ON SAINT RESTITUTUS
ROMAN MARTYR.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
On the monuments and acts of the Martyrdom; under whom this was endured, and to which Martyrologies inscribed?
Restitutus, Roman Martyr (St.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
Strabo, in book five of the Geographical Matters near the middle, in the Sabine town of Eretum a church of the Saint: describes the region of the Sabines, and near the end has these things: There is laid out through the Sabines the Salarian way, not long, into which the Nomentan way falls, by Eretum a village of the Sabines above the Tiber, beginning from the Colline gate. That Eretum, now called Monte-Rotondo, is today a celebrated and populous town, subject to the jurisdiction of the Barberini family, distant from Rome twelve miles, Athanasius Kircher teaches in his Latium on page 222. That in this town of Eretum there stands the Ancient Church of S. Restitutus the Martyr, of whom we here treat; and that in the neighboring district, by the Nomentan way, his crypt by the Nomentan way: there is moreover seen the very crypt, in which his venerable body had remained hidden, until under Hadrian the Pope, removed, not far from the basilica of S. Mary Major, near the church of S. Andrew in Aurisaurium it was translated, Paul Aringhus teaches in book 4 of Subterranean Rome, chapter 24; Where he treats of the celebrated cemetery, named with the title of this S. Restitutus. But afterward that the church of S. Andrew in Aurisaurium, near the basilica of Holy Mary Major, was situated, he widely proves from tablets written in the year MCCLXXVIII, and from a diploma of Pope Urban IV issued in the year MCCLXI, The body at Rome at S. Andrew in Aurisaurium. and from the epistles of Pope Clement IV, and Pope Nicholas IV, all which he asserts to be extant in the archives of the Vatican Basilica, or of the Church of S. Mary Major. He adds finally, that this church of S. Andrew in Aurisaurium still entire, though destined for profane uses, persists; which of old Pope Simplicius solemnly dedicated to God in honor of S. Andrew, the verses engraved there in mosaic work, which still are read, openly teach and inculcate. Those verses can be read in Ciacconius: who adds, that in the mosaic indeed, the images of Christ and S. Andrew and the other Apostles are seen; but in the walls, partly in tessellated partly in vermiculate work, are beheld beasts of various kinds, slain and to be slain by Diana the huntress and the Hippocentaurs, and therefore that church is called by some S. Andrew in barbaris. I should rather wish to know whether there still survives an altar, under which it could be believed that the body of S. Restitutus still lies hidden; worthy indeed, that thence it be translated into some Basilica; or whether it was already of old removed thence, the altars which had been there being utterly destroyed: certainly there is none of the Roman basilicas to which Octavius Pancirolius ascribes such a treasure.
[2] The Acts of the martyrdom, plainly written gravely and most worthy of faith, as they are in an old codex of S. Mary Major, The Acts from Mss. we found among the Fathers of the Congregation of the Oratory in the collection of Gallonius, in the volume marked with the letters C. D., and thence we here give them. Other Acts also of the same S. Restitutus the now-praised Aringhus had from a codex of the Vatican library, whence he edited the last part concerning his decapitation and Burial in the Nomentan way, and added what was lacking in the prior Acts concerning the translation to the church of S. Andrew in Aurisaurium, which from there at num. 7 we adjoin. An abridgment of the same Acts Philip Ferrarius has in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, indicating an old Ms. of the church of S. Mary Major, and then notes these things: The cited Ms. for Hermogenian has Hermo, (nay Hermogenes) and for Prefect has President, (nay once also calls him Prefect): But we, he says, following Baronius, have so written. The words of Baronius, at this XXIX day in the Roman Martyrology, are these: The Acts of his martyrdom are had in a written codex of S. Mary Major, called at the Manger, in which it is narrated that he suffered under Diocletian the Emperor, Whether he is rightly said to have suffered and condemned by Hermogenian the Praetorian Prefect, concerning whom consult the volume second of the Annals. Their beginning is: Under Diocletian and Maximian the Augusti &c. The place in the Annals is had at the year 301, num. 18 & 19; from the Acts of S. Sabinus, Bishop (as he calls him) of Spoleto, to be given on XXX December.
