Votus and Felix

ON THE HOLY VOTUS AND FELIX,

BROTHERS OF SARAGOSSA,

AND S. JOHN OF ATARÉS,

HERMITS OF MOUNT PANO IN ARAGON.

VIII Cent.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

On their Acts, first by an Anonymous, then by Macarius the Monk written, the elevation of the bodies, and the cult.

Votus, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

Felix, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

John of Ataré s, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Celebrated quite is the monastery Pinnatense, under the place by the ancients called Pannus, commonly San Juan de la Peña named, The site of the place, in the Northern of the kingdom of Aragon part, and the diocese of Jaca situated; from which city it is distant by two about miles Spanish, twelve indeed from the chief city of Aragon Saragossa. The place itself in aspect most pleasant is, as by a long and dense of trees composition girded, but a difficult has access: round about spring waters gush from the bowels of the rocks, and into several dispersed streams the luxuriant meadows water: everywhere precipitous mountains lofty raise their summits: the valleys indeed with so great of fruits abundance and variety adorned nature, that the minds of those approaching at first sight the uncultivated of the place beauty into admiration draws. There some before the constructed monastery centuries, when Aragon and the rest nearly Spain groaned, under the yoke of the Saracens, lived the most holy Hermits Votus and Felix (the former some Otho name) noble brothers, where the Saints lived, from the city of Saragossa born, nay even than these older S. John, of Ataré s surnamed from his fatherland, which midway between Peña and Jaca lies.

[2] The history of the place in an ample volume in Spanish described, and in the year 1620 published John Britius Martinez the Abbot; and while they there lived, there he wishes by the Christian inhabitants to have been elected and crowned the first of Sobrarbe, and (by a certain anticipation of the title) of Aragon King, in the time of Garcia Ximenez King of Sobrarbe. Garcia Ximenez, whose there epitaph such is had. Here rests the servant Senior Garcia Scimeno, the first King of the Aragonese, who enlarged the church of S. John, and there having ended life is buried DCCLVIII. But an imposture of recent fiction argue, the title of King of the Aragonese, unknown until the XI century, and the year of the Era common Christian, for the Era, by the Spaniards until the XIV century used; chiefly moreover the vicinity of the Moors of Jaca, between Sobrarbe and the Pinnatensian hermitage interposed, who even after the death of Garcia held their city, first thence by his son Ynicus driven out. Credible for it is not, those holding Jaca, free to the people of Sobrarbe passage to Peña to have been, to there crown their such-as-it-was King, and the dead there to bury, and the place or church with buildings to augment. It can yet be, that Garcia that one reigning, from the year (as wishes Brixius) DCCXXIV to LVIII, or even a few years before, there settled Votus and Felix, and there a life eremitic prolonged as long as he the kingdom.

[3] Their Acts to have written is related Macarius, a Monk of that monastery; and them there in Ms. papers to be kept testifies John Tamayo Salazar: which that he should insert in his Martyrology Spanish more at length he requested, interposed also the authority of Pellicer the Royal Chronographer, and of Andresius the Historiographer of the kingdom of Aragon, The Life wrote Macarius the monk, but entirely to obtain not was able. He composed therefore the Acts of them, from fragments, as he says, of the same Macarius the Monk, by John Brixius related, and some others: but afterward he adds: Thus far the Acts, which from fragments of diverse ones we could elicit. We at Rome being in the year MDCLXI, in a certain of old writers Collection, which of Cardinal Sanseverino had been, the of copying faculty offering his heir and nephew D. Joseph Costa, we found writings some to the same pertaining, and received (as the title showed) From the process of the dissolution of the union of Huesca and Jaca, and of the erection of Barbastro, and of the application of the fruits of monasteries, among the rights produced for the part of the monastery of S. John della Peña, and is had on folio 915 and following the Life of the Saints Votus and Felix, and John the first Hermit of the said monastery. Of this Life fragments some, in Latin alleged by Brixius aforesaid had been, and to the same in the Roman copy were subjoined miracles certain of another Author, as it appeared: which then we recognized to have been received from the Life by Macarius the Monk written, than which an older other at Rome we found, after this also entire we obtained from the original Pinnatensian, by the benefit of the Rev. D. Thomas Placidus de Sarassa y Claves the Archivist, by the means of the Rev. Fr. Paschasius Canisius, of pious memory of our Society and of the Flandro-Belgian province a Presbyter, then at Barcelona residing for the service sacred of Alexander II Duke and Prince of Bournonville of Catalonia the Viceroy, all that there he is strong in authority to this work to be promoted to wish to expend graciously and kindly having professed.

[4] A collation furthermore of both lives instituted, it appeared that Macarius this one, and we recognized neither written before the 14th cent., not only not to have been to the Saints' age (as Brixius pretends) near; but an author very recent to be; who other not did, than the Acts, by another more rudely collected, from of the ancients fame and a writing certain, with an exordium and epilogue to adorn, the words mostly the same preserved, and who miracles two added from of the elders tradition received. The former moreover those Acts, since in two places they number the years of the Lord or of Christian salvation, seem not older to be than the century XIV; in which, as above I insinuated, the Era Spanish, by years XXXVIII the common now Era anticipating, was abrogated among the Aragonese. But neither the writing, which alleges the Author, very ancient can be judged; since the Pinnatensian monastery several times burned to have been is said, deploring the Authors the loss of the old all privileges and instruments, the name of Macarius indeed from another Synopsis. amid the flames made; so that the chief foundation of the things here narrated tradition is, and indeed of men mountain and rustic, with whom they preserved in whatever way were, until again driven from Aragon anew invaded the Moors, the place, which few of old Hermits had held, was committed to Clerics, and afterward to Monks. But that of the second Life the author was named Macarius, we should not know; unless a third certain writer, in the aforesaid Process also related, of the history Pinnatensian a Synopsis had collected, and from the former Life relating some things, this to us had indicated, while at num. 3 thus he speaks: but we sufficiently wonder, why the Lord Macarius, who his (Votus's namely) Life wrote, these things passed over. We give therefore also this Synopsis, though either Life (and that, as has been shown, not very ancient) more recent, nor of parachronisms lacking; much for it makes to of whatsoever history the integrity. Nor would I have omitted to indicate, that each part of the Roman copy was collated and approved with the original on XXX January MDLXVIII, as faith made everywhere subscribed Martin de Iribas the Notary.

