Crescentianus

ON ST. CRESCENTIANUS

MARTYR AT TURRES IN SARDINIA.

Cult from many most ancient Martyrologies.

UNDER HADRIAN.

Crescentianus, Martyr at Turres in Sardinia (S.)

G. H.

Jacobus Pinto, an erudite man

of the Society of Jesus, by nation a Sardinian, and in

the university of Turres Professor of divine

Scriptures, in book 3 on

Christ Crucified title 4 place 12,

inserts a little Digression on

the Martyrs of Sardinia, and especially the

Turritan ones: and after he had treated

of the Saints, who in the first century of Christ flourished in Sardinia

or adorned it by their shed blood, he subjoins these things

at no. 21. The Sardinian Church, under these and like times of Trajan

and Hadrian, celebrates her Martyrs, Sacred Cult,

and noted Confessors: among whom the more celebrated

Gabinus and Crispulus on the XXX of May, and on the XXXI Crescentianus,

Turritan Martyrs, who suffered at Turres and were honorably

buried. Of the two former on the assigned day

XXX of May we have already treated, and have described the city of Turres,

indeed the Acts there reported are common with the deeds of S. Crescentianus.

Joannes Arca on the Saints of Sardinia at the end of the book,

reckons these Saints among those, whose lives and

series of martyrdom are known only by the briefest compendium

from Bede, Ado and Usuard: as Franciscus

Maria Florentinius writes among his Annotations on this day,

upon the Hieronymian Martyrology, in

whose most ancient Epternach apograph these alone are read:

Sardinia, of Criscentianus. in the Martyrology of S. Hieronymus, In the Lucca

and Blume apographs these are reported: At Turres of Sardinia, Criscentianus.

But Crescentianus is read in the Corbie apograph,

and is added Memmius: of whom because no mention is made by

writers of Sardinia, we suspect that he was intruded by error from elsewhere:

and until greater light shall shine forth,

we omit to inscribe his name in the title. In Ado's Martyrology

the same things are read in these words: At Turres of Sardinia

S. Crescentianus: which the very same words plainly are read in Notker

and the Author of the supposed Martyrology of Bede. Of Ado, Usuard, and others, In

Usuard is added Martyr. Bellinus, Grevenus,

Maurolycus, Molanus, and others follow, with the present-day Roman

Martyrology, in which thus is read: At Turres in Sardinia

of S. Crescentianus the Martyr. Ferrarius in his Catalogue

of Saints of Italy adorns him with this encomium. Crescentianus,

together with Gabinus and Crispulus, Elogium from Ferrarius. having embraced

the Christian religion, when at Turres he shone forth in sanctity and

miracles, was accused before the persecutors of the faith,

and apprehended, and himself a little after the contest of the aforesaid

holy Martyrs, on the day before

the Kalends of June, fell as a Martyr: and he in the Church

of Turres is held in the highest honor. So Ferrarius

with the cited book 1 of Fara on the Sardinian affairs: with which similar things has

Dimas Serpi in book 1 of the Chronicle of the Saints of Sardinia. That

Dionysius Bonfant transfers his martyrdom to the times

of Diocletian, we rejected above at the Acts of SS. Gabinus and Crispulus.

The memory of the same S. Crescentianus Martyr at Turres

of Sardinia is inscribed in a MS. Martyrology, Memorials of the 19 of May. at Rome

preserved in the library of Duke Altempsius, likewise in the Martyrology

of Bellinus of Padua, but in an enlarged edition issued at Paris in the year

MDXXI, in which it is written Crestianus.

ON S. HERMIAS MARTYR,

AT COMANA IN CAPPADOCIA.

UNDER ANTONINUS.

PREVIOUS COMMENTARY.

On the old cult among the Greeks, recent among the Latins, and on the Acts to be given from the Greek MS.

Hermias the soldier, Martyr at Comana in Pontus (S.)

D. P.

By a special Office of the whole day, on the last

of May, among the Greeks is venerated S.

Hermias the Martyr; and in all

the Synaxaria or Menaea, both expressed by hand

and by type, his elogium

is found, Cult among the Greeks with elogium from the Acts, such as we have already given in Greek

from the Menology of the Emperor Basil,

and in Latin is rendered thus:

This man was under the Emperor Antoninus, in the city

of Comana, leading a military life; and he was already advanced

in age and venerable for his white hair, when

for the confession of Christ he was apprehended; and

presented to Sebastianus the Duke, his jaws are first crushed,

then with the skin of the whole face stripped off, his teeth

are pulled out; afterwards thrown into the midst of a burning furnace,

and coming forth thence without harm, he is ordered to eat poisoned

food. But when he had eaten this also without injury,

he converted to the faith the magician who had prepared them,

and sent him before himself to the crown by being beheaded:

he himself, with the sinews of his whole body cut,

is put into a boiling cauldron. Finally with his eyes dug out

he is hung by the head for three days, and at last is ordered

to offer his neck to the sword, and so passed to the Lord.

The same things are much praised in the whole

Canon through the individual Odes: which Canon we believe to be

one of the more ancient. To the elogium printed in the Menaea this distich

is prefaced.

Βάπτεις

σεαυτὸν

κογχύλῃ

τῶν

αἱμάτων,

Ἑρμεία,

τμηθείς.

Ὢ

βαφῆς

ἀνεκπλυτοῦ!

Beheaded, you tinge yourself, Hermia, with your

own blood, oh! indelible purple!

The Typicon of the Greeks, the metrical Ephemeris, and thence the figured

Greco-Muscovite Calendar taken from it, praise this one Saint alone

and name him: but nowhere is anything read,

whence suspicion may be formed, from him is distinct S. Hermæus M. at Sirmium, that the body rests elsewhere

than at Comana. Since therefore in the Synaxarium of Clermont,

where on this day is read the prefaced elogium, also on

the XXIX of April is found the memory τοῦ

ἁγίου

Μάρτυρος

Ἑρμαίου

τοῦ

ἐν

Σιρμίῳ, of the holy Martyr Hermæus at

Sirmium; we are indeed compelled to distinguish between Hermias and Hermæus:

but we labor to believe him distinct from this

S. Hermes, Apostle of Dalmatia, of whom we treated on

the VIII of April, on account of the common feast with five other

co-Apostles; for next to Dalmatia lies adjoining

on the borders of Pannonia Sirmium; and the name of Hermes is

most easily converted into the name of Hermæus.

[2] From the Latins the first to receive S. Hermias into his Martyrology

was Molanus, in the second edition of Usuard enlarged by him, Memory among the Latins more recent, and not without faults.

curated in the year MDLXXXIII, as a notice received from the Greeks,

in these words: On the thirty-first day of holy Apostle

Hermius, and of the most sacred Martyr Hermæus: which

nearly the same, I know not where, finding, Genebrardus, before the Psalter

printed at Paris in the year MDXCII, in the Calendar of the Greeks

caused to be read, Hermias the Apostle and Hermæus

the Martyr. Both in the third edition of the year MDLXXXIII

Molanus had omitted, doubtless not sufficiently trusting to the prior documents.