[3] We have, but with another beginning, the Acts of S. Sabinus from the Mss. Roman, Under Hermogenian the Prefect, Fulda, Metz, Beaufont, nay also Neapolitan of Monte-Oliveto, and in them we read thus: Maximian being Augustus, on the day XV Kalends of May in the Circus maximus, the Sextus Venetus being sent in winning, the greater part cried out, saying: Let the Christians be removed, and let pleasure stand. It was said twelve times. By the head of Augustus, let there be no Christians. But while Hermogenian the Prefect of the City was waiting, again they cried out ten times: If, Augustus, thou conquer, ask out our voices from the Prefect. Then Hermogenian the Prefect of the City made known the voices of the Pagans. At the same time Maximian Augustus commanded that all should assemble in the Capitol. And the assembly was made in the Capitol X Kalends of May. Now an innumerable multitude of people was there. In this manner therefore the Augustus addresses the people, saying: Men of the assembly and religious of our times, it seems worthy to us, that through your intimation
your intimation the religion of our times may be increased: yet let the conscript Fathers grant the faculty, that wherever Christians shall be found, they be held by the Prefect of the City or by his Office, and let them sacrifice to the gods. And all departed saying with one voice; Augustus, mayest thou conquer and flourish with the gods; Then, certain things being related, it is added: Then Maximian Augustus, filled with joy, concerning whom in his rescript Maximian Aug. commanded authorities to be directed to a certain Venustian, Augustalis of Tuscany; saying: Victor Maximian Augustus, perpetual Triumphator, Emperor, to father Venustian Augustalis of Tuscany. Know that the suggestion of our father Hermogenian the Prefect of the City has come clear: because a just petition ought not to be hidden, lest our age and our promulgation be injured: and therefore we admonish, that wheresoever the name of Christians shall be heard worshipping superstition, either let them be compelled to sacrifice to the gods, or certainly let them perish by punishments, stripped of their goods and associated to be applied to the tributes of the treasury: Farewell, given on the day before the Kalends of May. To these is subjoined the apprehension of S. Sabinus: who being brought before Venustian, and afflicted with various torments, and Venustian being converted, under Lucius the Tribune was crowned with martyrdom. But Baronius at the said year 301, num. 19, the rescript of Maximian related, subjoins: This is the same Hermogenian, under whom is read also to have suffered at Rome Restitutus, whose Acts of martyrdom are had. Thus there. The times indeed agree well enough; but yet, granting that S. Restitutus, in the time when Hermogenian was Praetorian Prefect, suffered; or rather under Hermogenes the President? there could yet have been a President of justice diverse from him, called Hermogenes, such as in the Acts of S. Sabinus were Venustian and Lucius.
[4] The name in the calendars. Furthermore the memory of S. Restitutus the Martyr is in all the Latin Calendars here and there. For in the most ancient apograph of the Hieronymian Martyrology, the Echternach one, and the Ms. Reichenau one, at this XXIX of May these few things are read: At Rome of Restitutus. To which ineptly, in other apographs of the same Hieronymian Martyrology, was inserted the Aurelian way, in place of the Nomentan way or at least the Salarian; which, because the Acts here and there were not extant, Usuard followed, Ado, Notker, and others more recent with the present Roman Martyrology, where these things also are read: On the fourth Kalends of June at Rome, on the Aurelian way the birthday of S. Restitutus the Martyr. Below in the Acts the body is said, on the Nomentan way buried or delivered to burial, on the day VI Kalends of June; But the characters of the numbers being inverted, it can easily be read IV Kalends of June: it cannot equally easily be excused, that in place of the Nomentan way the Aurelian way was written. For they are very far distant from each other; namely that one from the Viminal gate, today S. Agnes, tending toward the North; this one from the Aurelian gate, near the mole of Hadrian, now the Castle of S. Angelo, extended toward the West. Therefore in his Notes on the Hieronymian Martyrology Francis Maria Florentinius judges, that it is allowed to doubt whether it be the same Restitutus: which I shall rather think is to be ascribed to the drowsiness of the amanuenses. That some Relics of S. Restitutus the Martyr are preserved at Bologna, among the Carmelite Fathers and the Theatines, indicates in Bologna Surveyed Masinus: but that they are of the same of whom we here treat, by what argument shall we persuade?