[5] As to the cult of the Saints themselves regards, the aforepraised Abbot Brixius indicates in chapter 14 the Feast of SS. Votus and Felix to be celebrated XXIX May, the cult 29 May, on which is believed Votus, the elder brother, to have died: where also he has the chief part of an old Hymn, in their Office to be recited, according to an old Breviary Pinnatensian, which together with its proper Collect thence we receive; making faith, all those things together with the Life by Macarius written in the Royal of the very monastery archive to be preserved, Dominic la Ripa, Provost Historiographer of the Kingdom of Aragon; John de Murite, Prior of Salvatierra of the same monastery the Dean, Peter Bernet, Prior of Lucsia after the Dean second. Chapter 27 by the same Brixius is indicated the elevation of the sacred Bodies. But first elevated was the body of S. John of Ataré s, which under the end of the former Acts is said placed between two altars, namely of S. John the Baptist and of the Blessed Julian and Basilissa: whose Acts we illustrated at the day IX January. the elevation of the bodies. Adds Brixius, then also to have been elevated the bodies of SS. Votus and Felix, and to be esteemed they by that reason to the Catalogue of the Saints legitimately inscribed. Antony Blascus de Lanuza in book 5 of the Aragonese Histories chapter 8 sets forth the Life of S. John of Ataré s, and chapter 9 the Life and glorious death of S. Votus and S. Felix: and with Brixius judges, the first elevation of the bodies of these three to have happened in the year DCCCXLII: but afterward, when in the year MXCIV a new church had been constructed, to have perished the memory of the burial of B. John of Ataré s, but the Relics of SS. Votus and Felix, in a certain chest with great beauty deposited, and in the highest veneration held, as because they were bodies of such and so illustrious Saints, Patrons and Founders of that Sanctuary, whose memory hitherto remains. The same author edited a metric work in the Latin tongue, Peristephanon or On the Crowns of the Aragonese Saints, in whose book 2 he describes the Acts of these three Saints, and for Votus names Otto: where to these holy brothers is attributed a victory over the Moors obtained, as under their auspices and patronages, in this manner:

[6] Each holy one, of the Fathers by a concordant compact first the composed, joins in happy peace the cohorts; the victory over the Moors attributed to them, soon they animate with words, the proclamations of praise to approach let them desire, let them take vengeance, the wars let them follow. Nor delay, convinced by the admonitions, by the ardor of triumph And by the zeal of faith allured and by the sweetness of praise, They institute laws, a King, soon arms they take up. They cast out the Moors conquered from the high mountains With strengths furnished, and the whole then Pyrenees They subject to Christ. The fortified with walls city Of Jaca they take, Barbastro, flourishing many Towns they conquer, for a long time subject through the age &c.

The rest of the verses can be read in the Author himself or in Tamayo Salazar, who at this XXIX May them reprints. Jerome Blanca, in the Commentaries of Aragonese matters, in the third volume of the Writers of Spain illustrated edited, p. 580 and following describes the strict manner of living of these three Hermits: and of John adds, that he when he had died, with great by our people to be venerated religion began, already that without any doubt it was believed in the council of the Heavenly ones placed. Martin Carillo, about to treat of the Abbots of S. John of Peña the first sets forth the Hermits, John of Ataré s, Votus and Felix the brothers, in whose time and by whose intercession was treated of the restoration of Aragon, the Moors cast out: then he adds, their feast to be celebrated on the day XXIX May, and their Relics in veneration to be preserved. The same in book 3 of the Annals at greater length their Acts pursues. Francis

Didacus de Aynsa, in the Antiquities of Huesca book 3 on the Bishops chapter 3, the Acts of these Hermits with their translations describes: which it is not need to repeat, as neither those which has John Marietta in book 6 chapter 31 on the Saints of Spain, under this title, on the Saints John, Votus, and Felix Hermits.

[7] Similar things have Garibay in book 21 chapter 7, Antony Yepez in volume 3 of the Benedictine Chronicle at the year 718, They seem not to have been Benedictines. and here and there others: to whom to be reckoned also comes the most reverend Fr. M. Fr. Antony de Heredia, formerly General of the Valladolid Congregation of S. Benedict, then indeed Abbot of the monastery of Irache in Navarre, among the Lives of the Saints Benedictine into the form of a Martyrology digested; which himself with the very Author in the said Irache monastery lately to have seen, manuscript indeed, but for the press prepared, testified to us the Archivist Thomas Placidus aforepraised. He adhered to the opinions of Yepez, Brixius, and the other Authors, the Hermits ours to the Benedictine Order ascribing; against whom I am unwilling indeed to dispute: I judge yet John Mabillon more prudently to have taken care, in the Acts of the Saints Benedictine, that he should not imitate them: but nothing this to hinder, whereby the less the Monks Pinnatensian specially venerate, as to themselves proper, those of their place founders and first inhabitants, whose also sacred Bodies there are deposited. In the Acts only they are said to have assumed the eremitic habit, no being made of any Order mention. Martin indeed Carillo above named, the first Abbot Benedictine sets Paternus, at the year MXX: and before he had asserted that after the Hermits, there some Clerics, chastity observing, together in a certain community under Abbots lived.

THE FORMER LIFE

From an old Ms. of the Pinnatensian Monastery.

