicianus to S. Zenobius himself to have died before, most evidently teaches Paulinus in the Life of S. Ambrose; S. Zenobius before, having died. where these things he has: He being dead, S. Ambrose, no other to him succeeded in the Priesthood, except he, Simplicianus, whom he a good old man with a triple voice had signified. To which Simplicianus Venerius, whom above we have mentioned, succeeded: and then, the death and funeral of S. Ambrose described, he adds, which Laurentius of Amalfi in the Life of S. Zenobius number 7 transcribes,

in these words: But within Tuscia in the city Florence, where NOW THE HOLY MAN ZENOBIUS IS BISHOP, because he had promised that he would more often visit; frequently at the altar… he was seen to pray, just as the holy man himself the Priest Zenobius relating we have learned. These things Paulinus, openly and clearly attesting, S. Zenobius after the death of S. Simplicianus for some time to have been among the living: therefore someone else in truth his Life wrote, perhaps Simplicius or even Simplicianus called, and soon believed Bishop of Milan, as if that name to no other could have been imposed.

[4] Meanwhile since S. Ambrose, as we taught after the Catalogues of the Roman Pontiffs before Tome 1 of April, died in the year CCCXCVIII, uncertain how long, and S. Simplicianus not much more than a two years' period held the Episcopate, it follows that S. Zenobius, the whole at least of the IV century's span by living he passed through, and the V century begun he saw, uncertain how far. S. Antoninus Title 10 Chapter 12 deceased says in the time of Innocent I the Pope, in the year namely from the incarnation of the Lord CCCCXXIV. But Innocent it is established in the year CCCCXVII departed this life. Blasius the Monk that to have happened writes, in the year of the Lord CCCCXXV, in the time of Theodosius and Honorius the Emperors. But because Theodosius the elder died in the year CCCXCV, more rightly he would have written, of Honorius and Theodosius, would be understood the Younger; but neither thus would all things be safe, for died Honorius in the year CCCCXXIII. Blasius nevertheless following Raphael of Volterra in the Life still unpublished, wrote him, whom he read dead in the ninetieth year of his age, to have been born on the VI Kalends of February, in the year of salvation thirty-fifth above the three hundredth. Older than all these, Laurentius Archbishop of Amalfi, the death of S. Zenobius ascribes to Arcadius's and Honorius's times, which extend even to the year CCCCVIII, in which Arcadius died. And this followed those, who took care from time immemorial at Florence to be sculpted an inscription, by Ughelli Col. 25 and others thus related, and probably by many years. that in the XI year of those Emperors, the day XXVI of January is composed with the Feria V, all which note the year of Christ CCCCV, having the Dominical letter A. The inscription however thus has: In the year from the incarnation of the Lord CCCCVIII on the day XXVI of January, in the time of the Emperors Arcadius and Honorius in the XI year, on Feria V, while from the basilica of S. Lawrence to the major Florentine church the body of S. Zenobius Bishop of the Florentines on a bier was being carried, there was in this place an elm tree, dry then existing; which when the bier of the holy body had touched, suddenly fronds and flowers miraculously it produced: in memory of which miracle, the Christians and citizens of Florence, in the place of the tree removed hence, this column with Mazza, describing the second Translation of the body, made in the year MCCCCXXXIX, says; that from here unto the first, the calculations accurately subtracted, are to be found years one thousand and ten: and so in his opinion would have died S. Zenobius in the year CCCCXXIV. Certainly no reason compels S. Zenobius, if he lived for LXXXX years, sooner dead to say: for even thus he would have been forty years old, when his friend S. Ambrose was created Bishop, and so to him in age equal, who rather much younger ought to be conceived, when by Ambrose already Bishop he was to S. Damasus commended, still a youth as it seems. Wherefore I strongly incline, that not long before the year CCCCXXXX dead to have been S. Zenobius I esteem; for even thus for whole L or more years to have been Bishop he could have.

[5] But, although we deny, that by the same who S. Ambrose's Life wrote Simplicianus, was written also the Life of S. Zenobius; we think however, it is however written in the same or the following century, it written to have been in the same in which he died, or at least the following century: and a cause for thus thinking we have, that those who the older Life transcribed Antoninus and Blasius aforementioned, as soon we shall say, treating of the Cathedral church, to which in the fifth after the Saint's death year was made the Translation of the body, from the then suburban S. Lawrence church, that they name the church of S. Salvator: which name with the church itself and city ceased, when the destroyer of Italy Totila about the year DXLV all things there to the ground to be leveled ordered, slain also the city's Bishop Mauritius. Which then from the foundations new built church was, B. John the Baptist or Reparata the Martyr's name bore; as is established from the instrument of donations to it made by Speciosus the Bishop, in the XII year of Luitprand King of the Lombards in the VII Indiction, which was the year of Christ DCCXXIV, as in Ughelli to see is permitted: but that to S. John the Baptist was added S. Reparata, a suspicion to me affords, that the author of the new building was the Bishop Reparatus, who in the year DCLXXIX was present at the Council under Agatho the Pope.

[6] But when this very church, or at least its sacristy, with the books in it contained had burned down after the year of the Christian era thousandth, and in the year 1030 was believed altogether to have perished, no longer was known to survive at Florence any copy of that ancient Life; so that, when thither then had come Laurentius, of Amalfi (as I said) Archbishop, in the year MXXX ordained by John XX (of whom more to be treated by us before the Life of S. Gregory VII this day number 13) and at the request of the Canons that to be rewritten he had undertaken, as below we shall see; he had necessity to their adhere, relation, who themselves to have read before remembered. For thus number 7 he interjects: when it from hearing he rewrote, Laurentius of Amalfi Archbishop. Further lest of less to be seem of authority these things, which from certain most religious men we have learned, who truthfully asserted these to have been anciently written, but by a fire which by chance happened to have been consumed etc. Meanwhile what plainly lost at Florence was believed, elsewhere preserved and in subsequent centuries was found, not so happily, as can be understood from the Prologue of a certain compiler, before a Legendary, which in the Library Laurentian we found, on parchment written, Plute XX: which Prologue, otherwise to be of use, it is pleasing here to insert.

[7] On a certain day invited in the Cathedral church of the city of Florence, Another having found it corrupt, to preach to the people in the vernacular on the solemnity of the kindly Father Zenobius, formerly the Bishop ours; since his Legend was not in the compilation new, I procured from elsewhere to receive it. Which obtained, so it was, by the writers' (as I think) fault, corrupted, that few things I could perceive of his (as I wished) wonderful sanctity. Drawn therefore by his love, who to me from boyhood was devout chiefly, I resolved his legend to write, renewed it, and to other Legends prefixed and also of several others; the superfluous things being cut, corruptions removed, some things (the substantials not changed) superadded for ornament, which I did not doubt to be congruous to his sanctity: which, God going before, by labor I accomplished manifold; for the measure of my knowledge indeed, premising the deeds of those, whose bodies were buried in the church of Florence; not omitting with equal step, as it befitted in my judgment, of Fiesole: added also some Extravagant ones from the compilation both new and old, of them seen the inestimable in Christ's name probity. Take whoever you are eager what collected from diverse books anxiously, with light style narrated lucidly, for the avoidance of labor of those wishing from these to preach, Christ's charity to collect what compelled: correcting, without of detraction the vice, what is to be corrected, if any you shall inspect, at the pleasure of your will.

[8] But that it may occur more easily what you demand, under the titles below-written you will find what you intend.

On S. Zenobius Bishop and Confessor.

On S. Eugenius Confessor. (as is clear from their list)

On S. John Gualbertus Abbot.

On S. Bernard Bishop and Confessor.

On S. Emundus Bishop and Confessor.

On S. Galganus Confessor.

On S. Miniatus Martyr.

On S. Romulus Bishop and Martyr.

On S. Euphrosynus Bishop and Confessor.

On S. Alexander Bishop and Martyr.

On S. Donatus Bishop and Confessor.

On S. Reparata Virgin and Martyr.

On S. Octavianus Confessor.

On S. Fridianus Bishop and Confessor.

On the XI thousand Martyrs.

On S. Martialis Bishop and Confessor.

On S. Andrew Confessor.

On S. Benignus Abbot.

On S. Verdiana Hermit or Cellite, in the castle of Florence.

On S. Lucensis.

On S. Fina.

At the end of the book is subjoined: Written by the hand of a certain sinner, by name Blasius. by name Blasius, a most unworthy Priest and monk: whom himself it is allowable to esteem the same, of whom is the Prologue, of the whole Collection the author; and one century at least after the last-named Saints to have lived, namely after S. Lucensis, whose Life we gave on the XXVIII of April, who died in the year MCCLX; and S. Fina, illustrated by us on the XII of March, deceased in the year MCCLIII. Nor indeed a greater than the XIV century age indicate, which he uses, phrases.

[9] A more sincere one gave S. Antoninus, Whether more fortunate than Blasius was Peter de Natalibus, to know we cannot; because he into his Catalogue only inserted an epitome of the Life, by him found; but that Catalogue he completed in the year MCCCLXXXII. More fortunate altogether seems to have been S. Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence; certainly more useful to the public he was, nothing of the substance subtracting, and less to his own genius indulging: wherefore that Life, which he himself into his Historical Summa inserted, in the first place here we give: but in the second place, the more verbose other and more licentiously interpolated, which also we found in a certain collection of old Offices, with Carlo Strozzi the Senator under the number 691. There both the Life's history and the latter part, containing the translation and certain more recent miracles, by S. Antoninus not described, because he wished not to the old new to add, were found distinguished into Lessons for both feasts, the Birthday namely and the Translation, interposed Responsories, Hymns, after which we give the second, and proper Antiphons, metrically conceived, which we did not describe, because nothing of new notice they could confer to the history whence they were taken. Meanwhile from this whole this Life's partition into Lessons, for the use of the choir (no doubt the Cathedral) made, I understand, that the Canons less approved the Life by the Amalfi Archbishop from hearing alone written; or certainly so far content were, the Office for the feast of S. Zenobius to take from the Common of a Pontiff; unless perhaps the Responsories, Hymns, and Antiphons are older, and the Lessons being changed those remained unchanged; and the third, both from Mss. as to have happened in S. William, of the Order named from him the Patron, noted Henschen at the X of February, and in many other cases. We shall give however also that third Life, following not the order of age, in which were composed the single ones; but the grade of authority to each to be deferred. Nor useless (as I think) will be that of the three Lives, so dissimilarly written, among themselves made collation: for it will direct the judgment, about similar things also otherwise to be borne. We had moreover that third from the notable Legendary Ms. of Francesco Cardinal Barberini, and the same we found at Florence with Andrea Cavalcanti,

at the same time with the edition of Ughelli; who it at Rome to have had himself says from an old Codex of his monastery of SS. Vincentius and Anastasius outside the walls.

[10] we omit that written by John of Arezzo, A fourth Life from the prior ones collected John Tortellius, of Arezzo a Presbyter, in the time of the Council of Florence in the year MCCCCXXXVIII celebrated, twenty years before S. Antoninus completed his Summa, whose second part historical the more sincere (as we said) Acts comprehends. Published it Laurentius Surius; and this edition laboriously we had collated with the parchment Codex Ms. of the aforepraised Senator Strozzi; not however here we judged it to be reprinted, for this reason that it can in Surius be read, and its compendium in Ferrari: enough it will be from it to have taken the history of the second Translation, made in the year MCCCXXXIX; and to have indicated, that to the Strozzi Codex is found ascribed by a public Notary's hand an Act of this kind: [according to the autograph bequeathed in the year 1443 to the church of Florence.] The Rev. Father Presbyter John Pauli, Rector of the Parochial church of S. Michael of the Rindri of Florence, to be composed and written caused the present book, and at the last of his life it left to Laurentius of Volterra and Canon of Volterra, for the whole time of his life and at his good pleasure; after his death it he wished to be presented to the sacristy of the major Church of Florence, and there in perpetual times to stand he wished: and so presented it was to the said D. Laurentius by Lapus Martini, in the stead and name of D. John, the Operarius of the aforesaid church: and in faith of all, I Nicolaus son of Rudus son of Nicolaus, of the Notary and Citizen of Florence, at whose request another afterward wrote Raphael of Volterra. in the said Work Scribe of the Pious Fathers on the VI day of July MCCCCXLIII. But this instrument therefore here I have affixed, because on the occasion of this kind of testamentary legacy it seems to have been done, that Raphael of Volterra for the use of the church of Florence, at the request of the Dean and Chapter, in the year MDXXI, a shorter some and more Latin Life of S. Zenobius wrote, which still unpublished exhibited to us the aforepraised Cavalcanti, but we did not judge to this work necessary: here however we ought to indicate, because from the note of the year by us taken over, it is understood, that Raphael (whose most known exist works, especially eight and thirty books of Urban Commentaries, inscribed to Julius the Pope II) not only at the beginning of the XVI century lived, but also beyond its first twenty years his age propagated; which hitherto I think not to have become known. He writes also to me the Most Illustrious Magliabechius, that there exists a certain of the same Holy Bishop Life with this beginning, Since in the Florentine city the house of the Girolami. Wrote it Naldus Naldi, a man in the XV century toward the end inclining most esteemed for the brightness of style, and likewise Naldus Naldi. both in verse and prose; and by his equals, Angelo Poliziano and Marsilio Ficino, greatly praised; whose various works enumerates the Florentine Library of Pocciantius, and several Ms. poems possesses the same Magliabechius; but also this enough we have to have indicated to the Reader, of elegances a lover.

[11] The former one into Italian translated Clemens Mazza, And those indeed all in Latin wrote; but in Italian, besides Silvanus Razzi and others in this XVII century several, we found a Life printed at Florence in the year MCCCCLXXXVIII, thirteen years after it had been composed: for thus has the title before the Preface to be read. Clemens Mazza, Plebanus and Theologian to his dearest in Christ brother Philip son of Zenobius of the Girolami, citizen of Florence, on the life of the most holy Zenobius Bishop of Florence, and of the same with Philip stock and consort (for Girolamo in Italian is written, who in Latin Hieronymus) in the year of the Lord MCCCCLXXV. the year 1475, This Life is divided into three parts. The first of XXVI chapters, those things comprehends, which mortal still the Saint had done. The second, of chapters XIIII, treats of the first Translation and the Successors: and both verbatim almost are taken from the Latin of John of Arezzo; as we knew, both texts to each other comparing: only in enumerating the Successors fuller is Clemens than John, which to us occasion had given of a not useless Appendix, had we not detected that supplement pure to be a figment, to which deservedly faith abrogated Ughelli, for those there named finding others, in the same in which those had sat time, to have sat demonstrated. The third finally part, of chapters VIIII, explains the history of the Translation second, under Eugenius IV: to which part he thus prefaces, that excused he wishes the prior two parts' errors, whose part, the last, into Latin we render. if any he has incurred through the weakness of genius, or of the old tongues and writings the inexperience; here indeed for himself to be believed he asks as an eye-witness, although then still a boy. Therefore after the narration Latin, from John of Arezzo taken, we will transfer also the other, received from Clemens Mazza; and so we hope nothing omitted will be, which by us greatly could desire the reader, of the truth in its own fount to be searched curious: especially when shall be added the very latest Translation of the year MDCLXXXV, described by an eye-witness and of that whole action a participant, the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Archdeacon of Florence Ludovico Strozzi, son of Carlo the Senator: who also on such an occasion to be reprinted, with a certain his Preface, took care the Life by Clemens Mazza once published, but without division of Parts, through continuous Chapters fifty drawn out; nor from those errors purged, for the cause of which less it esteemed Vincentius Borghini, of Florentine matters most knowing, in the work on the Church and Bishops of Florence, to us not yet seen: which also errors in an erudite to us epistle noted Antonius Magliabechius. I add of the same Translation also to mention the erudite Presbyter Carlo Mazzi, in the Italian Life of Zenobius's epitome, which with us the aforepraised Magliabechius communicated, the Author's name suppressed recently printed.