ACTA
From an old Roman Ms. of the Basilica of S. Mary Major.
Restitutus, Roman Martyr (St.)
BHL Number: 7197
FROM THE MSS.
Brought before Hermogenes the President: Under Diocletian and Maximian the Augusti Emperors, against the Christians too great a tempest had arisen. Then a certain man was apprehended, called Restitutus, a man certainly most prudent and elegant; and led, by soldiers to Hermogenes the President, administering Rome, and they said to him: This man we found persuading many, and teaching, that the religion of our gods which we worship is vain, and their names superfluous and frail, and he preaches some Christian sect I know not what. Then the President said to him: Whose thou seemest to be, or of what race thou art, declare to me. The man of God answered: A citizen indeed I am Roman, and born of noble race: but if thou requirest my carnal name, I am called Restitutus; but if according to my faith, I am a Christian. Hermogenes the Prefect said: he confesses himself a Christian: Hast thou not heard the command of our Lords the Princes? B. Restitutus answered. What have they commanded thee? The President said: That whosoever shall not have sacrificed to the omnipotent gods, with diverse and various punishments be punished. B. Restitutus answered: I have known the precepts of my Emperor the Lord Jesus Christ; but he who shall have denied him, and his necks to most vain stones shall have inclined, with eternal punishments shall perish. The President said: Let these words cease, and approach; sacrifice to the gods, most reverend and conservators of the Republic, and thou shalt be a friend of our Princes: but if not, thou shalt be tortured with many torments. B. Restitutus answered: I am already prepared, to offer myself as a sacrifice to the Lord.
[2] Then the President indignant commanded, that with stones his jaws be broken, saying: Some things for other things answer not. beaten he feels not pain: And when the soldiers long struck him strongly, B. Restitutus says to the President; From these who strike me, who are thy soldiers, I feel no pain in my members. The President said: Of what dignity dost thou seem to be? B. Restitutus answered: For the love and fear of my Lord Jesus Christ I despised the militia within the palace: and now to the heavenly King I am eager to serve an everlasting militia. The President said: I grieve over thy most pleasing youth: approach and sacrifice to the most invincible gods, that with great remuneration thou mayest receive thy militia, at the same time also mayest obtain a most illustrious dignity. B. Restitutus answered: I have not lost my militia: for an earthly dignity is taken from the earth, but a heavenly dignity subsists in perpetual eternity. Then the President angry commanded him to be stripped, he rejoices though scourged with sinews and his sides and whole body to be lacerated with raw sinews. And when they had stripped him, striking him exceedingly, B. Restitutus was cheerful; and rejoicing, as though he suffered nothing, prayed saying, I fear not evils, since thou art with me, Lord. And he said to the President: Most unhappy and enemy of God, behold how great things the Lord bestows on those who love him: where are thy threats and horrible torments? Withdraw from thy most wicked sect, and begin to worship God our Lord, who thus frees his worshippers: forsake the most vain gods, who are wood, iron, lead, and sculptured stones, and with leaded scourges: which can show neither to themselves any solace, nor to their worshippers. But the President filled with fury, commanded him to be struck with leaded scourges. And when they long struck him, and he felt nothing, he commanded him to be raised, and afterward to him raised up said: Wretch, why dost thou wish to lose thy life with the violently-slain. B. Restitutus answered: Now thou and thy Princes, and all who worship deaf and dumb images, among the violently-slain are reckoned, because blind in heart and eyes you know not the Lord the creator of all.