Votus, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

Felix, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

John of Ataré s, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

BHL Number: 8732

FROM THE MSS.

Since the magnitude of the merits of the venerable Confessors of Christ Votus and Felix demands, Saragossa being occupied by the Saracens, that their deeds, as much as the condescension Divine shall have permitted, we may expound: which of the ancients both fame, and writing to our a. ears (the immense of histories b. loads yielding to, of this matter everywhere of lands c. those making mention) by a brief prologue into mind yearly to recall we are held.

[2] The Arabs' therefore savagery d. Saragossa (other meanwhile of the Spains parts passed over in silence) subjugating, in the aforesaid city two had settled Brothers, S. Votus pursuing a stag, the one Votus, the other Felix by name; most perfect Christians, in riches affluent, and of a noble lineage born. Of whom Votus to the hunting of beasts given, on a certain day while he traversed the hidden not least of the mountains, a stag to have found is said: which while with dogs and swords he pursued, as long fleeing as he pursued, the beast through the mountainous and plain ran places, until to a high it came mountain. For the horse after the stag flying, and he himself to nothing other, than to the destruction of the stag, with sword drawn intent, to the higher places flew of the mountain. Therefore on either side enclosed the stag, on the one, because it was pursued by the enemy; on the other, because under a most eminent it had come rock, was straitened everywhere overcome e.; when indeed a leap from the high cave it gave, and to itself death brought. And when the steed in the very of the mountain confine, whence the stag had perished, had come, and the soldier most keen to death to have approached himself perceived; only to have said is related, Holy John, succor me. At this voice so the omnipotent God the horse's feet, from the precipice he is saved, by the merits of his holy John, to the hard flint to adhere made, so that still so unforeseen a miracle, to himself returned; and to his liberator Christ, by the merits of his holy John, thanks rendered.

[3] For indeed from the horse leaping down, as an avid searcher, the inviting of a habitation place to know he desired. Hence drawn the sword with which he was girded, descending into the cave, by cutting away which there were shrubs, a path of entering he found, by which of beasts the kinds to the fountain, which under the mountain is derived to descend wont were. Beheld therefore the hollows of the rocks and the inmost of the places, at length a little church he found, in honor of S. John the Baptist anciently founded, and an unburied man at the horn of the altar lying. Then the man of God admiring, and long thoughtful, signing himself with the sign of the holy Cross, he finds in the little church the body of S. John the hermit and a prayer made, approached intrepid; and looking saw a stone triangular, to his head set under: in which letters with a stylus of iron sculpted in this sentence he read through: I John, of this little church the builder and first inhabitant; who for the love of God this present world despised, as I could, this little church built, and to holy John the Baptist consecrated; in which both I lived long a Hermit, and now dead in the Lord I rest. Amen g.

[4] These when he had read, with many suffused tears, often to God thanks giving, the Hermit's body, as he could, with earth covered, and it he buries: the aforesaid stone setting under. For did not suffer the Lord of so great sanctity a man's neither little body to be left unburied, nor his conversation from posterity to be hid; but for himself he provided a tomb, for us of virtue an example. He was from Ataré s the place born, of so holy and so sincere of life integrity, that from all dross earthly by the fire of divine love refined he is believed: about the year 714. who, when the pious Lord his servant from the field's work fatigued to rest wished, to the heavenly flew seats, about the year of the Lord seven hundred tenth h. fourth.

[5] The holy Hermit therefore buried, Votus the man most Christian, by divine admonished counsel, to his own returning, There he himself with S. Felix dwells: his estates, vineyards, patrimonies all and furniture sold, servants and maidservants to liberty endowed, and also of all his things, of gold and of silver the price, for the foods of the poor and captives to be redeemed distributed; with Felix his brother to the Creator's yoke his neck, the above-mentioned i. heard, to submit prepared, there to God according to his power and knowledge to be served he vowed. The mentioned therefore of God servants, wholly themselves to his service to give up desiring, to the aforesaid place arriving, with little cells there constructed, the eremitic habit assumed, who both died about the year 757. as soldiers most keen with of patience the arms the enemies put to flight, in the oratory of S. John the Baptist, with little gardens, mead, and herbs using, even to the end of life as in heaven happily conversing, holily breathed out their souls, in the year seven hundred fiftieth seventh k.

[6] Whom in this monastery l. honorably buried, watching at their most holy little bodies the divine there ever they feel guardianship: and sometimes a deific light, from heaven slipped down, with open they perceived eyes. To the infirm also, they shine with miracles. with whatsoever infirmity oppressed, to the sepulchers of them coming, by the merits of the same, the Lord bestowing, health by all ways is applied. But in the entering time, now Christian religion m. flourishing, the Catholics a more ample building a church in honor of Christ's Forerunner B. John, of John the Hermit n. the body translated: which in a little tomb, between two altars, a church is constructed in the year 920. namely of holy John the Baptist and of the blessed Julian and Basilissa o., the aforesaid stone p. above placed, they placed, in the year of Christian salvation nine hundred twentieth q.