THE ANCIENT LIFE

by S. Antoninus Archbishop of Florence modestly interpolated. from his Historical Summa Title X Chapter XII.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

BHL Number: 9017

FROM S. ANTONINUS.

[1] The light of the world Zenobius, Pontiff of Florence, by the light divine illustrated, Born of noble but Gentile parents, the Church irradiated, especially in the parts of Tuscia, by the sanctity of life, miracles' glory, and also doctrine; with twin science endowed, although little works published he in no way to posterity left. sprung, the father Lucianus, the mother Sophia of Florence, drew his origin. But in his boyhood years to letters delivered, to the summit of all philosophy, with acute genius and immense study, in a shorter time he arrived. To whom his progenitors when a girl beautiful and noble they had procured to be betrothed, the twentieth of his age year now attaining; carnal he refusing nuptials, his soul to one man Christ betrothed in faith, a chaste virgin, baptism from the Bishop of the city Theodorus humbly asking and devoutly receiving. Hearing that his parents, with fury filled, with a retinue of their own, the same he converts being baptized: the Bishop with contumelious words they assail and threats. But Zenobius standing by, and now the divine grace in him wonderfully working, so great a suavity of speech in his lips was diffused, that not only the kinsmen the conceived indignation dismissed, but also the error of gentility being left and themselves the baptism's Sacraments received.

[2] But Zenobius, the vanity of the world contemned, all himself to the divine obsequies devoted. A Cleric made, A Cleric made, but to the Bishop adhering, was created Canon[b of the cathedral church:] and from virtue to virtue with wonderful speed progressing, into the Archdeacon of that basilica was assumed: made to all of sanctity a mirror, and of religion an example. For he was in prayer assiduous, to preachings devoted, the heretics' and Arians' disputations poisons repelling, in charity diffused, liberal to the poor, and with all probity conspicuous. Passing moreover the most blessed man Ambrose,^c Bishop of Milan, through Florence, Zenobius himself visiting, and by S. Ambrose, commended to S. Damasus, as a man perfect and most learned to himself with intimate and familiar a certain love bound. For indeed to the City coming Ambrose, to Damasus the supreme Prelate of Zenobius the sanctity and wisdom disclosed: on which account Damasus him to himself caused to be summoned, and with himself to remain resolved. But when on a certain day Damasus the Pope to the church of S. Mary across the Tiber set out, and with him Zenobius; a paralytic he cures. one offered to him the Prefect's son, by paralysis dissolved, by his prayer Zenobius restored to health. But for certain causes by the supreme Pontiff to Constantinople a legate directed, that for whose grace he had been sent, faithfully and skillfully fulfilling, he returned to the City.

[3] Meanwhile it happened that Theodorus the Bishop of Florence from this light being withdrawn, Bishop he is requested by the Florentines, about the successor to be elected not a small controversy and contention between the Catholics and the heretics arose: on account of which, as a citizen, Damasus Zenobius destined to settle the tumult. But him approaching Florence, the people came out to meet, him with much honor receiving. Whom associating to the church even, to cry unanimously all began, Let Zenobius be our Bishop. But this altogether refusing, the burden understanding, to him who sent him returned, announces himself nothing to be able to do. and grievously granted, But the Magistrate and people solemn orators to Damasus direct, asserting, that all unanimous Zenobius seek, nor to another to be turned aside; with earnest prayers supplicating, that him as their Pastor to grant he would deign. Resisted at first the supreme Bishop, the most holy man grieving to be separated from himself. At length by importunate prayers conquered, he heard according to their wish, Zenobius establishing Bishop of Florence: and although unwilling, as if unwilling himself, to Florence to execute the office Pastoral he sends: who with the greatest joy and veneration received, is enthroned.

[4] He diminished not, but augmented daily the holy man the holy works of virtues, his flock feeding with the word of doctrine and the example of sanctity; a most holy life he instituted, to preachings insisting and to the hearing of Confession; the heretics by reasons confuting, by exhortations the remiss to good works exciting, the disorderly and depraved rebuking, to the poor beyond the slenderness of his own food all things bestowing. The flesh he tamed by abstinence of food and drink, as much as health permitted: with a hair-shirt covered under his tunic, with SS. Eugenius and Crescentius. to fastings and vigils he adhered: to prayer moreover and contemplation with Mary intent, that more aptly to them to devote himself he might be able, with the holy men Eugenius his Archdeacon and Crescentius the Subdeacon, in the church of S. Lawrence, which hence outside the walls, near however was, a life almost eremitic keeping he remained.

[5] But to divulge his wonderful sanctity, and the truth of his doctrine to prove, a pilgrim woman's son he resuscitates; many miracles through him, still in the flesh placed, the Lord deigned to work: for several dead he raised. For when a certain noble Lady of Gaul, to the thresholds of the Apostles to visit set out, an only son with her leading, weakened from the journey; having heard the holy man's fame, him commended to himself she caused even to her return. But the youth fallen sick, on the second feria after Easter his last day closed; when then in act B. Zenobius with clergy and people processionally were advancing to the church of S. Peter [d the major, just as even now is observed: for it is reported that the Pontiff himself that triduan procession after Easter instituted, for God's mercy to be implored toward those communicating unworthily, and toward

those devoutly receiving the grace to be preserved.] But also the mother of the youth, on that day from the City coming, Florence having entered, perceived her son to the Lord to have migrated. She moreover, although in mind consternated, by faith however of magnanimity supported, the deceased son's corpse caused to be taken; and a copious crowd her following, with her compassionating, came to the place, where she had heard the holy man to be present. Who to him arriving, who already from the church of S. Peter having gone out, in the way which is called of the Albizi with the Clergy was proceeding, the corpse of her son at the feet of the Saint deposits, her garments rends, for grief her hair tears, of tears full clamors, her son to her deposited only to be rendered, nor otherwise to return to her own. By whose tears the Saint of God moved, a prayer poured forth, the sign of the Cross over him expressed, from the dead made alive again, to his mother assigned: whence all the clergy and people, to God thanks giving, with immense joy was refreshed, in faith more and more confirmed.

[6] On another occasion, when the Saint visited a certain church near the walls of the city, with his Clerics; it happened the corpse of a certain noble youth to be carried to the tomb through that way. Which when the Saint had perceived, likewise a youth of Florence, the way he wished to turn aside, lest them he should meet. But they to him hastening, he could not: and placing the lifeless body at his feet, they begged, that him to raise he would deign, already having experienced his virtue to that work. And when much he had excused himself from so great a work, they instantly entreating, by their prayers compelled, by the virtue of prayer him from the dead he raised. He added also a third to raise a boy, namely of five years, whom near the Cathedral church, in the public way being, and a boy crushed by a cart: oxen with a cart raging, upon him rushing, had crushed: whom his mother tearful in a cloth gathering, to Eugenius the Deacon of the holy man brought; that to him offering, to be raised by him she might entreat: which also was done. A certain blind man, at the gate of the temple alms asking, having heard the fame of his miracles, with faith undoubting in the way to him approached, asking that on him he would have mercy: and because for him he prayed: and at once sight he received.

[7] he frees another, from his mother's imprecation a demoniac; A certain boy by a demon possessed (for when him, with fevers burning, his mother forty times in the night called by him she had given to drink, and again drink he asked; wearied the mother drink offered, saying with anger, Drink in the name of the devil: and from then a demon him invaded) offered moreover to the Saint, from the vexation by his prayer he freed: from which, who unfaithful were, the mother with the son were baptized. Of a certain noble lady, a widow and Gentile, five sons there were, who adults made the mother with injuries and contumelies afflicted not rarely, even unto blows. But when on one day her sharply they had beaten, likewise two similar ones mutually mangling themselves: angered she exceedingly, them cursed under these words, that the devil them so should seize, that turned into rage with their teeth their own arms they should devour. Them immediately vengeance divine followed: for seized by demons, and into rage turned, they began for themselves to gnaw their arms. Which the mother beholding, with tears full clamored for help. At whose clamor stirred the neighbors, them, lest to themselves and others they should harm, with chains bound. At length the mother still a Gentile, to the Saint of God refuge had, the misery of her sons setting forth: and a prayer made from morning unto Terce, at length freed from the demons, restored to health: and to them with the mother, after instruction of faith, baptism delivered.

[8] When once him had visited Ambrose of Milan the Bishop, familiar to him from youth made; He bids the sick Eugenius rise, and Eugenius his Deacon infirm lay; having heard of the death of a certain his relative, without his soul's decent provision, from compassion he was burdened greatly from his languor. Solicits Zenobius Ambrose, that to provide for the case he not delay. Water therefore he blessed Zenobius, which to Eugenius sending, commands that from the bed he rise; and over the dead, to the house in which he lay, going, pour it; and with him coming, without delay to his sight themselves present. Which done, and the dead friend to raise. arose who dead was, and together before the holy man stood: who also for a long time afterward survived: Eugenius indeed to his bed returning, in that infirmity happily in the Lord fell asleep.

[9] Lastly full of days and of holy works, his death foreknowing, at last to his own having said farewell the clergy and people being gathered in the church, his decease to all published; admonishing them to fraternal charity and mutual peace: at his departure saddened, with the hope of affording to them aid into the heavens ascending, he consoled: and thence to his house returned fallen sick, having most devoutly taken the Church's Sacraments, the Clerics singing psalms, in the year of his age ninetieth, in the time of Innocent the first[f the Pope, in the year namely from the Incarnation CCCCXXIV, a nonagenarian he dies. on the XXV of May, that most holy soul, loosed from the body, penetrated the celestial kingdoms.] He was buried moreover with eminent honor in the church of S. Lawrence, after death also not ceasing with miracles the Church to illustrate. But in the fifth year from the day of his burial, his successor Andrew the body of the Saint to translate disposed to the cathedral church, to the Savior entitled. In the translation of the body an elm sprouts on the 26th of January, Which that more honorably it might be done, the surrounding Bishops convoked to this most pious work; when the Bishops in Pontificals clothed the sacred body from the church of S. Lawrence to the mother church carried; when they were before the gate of S. John the Baptist^g the oratory, which is on the northern part, where then was a certain elm with fronds dry, because winter it was, namely the XXVI of January; oppressed the Bishops by the multitude of the people, the bier from devotion each to touch desiring, fell down; and the bier impelled here and there into the elm struck: by whose touch suddenly the elm itself sprouted and flowered. At length into the church carried, honorably it was placed: the head[h however from the body separated, covered with silver, where now is the column with the cross. to the devout people more frequently is shown. But the elm from devotion into particles cut, in its place to the perpetual memory of the thing a columnⁱ of marble was erected, with a Cross also of marble on its summit placed, which there remains unto the present day, before the aforesaid gate of the church of S. John.]

ANNOTATIONS.

THE SAME LIFE

by Blasius the Monk Priest after the XIII century adorned. From the Florentine Mss.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

BHL Number: 9016

BY BLASIUS FROM THE MSS.

[1] Zenobius, of the city of Florence from a noble lineage sprung, the father namely Lucianus and the mother Sophia drew his origin. He advances in studies and virtues, He in his boyhood years to the studies of letters delivered, so in them advanced, that in his age the twentieth year to him similar in the province of Tuscia in Grammar, Dialectic, and Rhetoric none was: from those namely vices clean, by which kind that of men is wont to be involved; although he beheld very many, with irremediable grief of heart, of vices to proceed wickedly through precipices. For he was in intellect acute, in speech distinct, in disputations lofty, in study assiduous, in morals adorned, and beyond what can be said to all inestimably gracious.

[2] On a certain day therefore, while to him his progenitors a certain most beautiful young noble woman with great dowries had betrothed; his marriage spurned he is baptized, to Theodorus then of Florence the Bishop he approached; that God to serve he wished, speedily to him set forth; and by him to be regenerated by the sacred font of Baptism with humble prayer demanded: which to him he assented: and his Chapter convoked, him with honor the greatest with his own hands baptized. Which while to the parents' notice had come, a retinue great of kinsmen and friends having hastened, thither they proceed: the Bishop and Zenobius they seek: with him and the Cathedral Canons, gathered for joy, him they discern: against whom many contumelious words basely they brought forth. his parents he converts: Which when in the presence they had brought forth of the Prelate, license obtained Zenobius rises, to heaven his eyes raises, with the sign of the Cross himself fortifies, and through his mouth thus the Holy Spirit spoke, that the fury the father and mother laid aside, at the feet of the Bishop themselves prostrate, baptism forthwith they take, and blessing Zenobius with their own with the greatest gladness returned.

[3] ordained he insists on preaching. The holy Prelate him for some time with himself with the greatest affection kept, a Cleric and Canon Cathedral made, and at the appointed time there into the Archdeacon the way of all flesh having entered, him to the Archdeaconal dignity promoted: and whatever he could of his dignity to commit, he did not delay.

From then the man of God, to preachings and disputations against the heretics manfully to insist began, by the sanctity of life what he preached to show, ample alms his food most sparing kept for himself to the poor to distribute, nothing of the morrow to think, instructed in the Evangelical truth he took care.

[4] Which when to the notice of the kindly^a Ambrose the Prelate Bishop of Milan had come, Ambrose commending, summoned by Damasus: to him he came: and with the highest union himself to him joined, and what he had found and of what sort, to the supreme Pontiff to report Damasus delay laid aside he did not neglect. Who immediately for him sent: and having learned that nothing he had heard with respect to those things, which in him of probity of life and of science he had found, resisting greatly in the Cathedral of the Roman Mother church with the Deaconal office adorned him: in which state with all sanctity his life in all things he doubled. paralysis he cures: That so it was God omnipotent by manifest miracles demonstrated. For when on a certain of S. Mary across the Tiber he had proceeded; the son of the Prefect, by paralysis to his bed held, for him directed, and to him to be pitied with many of prayers tears entreated. Whose when the excuse burdened he refused, to prayer himself he gave; the hand he took; and the sign of the Cross over him made, sound and cheerful he arose. For certain causes to Constantinople Zenobius as Legate is directed: by his life and miracles many his sanctity is known: and the things^c completed to return to Rome by the Supreme Pontiff is procured.