And rightly indeed he could omit the Apostle, as one

never to be found among the Greeks on this day: but the Martyr

he ought to have retained. This Galesinius did in the year MDLXXVIII

with this phrase: In Greece of S. Hermeus Martyr,

who under the Emperor Antoninus, kindled with incredible ardor

of faith, by no even most exquisite torments, which

Sebastianus the Praeses had ordered to be inflicted on the Martyr, terrified,

at length with head suspended rendered his spirit to God.

In the Annotations he confesses that these things were more fully written in Greek, only a few

things have been collected by him; but there he could have read, that he had

consummated his martyrdom by the cutting off of his head, and that he is called Hermias not Hermeus.

Therefore from Sirletus's Menology into the present-day

Roman, Baronius transferred him thus: Among the Comani

in Pontus of S. Hermias the Soldier, who under Antoninus

the Emperor, from innumerable and most savage torments

freed by divine help, converted his executioner to Christ,

and made him sharer of the same crown, which

however he himself first received, beheaded by the sword. But

neither in this elogium are faults lacking, which you may correct. For neither

did he go before to the crown the executioner by whom he was beheaded;

but he followed to the same the magician, who had mixed poison for him:

and there must also be distinguished Comana of Pontus, from

Comana of Cappadocia, to which the Acts assign this Saint,

just as Ptolemy well distinguishes them: but

it is nothing new for Baronius to confound Pontus with Cappadocia,

as we have seen in the Life of S. Gregory Nazianzen.

[3] The Acts are given from a Greek MS. of Florence, The Acts which I have said, the Laurentian Library of the Grand

Duke supplied, from a codex often praised by us, the XIV of Pluteus

IX. under this title, Μαρτύριον

τοῦ

ἁγίου

καὶ

ἐνδόξου

Μάρτυρος

Ἑρμείου.

Μηνὶ

Μαίῳ

λα᾽. Martyrdom of the holy

and glorious Martyr Hermias. In the month of May XXXI.

Into Latin them my once disciple, and fervent assistant so far

as he was permitted, R. P. Hugh Bollius the Carthusian, by whose work

in March we much profited, since first the resolution had stood

concerning the Greek pieces, which never had seen the light in either language,

to be subjoined at the end of each volume. Afterwards

he had begun for other months to render certain things into Latin, but

besides these Acts of S. Hermias he scarcely brought anything to perfection,

hindered by illnesses and finally by death. And these very things had nearly

slipped from our memory, when before the 1st Volume of May, at

the Metrical Ephemerides of the Greeks, we came upon his name on this

last day of May; because they had been placed in the wrong place under another month.

As to the Codex, in which they

were contained, this indeed we have judged to have pertained to some

church of the Antiochene Patriarchate, on account of

S. Sira and similar Eastern Saints found there:

but now this seems to me very ambiguous, while I consider that in

the same codex are contained not only those, but also certain others

from parts subject to the Roman Patriarchate, as once

were Illyricum, and the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea, and

Achaia with Macedonia. Whencesoever however that collection is,

it is truly outstanding, and great light to this work will bring

other months, if anywhere the whole Year shall be found; as being

most distinct from that collection, which from the error of the common people is imputed to Metaphrastes,

and is everywhere found described in the Constantinopolitan Patriarchate.

ACTS OF MARTYRDOM

From a Greek MS. of the Laurentian Library of Florence.

Translated by R. P. Hugh Bollius the Carthusian.

Hermias the soldier, Martyr at Comana in Pontus (S.)

TRANSLATED BY H. BOLLIUS, FROM A FLORENTINE MS.

[Greek text of the Acts continues — paragraphs 2 through 9, presented in Greek in the source. The Latin translation by Hugh Bollius follows in chunks 0003–0004.]

[1] Sebastianus sent into Cappadocia by the Emperor Antoninus, In those times the Christians sustained a great

persecution, under the Roman Emperor

the gentile Antoninus, who for this cause sent a certain

Duke Sebastianus with mandates.

He, having set out from Cilicia into Cappadocia, at Comana

found a certain soldier, Hermias by name,

to whom he himself said: Letters from the Roman

King Antoninus sent to me convey, that all

the Christians should sacrifice to the gods; but if they shall not have sacrificed,

that they be tormented with great and bitter punishments. he invites Hermias the soldier to sacrifice:

Come therefore, Hermias; sacrifice to the gods, and you will be a friend

of Caesar Antoninus, and at once shall be augmented with great honors:

therefore obey me, lest both your soul and

body I torture.

[2] But the Athlete of Christ Hermias, replying,

said to Sebastianus: I am a soldier of the heavenly and immortal

king Christ, refusing this generously here, of whose kingdom there shall be no end:

therefore I do not obey the mortal and most impious King,

whose kingdom shall not endure; but the kingdom

of our Lord Jesus Christ shall remain stable forever;

and he who believes in Him, shall inherit life

eternal. With these heard, Sebastianus the Duke said to S. Hermias:

Sacrifice to the gods, and you shall enjoy eternal life

in joy. The Saint said to him: When at your Emperor

Antoninus's I served as soldier, what were his

I did not relish; but in secret the Lord

my God I worshipped, on which account the demon

shall not conquer me. Of my body indeed you have

power, and that with my Lord permitting;

but of my soul you have no power

except God alone, who is mighty to give me patience,

and to preserve me unto the age of the age.

[3] Which heard, Sebastianus the Duke said to S. Hermias:

I see you are endowed with much wisdom.

S. Hermias replied saying: I, that I may not sacrifice,

with pleasure shall suffer torments and shall die; and that his wisdom is from God, besides

I am strengthened and strive to be afflicted with torments for the truth

of my Lord Jesus Christ. The Duke says to him:

I behold your white hair and prudence, and

I spare you. But S. Hermias says: We do not need

such kind of grace, but the grace of God; this will lead me

to Him: for He is the one who supplies such prudence

to me, and to those upright in heart gladness, and to those who keep

His commandments wisdom; for wisdom

and understanding He gives through His holy Spirit.

For just as the farmer, if he cultivates his land,

prepares it that it may bear rich fruits; in the same

way the wisdom of God preserves itself in those,

who follow it, granting no power to the adversary

to invade them; but makes them

bear fruit to God. Sebastianus the Duke said: and acknowledging fortitude, Do you choose

rather to die, than to live life? Replying

S. Hermias said; This death, is not death;

but eternal life, if I shall patiently bear your tortures

and punishments. The Duke Sebastianus says; Do you retain

this mind, and wish to perish? To whom S. Hermias;

I have said to you, that I do not perish; you do only

what you wish.