ANNOTATIONS.

whether elsewhere yet is read: but these histories scarcely would I believe the 12th century or 13th older, when, the affairs of the Christians against the Moors being stabilized, and a greater part of the provinces recovered, began the studies of letters to flourish again among the Spaniards.

h. I fear lest this year by mere conjecture is written, because conquered then by the Moors Roderic the King is: who yet into Aragon perhaps not penetrated except two years after. Certainly after the captured Saragossa to be said it ought to have died John, unless thou wishest some years after his death first to have been revealed the body. I would prefer therefore these things done to believe about the year 718.

k. Brixius later to have died wishes: for in chapter 14 he asserts, the King to the burial present, not to have been Garcia Ximenez, as already dead; but his son Garcia Ynicus: but these things gratis are asserted.

in chapter 27, and says of all three the bodies from the subterranean church, in which first they were buried, to have been raised to the new upper one.

p. The stone namely triangular, which under the dead one's head is found related above num. 3. But by the fire of the year 1492 all of this sepulcher and body memory abolished, grieves Brixius; of solace moreover to have been he says the Relics of SS. Votus and Felix, in a chest decent preserved; for that perhaps because this from of old portable was, the body indeed of John was shut in between the aforesaid altars in a marble sepulcher, and so consumed with the church it was.

q. The same Brixius this done wishes in the year 842 on the day 4 February: for in such a year and day consecrated the new church, he says is established from a writing well authentic, but he himself it not produces: and I fear lest this writing other be than what is alleged in the Life 3 num. 5 near the end, in which alone is noted the day of the dedication, made years 30 before the donation, there consequently indicated and signed in the time of Count Fortunius: which time since it can be extended beyond the year 950, the Dedication better will be referred to the year about 920. So it will be believed the place, after Sancho's disaster desolate through years 70 or more, to its prior celebrity to be restored to have begun in the century 10 long ago begun: when to its guardianship led the Clerics an Abbot received, who the Translation of B. John, and indeed alone, to be made took care; and then into Monks changed all things gradually augmented, and a new at last from the foundations church made, in the year 1094 consecrated: when the other of the holy Bodies

translation to have been made the same Brixius for certain holds. But since two years after it was recovered from the Saracens at Huesca, security entirely to the Pinnatensian monastery was made, and it began into so great amplitude and opulence to grow, as much as the Authors describe.

THE MORE RECENT LIFE

By the Author Macarius the Pinnatensian Monk.

From a Ms. of the same Monastery.

Votus, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

Felix, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

John of Ataré s, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

BHL Number: 8733

BY MACARIUS FROM A MS.

I, II

Those who the Saints' merits with religious charity admire, and who the just ones' glories with frequent praise discourse of, Because the Saints whom we venerate their morals holy, and justice let them imitate: since whom delights of some Saint the merit, ought to delight equally about the cult of God and obedience. Wherefore either to imitate he ought, if he praises; or to praise he ought not, if to imitate he refuses; that he who another praises, praiseworthy be rendered; and who the Saints' merits admires, admirable himself by life's sanctity be rendered. For if therefore the just, and faithful we love, because in them justice and faith we look up to; the virtues are to be imitated, we can also be what they are, if we do ourselves what they do. For neither difficult to us is, what by them is done to imitate, since without a preceding example by the ancients such deeds we behold; that not themselves of others emulators were rendered, but of virtue to be emulated themselves to us they offered an example; that while we from them, and from us others profit, so Christ in his own ever in the Church be praised. Truly, I say, is he to be praised, who hearts human by the holy Spirit's breathing makes clear, that earthly things to set behind he makes, and to the eternal reward panting, the world with its acts more quickly they provoke by executing.

III

[2] But because the magnitude of the merits of the Venerable Confessors of Christ Votus and Felix has drawn us to this, is written the Life of SS. Votus and Felix, that as much as the condescension divine shall have permitted, we may expound their deeds; or how their minds illumined the fire divine, that the favors of this world they should spurn, and to that city heavenly, which is the mother of the faithful, they might come: not the certain from the uncertain; but as the fame of the ancients to our ears has impelled, to all the faithful to hear desiring we will set forth clearly.

IV, V

[3] In the time in which the savagery of the Arabs, the destroyed of the Spains parts had occupied, Saragossa being under the Moors and the most noble and most excellent of all cities Saragossa to its dominion had subjugated, in the aforesaid city two had settled brothers, most perfect Christians: of whom one was called Votus, the other Felix. These therefore among the rabid of the Pagans dealings living, in excessive were affluent riches: and were soldiers most strenuous, in approach placid, of nobly born ones: in mind sober, in chastity glorious, lovers of justice, of mercy entire, of humility instructors; finally such, whose single praises a human tongue to enumerate is not able. But by what chance to this so most remote they came cave, the following relates speech.

VI, VII

[4] of whom the former into Peña An occasion however befalling it is, that first of the site of this place a little to speak we ought, that then to their acts to be expounded a transition we may make. By the site therefore of the place, and the dense of trees verdures, of the meadows also amenity, of fountains a. also from veins [through the slopes] of the crags gushing, well to have agreed itself, to no one, who looks, doubtful is. To this (as bears the ancients' fame) came the aforesaid most blessed Votus, at a time a certain b.: because, (as above we said) from the city of Saragossa born of a noble lineage, the venerable Votus, to the hunting of stags, and boars and of the other beasts was given. On a certain indeed day, while he traversed the hidden not least of the mountains, and the hollow of the valleys, hunting having advanced, the pleasant also places of the woods and meadows, a stag to have found is said: whose while for the destruction with dogs and swords he pursued the life (as long fleeing, as he pursued, the beast) the mountainous and plain ran places, until to the aforesaid he came mountain.

VIII

[5] For the horse, after the stag flying, and he himself to nothing other, than to the destruction of the stag, with sword stretched out intent, the stag to the higher places flew of the mountain. and saved from the precipice by the aid of S. John the Baptist, Therefore on either side enclosed the stag, on the one, because it was pursued by the enemy, on the other, because under a most eminent it had come rock, was straitened everywhere overcome c.; when a leap from the high cave it gave, and to itself death brought. And when the steed in the very of the mountain confine, whence the stag had perished, had come, and the soldier most keen to death to have approached himself perceived; only to have said is related: Holy John, succor me: At this voice so the Omnipotent God the horse's feet, by the merits of S. John, to the hard flint to adhere made, so that still appear of the steed the vestiges. Who stupefied at so unforeseen a miracle, to himself returned; and to his liberator Christ, by the merits of his Holy John, thanks rendered.