[3] shut up in prison, Then the President commanded him to be received into prison, and with most strong iron caused his whole body to be bound, and commanded that no one should enter to him. And when the soldiers had led him into prison, they did as the President had commanded them; and with chains they bound his whole body. There were there in that very prison shut up persons many in number, who seeing B. Restitutus, asked him, saying: We ask thee, man of God, pray for us to thy Lord, that through thee some goods we may merit: we who for so long a time here by hunger fail, and our flesh is putrefied from the stripes and the weight of iron, and there is none who succors us. Hearing these things B. Restitutus groaned with tears, a prayer being poured forth, and said to the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living and true God, who through the womb of B. Mary the Virgin to the earth to descend, and us to visit didst deign; who saidst, Ask and it shall be given you; hear me in this hour invoking thy holy name, that the power of thy name may appear, that all may know, that thou art truly the Son of the living and true God, for whom I suffer all these things. Luke 11:9. Break, Lord, and loose all these chains, he looses the chains of his fellow captives, with which they are bound. And when he had completed his prayer, suddenly there was an earthquake in the prison, and a vast light flashed, and a most sweet odor exceedingly breathed, and broken were all the chains and shattered, and the door of the prison was thrown open. Then those persons all, seeing that all their chains were dissolved and shattered, came with tears, and for joy prostrated themselves at the feet of B. Restitutus, giving thanks to God. To whom he said: Behold how great things the Lord bestows on those who love him with a pure mind and heart: for behold in his servants he will console. Let each one go whither he will, or if anyone wishes to save his soul, let him remain here with me, and he dismisses them. because the Lord has visited us sitting in darkness and the shadow of death. But going out, all together from the prison departed, each one in flight all night; and those who seemed to be infirm, themselves with most healthy courses went before, magnifying the Lord. Morning being made, the guards raising themselves, not knowing what had been done, found the prison wholly open, and in the prison none other, except B. Restitutus prostrate in prayer. But the jailers running to the house of the President, announced to him, saying: Not only has Restitutus opened the prisons, but also has dissolved all the chains, and they are shattered; and we know not whither the persons departed, who were with him.
[4] rebuked by the President, But the President disturbed commanded him to be presented to him. And when they had brought him into the midst, the President said: How long do thy maleficies prevail, and thou blasphemest the names of our gods, that thou sufferest nothing? so that thou hast reckoned all punishments for nothing, and hast dissolved the chains of all, and the murderers and assassins, for their crimes consigned to custody, hast made go off in flight. Tell me, if anyone commanded thee such things. B. Restitutus said. Ascribe not to maleficies those things which the Lord, to the praise and glory of his name, deigns to bestow on his servant. Then the President said to him: Now approach and sacrifice to the gods, that thou mayest be able to escape the gravest torments; he mocks the idols, which strongly will lacerate thee. S. Restitutus answered: To what gods dost thou compel me to sacrifice? To these perhaps who by men were hewn with iron, and are known to be without sense, and who also by the eternal fire together with those who worship them are devoured, and shall be devoured. Disturbed, the President said: The injuries of the gods, like mine, now any more I cannot bear. And he says to the soldiers: Lead him into the Capitol to the shrine of Jove, that he may sacrifice: but if he shall have despised to sacrifice, we command him to undergo the capital sentence. The soldiers therefore taking him, led him to the shrine of Jove the eternal, that there he might offer sacrifices. Where seeing B. Restitutus the images without intellect and sense, says to the soldiers. Question those wretched gods, that they may speak,
and tell me what they do. These and other things subjoining against the gods of the gentiles, b the soldiers were compelling him to sacrifice: and he being unwilling to assent to them, he is beheaded. they bound his hands behind his back, and beheaded him outside the Capitol: and dragging him out they cast him beside the arch c of Triumph, at the Palm, that by dogs he might be consumed.