[5] Meanwhile Theodorus the Bishop of Florence dies: between the Catholics and the heretics about the election to be made a great strife is born: Bishop of Florence elected thither to settle it as a citizen he is directed, with great honor he is received; but intolerably he is afflicted, because from the entrance of the land unto the place where he descended, by all both the faithful and others, Let Zenobius be our Bishop, is acclaimed. Who when with entreaties and rumors that he assent they insisted, and he altogether refused; seeing himself nothing to be able, to Rome he returned, and that himself nothing avails to the Bishop announced. But the Florentines immediately solemn Ambassadors to Rome direct, who what to the Supreme Pontiff, that they no one except Zenobius will receive as Bishop, they say, on themselves altogether they impose. He moreover when that to be despoiled of a mother is not worthy, although for a daughter, he said; at Rome he is consecrated: yet by the assent and entreaties of the Cardinals and other Prelates' instance conquered, hearing he afforded; and himself consecrated as the Florentines' Prelate, to them, in affliction greatest his separation remaining, he destined. ^d

[6] By the Florentines with the greatest joy he is received, and through several days by them, that supremely they rejoice, by signs evident it is demonstrated. benevolently received he lives holily: He indeed to himself more keenly returned, and his whole life from good to better changed: for with vigils, prayers, rough hair-shirts upon his bare body, preachings, confessions, disputations, counsels he insisted, with continual fastings the flesh he tamed, and besides his strict own food and the household's, all the superfluous, all delay set aside, to the poor he bestowed. To a certain small church, toward the Northern parts outside the city a little, to the honor of the Levite dedicated Lawrence the Martyr, with his intimates, by S. Ambrose he is visited: the Saints^e Eugenius the Deacon and Crescentius the Subdeacon, as if keeping an eremitic life, he dwelt: in whose congregation his intimate Prelate Ambrose for a great part of the time remained, and many there through both of one heart and life God miracles did.

[7] His fame heard, a certain great and noble Lady of Gaul, to Rome with great apparatus going, him visited; and supremely by his sanctity edified, a certain her weakened from the journey son, her journey accomplishing, commended. On the second therefore feria of Easter, when according to custom to the procession with his Clergy and people to the church of S. Peter the major he had proceeded; the Lady aforesaid returned, and to the Episcopate joyfully to be consoled with her son proceeds: but him absent then to have expired her son she found. the boy dead, The father holy she seeks, where he is she knew, her hair lays down, her garments rends, in her arms her son's body takes, and with a retinue great to meet goes. When him returning with weeping irremediable she met, before his feet the body she places, and to her to be rendered alive her son with weeping most sorrowful humbly demanded: alleging to her grief's augment, at the mother's prayers, that only, noble, most rich, by friends and kinsmen nourished, against the will of those with her led; whence, unless to her be restored the deposit with her made, never to her own she will return, but there in misery perpetually she will remain. The Saint as if astonished, the Clergy and people here and there beholds, genuflects toward the Eastern parts, his hands closed to heaven his eyes raises, sweetly praying to weep he began, he resuscitates. over the body the sign of the Cross made, and his hands upon his head imposed: and from prayer rising, the boy most sweet to his mother he restored. The whole people the Lord praising, the Bishop to the Episcopate, preceding him the resuscitated one, brought back, and home to his own returned. The Lady indeed for some days with the Prelate stayed, and together with the boy and her people with immense joy to return into France procured.

[8] To his therefore parents, to whom he was the only one, the way of all flesh having entered; His patrimony among the poor he distributes: all the patrimonies which they possessed he sold, and to the poor bestowed; saving that in the great possessions, which he had by the right of patrimony, at Passignano in the County of Florence and of the Fiesole diocese a church in honor of S. Salvator he caused to be built:^f just as did at Rome Constantine the Emperor of his palace in the Lateran;^g and its Clerics from all burden of patronage perpetually that to God they might be free more gladly he freed.

[9] On a certain day when from visiting a certain church near the walls of the city, toward the Northern parts, with his Clerics on foot he was walking; he resuscitates another youth, a multitude of citizens, carrying to the tomb the body of a certain youth much honorable, he met; who when to turn aside it he wished, he could not; because immediately at his feet the body they placed, and to him a circle made of themselves lest he flee, and that their to resuscitate fellow-citizen, who the son raised of the foreign widow, to cry they began. Whose excuse while not they approved, his knees toward the East he bent, that all should say Kyrie eleison on them he imposes; his hands closed, to heaven raised his eyes, God he entreated; and quickly rising, with him who was dead most sound arose, with him with all the people went, and to his own returning a great time survived.

[10] When a certain little boy, of years^h I think five, in the way near the Cathedral church sat, a charioteer with a cart there passing, likewise a boy crushed by oxen: the oxen suddenly turned into fury, upon the little child rushed, and wholly in a manner incurable crushed. Which the mother sorrowful perceiving, in a cloth wrapped him took, to the Deacon Eugenius brought, and that him for the recovering of life to the holy Father he would offer, with weeping horrible supplicated. He piously assented, and at the Saint's feet with many entreaties placed. Who immediately to prayer himself gave, from which rising with him the boy unharmed rises. Eugenius him takes, and to the mother most joyful resigned.

[11] While a certain blind man, for a long time asking alms, at the gate of the temple persisted; a blind man he illuminates: having heard the miracles, which God through his Bishop did, on one of the days while he was entering, at his feet rolling himself, that on him he would have mercy, with devotion the greatest him entreated. Then the Saint, whether he wished to become a Christian, the light received, of him asked. Most gladly, he answered: and these things said upon his eyes the Cross's sign he affixed; and immediately, restored to him perfectly sight, baptism he took; and Christ, all the time he lived, most excellently always to serve took care.

[12] When the Prelate holy beyond the Alpsⁱ a certain to visit church approached, another shattered by a fall he resuscitates: some bitterly weeping a certain their associate he found: how, and to what they came he asked. Incautiously, the elder among them answered, proceeding from a rock with his horse he fell forth: [he directed moreover him] to you, Father, the Prelate Ambrose, with the bodies of SS. Vitalis^k and Agricola sending: and that on him he have mercy, who to others made grace, with many suffused tears him entreated. Where he is, he asks: thither he approached: wholly shattered with his horse dead he found: to prayer himself near the lifeless one he gave: from which rising, who had been dead, most sound rises: the gift, which the holy Bishop had sent, eagerly with his hands he took: for several days with him he was, and when it pleased to the one directing with the greatest joy he returned.

[13] A certain Lady, when forty times to her son gravely infirm, in one night drink she had given; from a demon possessed he frees: nor thus, by chance asking drink, to quiet the night him she permitted; she moved: Four times ten this night to you drink I have offered, she asserted: now in the devil's name take, who you may possess, since me to quiet by no reason you permit. He took, and soon into him a demon having entered him most cruelly to vex began. She indeed what she had said in maternal manner considering, to be afflicted began; and although a Pagan, the Saint approached: and his rolled at feet, that her she would succor misery, to her the deed set forth, humbly with irremediable griefs entreated. By piety moved, over the brought with great violence infirm his eyes he directs, to prayer himself gives, and the sign of the Cross over him made the demon departed: and restored to pristine health, with the mother baptism he took, and unharmed home returned.

[14] When a certain noble Lady of the city, five sons, of a husband's solace destitute, unto the lawful age delicately had nourished; and they on one of the days her both with contumelious words, and, what is graver, the sons rebellious against the mother, and therefore into fury driven, with blows had afflicted; she genuflected, to the demon commended them, and that God upon them a rage visible should send, so that for themselves they should gnaw their arms, with much weeping and griefs entreated: whose entreaty God without medium heard. At the rumor the neighborhood flows together, them with chains bound; not however so quickly, but each of them between themselves unto the elbow their arms biting reduced to nothing. To herself the mother returned; and although a pagan the holy Father she approached: and her hair loosed, for her sons chained, to his presence led, the cause of her error set forth, mercy demanded. Who immediately before the image of the Crucified prostrates himself; he heals and baptizes: the multitude of the people standing by, from morning unto Terce with many tears to prayer he devoted; fatigued greatly he rises, and the sign of the Cross made over them, quickly the demons being put to flight, and to health pristine restored, them with their mother he baptized; and instructed, how themselves to govern they ought thereafter in all things, home to return he commanded.

[15] On a certain day, Eugenius his Archdeacon gravely infirm, a dead man, blessed water being sent, he resuscitates standing by S. Ambrose the Prelate, a certain man

news of the death of his kinsman, without any provision of his soul, brought: about which so to be afflicted he began, that from this the infirmity inestimably strength took. Which discerning the Prelate Ambrose, to S. Zenobius greatly afflicted, said, and that for him he should provide to announce ceased not. Then a servitor being summoned Zenobius, water blessed, through him to Eugenius directs, and that delay laid aside he rise, to the dead man proceed, over him pour it, and that with him to him he come, his own to him by name impose, to command he did not neglect. Which done in an instant, who had been dead, unharmed rises; to the Saint's sight (as had been commanded) himself presented; and thanks rendered home returned, and a long time survived. Eugenius indeed, the command fulfilled, which sound he did, to his bed returned, as in his Legend we shall say, a few days interposed, the celestial penetrated.

[16] The Pastor holy, his death to be imminent foreknowing, on one of the days in the Cathedral church the Clergy and people gathered; piously he dies. them about concord, in the city among themselves to be kept, much comforted; his to them decease published; and that from this they should not be afflicted (since he was going to Him, toward whom much to them he would profit) announced. And these things said them Pontifically he blessed: and to the little place, where he dwelt, with labor manifold returned, the rest set aside, only of the celestial passage he took care. To his standing-by Chapter, with weeping pious singing psalms, the holy man with the greatest devotion of the most sacred Mother Church's^l Sacraments received; to them the church recommended; and with the sign of the Cross fortifying himself, upward raised his eyes, on their arms his head reclining, that soul holy the flesh laid down the celestial penetrated^m [in his age the ninetieth year, in the year of the Lord 426, on the 8 Kalends of June, in the time of Theodosius and Honorius the Emperors]. Whose body the Clergy and people with the greatest devotion, embalmed with aromatics, near the altar of the above-said Levite S. Lawrence buried.

[17] In the year therefore fifth from the day of his burial, Andrew his successor in the Episcopal dignity, In the translation of the body convoking the collateral Bishops, to translate him into the Cathedral church, in honor of S. Salvator constructed, wished; and on the day XXVI of January, as he proposed, he fulfilled. But when the Bishops the body sacred on their shoulders in Pontificals prepared bore, a dry elm at the touch flowers: oppressed by the people they fell down; and in the fall a certain elm, which in the square near the church of S. John the Baptist was, the chest with the body struck: which elm, touched thus by the holy body, immediately flowers and leaves emitted, and flowering that year wholly endured. The Gentiles indeed, on account of devotion uprooting, the above-said tree destroyed; but the Florentines, lest of so great a miracle the memory should perish, there to be erected a marble column with a Cross above placed caused, and 12 Canonicates are founded. and so to be perpetually decreed. But when to the doors of the church they had come, in no way to be brought in it could. Which the Bishop with the Clergy and people beholding, all assenting he vowed, that in that church a number of twelve Canons he would place, who to it should serve, as to its dignity is fitting. Which when all the promise had confirmed, the Prelate's holy body they took, and where now it is in the altar with due honor placed: and that very day, just as of the Deposition, in the divine Offices solemn they ordained.

ANNOTATIONS.

APPENDIX

Miracles wrought after the year MCC.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

BHL Number: 9016

BY BLASIUS FROM THE MSS.

[18] When a certain^a Canon of the Cathedral Church, in medicine a Master, A Cleric after medicine intermitted is healed, a certain to him most dear Cleric, by a grave infirmity held, had; him B. Zenobius assiduously he commended: and although this he did, yet from the remedies of medicine in no way he desisted. Which when to himself nothing to profit he discerned, all the medicinal things he dismissed, God alone with B. Zenobius to cure proposed. Whence on a certain night to prayer before the altar of B. Zenobius himself he gave, and with humble prayers his suffrage demanded. To whom the holy Prelate, in Pontificals most white clothed, appeared; and that his help with cares medicinal mixed he implored, reproved; and that him he had healed when he descended, announced. Who immediately rising and home returning, him perfectly healed, whom in extremes as if laboring he had left, found: about which God praising, as it had happened he published.

[19] A certain Cleric,^b by name Claritus, serving the Cathedral Church, where the Prelate's holy body rests, an abscess of the throat is cured; on a certain day a horrible abscess in his throat had, which to be cut ought; and because by the judgment of master Guido, the supreme physician of Arezzo, to him was predicted that through nature to escape he could not; according to custom to his soul's safety he provided, and the night preceding the day of the incision to be made, before the altar himself of the Prelate kindly prostrated, and to him to be pitied by his merits God's clemency implored. Fatigued by much weeping in prayer, by sleep he is seized, and what he asked to him in no way is denied. For suddenly to him the glorious Father appeared in most white ornaments, the sign of the Cross over him made, and that sound he should rise commanded. Who awakened unharmed rises, the deed expresses, and God praising in His Saint, for a great time in the Plebanate office of the church of S. John of Florence holily lived, and there his life with a happy end terminated.

[20] A certain Priest, by name Lapus, of his altar the devout minister and servant, while raising a certain piece of wood from the church for the sake of ordering his feast, his loins broken is healed: in the kidneys broken, was brought to his bed; bound by the physicians, gravely to be afflicted he began, because at the Vespers of the Saint, so solemn, to be he could not. The night unto the matutinal hour in weeping and pain much he passed: wherefore to him for the Prelate's love Christ grace did not subtract: because suddenly with wonderful prepared ornaments the Saint appeared; and that he rise, and to officiate proceed with the others into the church, to command he did not neglect. Who at once unharmed rises, in the temple to officiate proceeds, the Clergy into admiration inestimable led, what had been done set forth, and as long as he lived to it faithfully served.

[21] When a certain Lady^c most beautiful, forsaken, against God and justice, the husband is reconciled to the wife. by her husband had been, and into his hatred into England had proceeded; on the feast of B. Zenobius for her husband's memory gravely to weep she began, and in this weeping his mercy to invoke she does not postpone. Suddenly on that very day and the same hour, the heart of her husband by love is constrained, the journey immediately is undertaken, to Florence without any delay he returns, and to his spouse with love inestimable is joined, and a solemn household of both sexes by their holy union is gladdened. To these miracles, by Blasius the Presbyter related, Moreover in the Italian Ms. it pleases to add two others, from an old Ms. Italian, found with the often-praised Carlo Strozzi the Senator, in the Codex 1064, marked with the letters H D.