IX, X

[6] For indeed from the horse leaping down, and as an avid searcher with sword stretched out, with which he was girded, its little church there he finds; by cutting away which there many were shrubs, a path of entering he found, by which of beasts the kinds by their wonted manner, to the fountain, which under the mountain is derived, to descend wont were. Beheld, therefore, the hollows of the rocks, and the inmost of the places, at length a little church he found very small, in honor of Saint John the Baptist anciently founded: whose delight, so his soul enticed, that he should vow, himself there to God, according to his power and knowledge, to be served; with much also prayer demanding, that the supernal Divinity the conceived of his mind he would deign to perfect, and there an eremitic life to lead deciding, and the helper of good things Jesus's benignity of his youth that he would not remember the faults; at length counsel found, to his house to return he disposed. Returned therefore thanks to God, and to S. John his liberator, to his own he returned. Sold for his patrimonies, estates also and vineyards, and all furniture, servants and maidservants to liberty endowed, wholly himself to God's service to give up he desires.

XI, XII

[7] The distributed therefore price of gold and silver, of all also his things into the foods of the poor and into the captives to be redeemed, thither also his brother Felix he brings. with one to himself a brother to the aforesaid he deliberates to return place. The brother indeed, Felix by name, of the same will, and of the same action, refused not: but his commands obeying, to the Creator's yoke his neck to submit prepares. On the day appointed, to the same place they arrive, the habit of Religion with the arms of patience, the camp of God and themselves most watchful they guard. Many at last years in the contest run through, how many from the kindler of all evils wars they suffered, to no one of mortals besides him, who all things from heaven beholds, lies open: what therefore they bore temptations, or by what manners, openly we know not f.

[8] A miracle indeed very wonderful, which by very many religious men of this region relating I learned, whom the ministering Presbyter the sister followed, I will interpose. On a certain day, while the man of the Lord by his wonted manner, in the cell, which for himself he had constructed, had sat down; was wont, to him g. to serve, by the wonted manner came. Whom while the sister inquired, whither to go he wished, and by no means to indicate he wished; the sister, fearing the loss of her brother, step by step his vestiges following, to the mountain even came. Which she ascending, through the slope of the mountain, descending afar she discerns, as if through steps, of a certain countenance Angelic a man: who by the wonted manner (an Angel namely, sent from God) bread to the man of God to bring was wont. And when [he] discerned, seculars to the man of God to have run, and him them so familiarly to have received, the cause is made of the withdrawn from them Angelic food. (especially because of women the society is wont to be a hindrance to men greatest) with zeal zealous the man of God he reproved; and to him the crumbs of the bread, which he brought, from on high upon his shin he cast; and the imminent indignation supernal, the aforesaid shin broken h. rendered. From there therefore so the heavenly the supernal condescension food to him denied, nor further the Angel serving sent; whereby the man of God thence more laboriously might live, and lest further to him entering thus he should receive, that the fame of the world unlawful women (which far be it) to him to enter he should permit: for it feared the internal judge, wholly with piety abounding and justice, lest whence to himself i. for piety it should be served, thence he to a fall and others should tend k.

[9] At another also time (as religious relating men I learned) the man of God, while more laboriously he lived on account of the aforesaid seculars' familiarity, The brother being sent to the kinsmen, and to him the divine food were lacking; began with little gardens to use, and thence apples to gather, and for himself for the sake of drink mead to prepare. Whose heart, when of his parents the care touched, and to the omnipotent God's service them he wished to convert, lest it be esteemed him of food and drink to have died by want, his most blessed brother Felix he sent, and these to enjoin took care. Those who the supernal Judge obey the mandates, and for his love of seculars themselves cheat of pomps, although from men far they be removed, among this world's deserts yet are sustained with of foods provender. You these things knowing, dearest ones, to another, which is without labors a life, who to the world's contempt them may exhort, with all strengths tend; and this enticing one, with troubles and pains full, relinquish; which from grief is begun; and, while it is, with labors is conducted; and the term approaching, with labor and lamentation is terminated, nothing without l. of sin a burden with itself bringing back. Riches, with the greatest sweat acquired, to sons and daughters remaining, and they with the worst luxury them using, nothing for the parents' liberation from them bestowing; the flesh of the acquirer by worms corroded, and dust about to be, nowhere with the Angels eternally will be about to live. Many indeed these things hearing, many he converts. of the world utterly the enticements with whole mind to spurn, and to God's service themselves they gave up. The example here thrice blessed of the most holy and most glorious Martin having followed, who after so great a conversation's life, after so many of miracles notable deeds, to his paternal soil returned; and to his mother, the Baptism's wave purifying m., of life the entrance opened eternal.

[10] Because the holy man this which for himself, also for his neighbors' salvation and liberty desires; that imaginary bearing in work, which the Lord teaching upon the Propitiatory was had in a typical mystery. The Ark therefore on the Propitiatory placed, which is the Church from the gentiles gathered, of two urns retaining the manna, The Saints for in the Church which is likened to the Ark, namely of the two Laws, of the body n. and of the blood of the Lord the sacraments; and the rod of Aaron which had budded, Blessed also Mary, [who] by no human seed made pregnant, is believed to have brought forth of the human race the Savior; of two Cherubim is overshadowed by the aspect: which also Cherubim with turned stood faces, mutually themselves looking. The Cherubim moreover over the ark to stand, are like to its Cherubim, and mutually look at each other; is the Saints by the contemplation of supernal love the neighbors to excel; themselves mutually indeed to look at,

the charity of neighbors, from that inner intuition of love, to the infirm even to descend by compassion, by the word of those preaching, as is written: Who hears, let him say, Come. Apoc. 22:17 The Saints also, these and many other of the sacred volumes knowing testimonies, themselves correcting, others admonishing; lest exiles they should be from the promise, many in this world's space bore torments. For although there are two of Martyrs kinds, nor only to be called Martyrs, who blood pour out; one by the sword, the other by long patience; there is yet one eternal judge, who each examines, and weighs of the persecutors the threats and the inflicted torments to the Saints' constancies; but not does he despise otherwise by the enemy of the human race in the hearts of the faithful the daily inflicted passions.