[4] Then the Duke ordered his jaws and teeth to be crushed,

and the skin of his face to be torn. his jaws are crushed: S. Hermias

said: I give thanks to God, since the grace of my Lord

Jesus Christ is with me. Sebastianus said;

Why do you not receive your ration? The Holy

Athlete of Christ Hermias said; Because unjustly and

violently you defraud other poor men; therefore I neither

receive, nor eat of it: I have indeed

a spiritual food, which is of the Holy Spirit,

and I shall not hunger forever. Which heard, Sebastianus

the Duke commanded him to be cast into a furnace fiercely

kindled; and with him cast in, and going forth unharmed from the furnace, far

more amply did the furnace flame. After three

days having passed he ordered the furnace to be opened, and S. Hermias

the Athlete of Christ was found singing psalms and praying

God, since the fire did not touch him at all in any way.

[5] Then the Duke, stirred by fury, ordered

deadly drugs to be prepared, and given to him. when without harm he had drunk the poison, When they had been

offered him by the Magus, S. Hermias said; I would not indeed

wish to taste, but that I may show you, that

God is mighty to dissolve all your tricks;

therefore the flesh infected with incantations I take, and, having poured out

prayers to God, I eat. And when he had taken them,

he tasted, and in nothing was harmed, neither

did he sustain any injury. Then the Magus when

he had brought forth other more pernicious medicaments, said:

Now take, and if you have suffered nothing, I also

shall leave my magics, he converts the magus, and shall believe in the Crucified

God, whom you also serve. When Hermias had received them,

and had suffered nothing at all,

the Magus said: You have conquered, and prevailed, because you have saved

from hell my soul already perishing, that

I may live to God. For just as a statue, by antiquity nearly

worn out, is renewed by being recast; so I also by the evils,

which I have committed, grown old and to the danger of perishing

closest, according to the soul I have been renewed,

returned to the living God, remaining

ever and to eternity. O God, soon beheaded, who freed me

from the error of demons and from execrable medicaments

through your servant Hermias, through whom

I have also believed in You. Then Sebastianus the Duke ordered the Magus

to be beheaded, and in this manner in good confession

he was consummated by martyrdom.

[6] Then the Duke says to S. Hermias: Sacrifice to the gods, and

be prudent. To whom the Saint: Always I am prudent, The Saint shows that he is not foolish:

with God supplying me strength. Sebastianus the Duke says:

Now indeed you have become foolish; sacrifice to the gods. 1 Cor. 1. To whom

S. Hermias: But the foolish things of the world has God chosen,

that He may destroy the wise; and the weak things of the world, and

contemptible things has God chosen, that He may confound the strong;

and those things which are not, that He might destroy those which are,

as the Apostle Paul, eloquent orator, taught the Church of God.

For coming in his holy vocation,

with wisdom received from God, he had in himself

the fullness of the Scriptures, and showed the way

of salvation to those, who wish to be saved. The Duke Sebastianus said:

Hermias, abstain from these foolish words, which

shall not profit you. S. Hermias said: I am not foolish,

but I strive to be wise. Foolish are they, who hearing

you offer sacrifices to inanimate idols, and to false gods

believe, despising the true God. It is written:

Let the gods, who did not make heaven and earth, perish;

And with them shall perish all, who trust in them,

not receiving the knowledge of the true faith.

[7] Then the Duke, growing hot with anger, commanded all the sinews

of his whole body, and with the sinews cut, to be stretched out. To whom S. Hermias: These

things all bearing, I scarcely feel: for, just as

the lancet of a physician by piercing empties a fresh

wound from all humor, and from the body draws out

every depraved condition, and provides refreshment;

so I also, with sinews more violently stretched, am refreshed

through the faith which I have in Christ.

These heard, Sebastianus the Duke commanded the Saint to be cast

into oil, cast into boiling oil, boiling beyond measure. With this done,

S. Hermias said: This oil, so much inflamed,

has become for me as the dew of heaven; or as

water poured over a man, so to my body it provides

refreshment. For I do not feel such kind of

torments, neither do I execute your will; but

the will of the heavenly Father, and I offer myself a sacrifice

unspotted to God, given vinegar and lye to drink, who fashioned me, since

He is the Lord of bodies and souls.

These heard, the Duke ordered vinegar and lye to be poured

into his throat: to whom S. Hermias: Vinegar

and lye are to me as a honeycomb, on account of

God, by whose love I bear these things.

[8] Then the Duke ordered him to be deprived of his lights. These

S. Hermias hearing said: he despises the threats of inflicting blindness, And since corporeal

sight you take from me, the eye of my soul is able to provide

me, that I may see more; and it cries to Him,

by whose love I sustain these things: nevertheless, if you have need

of them; take these eyes of my body, which behold the vain

things of the world; but the eyes of the heart behold the true light.

Sebastianus the Duke said: You force me,

to inflict on you many and great torments. Holy

Hermias said: To God who strengthens me I give thanks:

therefore according to your will and pleasure torture me,

and spare me not, for three days he is hung by the head, as you have decreed: I am ready every

torment to suffer, with God helping me.

Then the Duke ordered him to be hung by the head for three days,

until from his nostrils should flow copious blood.

For three days when he had hung, there came

certain to see him, thinking he had already died. And coming

they found him living and praising

God: and from fear they were blinded. When S. Hermias

saw them, he said: In the name of my Lord Jesus

Christ receive sight: and with hands placed upon them,

he opened their eyes. And returning they reported

to the Duke all things, which had happened. With these understood

the Duke, offended, nor does he fear to be flayed: ordered him of his whole body to be stripped

of skin. To whom S. Hermias: Although from my body

you remove the skin, according to your will

I do not sacrifice: do, what you wish. Indeed

I am ready to fight against your father the devil.

[9] at length beheaded, These heard, Sebastianus the Duke, in the manner of a lion

roaring, ordered him to be decapitated. Having heard the sentence

S. Hermias praying said: To you I give thanks,

God, who have conferred on me this grace of victory.

Now indeed about to be consummated S. Hermias, again said:

Lord Jesus Christ, I glorify you, and I pray, that whoever

shall keep the memory of my contest, by

the intervention of the Mother of God Mary and of the Saints, may become

partakers of the holy Martyrs, who pleased you most well.

These said, the executioner decapitated

him, and there came forth blood and water; so that all

the seers, who were present there, were carried into admiration,

on account of all the things which had been done. he is buried at Comana. Therefore

very many were joined to the Christian faith, having beheld

the miracles wrought by him. And coming Christian men

collected his venerable body,

and with the rites completed laid it in Cappadocia,

in a place, called Comana; and a great multitude

through the relics of the Saint believed in Christ. The Saint indeed

Hermias, on the fourth of the Kalends of April first

confessed the faith, but was consummated in the month of May

completed, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory

and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

ON SS. CANTIUS, CANTIANUS, AND CANTIANILLA, AND S. PROTUS THEIR PEDAGOGUE IN THE FAITH,

MARTYRS AT AQUILEIA IN FRIULI.

A.D. CCXC.

