Euplius

ON SAINT EUPLIUS

MARTYR AMONG THE GREEKS.

From the MS. Synaxarium of Dijon.

Euplius, Martyr among the Greeks (S.)

D. P.

The MS. Synaxarium which at Dijon in our

College we found in the keeping of P. Peter Francis

Chifflet, indicates to us this Martyr

in these words. The holy Martyr Euplius, wrapped in the hide of an ox and set in the sun, is perfected. Sanctus Martyr Euplius, in the hide of an ox

wrapped, and exposed to the sun, is crowned with martyrdom.

These verses then are added:

They scorch in the sun the ox-wrapped Euplius,

Who see not the light of the spiritual sun.

Wrapped in the hide they scorch Euplius with the sun,

Who do not see the light of the spiritual sun.

ON SS. CANTIANUS, EUTYCHIUS, AND EUTHYMIUS,

MARTYRS AT AQUILEIA IN ITALY.

From the Martyrology of S. Jerome.

Cantianus, Martyr at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

Eutichius, Martyr at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

Euthymius, Martyr at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

G. H.

The city once most ample, Aquileia,

had very many athletes, who confirmed the Christian

faith with their own blood,

and among them are venerated on the following

day the holy brothers Cantius,

Cantianus, and Cantianilla,

with SS. Protus and Chrysogonus,

there crowned and related in the ancient

transcripts of the Hieronymian Martyrology: of which the most ancient

example, written nearly a thousand years ago,

which from the beginning of the work we have used, begins this day also from other

Martyrs of the same city thus: III Kalends

of June. At Aquileia the birthday of Cantianus, Eutycus, and Eutimus.

The MS. Martyrologies, the Roman one of Cardinal Barberini

and the Tournai one of the monastery of S. Martin, name S. Euthymius,

but joined to the Antiochene Martyrs. The same is done in

the MS. Reichenau and Rheinau ones, but it is written Eutimita or Eutimia.

But the MS. of Aachen, every arena being omitted,

celebrates the birthday of S. Eutimius.

It can however be disputed whether S. Cantianus here related is

to be reckoned the same, who with two brothers is venerated the day after,

especially because with Cantius, Protus and Chrysogonus he is also

on this day mentioned in the MSS. of Arras and Tournai. But

because to this Cantianus other companions in martyrdom are joined,

he can have been another: chiefly because Venantius Fortunatus

in book 4 of the Life of S. Martin seems to indicate that in his

time several Cantiani were famous at Aquileia, while

he inserts these verses:

Or if perchance you have approached the Aquileian city,

You would greatly venerate the Cantiani, exceeding friends of the Lord.

The cities Milan and Aquileia glory that they possess the sacred

pledges of Cantianus and his companions: what if one Cantianus

was translated with his Companions to Milan, and another

Cantianus remained at Aquileia, thus all that controversy

would be most easily laid to rest. The reader will find more on the following

day: here I only add, that that distinction of a double Cantianus,

from the verses of Fortunatus is not so certain,

as it might seem to someone at first glance; since he

could call the three very brothers, of whom above, by the common name Cantiani.

ON SICUS OR ISICHIUS AND PALATINUS,

MARTYRS OF ANTIOCH.

From the Martyrology of S. Jerome.

Sicus, or Isichius, Martyr at Antioch (S.)

Palatinus, Martyr at Antioch (S.)

G. H.

The Corbie transcript of the Hieronymian

Martyrology printed at Paris

begins this day thus:

III Kalends of June. At Antioch

the birthday of the Saints Sicus,

Palatinus. The Blume

and Lucca transcripts add, who suffered many

torments. Rabanus

celebrates these thus. At Antioch of the holy Martyrs

Sicius and Palatinus, who suffered many torments for the name

of Christ. Notker with some variety

indicates them thus: At Antioch of SS. Isychius and Palatinus,

who, as S. Jerome writes, suffered many torments for

the name of Christ. Where we judge the aforesaid

Martyrology of S. Jerome is noted. This day is vacant in

the genuine Martyrology of Bede, and the more sincere copies of Usuard

do not treat of these Saints: but only those things which

under the name of Usuard, augmented by later men, are had in various places.

Bede and Usuard being meanwhile cited by Baronius in his Notes,

these things in the present-day Roman Martyrology are handed down:

At Antioch SS. Sycus and Palatinus, who for the name of Christ

suffered many torments. Somewhat varies

in the names Peter de Natalibus book 11 number 160,

while he names the same Sycus and Platinus: even more

Maurolycus, with whom Hesichius and Phalerinus are pointed out.

In place of Sicus is read in the MS. of the Queen of Sweden Sitius, in

the MS. of Liège of S. Lambert Isitius, in the MS. Florarium Ysichius,

in the MS. of Reichenau Esicia, in the MS. of Rheinau Esitia,

in Bellinus Ficus, in the Martyrology of Cologne printed in the year 1490

Sichius. This being omitted, at Antioch Palatinus is attributed

in the MSS. Cassinese, Altempsian, and Vatican of S. Peter: and

in this is added, who suffered many torments. Finally

in the most ancient Epternach transcript these things are had:

At Antioch Scipalitini, for Sici Palatini.