[22] In the year MCCCLXXXXIV, on the day XXX of June, did S. Zenobius the following miracle, as to me it narrated Ambrosius Pictoris, son of D. Santina of S. John, and it asserted as a witness by sight. three eye-witnesses narrate; Two moreover youths honest, his associates, with even greater constancy the same two miracles affirmed, and that in the chapel of S. James; where them I heard, I Don Zenobius, who also examined them, hearing with me Brother Ludovicus, whom then I was teaching to sing, and Brother Laurentius Pictoris: so moreover he related. A woman of the Florentine Gate, by an evil demon beset, by her father and mother and other kinsmen of hers was led to S. Zenobius. She soon as she came to the corner of the Palea, and from afar beheld the church of S. Reparata, understood the demon what was being done; and the woman suddenly prostrated herself on the ground, with howling and indescribable alteration of her whole person: which in the year 1394 an energumen brought, for others' garments she bit and tore, even so far fierce, that twelve men had to be appointed,

who her seized violently might lead to S. Zenobius. So by others she was dragged into the sacristy of S. Reparata, me always preceding, says Ambrosius, that the future miracle I might see. For firmly I had proposed the truth of the matter with my own eyes to behold, on account of many miracles which to be celebrated before I had heard: and therefore intent always on her I kept my eyes. Then pursuing the begun narration he says: very greatly raging; Soon as she was brought into the sacristy, on one of those who had drawn her placed on his back she was, as if she had been dead: but whatever they did, never could they so dispose her, that on her head could be imposed the head of S. Zenobius; therefore her they set down on her feet. But although men altogether sixteen in this were fatigued, and her hair into four parts divided as many men had seized, they could not effect that herself onto her knees she let down: and the more they strove, so much the more rigidly she stood erect.

[23] At length however, as best he could, adjusted when she was, and the head of S. Zenobius was brought out from the little chamber, to which existing in the sacristy enclosed it was; soon as it she saw, with so great violence she tore herself from the hands of those holding her, that all on the ground she prostrated, here and there scattered; and ill she received as many as dared to approach her, truly demoniac. Subdued nevertheless somewhat, by the touch of the sacred head she was freed, to be held herself in a way she allowed, and to be composed in a manner, that the sacred head to be superimposed on her could, meanwhile while the Priests two recited Prayers and Gospels, and with lustral water her sprinkled, just as in such things to be done is wont. Then, says Ambrosius, I at the same moment of time her more fixedly beholding, saw that, the sacred cranium placed upon her head, at once gentle rendered she was like a little sheep: and herself on the ground placing as if to sleep, at once when her they covered asleep she was: and after a little sleep was awakened, sound and safe, to God's honor and S. Zenobius's. This moreover, he said, saw two Priests and two Clerics, and we there standing by were more than twenty seculars, but above through the windows had ascended more than a hundred, occupying whatever corner of the building and projecting beams, who heard the horrible howlings of the sick woman; and all the miracle seen praises and thanks gave to God. Amen.

[24] He said also, attesting to him the same two associates, likewise a little before an energumen, another also miracle a little before to have been done in this manner. A few days before this miracle, when thither had been brought an energumen, and adjured the enemy that he go out from that creature, he said: I will go out: I will go out altogether. But when? Now now, he answered; or, Indeed I know not; or, I will go out however: and so he derided those adjuring, until it was commanded to him, that in sign of his going out, one of the many, which there kindled stood, tapers he should extinguish. But when delays he wove, on his head they imposed the cranium of S. Zenobius: and suddenly tamed himself he reclined upon the earth, and to sleep began. And at the same time of the tapers one so furiously extinguished was, as if twelve bellows together had been to stir a blast applied: and so also this one healed was, to God's and holy Zenobius's honor. But often equal and even greater miracles happen through the merits of S. Zenobius: and I remember to me said by the Sacristan, that he restored speech to a mute boy: whence glory to Christ be, and to His mother Mary the Virgin.

ANNOTATIONS.

THE THIRD LIFE

by Laurentius Archbishop of Amalfi, as he had heard it related, written in the XI century. From the Ms. Codex of Cardinal Barberini, and the edition of Ughelli.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

BHL Number: 9014

BY LAURENTIUS BISHOP OF AMALFI FROM THE MSS.

PROLOGUE.

To the exhortation of your love, amiable Brothers, the hearing of my mind accommodating, so the virtues and miracles of the common Father Zenobius I have proposed Christ as leader to direct, The Author with a modest style, so that rather the minds of the simple to the advancement of the spirit, than the heart of the wise to the acumen of genius I may provoke. For since there is a numerous throng of peoples, which less toils in philosophic studies; and most rare to be it is established, to whom at heart it is the dialectic to scrutinize sublimity; it behooves indeed us, who to the salvation of very many provide, those rather who are many, than the very few to provide for. To the most erudite therefore each I supplicate, so that of that charity remembering, which its own not to seek is proved, the usual and in a manner simple using speeches me unequal patiently they hear, that of fraternal usefulness they may be proved lovers to exist. But let there be to anyone, he brings forth miracles sufficiently proven, I beseech, no ambiguity about the miracles of the holy man, which here are with the Lord favoring to be described: since partly those we learned from persons most grave, partly indeed through all Tuscia even today they glitter, that the unfaithful to close their mouths, and the faithful to the praise of Christ compel in a manner to open. But how with most sacred virtues uniquely he flourished, hence chiefly is clear; that always to the existing happily adhering Divinity; living, so to say, miracles, through his flesh by humanity dead he demonstrated assiduously. to demonstrate Zenobius's sanctity, An argument therefore drawing from the effects, we acknowledge him once with virtues to have flourished: who now in heaven dwelling, the dryness of our minds with his miracles' joy-flowing exhibitions waters. For the effect is what the preceding cause perfects, as the day, which the sun's rising emits. Since therefore the brightness of his miracles continually we have experienced, what else to us to be understood is given, but that with the wings of virtues to the ether raised, to the sun of justice happily he is joined? For of his signs the lively efficacy, with virtues him to have been filled not small, asserts. But the possession of virtues, with the stains of vices indicates him in all ways to have lacked. For two things mutually contrary (as they say) to one and the same subject at once to be in cannot. But of the proem enough it is: and so the Lord favoring his life to narrate I undertake.

CHAPTER I.

S. Zenobius's holy adolescence. Episcopal virtues.

[2] Zenobius, of the Florentine city a native, not only by the origin of flesh noble, but also by the mind's ingenuousness most illustrious existed. As a boy with letters and virtue he is imbued: For from his boyhood years to the divine service devoting himself, so of letters most studious he had shone, that, how the most strong of Christ a soldier he would be future, in his very as it were apprenticeship he demonstrated. At length with mature morals adorning still his bitter little age, from virtues to virtues notably he walked; so that you would not doubt in Sion the God of gods happily to be about to see, who the way of the divine commands so most swiftly ran.

[3] And when of his boyhood the time passed he had come to the years of puberty, knew the most sagacious youth, as a youth by the love of chastity, not that of his body to tend the desires, to which the Christian ardor to hasten desired. Just as the excellent thunders preacher, The flesh lusts against the spirit, the spirit moreover against the flesh; and these to each other are adverse. Gal. 5, 17, Let us see therefore, what Christ's soldier against this kind of conflict performed; that we may acknowledge, him in this life's stadium not in vain to have run. With such therefore his flesh fastings he subjected to the spirit, that by divine aided help, the flesh by fasting he tames: by his body he was not subjected as a servant, but on the contrary he ruled as a master. To chastity therefore giving labor, with Job in weaknesses the most strong, to say he could, I have set in my heart, that not I should think even of a virgin. Job 31, 1, For he knew, already in the divine especially letters erudite, of chastity the virtue to be before the rest to be embraced: which slipped the remaining virtues utterly are extirpated. But because cannot the fiery ardor be extinguished, to which of woods the food continually is administered: and then the venereal swelling by a salutary is depressed medicine, when the feasts to it are subtracted, the death-bringing heat ministering; therefore with fastings and vigils his limbs most congruously he chastised.

[4] Besides the virtue of charity in him for itself a proper in a manner had constituted dwelling, so that truly you could say; In this youth, he adds charity, of chastity and twin love the lover, God indeed rests. 1 John 4, 16, 1 Cor. 6, 19, For since the God-speaking Evangelist does not deny to say, God is charity; and, Who remains in charity, in God remains and God remains in him; Paul also truthfully asserts, those who chastely live a temple to be of the Spirit holy; it is established indeed the most blessed Zenobius, with such virtues filled, of Divinity a dwelling to have existed: especially when of so great gentleness and so great humility, gentleness, humility, which is established to be of virtues the guardian, he was approved, that as if specially of him to have been said it seemed; Upon whom shall rest spirit my, but upon Zenobius, humble and quiet, and trembling at my words? Isa. 66, 2, By the nobility indeed of flesh, by which he is said before the rest to have shone, trodden, so by the mind's ingenuousness he prevailed, that in the celestial court already then he was with golden letters distinguished. But how liberal in giving alms, and how pious of the poor a host he was in the Lord, brevity studying, I omit in order to say; his affection toward the poor. because by the collective, as they say, state, the prudent reader, in the praise which we premised of charity, this can fully behold. For neither charity, by which God and the neighbor is loved, to have to be thought is he, who, that the Evangelist's words I may use, shall have seen his brother to have need, and shall have closed his bowels from him. 1 John 3, 17 For the proof of love (as Gregory, of his See the equal, wonderfully teaches) of work is the exhibition.

[5] With such therefore virtues prevailing, when for a very long time with lesser he was content offices, Into a Bishop elected, in the church of Florence, the Prelate of that place being dead, not only by the clergy, but also by the whole of that city's people, solemnly to the Pontificate's summit he is elected. Nor indeed was it permitted to him to resist or to oppose this kind of election: since, as I aforesaid, so by the consent and effort of all his fellow-citizens he had been demanded to that Church's helm, that openly it was given to be understood, divinely him to this kind of office to have been invited. Seeing therefore to the divine commands neither to be able nor to ought obstinately to struggle; and ordained, he studies humility, the Prelacy indeed's office canonically he took, but of humility the grace to himself most familiar he did not desert. For to profit more than to preside desiring, so himself to all most humble he exhibited, that there was not ambiguous, but that assiduous the hearing of his mind to the Evangelic sentence he accommodated, in which namely it is said:

Learn from me because I am meek and humble of heart. Matt. 11, 29, So great indeed with love the clergy committed to him and the rest of the people sweet-flowing he embraced, and to his love toward the Clergy and people: that whoever of them with demoniac or human straits fluctuated, to his solace as to a port most tranquil hastened. Whom he sweetly receiving, so with the divine Scriptures' words consoled, that they rejoiced this kind of Father from heaven to be granted, who to the children's crises with wonderful sweetness succored. For prolonged, just as has been aforesaid, time to the disciplines toiling ecclesiastical, under others' rule excellently he had learned to each languor of minds congruous of speech medicines to apply; and deservedly to preside he could, who congruously to be subject had learned.

[6] But if ever the secular powers anyone of his subjects with unjust judgment oppressed, those unjustly afflicted by the powerful he helps: he did not fear boldly their wickedness to reprove: and so long a certain commixture of severity and lenity made he insisted; until the Lord favoring mostly he recalled to the way of justice, those whom through the deviations of iniquities it was established to walk. For the just, just as the Divine authority testifies, like a confident lion, without terror walks: on the contrary indeed whom gravely the guilt of conscience accuses, flees no one pursuing. Prov. 28, 1, Lev. 26, 17, Indeed Ecclesiastical right's estates to themselves usurping, and the oppressors of Ecclesiastical right he corrects: not with material swords this Father most excellent assailed, but with the effective arms of prayer manfully stormed. Whence it happened that the divine power discerning the innocent His servant's patience, so some of those with most severe vengeance mulcted, that by a bitter sudden dying destruction, not only private persons, but even Kings to the obsequy of the holy man in a manner compelled. Whence indeed it happened the most sacred Church of the Florentines from this kind of persons more than the rest to be enriched: inasmuch as those, the sanctity of the Father Zenobius seen, and known the divine severity, which for him most frequently fought, not from him violently to take away, but to offer suppliantly to the Church the necessaries procured. At length the Royal power, which in those days of Italy was the chief, in so great prostrated itself humility at his adorable footprints; that the temporal Emperor to the laments of penitence with his Magnates fleeing, to the Emperors he is in veneration. the eternal Emperor in him venerably adored. Nor undeservedly: for He Himself indeed Christ with the Evangelic trumpet thundered saying: Who honors you honors Me, and who spurns Me, spurns Him who sent Me: and through the Prophet, Who you, He says, touches, that is with dishonor treats, the pupil without doubt touches of My eye. What more? Luke 10, 16, Zach. 2, 8 Just as once rejoiced Rome, of things the greatest poetically called, of the spoils of the slain; so exulted Florence over the conversion of many, through so great a Father forever to live. Whence rightly it could, among his other proclamations, be sung, Happy Florence flowers again with a great Saint.

[7] Further lest of less to be seem of authority these things, which, just as we have foretasted, from most religious certain men we learned, who truthfully asserted these indeed anciently to have been written; but by a fire, which by chance happened, to have been consumed; what Paulinus^a the Holy about the Father Zenobius relates, let us hear. For among the other virtues and miracles of the most famous Father Ambrose he subjoined, saying: In Tuscia also the Florentine city, where now the holy man Zenobius is Bishop; because he had promised himself, those asking, them more often to visit; frequently at the altar which is in the Ambrosian basilica, which there by him was established, was seen to pray, the holy man the Priest Zenobius relating, we learned. Lo Paulinus, who of so great piety had existed that himself to the barbaric nation a slave for the son of a certain widow delivered, he sees the soul of S. Ambrose in the church by him dedicated praying, asserts our Zenobius to be to have said, not for the assertion of truth, against posterity's doubt, both he says: In the Florentine city where now the holy man Zenobius is; and after pointedly added, The holy man the Priest Zenobius relating we learned. Who therefore dares to this truthful testimony to resist, through whose mouth to the praise of the same our patron Christ indeed has spoken? According to that namely which the excellent asserts preacher; Do you seek an experiment of Him who in me speaks Christ? 2 Cor. 13, 3

[8] Besides diligently to be inspected it is, in how great of sanctity he dwelt the summit, who merited the soul of his Fellow-priest after the carnal departure with spiritual eyes to behold. But with spiritual eyes I would say, not that him by corporeal sight in no way he saw; but that his gaze so now spiritual was made, that deservedly the elect's spirits he could contemplate. he himself wholly spiritual: For it is written: Blessed the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Matt. 5, 8, But God a spirit is; it is not therefore wonderful if with the light of sanctity illustrated B. Zenobius, the circumscribed could see spirit, who the uncircumscribed happily is about to see, according to that which is written of the elect: The King in His beauty they shall see, that is in His divinity after the world's end with their own eyes happily are about to see, whom now through a mirror in an enigma they contemplate. Isai. 33, 17

[9] Nor to be passed over, that the holy man Ambrose, just as to the devoutly asking Florentines he had promised, not only alive them frequently to visit strove, but even dead. In which indeed matter with great is the Florentines' people praises to be extolled, whose immense indeed devotion, not only before, but even after the death of the holy man was rewarded; by S. Ambrose he is visited, while frequently with them and (as it is to be believed) for them to pray he was seen, by whom^b once invited not only to Florence he had come, but them also^c by the resuscitation of a certain boy wonderfully had gladdened. Among these indeed peoples the ecclesiastical Clergy I judge to have been present, among whom indeed shone like a star most bright our Patron Zenobius, although then at that time not yet he was with the Pontifical garland adorned: especially when we read the church^d, which is called Ambrosian, solemnly by the same Most Reverend Pontiff Ambrose to have been dedicated, with all the Florentine people's gladness: whence it is given to conjecture, from then these twin columns of God's Church mutually to themselves to have been by a friendly compact joined. Nor undeservedly: it is written indeed, Every animal loves to itself similar: which, indeed, animal, and with a friendly compact is joined. of man is predicated. Besides to be seen, how the sanctity of that eminent Father the efficacy also of miracles more clearly divulged. Eccli. 13, 19.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Two dead resuscitated. Other miracles.