PREVIOUS COMMENTARY.

On the Cult and the Acts: were these written by S. Ambrose?

Cantius, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianilla, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Protus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

G. H.

Aquileia, set in the present-day territory of Friuli,

once a city of the Carni,

and as Strabo testifies the emporium of the Illyrian peoples, At Aquileia among other Saints are venerated. and on account of the frequency of inhabitants

and the affluence of riches and of all things,

once the Seat of the Caesars, and like another

Rome was held. To this from S.

Peter sent S. Mark the Evangelist, planted the faith of Christ;

and thence about to depart for Alexandria, he ordained as successor

S. Hermagoras the Bishop; as we said at the Life of S. Mark

on the XXV of April, and again it must be said on

the day XII of July, on which S. Hermagoras, with Fortunatus

his Deacon, suffered martyrdom. Among other Saints

there were crowned with the palm of martyrdom, S. Hilarius

the Bishop, Tatianus the Deacon, Felix, Largus, and Dionysius,

under the Emperor Numerianus, whose Acts we illustrated

on the XVI day of March. Of this Numerianus and

Carinus the brothers and of Carus the father blood-relatives were SS.

Cantius and Cantianus the brothers, and Cantianilla their

Sister, who by S. Protus the pedagogue in the Catholic faith

excellently instructed, with him under Diocletian and Maximian

in the territory of Aquileia beheaded, on this XXXI of May with solemn

veneration are venerated. They were beheaded

in the year of Christ CCXC, as follows from the Chronology,

established by us on the III of April at the Acts of the holy

Agape, Chionia and Irene, equally led from Aquileia to Thessalonica,

together with their Judges Dulcidius and Sisinnius:

who afterwards sent back to Aquileia after one month stirred up this new

tragedy.

[2] Boninus Mombritius, in the first volume of the Legendary printed two

hundred years ago, inserted the passion of the Holy

Cantian Martyrs, Acts of martyrdom in Mombritius attributed to S. Ambrose of Milan. which he asserts was published by S.

Ambrose Bishop of Milan, with this exordium:

The servant of Christ Ambrose Bishop, to the Brethren worshipping Christ true

God throughout all Italy,

in the Lord all greeting. From these some

compendium exists among the Sermons of S. Ambrose, by

Georg Wicelius in the History of the Saints of God, and by Laurentius

Surius reprinted on this XXXI of May, with this exordium.

Today is the birthday of the most blessed Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla:

and presently with the particle added, How,

the rest is taken from the Acts in Mombritius, in this manner:

How well and joyfully three Martyrs are called by almost one

word. Nor is it wonderful, as also the compendium: if those are similar

in name, who are similar in passion. If one is

among men their appellation, who with God

have one calling. For uniformly are they called by the Lord,

not at different times one and another way

suffered, but all at the same blow equally bore martyrdom.

Which indeed was granted to them by a kind of paternal

affection from Christ, that they should agree in merits,

who agreed in names; [and] who

were brothers by blood, should become brothers in sanctity;

and whose limbs the substance of one body

quickened, their souls the confession of the same faith

should crown. So there, also for this reason brought forth by us,

that the same things in the Acts to be given below are not had:

whose last words about blood-relationship were omitted

in Mombritius: in whom about Dulcidius the Praeses and

Sisinnius the Count, and the denunciation of these Martyrs to them

many things are brought forth, in place of which in the said Compendium

these things are had: But the history reports of the above

said Blessed ones, that at the time of the passion, when

the persecutor was searching for them: and then the rest is in

Mombritius, the chariot mounted up to these last

words: We profess to precede us to glory. Then

is narrated how they were apprehended, and because they refused to offer incense

to Jove, were adjudged to death; what prayers they then poured out

and how at length they were beheaded, and buried, in the said

Compendium is wrapped in deep silence. We, leaving to others the liberty

of thinking otherwise, judge the said Compendium

was taken from some Lessons, accustomed to be recited at Matins.

Similar Lessons, taken from lessons: from a certain old Breviary,

according to the rite of the holy Church

of Aquileia, the most illustrious Senator Joannes

Chauvin published, in the elogia of these three Martyrs, in the year

MDCLXX issued at Paris, and at the end of the same

added the subscription of Joannes Josephus Capodaleus,

Doctor of both Laws and Secretary of the Aquileian Chapter,

with the seal of the Chapter itself. With faith for Capodaleus

making Cossinus, Notary of the Patriarchal Curia

of Aquileia, with the seal of the Patriarch of Aquileia.

Meanwhile these Lessons are found wholly taken from Mombritius,

but they only begin from the above-indicated, the chariot mounted,

and then to the end of martyrdom and burial are carried.

The said Chauvin in the later edition added the Acts, just as

they were once brought forth into light by Mombritius.

[3] Other monuments hitherto unedited we have obtained;

and first from a triple MS. codex namely from St. Omer of the monastery

of S. Bertin, Other Acts from MSS. from Trier of the monastery of S. Maximinus, and from Utrecht

of the Church of S. Saviour. Others Joannes Gamansius

submitted to us, copied by him from the MS. Passional of the cloister

of Bödeken of the Order of Canons Regular in the diocese

of Paderborn: but these differ from the others only in phrase here and there,

and in many places are abridged. Finally certain fuller Acts

we found in the year MDCLXI in the city of Florence,

in the MS. Codex of the most illustrious Florentine Senator

Carolus Strozzi, marked no. 5, where on folio 177 are had,

which we, collated with other MSS. and with Mombritius, give. In

them all no mention is prefaced of S. Ambrose, which is found

in Mombritius; nor, even if it were prefaced, would we forthwith

dare to assert, that he himself truly wrote such Acts or others.

Baronius would prefer to ascribe them to S. Maximus Bishop

of Turin. But Bellarmine on Ecclesiastical Writers,

since he found various Sermons ascribed to S. Ambrose among

the Sermons of S. Maximus, plainly confesses it cannot be judged,

whether they should be attributed to Ambrose or to Maximus; but

whose-soever they may be, they are of an ancient and holy Author.

The same we also say of the prefaced Acts, even if they were of neither

of these, plainly to be of an ancient Author. Compendia of the same,

just as in the said MSS. they are had, are found in

Petrus de Natalibus book 5, ch. 70, and in various Breviaries,

of which we shall treat below.

[4] Memory in the sacred Fasti. The sacred memory of these Martyrs is everywhere inscribed in all

Latin Martyrologies, and in the apograph of S. Hieronymus,

from the old MS. of Corbie printed at Paris, in these words:

On the day before the Kalends of June, in Aquileia the Birthday of SS. Cantius,

Cantianus, Protus, Chrysogonus, and Cantianilla. In the MS.

of Epternach the name of Cantius is missing by fault of the scribe, as palaestra

in the MS. of Lucca. In the MS. of the Queen of Sweden published by Holstenius

the name of Protus is missing, perhaps for this reason, that in the Church

of Aquileia he is venerated separately on the XIV of June: as S. Chrysogonus,

himself also a noted Martyr of Aquileia, on the XXIV

of November. Rabanus in his Martyrology noted these things:

On the same day were martyred the most blessed Martyrs,

Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, with Diocletian reigning.