[5] But a certain Justa, a matron, a religious woman, came by night with some Ecclesiastical men and a few Christians, The body, buried by Justa the matron, on account of the impiety of the Pagans: and with her servants gathered the body of B. Restitutus; and went into her house near the Meta-sudans, and there with spices his holy body laid up, and wrapped it in linen of Byblos, and placed it by night on her d pavone, that she might carry it into her estate on the Nomentan way. And while she went, she sent to the Bishop set in the same way, by name Stephen: that with the Presbyters, and Deacons, and other Clerics, together with the servants of God and the Sacred Virgins, they should assemble together with the faithful Christians, that in the forum they might await them. But in the morning still at dawn they arrived with the holy body, and with hymns and praises led the holy body in the sixteenth milestone, into the estate of the aforesaid matron Justa the venerable woman, in a crypt in the lower parts: and there to a most worthy burial gave it, on the day f sixth of the Kalends of June, it shone with miracles. and made there mourning for seven days. But the necessary expenses the aforementioned Justa from her own procured and ministered. At the same time also many, who were held by demons with various infirmities, through the neighboring places in the city g of Nomentum, daily coming to the tomb of B. Restitutus the Martyr, returned healed to their own, with great joy praising and blessing the Lord, who lives and reigns unto the ages of ages. Amen.
[7] h But B. Restitutus rested there until the times of Pope Hadrian, and so it came to pass, that the blessed Martyr himself revealed himself. Then those men to whom this was intimated, raised him thence, and buried him near the Church of S. Andrew in Aurisaurium: Where the benefits of our Lord Jesus Christ are bestowed, until the present day.
ANNOTATIONS.
to be passed at the slope of the Capitoline mount, and from here onward for those going through the cow-field, through the Arch of Titus one goes to its Amphitheatre, near which is the Meta sudans, soon below to be named, concerning which Alexander Donatus in book 3 of Old Rome chapter 6 says, The Meta sudans, they set before the arch of Constantine and the Amphitheatre, a fountain for those, who frequented the games, very convenient for extinguishing thirst, with an image of Jove standing out, which we have expressed on coins. It survives even today half-protected, without image and fountain, beside what is commonly called the Colosseum, as they represent it in an icon of the Roman ruins.
ON S. REVOCATUS THE MARTYR
HONORED AT GENOA IN LIGURIA.
From the Proper of the Genoese Church.
CommentaryRevocatus, Martyr, honored at Genoa (S.)
G. H.
In the Calendar of the Saints, who are celebrated in the particular Churches of Genoa, printed with the proper Offices of the Genoese Church, it is indicated that this XXIX of May is celebrated the feast of S. Revocatus the Martyr, in the Church of the monastery of S. Benignus; and that there are had his Relics. We were ourselves in the year MDCLXII in the said monastery, and these few things then we noted about him: The body of S. Revocatus the Martyr there rests under one of the altars, and his feast is kept on XXIX May with a double rite: concerning whom nothing is found written there. If anything about him ever existed; it together with the other monuments of the same monastery perished, the civil discords once raging or lately the pestilence, as the most reverend Abbot of the said monastery, Benedict Carrega, related to us, by whose solicitude certain relics of the old archive were preserved and digested into order. We have given hitherto in the four prior months various Martyrs Revocatus, at Carthage and in the rest of Africa, at Catania in Sicily, at Smyrna in Asia, and elsewhere having suffered. That some of these was translated to Genoa, as it is not impossible, so it would be affirmed without foundation. It would be even more rash, from the day on which this Genoese one is venerated, to draw a conjecture, that he is the Roman Restitutus, with the name slightly changed to Revocatus: wherefore him, as I find him, thus I leave, to be named separately with the Saints of this day in the present work.