[11] But sometimes more laborious it is a life to lead solitary, by thirst and hunger to perish by the shortcut, but also those who solitarily living, and amid the rocks of the mountains by cold to grow stiff, and without of anyone consolation a life anxious and full of troubles into length to protract; than by the torment of one time or one day, by the sword to fall. Sometimes indeed the ancient enemy, those whom to himself promptly to resist he beholds, with many snares to slay attempts. For sometimes by his wickedness's craftiness an inciting to them he brings in lust, sometimes of food and drink voracity, sometimes impatience, sometimes murmuring, sometimes a perturbation of mind. But if he shall have beheld, nothing his to prevail craftiness, to terrify he will begin through sleep. with diabolic temptations continually they struggle: But if, nor so he shall have prevailed, wondrous to them he shows visions. But all, which to enumerate long it is, the craftinesses performed, if he shall have seen the servant of God immovable in all things to remain, to open himself he turns enmities, and sometimes to sight himself will manifest. But to the servant of the Lord so many of his shunning astutenesses, worn out he will flee away; and God his servant protecting, who before terrified, afterward terrified will depart.

[12] These therefore so innumerable craftinesses of the ancient serpent Blessed Votus patiently overcame; as did SS. Votus and Felix, and into a long of time space his life drawing, by enduring he surpassed. And when now the time of remuneration was present, and the pious Lord his servant from the field's work fatigued, to rest wished, lest the penny, of the vineyard cultivated the wage, to the long fatigued workman be denied; of his calling the term he imposed. Who having received the Viaticum of all perfection, at length by a blessed end having died, with the hundredfold fruit, the lamp shining before, the bridechamber of the bridegroom and his king the prudent virgin to enter merited. Who when on the day last he had closed his end, in the Oratory of Blessed the Baptist John honorably was buried; about to take up again at the last examination the flesh, with the Angels eternally about to live; the same vestiges his brother following. Watching moreover at their most holy little bodies, the divine there ever they feel guardianship; and famous by miracles. and sometimes the Deific light, from heaven slipped down, with open they perceive eyes. To the infirm indeed, with whatsoever infirmity oppressed, to the sepulchers of them coming health by all manners is applied p. There are bestowed benefits on those seeking, by the merits of the most blessed Confessors Votus and Felix, the same our Lord bestowing Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns.

ANNOTATIONS.

b. There, who.

c. And, sometimes.

he contrives some Huesca Bishop, who in those Mountains, among the Christians fugitive, his in whatever way office exercising, them with the habit endowed, and of the same the profession received: and in these the whole II Chapter by Brixius is consumed.

was wont to minister, and that this was the servitude indicated by Macarius: whom from this place in vain thou wilt strive near to the Saints' age to make: since however long of time an interval suffers tradition, through which he himself those things which follow learned.

h. I fear lest the length of time of this deed the circumstances somewhat altered from the truth, turning them through the mouths of the rude and mountain common people (whence afterward the Monks learned and handed down to posterity, and these to Macarius) I suspect indeed, that from the more difficult, by which thenceforth the Saint used a gait, gradually it grew strong that it should be said, the shin to him broken to have been. The cause also of the withdrawn Angelic food, I would not believe first this of one woman the access to have been; but that it now was not necessary to him, to whom from her and others at her admonition to the holy Hermit to visit running, necessary for sustenance had begun from devotion to be ministered.

m. See the Life of S. Martin, written by Severus Sulpicius in Surius chapter 4: where yet other thou wilt not read, than that this journey into the fatherland was undertaken by the Saint, immediately after in the Clerical order an Exorcist he was consecrated, in the first of a holier conversation years, no yet wrought by him miracles.

n. Brixius, I know not what not devising, that he may persuade the holy Hermits, Presbyters also ordained, and to the very King Garcia of Confessions to have been; also these words thither he draws; whereas they are to be unfolded to the Church, which the author to the Ark compares; just as then the Saints in it men he compares to the Cherubim, the Ark overshadowing and themselves mutually looking at.

p. Neither this attestation of miracles that of the author antiquity necessarily infers which pretends Brixius; since also in the century 14 or 15 could the same have been continued.

HISTORICAL SYNOPSIS

From an Anonymous Pinnatensian Ms.

According to the Roman copy.

Votus, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

Felix, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

John of Ataré s, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

BHL Number: 8734 a

FROM THE MS.

When for detestable crimes the inhabitants of Spain were handed over, Spain being occupied by the Saracens with the King of the Visigoths the last b. Roderic, into the hands of the Saracens; just as in the deeds of the Kings of Spain is contained; the Christians, who to escape could, some into their servitude subdued, the Christians 200 flee into a mountain of Aragon: some fleeing through hiding-places and mountainous places ascending, and through diverse places wandering, towers and more fortified and safe places to build wished. It happened of these some, more than c. two hundred, to come into a high a certain mountain, by name d. Oroli, in the Aragon province: who coming, and a spacious and delightful place beholding, in the place which is called Pannus to build they attempted walls.

[2] And when the work begun to perfect they attempted, it was announced this to the King of Cordova by name Abderraman sent an army strong, from all the land of Spain, with a Leader certain by name Abdelmelik f. Iben Quartan: and commanded him, where in the place by themselves fortified besieged they are taken. that all the land Aragonese even to the Pyrenees mountains traversed, in whatsoever places find he could Christians, who to defend themselves wished and the King of Cordova to serve refused, he should destroy even to extermination; and should pull down the fortifications and castles, or in which places to be able to confide they seemed. And when this decree to perfect he attempted the aforesaid Abdelmelik, and had come into the aforesaid mountain, from the side which is called Rubeus, they fixed tents in the plain of Pannus: and an assault made against them, soon from the very foundations they pulled down the walls, just as is discerned at the present time: and they led their wives, and sons and daughters of them into captivity.