Usuard has these things: Near the city of Aquileia

the birthday of the holy Martyrs, Cantius, Cantianus,

and Cantianilla brothers, who when they drew their lineage

from the family of the Anicii, on account of the constancy of the Christian faith,

together with their pedagogue Protus, were beheaded.

The like have Ado, Notker, Bellinus, and others

more recent with the present-day Roman Martyrology: where in

the Notes Baronius treats at length of the family of the Anicii, and Cantianilla among the Virgins. illustrated

not only by Consuls and Emperors,

but also nobilitated by Martyrs and Confessors, as in

the course of our work will often appear. Antonius Gallonius

Cæsar Baronius there was writing the Ecclesiastical Annals, and

among them reckons S. Cantianilla, Virgin and Martyr,

whose Acts and those of her brothers he there describes. The same

among the Virgins is venerated by Franciscus Lahierius in their

Menology, and Arthur du Monstier in the Sacred Gynaeceum.

Otherwise, lest by chance to anyone the most German names of three Germans

be suspect, calling into doubt, whether such a thing

was usual in those times; let him take an example from the three

sons of Constantine the Great, who were called Constantine, Constans,

and Constantius.

ACTS OF MARTYRDOM.

From various MSS. and from Mombritius.

Cantius, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianilla, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Protus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

BHL Number: 1546

FROM A MS.

The Deeds of the Saints useful for the readers: All things, which by the Saints have been done or are done,

if anyone shall wish studiously to inquire,

both to himself and to very many produces

the fruit of edification: just as a fruitful tree

is not without cause approved to occupy the ground

while it lives, since both itself with its fruits is adorned,

and everyone who shall have received from the fruit is fattened ^a. We write,

as in the deeds we have found, what the Saints did, what

they spoke, what they suffered. You show yourselves

to be Catholics, who gladly read

and gladly hear the victories of Christ. I ask you, who reckon these things

among apocryphal writings to be abolished: by whom

does the Canon of the divine Scriptures stand? Is it not

through those, who for that very Canon chose rather to be killed

than to be conquered? What then? The Martyrs held

the right faith, which is contained in the sacred volumes by a certain

number of books. The most sacred writings give thanks to them,

because by their perseverance they persevere; and therefore they wish their deeds to be written, and commended by the Scriptures, for whose preserving they suffered.

that in the sight of God and of men the Saints

may always be praised, who in the sight of unbelievers for their

defense bore monstrous torments. Receiving nothing

besides the Canonical Scriptures, these things studiously

we have written, showing the Catholic dogma

guarded by Catholic Martyrs: an example

we give to posterity, edification we hand down to believers,

the art of war we demonstrate to the soldiers of Christ. It is established

that they are not willing, if necessary, to fight, who are not willing to read

of the fighters. Let them command silence to the unbelievers; let them watch

the diabolical pugilists, who scorn to watch the athletes

of the Lord. We speak of the divine virtues,

we write, we preach. Let the rivals prohibit, let the timid

command silence, let those who scorn beat us, let the mourners chide,

let those who gladly hear these things accuse.

Wounds make soldiers glorious, received for the Emperor's

praise; for whose love we even our souls

gladly choose to lose. The labors of Christ's triumphs and victories

we bring forth from the hidden places to the armies.

We know the battles, which they visibly suffered,

are invisibly stirred up to us daily, and those negligently

resisting are more sharply wounded: therefore that you may handle

arms, attend to those waging war; give your mind to study, that

the enemy may begin to fear you.

[2] The most blessed Martyrs of Christ therefore, Cantius,

Cantianus, and Cantianilla, we read, brothers begotten of the stock of the Anicii, by their pedagogue

Protus to have been very Catholically taught the faith, who from

the family of the Anicii, that is of divine memory of the Emperor Carinus,

are known to be begotten, and within the city

of Rome in the fourteenth region to have been begotten and educated

are proved, with Diocletian reigning at Rome,

Maximian in the Illyrian parts, Carinus also within

Gaul ^b doing well toward the Christians, who not

after much time ^c died. After whose

death the most criminal Emperors Diocletian and

Maximian ^d, throughout all the Provinces issued decrees,

that wheresoever Christians were found, if

they should despise to sacrifice, they should be afflicted with diverse penalties.

And when these edicts had been heard by the most Blessed Christ's

Martyrs Cantius, and Cantianus, and Cantianilla,

when they had been placed in the city of Rome, they distribute all things to the poor, counsel having been taken

with B. Protus, that they might avoid the iniquitous sentence, all

their goods and the houses, which within the walls of the city of Rome

they had, by selling they distributed to the poor:

and the male and female slaves, whom they had about

in souls seventy-three, baptizing them in the name

of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

made them freeborn. Then their estates set in the suburb

under the appearance of visitation they decreed to circle, and with this occasion

posited from the city of Rome they went out, and

near the Aquileian city, for love of the most Christian

Martyr Chrysogonus, at the same time they returned:

in which city at that time they possessed not small

lands. But because the light could not lie hidden

in the darkness, it was necessary that the Lord should crown them

for the glory of His name.

[3] And when the holy Martyrs

Cantius, Cantianus, going to Aquileia, and Cantianilla with Protus

their pedagogue had entered into the Aquileian city; they found a harsher savagery

against Christians, than they had left

at Rome. For the whole multitude of the holy Martyrs and

Confessors for the name of Christ were held in the chains

of prisons in custody, so that they could not be numbered.

And when the holy Martyrs of God had entered into the city of Aquileia;

in the silence of the dead

night they came to the prison, and asked

the Christian men, they comfort the Christians in prison: who were shut up in prison,

if with them was the most holy Martyr of Christ Chrysogonus.

Then said to them the holy Martyrs who

were in prison: It is now thirty-six days, that

through the palm of martyrdom by the most iniquitous Princes

was beheaded ^e S. Chrysogonus, not far from

this city, in the place where it is called, At the stepped waters, and

there he was buried by the most holy Zoilus the Presbyter. These things

hearing the Martyrs of Christ Cantius, and Cantianus,

and Protus, and Cantianilla, began for joy

to weep with those who were in prison: and money having been given to the prison-keepers,

through the whole night they remained there. In the morning

going forth from the prison, they shine with miracles: preaching our Lord

Jesus Christ, and in His name doing many

signs, they enlightened the blind, cleansed the lepers,

drove out demons, and on those who were in beds

laying hands they made them whole.