[10] A matron setting out for Rome kindly he receives, A certain Matron, for the sake of prayer to Rome setting out, from the parts of Gaul having heard the laudable fame of the blessed servant of God, Zenobius; before there she set out, to him to come she strove, that of so great a Father's blessings she might enjoy. And when her devotion attending the admirable Pontiff, to the world's contempt and the celestial kingdom's desire rather he had kindled; she at his footprints prostrate to ask began, that mindful of her in his prayers continually he would deign. Besides when to her lodging now of her vow possessed the woman had returned, and to her own narrated, of how great sanctity, of how great eloquence, and of unique morality was the Bishop, whose blessing she had wished; her son, who with her indeed had come, but on account of the trouble which he had incurred on the journey, weary in the little bed lay; to him led, to his prayers most humbly commended himself. Then the man of God, whom the grace of piety the virtues among the rest commended, compassionating his infirmity, not only interior refreshment to him bestowed, his sick son he detains: but even corporeal liberal nourishments bestowed. But because his languor little by little grew strong, fearing the man of God, lest the labor of the journey, or this in every way should wear away his body, or the mother's devotion break; with himself mercifully the same boy to detain he proposed, until his mother from the Apostles' thresholds should return; which also was done. Therefore she setting out for Rome, so great a care of piety B. Zenobius toward the aforesaid sick one exhibited, that another mother to be found he seemed for his solace. But because divine providence, as I think, had constituted, that through his death, nay resurrection, the most blessed Father more should shine; all human refreshment, which as a medicinal cure to him was exhibited, not to him relief but heaviness brought.

[11] Meanwhile of ecclesiastical usefulness requiring a business, proceeded the Venerable same Pontiff to the temple, which was in honor of S. Peter consecrated, not a few Clerics him accompanying. Where while a prayer premised, which seemed congruous he had performed; on account of the often-named infirm one, whom by exceeding fever's ardor burnt he had left, he began with hastened step to return. And behold he sees his mother, who on that very day returned had been, the same dead, with scattered miserably hair and great howlings vociferating, to him to come; and her little son's now lifeless body unhappily to carry. Which seen the man most clement his step at once stops; and learning the mother one only hour after her son's death to have returned, groaning is made. The woman indeed immediately at his feet rolled, her son's corpse before his face casts, and with a voice lamentable clamors, saying: My only one, whom to your sanctity alive I had commended, alive, I beseech, to the unhappy mother restore, not deceased. You who of your flock not only the Pastor, but even the Father are, at the mother's prayers, make me I pray of mothers in the number to be reckoned. For too unhappy to be called a mother further I cannot, who in one and the same moment alike a son and the mother's name I lost. Coming from the Apostles' Churches, who by preaching's light the whole world illustrated, how my light lost, which before my eyes I loved, bereft, can I to my fatherland return? With these and this kind of lamentations the same womanly indeed weeping, but manfully in the Lord confiding, when not could her the man of the Lord from his footprints repel, himself tearful there into prayer gave; and so long the near to himself Divinity's ears struck most humble, he resuscitates, until both alike rose; the deceased namely from bitter death, and the holy elder from prayer. Now indeed who with oratorical faculty most powerful worthily can narrate, how great suddenly was the born joy, not only to the parent of him who had been resuscitated, but even to the rest at this kind of spectacle standing by? when namely in one and the same almost time they saw with his own feet walking, with great joy of all, who dead brought

had been by alien hands. Who therefore a God great like our God; who indeed to His divinity not sluggishly serving, not only in the heavens, but even on earth glorifies; according to that namely, which truthfully, inasmuch as the highest truth, He promised; I will glorify those glorifying Me. 1 Kings 2, 3, It is not therefore unhappily to be wondered at, that so effective His servant's entreaty was, that suddenly he was able the lifeless little body to visit: since indeed it is clear, him of those to have been chief in number, of whom prophetically it is said, The will of those fearing Him the faithful in His words most clemently will do, their prayers namely wonderfully hearing. Ps. 144, 19. But the place in which happened this notable miracle, in the place called Geniculum. on account of that that about to pray there the kindly Prelate his knees bent, even today the Florentine citizens Geniculum call: and so great reverence worthy they judge the stone, which under his knee it happened to be, that foulness there they do not permit even by beasts to be made: especially since mostly it has happened, there their vehicles to be broken, who without due reverence through that place not without their oxen' damage had passed.

[12] Another also most similar to this I do not refrain to relate a miracle; which on the same journey he did, Always he visits churches: but not by the same, as before to us by a certain one was said, using footprints. When the most venerable same Pontiff, of mature now age accomplished, only to prayers labor gave, and on account of this together with his Clerics even the suburban churches went round; on a certain day, while he returned from this kind of study, it happened him to have found a certain deceased, before the Florentine gate, which is situated against the North. And when a little while he had halted, for the soul of the deceased he prays: and in his manner had begun a prayer to God to pour for that soul's redemption; of diverse sex and age the people, who there had assembled, by a nod a certain, unless I am mistaken, breathed upon divine, began first by muttering to say; Is not Father this our most holy, whom it is established already to have rendered a dead man to life, able this also youth to resuscitate, if our faith in this kind of postulation in no way wavered? When therefore the prayer performed the Pontiff to go away had begun, of all those hearts as if one forthwith were made; and on the ground prostrate, and with tearful voices the deceased's resuscitation demanding, so concluded his journey, that in no way he could to the Episcopal house return. Most sad therefore the Father made, and the same by the bystanders asked, inasmuch as the vice of elation as the greatest pest fleeing; Why, he said, my sons, so great to me of weight you impose, as the fragility of my mind to bear cannot? Or are you ignorant these and this kind of miracles, not to the lowest and sinners, of whom I am a fellow, but to men with the Lord highest and most just to belong? To whom the people on the contrary with tearful voice suppliantly answered: You who a boy foreign clemently the Lord bestowing resuscitated, you ought also, Father most honorable, on account of this unhappy resurrection of a youth, with whom the whole as you see your city compassionates, to the most omnipotent supplicate Divinity. To these things the Saint of God said; after long tergiversation, Not that of his to have been virtue, but rather of maternal devotion, which faith aided most strong. The people moreover alike answering, that the faith of one with the Most Clement availed to obtain, of all indeed of us by the faithful petitions mercifully it will be granted; compelled was the kindly man to their prayers to assent. He commanded therefore the whole multitude, which was present, so long Kyrie eleison, most devoutly to say, until he himself should rise from prayer, which he said by their prayers to be able to be aided. What more? he resuscitates: So long in a position he lay most humble, so long with tearful petitions he insisted, so long by contemplation's wing raised the ethereal he propitiated Emperor; until the people, seen of him who dead had been the sudden of eyes opening, not now Kyrie eleison, but Thanks to God, Thanks to God, cried out. Most glad therefore forthwith to the house returned he was of the living, who with very many's sadness was led to the tomb of the deceased. other lesser miracles he does. I would wish besides his lesser virtues, which to us by certain truthful men were related, to this little work to aggregate; unless greatly to the fastidiousness consulting of the hearers; those things which already have been said to suffice I believed: especially since the prudent reader, an argument drawing from the greater, does not doubt, him small to be able to do, whom it is established the Lord being author notably to have wrought exceedingly great things.

CHAPTER III.

His pious death. Miracles after death wrought.

[13] To his therefore glorified death our style we turn, whom indeed God omnipotent withdrawn from the lands, in Arcadius's and Honorius's times, to the heavens' joys recalled. Gen. 25, 8 For full of days, just as Scripture testifies, Sick he consoles his own: in good old age, when he discerned himself, the languor growing strong, to death already near to be made; the most sad Clergy, and the people no less tearful, thus he addressed: Do not, most beloved sons, do not, I beseech, with immoderate yourselves affect sadness: since the time is, that the way of the fathers walking, to the good Lord the service performed I hasten. Nay rather rejoice, me your father to it to precede; whose, as much as I shall be able, mercy for your excesses I will beseech: the admonitions only of my smallness in the unity of concord strive to keep. With these and such finished speeches, them Pontifically he blessed; raised his hands to heaven, he prayed; and then himself signing, on the 25th of May he dies and is buried. so glad his soul he breathed out, that you would say to the fatherland a smiling animal smiling to return. His body moreover most sacred, on the very day on which he died, the eighth namely of the Kalends of June, was laid up in a chest marble, and placed in the church of Saint Lawrence near the altar. Which when it had been some years' circles having elapsed, on account of the infestation of certain nations, translated into this^a of S. Reparata Basilica, so great God on account of his merit showed grace, that a certain tree, which his bier when it was brought had touched, immediately had flowered. Does it not seem, reader, this tree both the flowers of the virtues of B. Zenobius to have demonstrated, and the Florentine city to have indicated, in the translation of the body a dry tree flowers again: before many other cities on account of his Relics with various graces to flower again? Joyfully therefore let rejoice the Florentine people, and exult in the Lord: because divinely to receive it merited this gem most precious, excelling all the earth's riches.

[14] Nor that is with forgetful to be passed over sloth, that the same most sacred corpse, it remains unmoved, to the aforesaid even gate northern carried, so long itself did not permit in any way from that place to be moved, as long as the Pontiff, until the Clergy to his service be deputed. who at that time presided over this city, to God should promise, not less than a twelvefold of Clerics number to the same Saint's perpetual service to depute. I see the fragility of the human mind, which to rejoice is wont in brevity, so many heard miracles to be able to grow weary: but to me it is to be taken care, lest while as if provident the human offense I flee, the divine ill-sane I incur. Whence I have disposed through a certain as it were middle Christ as leader to walk, so that the lesser I be silent of; and the greater, which after his death he wrought, I may strive not sluggishly to narrate.

[15] A certain^b Italic boy, at some time of great fevers by ardor burnt, a feverish boy on account of often-asked drink into so great a sickness of thirst's anxiety had come, that on a certain night fourteen times water he drank. But because too kindled of fever it is established that to be its nature, that the more he drinks who by it is decocted, the more he thirsts; the same boy anxious, his mother gravely sleeping five and six times, not without of clamor magnitude, called. And when the woman wearied was awakened, and to her had said little son; What do you wish? Why so much do you vociferate? He, as if not yet he had drunk, water unhappily demanded. At length by exceeding now weariness his mother possessed, answered saying: I will give you the devil who you may choke. his mother imprecating possessed by a demon; Does it not suffice for your gluttony four ten times now to have drunk, and me too unhappy not to have allowed at least a little to rest? Therefore still by the same intoxicated fury, water to him offered, saying: Drink the devil, who you makes drink so often to demand. No therefore in the meantime delay, immediately the spirit malign entered into the boy, and him began most sharply to agitate. Which as beheld so far the bold woman, on the earth prostrate, with grief began most bitterly to lament; and herself the cause to have been of the calamity, which to the boy happened, truly to attest. Proposed therefore his father of various to him medicines aids diligently to apply: which while to him not even the least little portion of soundness bestowed, in the highest crisis placed, what he ought further to do, not only men, but even women he consulted. Whence it happened a certain religious woman a most salutary to him counsel to afford, by saying: To the Father Zenobius's most sacred tomb if your own you lead son, to the effect without doubt of your desire you will be able to come. by the father, having heard the miracles moved, For when for the sake of prayer lately there I had come, I saw a certain Florentine woman so by him wonderfully heard, that from prayer home returning, not only her son, for whom the Saint she had besought, restored to health she found; but even a necklace a certain, from herself by theft taken, in her own house she found. Such things he having learned, the Florentine city together with his own son hastily approached; and the religious Clerics, who more familiarly the often-said Father's church served, earnestly besought, that the most wretched boy, who willingly refused to enter, by force even unto the altar of S. Zenobius to lead they would deign. But the spirit wicked in him dwelling, when he feared to the Saint to be dragged, so much before the doors resisted, so much obstructed, so much struggled, that the ten-year-old boy scarcely could by a certain most strong man even unto the tribunal be led. he is carried to the Saint's tomb and freed: Where while for him on the earth lying poured with tears was a prayer; suddenly his belly beyond the human norm to swell seemed: and then returned to the pristine state, so great of stench poured forth, that openly it was given to understand, the spirit from him stinking by the merits of S. Zenobius to have been put to flight. Most sound therefore arose the boy from the pavement: and who three already elapsed days nothing of food had taken, to eat immediately demanded, and to his fatherland with his father most glad returned.

[16] Nor that to be passed over seems a notable miracle, which in our also days and our eyes to have been is established exhibited. For a certain Cleric, than many others more devoutly to the same service affording the Church, while he was in the last of his languor of a little servant saddened, approached to the altar of B. Zenobius, beseeching with the inmost of his heart groanings, that by the same Father's interventions to him health might come. the languor of a servant, the master praying But because the good of the human mind's desire, just as before us much more holily and more eloquently it has been said, is wont by delays to be augmented, and augmented the wished to receive; it was not then the same Cleric immediately heard. But because not only with secular, but even with divine letters he was not mediocrely imbued, and through this knowing the Evangelically to have been said; Knock, and it shall be opened to you; he ceased not through eleven days with prayers the ear to strike of the Thunderer;

the help namely of so great a Pontiff demanding, whom he believed to be to the Divinity's hearing near. Luke 11, 9 In which indeed days eleven, to pray indeed for the same his servant he proceeded to Zenobius the Father's altar; after the intermitted other medicines he is cured. but the medicine outward, inasmuch as in medicine skilled before, fittingly to him to apply in no way he omitted. But when he discerned him, so many elapsed days, fit indeed cures to admit, but the languor in no way to lose; he set in his heart the medicinal at that time studies to postpone, and only the most laudable Prelate's help to await. When behold on the day twelfth the Saint, to him through a vision appearing, said: In these days past therefore to your boy in no way the gift of health to bestow I willed, lest he should seem rather by terrestrial than by celestial cure saved. Ps. 54, 23 But now because, just as the Psalmist thunders the Prophet, stably on the true Lord your thought you have cast, know that you the named Lord's title not to lose: for there will be healed very quickly the same your servant, whom to you most precious you reckon. Awaking therefore the often-said Cleric, what to him through a dream had been said to many men faithfully announced, and then his servant's most wonderful soundness to see he merited.