[3] Came thither afterward S. Votus Which place uninhabitable, and inaccessible stood to men, until God favoring, it was come to the time of the most blessed Votus: who from the city of Saragossa born, as in his deeds is contained, drawn the sword the briars and trees cutting, a path narrow he found, and a little church very small, in honor of Saint John the Baptist constructed, under the very mountain's top in a cave which greatest is found, and an unburied man at the horn of the altar lying: and signing himself with the sign of the holy Cross, and a prayer made, he approached intrepid: and looking he saw a stone triangular at the head, containing thus inscribed with iron: I John, the first in this place a Hermit, who for the love of God this present world despised, as I could, this little church built, in honor of Saint John the Baptist: and here I rest. Amen g. Who thanks to God rendering, received the body wrapped, and buried, and S. John he buries: setting upon the aforesaid stone, and above covered with earth, as he could: but we sufficiently wonder why the Lord Macarius, who his Life wrote, these things passed over. Now indeed let us return to the begun work.

[4] The mentioned therefore servant of God h. Votus with his brother Felix, as they could, there little cells constructed, and there with S. Felix his brother living, and even to the end of life happily remained, and surviving certain men honest left, namely i. Benedict and Marcellus. Who Benedict constructed a church of S. Stephen the Protomartyr and of Martin the most blessed Prelate and Confessor: Marcellus indeed constructed a church in honor of Saint Peter the Prince of the Apostles. Who they too a celibate life leading, after not much of time space the case of the body relinquishing, Benedict and Marcellus successors he leaves. as we believe, placed their souls in the ethereal seats. From those times began to grow of their sanctity the fame. And when, the Lord assenting, now had begun the people Christian to grow, and to decrease the infidelity of the Saracens; it happened that there set out a Count in the Aragon province, under the government of k. Fortunius Garsianis the Pamplona King, by name l. Galindo, son of Asinarius the Count. Which Count built a certain castle, and imposed on it the name m. Athares: and to populate made through all Aragon, The Christians after the restored little villas, as much as to him was allowed, many and diverse little villas, which to us to relate through single ones long it is: and divided to single little villas, according to his judgment, proper boundaries. That indeed in time by few in a certain way the aforesaid was inhabited place.

[5] Not much indeed time having passed, in the times namely of King n. Sancho Garsianis of Pamplona, again put to flight by the Saracens, the Count aforesaid being dead, again was made a great striking against the Church of God: since was overcome King o. Ordonius, and was made a great slaughter of Christians by p. Abderraman the King of Cordova: In that time the Saracens crossing the Pyrenees mountains, came no one resisting

even to the city of Toulouse: fleeing indeed a few Christians from the aforesaid little villas came to the aforesaid cave, and there staying built a more ample church in honor of S. John the Baptist: in the mountain Pannus and they translated the body of the aforesaid John the Hermit, and placed it in a little tomb between two altars, namely of B. John the Baptist and of SS. Julian and Basilissa, placing the aforesaid stone above. They built also other two altars, one dedicating in honor of B. Michael, the other in honor of B. Clement; and they made houses to dwell in: they constitute an Abbot. and they set over an Abbot q. Transinicus, and chose Clerics, who their wills own relinquishing, to dwell wished there. Having passed indeed this tempest, again is peace to the Church of God restored, and each one returned to his own, except the Clerics who remained in the already said cave. In the same indeed times was dedicated the church of S. John by Ennico r. the Bishop, on the day of the Nones of February.

[6] And when had passed years almost thirty, and the fame of that place through the mouths of the common people grew, it happened to come to the ears of the count s. Fortunius the eminent, who then in the times under the government of King Garcia Sancho's son, by Count Fortunius to the whole government presided in the Aragonese province. Who coming into the aforesaid place, crowded by a troop of Soldiers, and a prayer made, was received by the Abbot eminent with the College of the rest of the Clerics charitably; and seen the workshops all, and the ascent of the mountain with the plain, pleased him the place, and the conversation, and life of them. But they falling at the feet of the Count, to demand began, that to them of this mountain the boundaries he would bestow, where to labor, or sheepfolds to build, and their swine to feed they could. But he, benignly assenting to the petition of them, gave them one cave, which is under Oroli's face, whose name is the Cave of Gallio, and thence descends toward those mountains of Trasillos, above the cold fountain, which is at the face of Aragon, is given the cave of Gallio. and thence goes contrary to of Caulo, just as divides that crag of S. Cyprian above; and how goes the way, which goes out of Spina-alba, and goes to the summit of En-el-sito: and from that way which comes from Borzo the red, to that Crola of S. Julian, and goes out to that hill under Oroli. This indeed oblation corroborated and confirmed, soon commending himself, obliged to them he withdrew glorifying the Lord; for that he himself in this country had deigned to show such a place, which both remote was from secular perturbations, and to inhabit for religious men delightful. Who coming to the palace, related all to the King, how into such a place he had come, and how apt for religion it was, and how to the inhabitants a boundary to labor he had bestowed.