[4] At the same time in the same Aquileian city

his Count. they refuse to offer incense to the gods: So hearing

the most iniquitous Judges, that the holy ones of God Cantius,

Cantianus, and Protus, and Cantianilla had come from Rome,

immediately they are ordered to be summoned by the apparitors,

that they should put incense to the gods. Then the most blessed

Martyrs Cantius and Cantianus, Protus and Cantianilla,

looking up to heaven, replied: We

do not sacrifice to demons; for it is written, All

the gods of the gentiles are demons, but the Lord made the heavens.

And again; Let those who make them, and

all who trust in them, become like to them. Go therefore, announce to your iniquitous

Praeses, that we for the name of Christ choose

rather to die, than to depart from his commands:

since from our very cradles we confess the Lord Jesus Christ.

But they returning reported to the Praeses all

things which had been done. Then Dulcidius the Praeses,

together with Sisinnius the Count, much moved gave such

a suggestion to the impious ^g Diocletian and Maximian: and by command of the Emperors,

Most pious emperors, support the Roman

laws, for which your victorious right hand bends the necks

of enemies; and to the omnipotent gods, who are

despised by the Christians, give aid. For there have come

three brothers from the city of Rome, who from

the family of the Emperor Carinus are known to be, with

Protus their pedagogue, of one mind strongly resisting

and confessing Christ, that one, whom the Jews

under Pontius Pilate the Praeses crucified in Judaea; they are condemned capitally:

and in His name they work many miracles: hence

what your command shall decree, decree. With these heard

the most criminal Diocletian and Maximian were vehemently

moved with anger, and gave this authority,

that if they should refuse to sacrifice, they should be punished

with capital sentence.

[5] And when the iniquitous sentence had reached the most blessed

Martyrs Cantius, and Cantianus, and Cantianilla,

with the chariot mounted together with their pedagogue

Protus they went out from the Aquileian city, they are encouraged by Christ: hastening

to go to the body of the holy Martyr of Christ Chrysogonus,

having before their eyes the divine Scripture, which says:

Come blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom which

has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For these

most blessed Martyrs in that very night the Lord ^h deigned

to visit, saying to them: Peace be to you. Hasten

to go to my beloved Chrysogonus, since there for you

I have crowns prepared: and there you must be crowned, and

in the kingdom of my Father with Chrysogonus rejoice without end;

and do not be saddened, for if they shall persecute you

in one city, flee to another: and, Those who persecute you,

persecute me also. And in the morning

it is announced to the most iniquitous Judges, that the Saints of God

had hastened away. Then Sisinnius the Count together with the executioners,

by the command of the most impious Emperors

Diocletian and Maximian, follow them ⁱ.

[6] But the most blessed martyrs Cantius, and Cantianus,

and Cantianilla, together with their pedagogue Protus,

with the chariot mounted with mules yoked hastened to depart.

And as they were going, and not far from the walls of the city

were making their journey, one of the yoked animals suddenly fell,

in the place which is called At the stepped waters,

at the Stepped waters, which David the Prophet through the Holy Spirit

said: Behold, how good and how pleasant

it is for brethren to dwell together in unity; and, A precept has the Lord

set, and it shall not pass away. Ps. 132, 1 and 148, 6. When the holy

Martyrs were there, where S. Chrysogonus had suffered, placing

their knees they prayed, saying; Lord Jesus Christ,

omnipotent God, they pour out prayers: direct your holy Angel

to our help, that all may be confounded

who adore graven images. We pray therefore, Lord,

that you deign us to be persevering in this calling,

unto the praise and glory of your name, and unto the strengthening of

the hearts of those believing in you; that all may know

who serve idols, that there is no other except you alone

God, whom the Angels serve.

[7] But while they were thus praying, came up Sisinnius

the Count with his executioners: thus they were apprehended

by the persecutors. they are compared to Elias the Prophet How glorious is this deed,

and disposed by the divinity, we ought to note.

For always God leads those whom He has chosen, victors

with sublime conveyance into the hall of the heavenly kingdom.

For just as Elias with the chariot applied ascended into

heaven, so also these with a chariot brought up reached martyrdom:

and the four-horse chariot, just as it carried him to rest,

so it bore them to glory. And although that

was a fiery chariot, this however is not to be considered inferior:

since that bore one Prophet,

this sustained three Martyrs. But someone will say,

The fiery chariot bore more gloriously, than the earthly. Nor

did this clearly fail the holy men: for as Elias

the fiery chariot bore, so the holy Martyrs

a fiery faith now bore. Deut. 4, 24. He bore them, I say, Christ,

who is light, who is fire, of whom is written,

Our God is a consuming fire. Therefore when upon the Blessed,

of whom we speak, the persecutor was pressing, the chariot

they mounted. For what cause? That they might flee? Far be it:

but that they might come more quickly to martyrdom. Not that

they might hide, but that they might show themselves Christians to all passing by

^l. Certainly more secretly among many they could remain in the city:

but they did this, that the hearts of the whole people,

while they fled through diverse places, might be inflamed with the love of Christ.

But indeed, where one with chariot prepared and arranged

through the public road goes forth, for they went of their own accord in a chariot to the contest. this is not

to be called flight, but progress. For the holy men by this

deed, as if placed in a triumphal chariot, attested

saying: Behold the persecutor, behold we set forth,

behold we precede. Why do you sit? why do you delay? Follow

our footsteps, for we do not wish to seem unwilling

to be led to punishment, who profess to precede us to

glory ^m.

[8] Then Sisinnius the Count ⁿ hearing these things, ordered

the blessed Martyrs to be apprehended, then the Judge exhorts

them, constant in faith, to burn incense to Jupiter. But the most blessed servants

of God execrating said, that they would never sacrifice to demons,

but to the omnipotent God, who made heaven

and earth, the sea and all things which are in them: for all

idols together, and those who worship them, with the same shall go

into eternal fire. Then the impious Sisinnius the Count

upon hearing this, was greatly angered, and ordered the executioners,

that, if they should not give incense to Jupiter, they should be beheaded.

But the most blessed Martyrs Cantius, prayers poured out, Cantianus,

and Cantianilla, together with Protus the pedagogue, rejoicing

and singing psalms were led by the executioners. Then

the most blessed servants of God, with hands extended to heaven,

poured out a prayer to the Lord, saying: Lord

Jesus Christ, who to those persevering in your name

said you would be father and mother, and for temporal

things future ones; and for things to perish perpetual ones, and for earthly

riches incorrupt life with eternal felicity

promised to give; we beseech you, lover of pure conscience,

that you look from the height of the heavens to this

hour, that you receive our souls in peace, and among

your saints and elect order us to be placed, with

whom rejoice your glorious Martyrs, they are beheaded, for you are

God alone and blessed forever and ever. And

when they had completed the prayer, they said: Amen. Giving

each other the kiss of peace, placing their knees,

they received the sword, they received the everlasting crowns:

and behold their blood like milk to those seeing

appeared, and appears upon the rock which is

next to the Stepped-waters even to the present day.