[17] It pleases meanwhile the mind's gaze, to seeing this Saint's glory, There is praised the glory conferred on S. Zenobius diligently to lift up, how with a terrestrial price the celestial he merited to contemplate. For behold who against carnal struggling enticements, to the omnipotent Lord serving, the transitory world's glory turned aside; not only the starry happily possesses mansion, but even on the lands by exhibiting so pleasant miracles, too great enjoys and will enjoy honor. A blessed plainly possession, which takes not away the hostile iniquity, but unshaken holds the immense felicity: whose beatitude no diminution mutilates, because never to it a ruinous fall approaches: to whom ever smiles the wished prosperity, because never horrible to it dominates adversity. Many indeed are also others, with which this most honorable Father could deservedly be proclaimed; but to me Laurentius, of the Amalfi See unworthy Archbishop, who here exiled his protection felt, more it pleased these few to describe, than very many not without of macrology the vice more fastidiously to be received to narrate. and the Author of the life betrays himself. But is celebrated his festivity on the eighth of the Kalends of June, to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit God, through all the ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

THE SECOND AND THIRD TRANSLATION

From John Villani and John of Arezzo contemporaries.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

BHL Number: 9018

FROM CONTEMPORARIES.

[1] In the year MCCCXXX, in the middle of the month January, the Archbishop of Pisa, Simon Salterelli, a noble Florentine; and the Bishop of Florence, Francis de Silvestris of Cingoli; likewise Bishops, of Fiesole, Tedice de Aliotti; and of Spoleto, In the year 1330 the body being dug up again, Bartholomew Bardi, both Florentines; with the Florentine Canons, and many Clerics and Prelates, caused to be uncovered the altar of S. Zenobius in the crypts of S. Reparata, that his blessed body they might find: which before than to them it should succeed, to ten ells the earth into the depth to be excavated had to be. It was found moreover within a chest, in a marble chest enclosed. Thence moreover they lifted a little of the cranium of the head, and nobly to be placed they commanded within a silver head, to the Saint's own face's likeness fashioned, that it could yearly with great devotion and solemnity be shown to the people, on the day of his feast: but the remaining body most devoutly they replaced into its place, with hymns and songs, the Cathedral church's bells all through ten continuous days and nights almost continually sounding; the Bishops moreover, there is translated into a silver head a particle of the cranium. Indulgence of sins bestowing, inviting the people to the sacred Relics to be visited. For which Translation and Indulgence's cause, the Florentines almost all, men and women, small and great, with singular religion and not without gifts, to such an exercise devoutly flowed together. So John Villani, of his Chronicle Florentine in the year MCCCXXXIII ending book 10 and last chapter 172, expressly noting only to have been taken somewhat of the skull of the head, that his original words I may use.

[2] In the year 1408 is established a decree of a new chapel to be built, Ludovico Strozzi Archdeacon of Florence, in the Preface to the Life of S. Zenobius, by Clemens Mazza published and by his care reprinted, that argument thus pursues: In the II Indiction in the Month of March, in the year MCCCCVIII, a decree by common council was, that for the body of S. Zenobius should be raised an honorific sepulchre, it meanwhile elsewhere decently placed. After various moreover about that matter treatments, at length in the year MCCCCXXVIII, when the new of S. Maria del Fiore Cathedral in the major part perfected now was, to the prior that decree's execution, a new one in these words was conceived: The Chapel which directly opposite is to the gate, the church of S. John facing, let it be entitled with the name of S. Zenobius: and in it let there be made an altar concave, under which let be placed the body and bones within a chest of bronze or marble, and it is renewed in the year 1428, above which from the same material let be placed a statue of the Saint, three with a half ells high: round about indeed let be placed a lattice work, which the view does not impede and the touch prohibits: in the Translation finally of that holy body, let there be a most solemn Procession, and that on the same day on which otherwise the Translation was made, namely the XXVI of January.

[3] Afterwards the counsel being changed it pleased, according to a deliberation in the year MCCCCXXXVIII written, and in 1438, and there is prescribed the form of the altar, that the chest in which is the body of S. Zenobius should be placed under the crypt of the aforesaid chapel, on that front which the choir faces, and let there be made a vault as level as can be, that so much more of space under it be kept: and in the same crypt let there be made a window, under the upper altar, to the same nearly with the altar length, the height indeed of an ell and a half about; and that for two causes, first that the crypt may have transpiration, then that through it may be seen the luminaries, placed from devotion around the chest of the body of S. Zenobius. The upper altar let it be marble, placed upon four columns: and above it let be placed a chest of bronze, designed by Lorenzo of Bartoluccio. And after several other things about the disposition of the altar it is ordered, under which let be placed the bronze chest of the head, that its face anterior let it not be historiated, but with letters inscribed; and let it have a little door, through which can be put in and taken out the head of S. Zenobius. Whence it is understood, that chest bronze never to have been made for the holy Body, but only for the Head to be received. The same also more evidently is established from the Decree of the year MCCCCXL, which thus has: On the bronze chest, ordered for the cranium and head of S. Zenobius, let be written within a coronal wreath these letters,

THE HEAD OF BLESSED ZENOBIUS BISHOP OF FLORENCE,

IN WHOSE HONOR THIS CHEST WITH NOTABLE

ORNAMENT WAS MADE: and so even today there sculpted it is read. Had been the aforesaid chest committed in the year MCCCCXXXII to Lorenzo Bartolo de Ghiberti, as of such works the most skilled artificer, on this condition that within months XLII completed he should give it: and when the condition he had not fulfilled, taken away from him: but failing one who the begun labor would pursue, to him restored it was on the XVIII of April, in the year MCCCCXXXIX, with the obligation of finishing the work within months X, most precious indeed which also he did. Indeed to say I cannot how much precisely for that most beautiful vase paid was; the bronze itself from the wool-workers to have been bought I know, from that which to them superabounded for the statue of S. Stephen, which had made Orsanmichele. I know also that in the Strozzi Library is found a certain memorial, by which it is indicated that chest to have stood at florins MCCCXIV: but it is not distinguished whether for the art alone so much was paid, or indeed for the art and material together. Finally a certain good Priest, of our Church a Chaplain, and in the year 1590 gilded. Victorius de Ancisa, founder of the girls whom they call the Stabilitae in the via Scala; the aforesaid chest to be gilded, for his toward the Saint devotion, took care in the year MDXC, with success so little happy, that of renewing the gilding anew to think it behooves.

[4] These things being thus disposed, at length the blessed body, from the place in which it had been in the year MCCCCXXX deposited, translated under the new Chapel was in the year after the ninth; just as in the Life in Surius narrates the eye-witness John Tortelli of Arezzo, in these words. In the year from the Incarnation of the Lord one thousand four hundred thirty-third, In the year 1433 when Eugenius the Supreme Pontiff, from Rome to Florence came, and Americus the Archbishop dies, and was vacant the Archbishopric about two years. For the supreme Pontiff Eugenius, under Eugenius Pope IV while at Florence he dwelt, wished at that time this kind of Church to rule, which in very many things he reformed. And among the rest, he established boys clerics thirty-three, who in the solemnities of the Masses and Vespers of the church daily should serve, and should preside over them a master Priest and a chosen man, who in Grammar them and Music should instruct; and for the master a hundred gold pieces yearly, and to each of the boys nine to be given from certain revenues public he ordained. At length to the Archbishopric he promoted John Vitelleschi of Corneto, who also the title even of the Alexandrian Patriarchate obtained, and not much after into the Roman Church's Cardinal he assumed. In whose time of the Prelacy from the Lord's incarnation one thousand four hundred thirty-sixth, in the month of March, the new basilica is consecrated: on the day of the Annunciation of B. Mary the Virgin, the aforesaid Eugenius most holy Pontiff, the basilica new with great celebrity consecrated: and the following year, in the month October, the same Eugenius Ludovico of Padua his chamberlain to the Archbishopric promoted. In whose time the body of B. Zenobius, from a place, on account of the diverse new church's disposition more ignoble, to a more worthy and more apt with great apparatus translated was. For when the form and disposition of the most magnificent temple to completion had been brought, into which during the Council and Eugenius the Pontiff a Council for the Greeks' union celebrated; and there had assembled John Palaeologus the Greeks' Emperor, Demetrius the Despot his brother, Joseph the Patriarch of Constantinople, a great of Archbishops Greek and Latin and Bishops multitude; it seemed to John Spinelli, of the Cathedral church the Provost, a man most illustrious, and the Canons and Citizens, at that time chiefly the Translation of the body of the most blessed Zenobius to celebrate, and in a fitting and prepared place it to dispose.

[5] On the appointed day VI of the Kalends of May, from the Lord's incarnation in the year one thousand four hundred thirty-ninth, the year 1439, 27 April assembled in the major basilica all the Cardinals, who Eugenius's Curia following, to the Council had come: and most ornately in the middle of the church choir, with various tapestries and hangings prepared, the right toward the altar part the Cardinals sat. After whom the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Patriarch of Grado, and another immense of Archbishops and Bishops, both Greek and Latin multitude, in most beautiful order disposed, stood. At the left indeed sat first Demetrius the Despot: after whom the Legates of diverse Princes and Counts, the Protonotaries of the Latin Church, of Nobles Greek and Latin a multitude not small. Then Ludovico the Archbishop, in Pontifical vesture and with a mitre crowned, with six other chosen Bishops and Canons and people innumerable, to the ancient catacomb proceeding, the marble little chest, in which the bones were of the most blessed Zenobius, they take; and their shoulders those six Pontiffs putting under, with great pomp the bodies are brought in following Ludovico the Archbishop, with all the people's jubilation, and organs and pipes and diverse musicians' kinds, God's praise through the whole church resounding, with great of all devotion and reverence, upon the most ornate altar they placed. And meanwhile while the solemnities of the Masses were celebrated, the most worthy all of the Florentine city citizens, kindled tapers in their hands bearing, and walking in a conspicuous and most ample order, with great devotion to venerate the most blessed Body come; and of all the first these were, who from the same lineage with Zenobius in this Florentine city endure, men for the most part most illustrious and most noble, of the Girolami in today's time called. After these the city's Foremost men, with most ample (as they are wont) apparatus assemble, whom the other magistrates, and also several other most excellent citizens followed. At length the sacred things performed, they take up the little chest the same those, who before, the Pontiffs sacred: and following the Archbishop with the Canons and innumerable people, SS. Zenobius and Podius Bishops. into the new catacomb, at the first of that church's chapel, as in today's time they are named, in his name consecrated, with great honor they placed. In which namely place, after a very few days, a marble chest with the Relics whole of B. Podius Bishop of Florence, only the Canons with the Provost and some Presbyters, and a few citizens, and me being present, translated.

THE SAME THIRD TRANSLATION

From the Italian of Clemens Mazza, equally an eye-witness.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

FROM THE MSS.

PROLOGUE.

[6] In the things heretofore by me written, most sweet Philip, if some error perhaps has crept in, He professes that what he will write is certain. to happen that it could either by the writings' fault, or of the old idiom which I followed by ignorance, or even from the weakness of my genius. But of those things, which with my eyes I saw, though boyish, so firm I have impressed a memory, that in no way I can about them doubt. What therefore in this third my little treatise you will read about our S. Zenobius, certain I beseech and acceptable hold, equally as if them with your own eyes you had seen; both on account of the honor of the Saint himself, whose deeds and miracles so great were, that they merit not to be supplemented with false additions; as on account of the reverence of me and the charity, The division of the chapters. by which I am borne toward you, worthy lest I be esteemed superfluous things to say.

How many here subsequently you see numbers, so many are noted in the original of the Italian Chapters the titles, these moreover consequently I exhibit,

I How decreed was the second Translation of the body of S. Zenobius.

II The manner and order in it kept.

III On the greatest prudence of John Spinelli, and others that action directing.

IV On the secret reasoning observed in seeking the holy body.

V How it was found, and on the greatest miracle of the leaves of the elm, for so long a time preserved.

VI Here is narrated the manner of the made Translation.

VII On the order of the oblation under it made to S. Zenobius.

VIII How the body was carried into the chapel, which today is named of S. Zenobius.

XI On the Translation of the body of S. Podius Bishop of Florence.

X On the many who wished to follow S. Zenobius in name, and also so far as they could in work.

[7] Under these titles the drawn-out Chapters before than into Latin I render, it is pleasing from John of Arezzo to give, what he has of the structure of the new Cathedral: since in this the celebrated Translation was, and from its completion his narration begins Clemens. The new building's effort from the year 1298; He says moreover John, that under Francis of Bagnaia, from the Archpresbyterate of Florence to the Episcopate assumed, of his Prelacy in the year second, namely from the Dominical Incarnation MCCLXXXXVIII, were laid the foundations of the new Cathedral church near the church of S. Salvator (so namely once called, when first in it was buried S. Zenobius, but afterward restored under the name of S. John the Baptist and S. Reparata) that not only within itself it might contain it, but also the beginnings of a temple admirable of itself it might display: which not less, he says, followed. For raised through times most firm walls, when to the revolution of the principal and round vault it came, it did not seem by human craft to be able to be completed. And when many in vain devised had been remedies, only Filippo a certain Brunelleschi, a Florentine citizen, it by his genius and architectural art could perfect. For imitating the ancients, without any of wood or other material structure, with most ingenious devices, by which immense masses of stones conveniently he raised, the building perfectly to completion he brought. unto the year 1433. Had been moreover the aforesaid Brunelleschi of the building of the major church the architect put in charge (as afterward the same John pursues) in the Episcopate of Aymeric Corsini, in whose also time Pope Martin V, from the Council of Constance to Florence coming and honorifically received, the Episcopal Florentine See an Archiepiscopal to be established, and designated for it Suffragans, the Fiesole and the Pistoia Bishops; and Brunelleschi the ample that vault with most beautiful craft pursued, and to completion with a closure most firm brought, in the year from the incarnation of the Lord MCCCCXXXIII. But of translating the sacred body the cause was, that although new this building the whole old church's space comprehended; the place however in which it lay, on account of the diverse now disposition, more ignoble was, and a more worthy and more apt to be fitting seemed, in the very new building's navel, such as before it had occupied in the old church.

THE HISTORY.

[8] In the year MCCCCXXXVII, in the place of Ludovico of Vitelleschi, succeeded as Archbishop D. Ludovico^a of Padua: in whose time John Spinelli, the Provost of Florence, After the new building's completion, a man most worthy and of the whole Florentine Church into that which now is discerned and observed manner the reformer, seeing brought to the end of the new Cathedral the building, that is the closed cupola unto the beginning of the lantern (which lantern today is beheld with the admiration of all; and I, as the youngest of all the Priests the first stone in the foundation placed, by the commission of D. Fr. Antonius^b then Archbishop of Florence: who also deigned with the whole Chapter to mount that new temple's pinnacle, to impart his blessing beginning the work of that lantern) the Provost, I say, aforepraised began to think and to treat about the second Translation of the body of S. Zenobius, from the ancient place to the new site, according to the disposition of the new church, where now to be it is discerned. To whose execution of purpose not only he consulted the aforesaid Lord Archbishop, but even the Canons his, and of the church itself the venerable Priests in age more advanced, and also citizens more notable and more aged: and all into this came opinion, that the matter was to be performed on the day XXVI^c of April of the year MCCCCXXXIX. it is decreed the translation to be made 26 Apr. 1439.