[7] by King Garcia Sancho's son, Hearing these things King Garcia Sancho's son, to visit the place not much after he himself, with the Palatine office and the Bishop of the same time Fortunius, to hasten deigned: who when all as to him related had been he had seen, and had pleased exceedingly him such a place, the same donation is confirmed and augmented, offered to it five hundred shekels of silver, that for it and for the state of the Kingdom the Lord they would beseech. Nay even the boundary aforesaid, which the Count to them had bestowed, to be confirmed he commanded by Royal institutes: adding also of herbs pasture and of woods to be cut a license from that mountain, which is called Abitirus: and took away from the Count of Athares all of calumniating and of pledging against them power. Solved indeed now years many, namely about the running t. nine hundred ninety-seventh, and then in the era 997 by a new decree it is stabilized. again came King Garcia Sancho's son, for the sake of visiting the place and the Brethren. Seeing indeed the Abbot and the brethren unarmed not to be able to defend the boundaries, which he had given to the place; he set such a decree over the boundary, that if it were not by a passage of one day or night, or if it were not by the good will of the Abbot or of the Brethren, none should presume into all that boundary to enter or to pasture, nor a tent of cattle to fix: which if otherwise they had done, they should have those there inhabiting power of killing cows, swine, camels, without any doubt and without any Royal plea: the donation made, in the year which above we mentioned namely nine hundred ninety-seventh, the Lord Jesus Christ reigning. And I his servant, Garcia Sancho's son, with my wife u. Omeca, in Pamplona and in Aragon. Under his rule the Bishop x. Fortunius in Pamplona. Fortunius Ximenones the Count in Aragon. To those preserving and augmenting the decree be peace and salvation and victory unto eternity, Amen: those not preserving moreover let them be despoiled into hell, Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

a. This Synopsis, uncertain by whom written, less accurate is than the prior Lives, nor lacks chronological errors, as of several charters of this monastery observes Sandoval in the Bishops of Pamplona fol. 19: for that the monastery by fires lost monuments, enough ignorantly were restored.

b. Roderic fought with the Saracens 3 September on a Sunday, in the year 713, the Dominical Letter A, and after eight days while fighting fell. Furthermore in the following and next three years all at length Spain was by the Saracens subdued except the Asturian mountains.

omitted, only I note from Brixius, that the Pinnatensian monastery overlooks a place everywhere precipitous, and by only two ways accessible, and these so narrow, that the ascent can by few be prohibited, although they should not have except stones for their defense.

made in the year 758, but without mention of these things against the Christians done:

f. Abdemelik by Garibay book 36 chapter 15 is set King of the Moors from the year 685, even to the year 707, therefore before their access into Spain. In Blanca Abdemelichus Aben-catanus the cave in the Urveli siege took, the Christians all with women and little ones with the sword slew, and the garrisons utterly overthrew. Sent moreover is he said by Abdulazizius the Prefect under the Caliph Ulit, the first in Spain King of the Moors. And then is said Abdulazizius at Seville by his own in the year DCCXIX slain.

the incursion of Abdelemichus only thither to have come it could be said, since now some years in selling possessions, and to the poor distributing they had spent.

i. Brixius of them treats book 1 chapter 15 and following, and this their as it were Epitaph adds: no doubt by posterity, long after their death, composed: Benedict and Marcellus Hermits of Saragossa, men honest and continent, still more amplified the present church, and two altars constructed, and dedicated to S. Peter and S. Stephen (by whose counsel a Judge, middle between King Enecus Arista and the Subjects of Aragon, Justicia called, is made) and also buried here are. But this is Garcia Enecus, or Yanigues, whose reign's beginning sets Garibay book 21 chapter 9 at the year of Christ 758, his death at the year 815: and the times agree with the age of Benedict and Marcellus, whom Martin Carillo to have lived says even to the year 815. Other indeed than this King is Unniquez Ximenes Arista, who in Garibay book 22 chapter 1 began to reign in the year 840, and so in the Epitaph seems the name of Arista wrongly intruded.

o. Ordonius King of Oviedo and León, in what year he began the kingdom, vary the authors, some the year 827 or the following, others the year 837, others 841 assign, others later to have taken the kingdom say.

p. Abderraman II in Garibay book 27 chapter 5, is read to have reigned from the year 819 to the year 839, where is said Ordonius to have taken the kingdom of Oviedo in the year 832, and in the time of King Mahomet from life to have departed in the year 841, and under each victories to have obtained: therefore it seems to him this disaster to the preceding century to pertain: which yet Blanca to these times keeps.

q. Transinicus, to others Transinirus, or Transiricus, by Martin Carillo is assigned to the year 872.

r. Ennico, Eneco, Inico, Bishop of Aragon held, among the Huesca ones is placed.

s. These again seem not enough to agree. For Fortunius, below Fortunius Ximenones called, under the beginning of the ninth century is set to have lived. But King Garcia Sancho's son in the tenth century about the year 920, or a little earlier, says Garibay book 22 chapter 11: in whose charter at the year 926 subscribe Duke Fortunus, and Fortunus Garseonus: and in another charter at the year 944 Fortunius Semenonis: on occasion of whom seems a confusion of names made.

t. Should the Era be understood 997, which is the year 959, when still was living Garcia the King.

u. By others his wife is called Teresa, but several successively to have had wives he could.

x. Sandoval among the Bishops of Pamplona admits not Fortunius: whom others Bishop of Aragon and of Jaca call.

HYMN

From an old Pinnatensian Breviary.

Votus, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

Felix, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

John of Ataré s, Hermit of Mount Pano in Aragon (S.)

O Votus, and Felix, deserving Patrons; That each of ours may be able to resound The deeds of so great Monks, grant, We all beseech.

Pursuing the stag Votus, into the highest Ridges of the rock came, by flying Whither falls the stag too much thence wearied, On every side pressed.

Unaware of so great a fall the rider himself; Soon of the horse to the crag the feet are applied, When rushing he cries, To me thou favor, Holy John.

Hence reviving, the briars pruned, Thanks rendering to the Lord, he made Into the cave, where was the corpse of John, Which he buried.

Spare now to our, God kindly, faults And this house ever mayest thou protect:

Who the globe of the world rulest and governest, Three and One. Amen.

LET US PRAY.

Thy mercy, we beseech, Lord, intervening thy holy Confessors, Votus and Felix, clemently bestow, and to us sinners by their suffrages be propitious. &c.