At which time the Venerable ^o Zenus the Presbyter collecting

the bodies of the most blessed martyrs, embalmed them

with precious aromatics, and in a small marble place placed them,

31 May. next to Chrysogonus. They suffered

the most blessed Martyrs of Christ Cantius, Cantianus, and

Cantianilla with their pedagogue [p] on the day before the Kal. of June,

at the twelfth milestone from the city of Aquileia, across

the river [q] Hysontius, in a place which is called Stepped-waters.

ANNOTATIONS.

and the name Anastasia seems to have been wrongly added by a sciolist, which we have everywhere expunged.

p. To the same, on the day eighteenth of the Kalends of July, which day to others is said sacred to his translation.

q. To the ancients Sontius, in Geographical Maps Lisonio, where the parish of S. Cantianus is placed, as also another below toward the Tergestine bay.

ANALECTA.

Cantius, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianilla, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Protus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

§. I. Sacred Relics at Aquileia and Milan in Italy, at Stampes in Gaul, at Hildesheim in Germany.

[1] In the Acts now given Zenus the Presbyter, collecting the bodies

of the most blessed Martyrs, Bodies first deposited at Aquileia, embalmed them with precious aromatics,

and placed them in a small marble place.

In the MS. codex of S. Maximinus, and in the best place

he buried. In the MS. of Bödeken, with worthy veneration he buried.

Petrus de Natalibus, by Zenus near the city itself

were buried. How long they remained there is not clear.

That still in the sixth century of Christ at Aquileia the veneration of the Saints

flourished, is understood from the poem of Fortunatus on

the Life of S. Martin: who at the end of the fourth book, in a Prosopopoeia

to his little book, has these verses.

Hence proceed through the meadow lands of the Veneti through the level fields,

Stretching indeed under the mountainous castles through the steep places,

Or if perchance you shall approach the Aquileian city,

You should greatly venerate the Cantians, friends of the Lord,

And the blessed marble urn of Fortunatus.

S. Fortunatus with Felix, having suffered at Aquileia also under

Diocletian, was inscribed in the Roman Martyrology on the day

XI of June. But whether in the same way the author of the poem

Fortunatus wished, also that there should be preserved the bodies of the Cantian

Martyrs, or only that the sacred memory should be celebrated,

cannot be sufficiently distinguished from his words. Palladius de Olivis

in book 8 of the Affairs of Friuli, of our this time,

speaks thus. The bodies brought from Zeno the Priest to Aquileia, even

to the present age, are magnificently venerated: indeed that the inhabitants testify them

still to be there, will appear below. Meanwhile that they themselves are translated elsewhere

others wish.

[2] They are said to be at Milan, And first Paulus Morigia of Milan, in book 1 on

Milanese Nobility ch. 14, in the Sanctuary of the city and

diocese of Milan p. 5, and in the History of the Domus or

Cathedral Church of Milan ch. 11, asserts that in this

are preserved the bodies of the Saints Cantius, Cantianus, and

Cantianilla, brothers and Martyrs. Joseph Ripamontius,

in the first decade of his Histories, of the Milanese Church

book 2, describes on p. 115 the Martyrdom of SS. Cantius,

Cantianus, and Cantianilla: and then p. 116, these things

he adds: The bodies translated to Milan, and in the Basilica

of Dionysius placed, a later age translated

them thence into the great temple, where with annual

office of prayers they are venerated on the day before the Kalends

of July (rather of June): and all the Ambrosian piety to the sacred

Relics this honor pays. So

there. We have a Milanese Missal, according to the institution

of S. Ambrose printed in the year 1522, in which on

the day XIV of June is prescribed the Mass of the Holy Cantian

Martyrs, fol. 175; and is prefixed an effigy

of four persons, namely of the three brothers and S. Protus

the pedagogue, and this Prayer over the People is prescribed.

Defend your people, Lord, with perpetual protection;

nor without difficulty, what piously and justly

it asks, may it obtain: to which the merits of your Saints

the Cantians give support. Another over

the Syndon is recited: God, who of your Saints

the Cantians have made the palm of glorious

contest to flourish; grant to us, we beseech, to overcome the strong

temptations of our enemy: and what by our merits we do not presume,

the cult there Ecclesiastical: of those very ones, whose birthdays we celebrate,

let us be helped by their prayers to attain. The third over

the Oblation is this: The gifts of your people, Lord,

look upon benignly: which to your Majesty in the solemnities

of your Saints the Cantians are dedicated. The last after

Communion is read this: Invoking your name, Lord, we beseech, that as

you our fathers, the virtue of your name going before, refreshed with Angelic

food; us also, by the intercession

of your blessed Martyrs the Cantians, with mystical

feasts cherish and reform. So there, with which

are conformable, those things which in the old Breviaries of Milan

are prescribed, as are the first two Prayers now

indicated; to which is added a compendium of the Acts of martyrdom

distributed into three Lessons: and these reported in

the Breviary, by command of S. Charles Borromeo issued, on the XXXI of May,

these few are subjoined: Their Relics,

translated to Milan, are deposited in the Metropolitan Basilica.

[3] whom however the Aquileians make doubtful, Ferrarius in the Catalogue of Saints of Italy, the Acts

of martyrdom reported, expresses these things thus: Whose bodies

embalmed by Christians, afterwards translated to Milan

were. And then he annotates: Here truly is to be wondered,

that the Milanese so confidently affirm themselves to have the bodies

of these holy Martyrs,

when the records of the Aquileian Church say they are preserved at Aquileia,

and in that Church their Translation

is celebrated. Perhaps to Milan not whole

bodies, but some notable relics, which by

synecdoche are called bodies, were brought.

So Ferrarius, who raises the same doubt in the general Catalogue

on the day XIV of June, on which he asserts, that the Translation

of these Martyrs is celebrated at Milan: and adds that of them

the Discovery is commemorated at Aquileia, on the day XXIV of April.

The doubt raised by Ferrarius Ughellus increases more,

in volume 4 of Italia Sacra, Bergamese and Veronese. asserting of Ludovico Donato

Bishop of Bergamo, that in his time, in the year MCCCCLXVII

on the last day of May, were found the bodies of the Holy

Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla

brothers, in the village of Seriate (this is closest to the city to the south-east)

in the chapel of S. Chrysogonus: and by the

Bishop himself, with the clergy and the people of Bergamo present,

in an altar dedicated to their name they were placed. Before Ferrarius

and Ughellus, also at Stampes in Gaul Augustinus

Valerius Bishop of Verona had written, that the church of S.

Mary in Organis at Verona, in the middle of the altar of the most holy

body of Christ, displays a stone inscribed with this title:

A receptacle of marble cut and overlaid with gold,

where the most holy bones of Cantius, Cantianus, Cantianilla,

Chrysogonus, Protus, and Anastasius

lie, the Antistites of the temple set up to those adoring

MCCCCXCVII. To these controversies is added another equally difficult.