[9] There were at that time in our city the Pontiff Supreme Eugenius IV, with the most worthy College of Cardinals, and Bishops and Archbishops Latin in great number. By the authority also of the Pontiff himself to the Council had been called the Eastern Church, for the union to be constituted with the holy Roman Church: to which mandate obeying John Palaeologus the Emperor of the Greeks, and his brother Demetrius the Despot, and Joseph the Patriarch of Constantinople, before the Fathers of the Council of Florence, and many Bishops and Archbishops Greek, their exhibited presence. All moreover, both Greek and Latin, and from other nations also several, who then were found in the Curia of the Pontiff supreme, together with him, on the day already said, assembled in the new Basilica Florentine, and most orderly sat down in the middle of the choir, which to that end adorned was with tapestries and cloths most precious, woolen and silken, with silver and gold interwoven: so that on the right side sat the whole Latin Church, on the left the whole Greek Church: but on another step were the Patriarch of Grado^d and Demetrius the Despot: after whom sat the Legates of various Princes, Dominions and Communities, and the Latin Protonotaries, and a great multitude of Nobles, in most beautiful and almost divine manner arranged.

[10] There had flowed already more than a thousand years from the first Translation, but first to be explored the state of the holy body. when the sacred body laid up had been and buried, in a place ample and subterranean, the temple's navel comprehending, at the foot of the pulpit from which today it is preached; which place almost all that space occupied, which now the seats of men and women, to the sermons gathered; and which at present serves the most worthy burial of the Pontiffs and Priests of that church. But meanwhile of time frequent had happened inundations of waters, the ground of the city, even where it is higher, covering, much more to the lower and subterranean penetrating. Feared therefore John Spinelli and other more circumspect Priests of the church, lest from such a cause the holy body consumed, or wholly from humidity decayed it should be found, and in that case the people a most grave scandal should suffer. So the matter into a mature deliberation brought, it had been decreed, that on the very which the day appointed to the Translation it would precede night, as most secretly should be explored the truth, and about the whole matter of what sort it had been found should be reported to the Pontiff, by whose then precept and counsel to stand they had resolved. Then the aforesaid Spinelli, with very few Priests, and some masters stonemasons, of the number of those who by the Operai of the church hired attended to the erection of the church's walls, which by night undertaking the Provost with a few, men of great prudence and discretion, armed with the instruments necessary to that matter, and also Taper-bearers and Priests some with torches instructed, assembled in the crypt: and although of all was the opinion, that the body of S. Zenobius lay under the altar, or at least within the^f crypt; yet because in the very crypt's center was seen a stone signed with the letter S, as if substituted for the word Sanctus; therefore the Priests ordered, that the aforesaid masters, as they could most reverently, should lift the stone.

[11] This done, although nothing of a manifest thing beneath appeared besides the very earth, they judged however altogether there to have been the burial of some Holy Bishop, of the successors of S. Zenobius in the same crypt buried, namely Andrew, Mauritius, or^g S. Podius: but that on account of

the aforesaid cause this kind of bodies had been wholly consumed: and therefore they desisted further to seek in the place aforesaid. Passing therefore to the altar marble, he finds a little chest under the altar, under which was believed to be the sacred body; after some prayers by the Priests devoutly recited, they approached with their instruments the masters, and much devoutly they dissolved the joints and structures of the marbles, until could manifestly be seen the inner cavity of that altar. Within this indeed when they had beheld a marble little chest; with great alacrity they pursued the demolition of the altar, the said little chest unsealed, and found within composed bones, which but that of S. Zenobius they were in no way doubted. O great miracle! O power of sanctity! O divine power, to which to be contradicted cannot be! Your mind hither turn, reader, and consider the last and greatest miracle of the Saint. Within the aforesaid little chest were found bones, and within it bones sprinkled with leaves, from above sprinkled with fronds and flowers of that elm, which in the first body's translation in the month of January had flowered in an instant: which flowers and fronds joyfully and festively plucked, afterward thus had been placed in the said little chest; and for years a thousand and ten^h (if rightly the reckoning you make, reader) were preserved in that little chest unrotted, unhurt, uncorrupted, without any stain or defect; whereas however nothing lighter than a leaf is, nothing from its nature more corruptible. after the years 1010 still fresh. From those moreover took that night the Priests various for the sake of devotion, especially D. John Spinelli, and the Presbyter Agnulus of Siena, and the Presbyter Julianus of Empoli. Then departing they left in the place around the holy body, much of light until morning; and themselves to repose to take composed, until the hour in which was to be made the translation.

[12] Returning moreover to the translation itself, I say, that day being made, when all things thus had been ordered, The same little chest by the Bishops reverently raised, just as above has been said, Ludovico the Archbishop clothed Pontifically, with six others to it chosen Bishops, and Canons and other Priests, an infinite nearly people multitude to the spectacle gathered, descended into the aforesaid crypt and most holy cemetery: where after many solemn canticles and prayers, the aforesaid six Bishops their shoulders put under the sacred little chest. Which when into the open they had brought, roared the air in the temple enclosed with a confused sound, both of the people crying with a great voice, Pray for us S. Zenobius; and of the melodies resounding, outside of bells, inside of musical instruments of every kind: and in such a triumph carried was the venerable pledge upon the major altar, and on the highest altar placed, to that end solemnly prepared: where also was sung a solemn Mass. But while was being sung the Mass aforesaid, all who some magistracy or otherwise a public office bore in the city, proceeded to reverence to the holy body to be exhibited, with pomp exceedingly magnificent and no less devotion; since all almost from the mind exulting tenderness wept, and their each gifts most liberally offered.

[13] First to the oblation in this solemnity of the translation of S. Zenobius approached all, to the oblation prior approaches the Girolami family, who at that time lived, of the offspring and stock of S. Zenobius. They are called these today the Girolami, men always most illustrious and noble, although at that time by another word they had been surnamed, because they were Gentiles, followers however of the moral virtues. Afterward followed the office of the Magnificent Dominion, which although triumphally instructed, yet that day precedence yielded to the Girolami family; as which the whole our city imbued with the Christian faith, and it illuminated through this their so glorious Saint, and then through many others, who afterward from the same family descended. The Dominion followed other officials and magistrates of the city, according to the customary order, and at length a great multitude of the people. The Mass being finished and the oblations, then the little chest is placed, the Pontiff with the Cardinals and Prelates and the other Nobles above named, both ecclesiastical and secular, both Latin and Greek, devoutly approached to the kiss of the little chest, in which rested the body of S. Zenobius, and to it themselves commended. Then from the major altar was raised the chest by those six chosen Bishops; and with no less jubilation, praises, canticles, than it had been brought, carried it was to the foundation of that chapel, which the middle place occupies among the chapels five, situated in the principal tribune of the church, which chapel today is called of S. Zenobius; where are two beautiful altars of most pure marble, one upper, and the other lower. under the altar proper to itself. Enclosed was moreover the chest under the lower altar, before which, equally as before the upper altar, burn perpetually luminaries many, in honor of the Saint himself and of his blessed soul, which stands prepared in the sight of God to intercede for us, and for the state and conservation of our city.^k

ANNOTATIONS.

That now almost through Italy has grown strong the credulity, that most noble families they think from Roman times to be derived; and few are found who wish to consider, that the splendor of the Roman name all under the Kings Goths and Lombards was reduced to such, that nothing than it was more abject; nor noble anyone was reckoned outside the ruling nation: this indeed, surnames none knew. Therefore even those who before them had as natives, surnames altogether abstained from for several centuries: from which head it was impossible, that the memory of genealogical successions be preserved outside the Royal families. But of those which today noble are reputed families most, origin and name received under the Emperors German or Teutonic: and I think few there are which to the Franks', fewer which to the Lombards', fewest or rather none which to the Goths', much less the Romans', times demonstratively can without fiction reach. Indeed of the Girolami family detracted nothing I would wish. Until however it can that, which it pretends, of generation the series, by solid and certain documents, step by step and without a leap, weave together unto S. Zenobius, whether of Florence, or of Fiesole, by years almost five hundred younger than the former (for of this to be doubted above I indicated) it will be permitted to me to think, the sole foundation of that pretension to be the old tower, now within the Girolami houses notable, which Ugolinus Verinus, toward the end of the XV century a noble Poet, with these verses celebrated:

How old the house of the Girolami was, the lofty tower Founded let it be witness, now through whole thousand years; Which the holy Bishop of the Tuscan city Zenobius, From so illustrious a stock sprung, is thought to have cultivated.

In his own each sense let him abound, and let avail this kind of tradition so far, that in that place, which now the Girolami possess, stood S. Zenobius's paternal or Episcopal houses: the tower itself I would reckon very ancient to be, if it were in the XII century, amid the movements of the Guelphs and Ghibellines, raised; just as also others through Tuscia several, especially in the city of Siena, unto today surviving. The Girolami family, whether even then a name some it had, I know not; certainly it is not found among those, which the Florentine history's parent John Villani writes to have been famous about the year MLXXVIII, when before a very small city, by a new circuit enlarged (so that besides others even the S. Lawrence church and suburb it comprehended) and into its regions according to the order and names of the gates it was divided.

THE INSPECTION OF THE BODY

In the year MDLXXXIV from the Ms. of John Faber, brought out by Francesco Cionacci Presbyter of Florence.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

FROM CONTEMPORARIES.

[14] Cosmo Minerbetti, Archdeacon of Florence, afterward Bishop of Cortona, in the year MDCXV, The Archbishop Cardinal of Florence afterward Leo XI, that is fifteen years before to the Infulae he was promoted, to the Grand of Etruria Duke Cosmo II a Relation wrote about the Relics of the Metropolitan church of Florence. In this, after he had treated of the first and third Translation of S. Zenobius, and the place where laid up was his sacred body; In that very, he says, place the Cardinal of Florence, who then was Pope Leo XI, found the body of S. Zenobius, and other two small urns, full of bones, which to be of SS. Andrew and Mauritius Bishops of Florence is presumed, although it certainly not be known, because there are not ascribed names, just as the name of S. Zenobius. That Relation in the year MDCLXXXV to light brought, and with Notes studiously illustrated, Francesco Cionacci a Presbyter of Florence, already otherwise to us commemorated, on account of the published Life of S. Humiliana de' Cerchi on the XIX of May: and in Annotation 17 and 18 indicates, that of that S. Andrew the feast is kept on the XXVI of February, but of S. Mauritius no feast or memory is made, as relates an eye-witness, yet Holy he is called by authors

several whom he recounts, ascribing to him the XXVIII of June, when to define something about him we shall be able. But hither chiefly makes Annotation 16, where verbatim he relates the Memorial of the Inspection prefatorily titled, taken from the proper Ms. of a certain John Faber, once of the Metropolitan Fabrica Minister and Custodian of the sacred vestments; transcribed into the book of that Fabrica, with other similar monuments unto the year MDCXLIV by the hand of Vincentius Brunus, in the same with which John offices in the said Church functioned. That Memorial thus has.

[15] On the day XVII of October in the year MDLXXXIV, persuaded by me John Faber the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend in the year 1584 he inspects in the altar of S. Cross, Cardinal Alexander de' Medici, Archbishop of Florence, visited in the church of S. Maria del Fiore called, at the first hour of the night the altar of the holy Cross, which by me with the workmen and ministers of the Opera had been opened, the bronze lattice namely being lifted. Within was a chest, long to the measure of the altar, of wood, covered with an old cloth, containing much cotton, and dry flowers, and a paper inscribed with the name of S. Sebastian, without any Relic. There also was another chest, full likewise of cotton, once with a red cloth covered: and from the side of that chest was a little leaden chest, soldered and bound, in which were found the Relics of the Saints Crescentius and Eugenius fellows of S. Zenobius, the relics there laid up, and of SS. Abdon and Sennen Martyrs, and a Pallium Archiepiscopal without any name. The aforesaid moreover Visitation was made with a just number of burning tapers, which partly in their hands held the Priests, partly candlesticks of bronze around and above the altar placed sustained. The Cardinal moreover Bishop was clothed Pontifically, with the superhumeral, the stole and mitre, the Canons indeed some in their habit: and through the church whole kindled were lamps and candles and torches before the Most Holy Sacrament, and also benches for the knees to be bent for the Archbishop in various places placed. The aforesaid visitation being finished, replaced was the little leaden chest aforenamed in the tabernacle of the Cross, and by the Cardinal signed with the seal of the Fabrica: but the wooden Chests were carried to the hall of the same Fabrica, where to this day they are, containing the whole cotton and the smaller little chest; which also with a key closed, replaced were within a cupboard fortified.

[16] and in the chapel of the Venerable Sacrament The tabernacle of the Cross closed, it was gone under the chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament, where on the same day opened were two chests larger, which in that very chapel are, one opposite the other, in line with the altar of S. Zenobius. There kindled were had lamps and candles on the altar; on the ground moreover spread tapestries and cushions most precious; kindled also aromas fumigated. There the aforesaid Cardinal looking into a chest, which to one facing toward the altar stood at the right hand, a chest full of earth, from the place of the first burial, found it full of earth: which there placed is believed, when translated was the body of S. Zenobius, lifted from the place which afterward to the Canons' burial yielded: where are estimated buried many Saints, whose bones since they are believed dissolved into ashes, with the earth mixed, was judged to be that very earth, which was found in the chest aforesaid. Looking then to the other side, were found, with an old cloth covered, the bones all of one Bishop, with a most ancient work pectoral Cross: and were noted even then relics both of the Chasuble and of the gloves, and another as is believed of S. Podius, but no name was found: wherefore the Cardinal with his own hands much sought, and by seeking those bones scattered, with notable detriment of the holy Body. Many said to be the bones of S. Podius Bishop of Florence: and in the life of S. Zenobius, written in parchment, such as is kept in the sacristy, seems that to be confirmed. Afterward they tried to open the chest of S. Zenobius, which was found so aptly placed, that it seemed not to be moved: so it was departed, and I took away all the keys, by which the aforesaid chapel is closed.

[17] Then when for other causes I had met the Most Illustrious one, and begun it was to seek about that body, and at length on the 3rd of November the chest of S. Zenobius, whose bones whole were seen found in the chest aforementioned; I suggested to him that also he would order to be opened the chest of S. Zenobius, and he would see what remained: he moreover answered, that most acceptable that he would have it, if so it seemed to Mag. Benedetto Uguccioni the Operaio. His therefore consent received, on the day III of November of the year MDLXXXIV, I went with the masons of the Fabrica, and we took away the incrustation of white marble, exceedingly well cemented; and lifting the stone on which is celebrated, we found a chest, to the whole altar commensurate, above and below equally composed, and with iron bonds bound, and with cement most hard all around smeared: and the cement that broken we exposed the chest, and in it we found a little chest of white marble, between two square little chests, all with iron hooks closed well firmly.

[18] After this when adorned was the chapel and kindled the lamps all, even those which were in the whole church, and every place with golden cloth clothed, and spread with tapestries, and in the middle erected an altar with several but smaller tapers on account of the smoke, at the first night's hour came the Most Illustrious Cardinal with the Bishop of Fiesole Francesco Diacceto and the Canons in habit about twelve, clothed himself Pontifically: and the Hymn of the Confessors sung, to which the Cardinal a Prayer added of S. Zenobius, the wood and stone workers lifted the cover of the marble chest, which was full of bones of our holy Father, most excellently preserved: they however not to be all, but a good their part to be lacking, sufficiently clearly appeared. and he finds the bones as they were there placed in the year 1439. But that those were the bones of S. Zenobius, certain was made from this, that on each head of the urn are little bricks two leaden, with these words inscribed:

THIS BODY OF BLESSED ZENOBIUS FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE CHURCH

WAS PLACED, ON THE DAY XXVI OF APRIL MCCCXXXIX.

Afterward was opened the little chest of the side right, in which were many bones without a name, just as also in the other: and all replaced were in their former places, closed and sealed by the Cardinal with the seal of the Fabrica. The chest itself at length closed likewise was, and incense burned devoutly suffumigated, present at all things each time, besides the above named, the Magnificent Mag. Benedetto Uguccioni, and the Chancellor of the Fabrica, and myself: all indeed was done with me intervening, as above, and by my counsel and continual direction; and I the keys, as above, with me took.

THE FOURTH TRANSLATION

From the Italian Ms. of Lorenzo Strozzi, Archdeacon of Florence and an Eye-witness.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

FROM CONTEMPORARIES.

[19] These Relics into the public to bring wishing the Archbishop in the year 1685, To bear could not of our Pastor most pious, D. Jacopo Antonio Morigia, devotion toward S. Zenobius most ardent, that of so venerable a body the treasure longer should remain under the crypt hidden. Wherefore, having before most certain notice, from the prior times' Acts, of the indubitable sacred body's presence, and the Most Serene Grand Duke Cosmo III's exhortation most pious being added, called into counsel D. Alessandro Segni the Operaio, the manner and day he defined of the inspection to be repeated, the third namely of September. Then prepared as could be most decently the place; which whole a golden around cloth, and above this hanging of silver and crystal candlesticks adorned and illustrated; closed after the Vesper psalmody the church was, to the people's, otherwise in throngs about to flow, noise and tumult to be warded off: and I, 3 September he comes to the crypt, as Canon Archdeacon, with DD. Luca Tornaquinci and Orazio Panciatichi, also Canons, proceeded to the Palace Archiepiscopal, the Most Illustrious one to bring. With him in his coach we returned to that gate of the church, which the Canonica faces: where the Archbishop awaited the Vicar Archiepiscopal and Canon, D. Nicolaus Castellani; D. Archpresbyter, Orazio Bardi; two DD. Canons Curates, Roberto de' Medici and Rogerio Minerbetti; and also D. Canon Vincentius Ricci, all in the habit of their Order; and likewise D. Operaio, Alessandro Segni, with D. Provveditore Palmerini of the Fabrica; and at length D. Senator Alessandro Strozzi, and D. Guido Pecori, in the same parish dwelling, witnesses to this kind of thing asked and called.

[20] These all, having first adored the Most Holy Sacrament, descended into the crypt; where besides the Ceremonarii and the Sacristan and other venerable Priests and Clerics, prepared stood the workmen, masons, stonemasons, locksmiths, and woodworkers, and others to the fabric's work ascribed, with blue cloaks for the greater honor clothed all. There genuflected D. Archbishop before the chest; which, lifted first the incrustation marble and the stone the altar forming, spread was with an all-silk covering and golden cloth; and the marble chest opened, after a brief and secret prayer, began the hymn, Veni creator Spiritus; and to it finished he subjoined Prayers two, Deus cui omne cor patet, and, Actiones nostras. Then indeed seated himself he composed in a gilded chair on one side, on the other the Lord Canons on a wooden bench to it prepared and decently spread, together with the other Lords; and the chest itself with his eyes inspecting the Chancellor Borghigiani, well closed and bound to be pronounced. Soon the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord with a little hammer, the little chest found within it well silvered, with a few light strokes the beginning to the demolition gave: whom soon following the workmen, with bars and other iron instruments, began to take away the four iron bonds, by which fastened the chest marble's closure was. These within three quarters of an hour removed, began men strong six to move away that most heavy stone, which the chest covered; and uncovered were those three urns, which there left the memorial of the year MDLXXXIII declared: whence all into the giving of thanks to God to be borne poured out, scarcely longer bore the further delay, but the end of the most beautiful action they should see.

[21] he causes to be unsealed: The cover lifted and removed, appeared, the urn of the three middle to be marble, and on every side square to have two thirds of width, and to be covered with a cover, round-wise convex, to half an ell's height. Seen also at once was on one side a leaden title, of large and well formed characters outward projecting; whence growing more and more the desire of beholding the treasure within contained, only that fear remained, lest perchance, by the length of time and the humidity of the place, into ashes reduced were the sacred all Relics. From the other side also gradually was uncovered a tablet other, to the former similar: and at length, loosed two iron hooks, lifted also the cover was, and lay open the urn, full of the venerable bones of our S. Zenobius. Nor delay Pontifically clothed the Archbishop, the sacred bones found in it to the Saint prayers he pours: and taking the thurible, burned incense: and soon prostrate on his knees, before all, with most tender sense of devotion affected, broke into prayers with mind ardent to be poured forth; praying the Saint, that his blessing he would deign to continue over the common of all Pastor, our Holy Lord Innocent Pope XI, over the Most Serene Medici family,

the Clergy, the People, and the whole fatherland; and also over himself, to the custody of the same flock destined, which he through so many centuries had protected and preserved: and at length he himself by himself began to sing the hymn, O Flower to be cherished of Prelates: to which, after the said by the rest Antiphon, a Prayer also of the Saint he subjoined.

[22] and the whole indeed into a wooden chest, There was present there, to this end by the Lords Operai and Provveditore diligently prepared, a little chest wooden, within and without overlaid with cloth silken, white and with golden stripes barred, a vessel also of bronze gilded: and when by the customary rite each the Archbishop had dedicated, he began with his own hands the single bones to transfer into the aforesaid little chest, spread with a silk crimson cloth, much beneath with cotton supported; first indeed the larger, the smaller then, which to several dozens were numbered. These thus composed, closed was the chest with a key gilded, the fragments indeed into a bronze reliquary he transfers. and with seals both of the Most Illustrious one and of the Fabrica sealed, crossing over that very lock two ribbons of white silk, in the form of a Cross. Afterward collected were the fragments all by the Archbishop himself also, the Lords Canons helping, and with them some particles of bones adhering to it by the lead, which for soldering the chest's bonds had been poured, and into it by chance penetrated. Together moreover all, in paper wrapped, placed were into the aforementioned reliquary, together with a little paper of this kind, Fragments of the Relics of the body of S. Zenobius, Bishop of Florence: and it likewise as the chest with a double seal was sealed. and sealed He would not then the Most Illustrious one proceed to the inspection of the other two urns, but to me the Archdeacon commanded, that them in a similar manner I should seal; just as I did, the same both insignia superimposing on two silk white ribbons; although the iron bonds, almost corroded were by the antiquity of time.

[23] he places it within the bronze chest in the altar of the Ven. Sacrament To the whole at length action an end being imposed, sung Te Deum laudamus: to which D. Archbishop subjoined the Prayer, We give You thanks. Again moreover sung was the Hymn, O Flower to be cherished of Prelates: so the aforementioned chest, four Canons in turn carrying on their shoulders, the Archbishop moreover following with the fragments between his hands: and at the same time all then replaced were into the bronze chest, which contains the Head of the Saint himself, above the altar of the Most Holy Sacrament, consecrated in the name of S. Zenobius; to the praise of God, and of that great Father and Pastor the glory: as concerning all these things requested a public instrument made the Archiepiscopal Chancellor D. Lorenzo Borghigiani. And this the end was of the Action whole, meanwhile while was awaited the day, to the solemn exposition destined, when a most splendid procession to be instituted would accompany the Bishops and Prelates of our State, congruently to that veneration, which the Florentine People always exhibited to the body of their Holy Patron. Thus far the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord Archdeacon, from whose autograph the Most Illustrious D. Antonio Magliabechi a copy, with his own hand transcribed, to me sent, desiring even so to have a part in this Commentary, on the Acts of S. Zenobius. The same indeed afterward printed we saw at the end of the Preface above-praised, and also in the little Commentary of Cionacci to the Relation of Minerbetti; whence also is received the following Narration of the Solemn Exposition, made the same year in the month of September.

THE SOLEMN EXPOSITION

In Italian described by Francesco Cionacci.

Zenobius Bishop of Florence, in Etruria (S.)

FROM CONTEMPORARIES.

[24] On the feast day of S. Wenceslaus Duke of Bohemia, the XXVIII of September, in the morning about the hour of Terce, 28 September the church magnificently adorned, opened was our Metropolitan church, most magnificently adorned, with cloths woolen and silken and golden, most aptly arranged through the walls of the lateral aisles and the arches of the major nave, so however that not covered were those greater pillars of squared stone, which the most ample vaults of the church sustain. The Relics of our holy Bishop Zenobius were beheld, to public adoration exposed, enclosed within a crystalline chest, and placed upon a cushion of red silk, with various little ribbons among which silken flowers interplayed, a work elegantly adorned by the industrious hands of the Mothers Carmelite Discalced of this city. There enclosed also was a little vessel of bronze, containing fragments of the sacred bones: an old moreover silver bust, having in itself a part of the holy cranium, above that very chest placed was lifted into the air. That moreover chest was enclosed in another larger, the chest is shown erected upon a luminous pyramid, likewise crystalline and with golden rays adorned, and sustained by four Angels, of plaster formed to the life, but of a greater measure than the human body is: which Angels to fly seemed above a cloud, of the same material made, as if let down from heaven onto the apex of a pyramid most vast, whose lowest base filled the fourth part of the middle in this great basilica nave, between the four pillars nearest the dome: the pyramid itself indeed gradually instructed was with an immense number of candlesticks silver, and tapers above them burning.

[25] Rested this pyramid on a base proportioned to itself, whose four faces historiated, some part of the Life represented, in monochrome red expressed, and with a congruous title explained. From the four of the same base corners sprang four cubes, amid tapers very many elegantly disposed, to sustain as many most lofty obelisks, whose single sides ran along, from the bottom upward springing, with a double order a vine-branch of silvered vine, whence burning little tapers in equal order led rose. From the arches also lateral on each side hung taper-bearing crowns of silver, with lights full a light everywhere scattering. Greater than these other crowns four, with great instructed torches, illuminated the double around the dome's exedra; and the whole of the middle nave's circuit disposed torches illustrated. Most ornate also were of the lateral chapels the altars; but that one chiefly of the middle nave the chapel, which to the major gate directly corresponds, and is to the most holy Sacrament dedicated: for this with damask red with golden ribbons distinguished was covered, and above that cloth hung the effigy of the holy Bishop, in a gilded border so exalted from the ground, that to that very altar it was for a panel. Which indeed altar, a form once had of a chest, just as also the altar of the holy Cross and of holy Anthony: now indeed it stands elevated upon four feet of white marble, and beneath has a chest of bronze gilded, called of S. Zenobius, within which on the day third placed was the new reliquary, above described.

[26] On the three days of this solemn exposition, which were the three last days of September, the Office through several at once choirs, both in the morning and through the day, most solemnly celebrated was: The solemn triduum how performed. and on the day indeed XXVIII, when at the major Mass the whole forty-eight men Senate in their habit red was present, Pontifically sacrificed the Archbishop of Pisa, D. Francesco Pannocchieschi of the Counts d'Elci (for not indeed our Archbishop present could be, as he had proposed, arthritic then perchance impeded by pains) and a panegyrical oration pronounced D. Canon della Stuffa: on the second day the Mass sang the Bishop of Pistoia and Prato D. Gherardo Gherardi, and orated the Canon Panciatichi: on the third at length day Pontificals functioned D. Archbishop ours, Jacopo Antonio Morigia, somewhat now better having, and under the very Mass's sacrifice the Saint with most eloquent diction praised. About the XXI hour of the day first given was the beginning to the Procession, the squares through which to be passed most beautifully adorned.

[27] Moved first were standards two, wont Processions all solemn to precede, of the Metropolitan namely church and of the Abbey of Florence: which soon as in the area before the Cathedral stretched they appeared, The Procession on the first day led: to precede them began four Palatine trumpeters in the habit all-silk red, with which also were clothed the Heralds public, all on horses borne, on foot moreover after them walked the Commendatori of the Magistrates. The standards followed first of the Mendicant Orders, then the Canons Scopetini, and the Monks Benedictine Colleges; the Clergy at length of the five Priories, and the very Priors and Rectors of the parochial churches. To these succeeded the standard of S. Zenobius, whose gilded reins held brothers german two, of the Girolami family shoots only, in silver clothed garment, of years XVIII one, the other XIV. Succeeded the Clergy Metropolitan with a throng copious of Chaplains: then the choir of musicians of the court, hymns to the Saint singing, and the Lord Canons, all of the first nobility in violet conspicuous; the Bishops eight of the state of Florence, after whom went the Archbishop of Pisa, immediately preceding the canopy, the sides closing the axe-bearers public. Further from the Cross of the Collegiate of S. Lawrence unto the very holy Relics, here and there were stretched lines two of those torches kindled bearing, first of the Confraternity of the old Sodality of Zenobius more than two hundred heads, with whom a thousand others were mixed from all the Nobility collected, who although inscribed in the sodality not were, had assembled however to their holy citizen honor to do. The chest of the same under the canopy was borne, carrying on their shoulders in turns first by the Bishops within the church, then by the Canons: followed moreover the Most Serene Grand Duke Cosmo III, with the Most Serene sons Princes and his Brother, and at length the whole Senate, with the Magistrates and the people almost infinite. Which pomp, thus through all the chief squares led, from the hour XXI of the day unto the first of the night held, and in the forum of Oil after the Archbishopric, both going out and returning, saluted was by the explosion of eighty little mortars.

[28] wherefore not to the octave was protracted the devotion. The common people, Confraternities, and Nobles not were lacking to themselves, but to the example of the Most Serene Patrons, on the two subsequent days, came to visit the Relics of their glorious Pastor, alluring all the sacred Indulgences' treasure, which the Supreme at this time reigning Pontiff liberally had exposed. But growing daily more and more the concourse, more even would have grown the number of from everywhere coming of the neighboring common people from fields and towns, if through a whole Octave continued that religion had been: but to our Superiors' incomparable prudence it pleased, to adhere to the mystic of three days number, lest the imminent time of the must from the casks to the flagons to be transferred, an impediment some to the devotion should bring.