There is Stampes a city of Gauls in the Senones, and in present-day

Beauce inserted, neighboring to the Isle of France and from Paris

distant about twelve leagues, where toward Orleans

the road goes, and by Gregory of Tours, Fredegarius,

and other ancients mentioned: and that Robert King

of the Franks built the monastery of S. Mary in the Stampian

castle, and the church in the Palace, writes

Helgaud the Monk of Fleury, in the Life of the said Robert

in Du Chesne volume 4 of the History of the Frankish Writers

p. 77. Others add, that the same King Robert obtained

the sacred bodies of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla,

and deposited them in the said Stampian church of S. Mary.

That Robert reigned from the year DCCCCLXXXXII

to MXXXII. King Robert is said to have deposited the said bodies. Petrus Gandraeus described the Life,

passion, translation and miracles of the same Martyrs in heroic verse

and comprehended in four books, at Stampes a Patron of Causes, and arranged at Paris

in the year MDCXIII to be published from the type of Juliotaeus. Another encomiast

of these Martyrs is Joannes Chauvin, Royal Counsellor

in the monetary Curia, who published the Elogia of these

Martyrs, and again caused them to be reprinted in the year MDCLXX,

by the type of Vitre, and so to the reprints, again added new Observations,

with a second class of six new Letters, of which

the third is inscribed to me, and pursues the praises of my Master Joannes Bollandus

then deceased, calling him a spiritual Atlas. From these two authors we subjoin

certain things, which the same assert to have received from the Stampian archives themselves.

[4] But the virtues of miracles at these sacred bodies

so much shone forth and gleamed, and they are venerated in the Senonian Church. that all the cities placed round about

assumed their veneration.

Of these in the Metropolitan Senonian Church and its diocese

the feast of SS. Cantius, Cantianus and Cantianilla, is celebrated

with the office of nine Lessons, of which three in

the second Nocturn customarily recited are taken from the Life and Martyrology;

but the last, from the impression of the year MDCXXV,

is concluded with these words: Now indeed their precious

clods are venerably venerated in the shrine of the Virgin

Mary of the town of Stampes, partly in our

Metropolitan Senonian Church: in which places,

by their merits day by day the piety of God works

mighty deeds. And so Nicolas Cardinal de Pelleve Archbishop

of Sens, in the verbal Process about the Relics of his

Cathedral church, which is in our possession, under the note of the year

MDLXXI; Since, he says, of many, both Princes

and Archbishops, by the work and pious labor,

were brought here Relics of pious bodies, where it is believed a great part of them is:

which heaped together and mixed did not respond to the pious

vows of Christians; the venerable

Antistes Galterus, in the year of the Lord MCCXLVIIII,

the glorious pledges of the Saints Cantius, Cantianus, and

Cantianilla, of S. Macarius Abbot, and of SS. Felix and

Felicissimus, in individual cases to be deposited took care. Then

narrating, also at Paris. how the same and other Relics there

he visited, distinguished by twelve cases, and what each contains

explaining; In the seventh, he says, and eighth

were found the relics of the bodies of SS. Cantius, Cantianus,

and Cantianilla, with the Relics of Heraclius and

Paul Confessors and Pontiffs of the Senonian Church:

and because in both cases the same titles were found,

lest in distinguishing any error creep in,

we have judged that the same should be retained. But all

these twelve cases stand upon the major altar, just as

the index sent to us has it: which also without ambiguity

asserts, that of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla

the bodies, almost whole, are contained in their case: which

I think to be too much: for the new Breviary which Chauvin on p. 92

alleges, only says: From which bodies

were extracted afterwards certain notable bones, which

the Senonian church preserves and honors, in a case behind

the major altar elevated: whether distinct from the two

aforesaid and new, or one with the two before mentioned, I could hardly

say.

[5] In the Parisian Church and its diocese thus at the end

of the third Lesson it is said: and elsewhere in Gaul Whose bodies Zoilus

the Presbyter buried at Aquileia, on the day before the Kalends of June,

and the same the most Christian King of the Franks

Robert is said to have translated to Stampes to the church of B. Mary.

In the Meaux Church is read: to the Church

of B. Mary he translated. The like things are had in the Breviaries

of Orleans, Beauvais, Chartres, and others:

and this Prayer is prescribed. God invisible strength

of those contending, be present we pray to us supplicating,

that those who on the present day of your holy Martyrs

Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla recall the glorious

triumph, by their merits and prayers,

may merit to be present at the perpetual feasts of the Angels.

Andreas Saussajus besides those things, which of these

Martyrs on this day XXXI of May in his Gallican Martyrology

he has, attempts in the Supplement of this,

on the day XIV of June, Were they translated thither from Milan? to reconcile the opinions of all in this

manner: On the same day the translation of the bodies of the Holy

Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, when from

Aquileia (where, after they were slain for the faith at

the Stepped-waters, by Zoilus the Presbyter they had been buried)

to Milan their sacred pledges were transported,

thence by the pious vows of Robert King of the Franks the most Christian

into the Gauls were brought, at Stampes by him in the church

of S. Mary with religious cult deposited they are. The Aquileian Church venerates

their discovery on the day XXIV

of April: and with their pledges, several still also,

glories, about which with pious emulation with it contends

the Milanese Church.

[6] To this controversy is added the Hildesheim Church, in

lower Saxony: At Hildesheim notable Relics, before the year 1450 I know not how long, whose Canon, Christianus Theodorus

de Plettenberg, of the Most Serene Bishop of Paderborn and Münster

Ferdinand Furstenberg our Patron's

nephew on his sister's side, thus wrote to us: When and through whom

the Relics of these Saints have been translated here,

is altogether unknown to me; nor do I think it can be easily found here

who teaches it: for the various tempest,

which more than for one hundred years, until the Peace of Münster

was constituted, shook this Diocese,

most monuments of antiquity either altogether destroyed

or transferred elsewhere. Meanwhile from the Life of S. Godehard,

given by you on IV May *, it is clearly evident, that already

in the age of Azelinus the Antistes, who in the year MXLIV, in the seventh

after the death of S. Godehard, attaining the Episcopate, held it

for ten years, the Relics of those Saints

were preserved in our Cathedral. Indeed

also the Constitution of Bishop Hezelo, who succeeded Azelinus,

by which he reduced the number of Canons hitherto

uncertain to fifty-two, and the annual

revenues of the Prebends with notable munificence

increased, with a triple feast. among the other principal feasts of the Church, expressly

mentions the Vigil of the Holy Cantians, also

their Festivity: on which days, while still

the use of common refectory remained, he wished a more abundant table

to be exhibited to the Canons: and today in our archive

remains the autograph of that Constitution.

Otherwise just as the Life of S. Godehard, in the place

now cited, refers the Coming of the aforesaid Relics

to the Kalends of April, on which the miracle there happened

commemorated, at the tomb of that Saint; so also

our Breviary, printed at Leipzig in the year 1516,

notes the same Coming on the same day, although

the Feast itself on XXXI May under the rite of Double with us

is celebrated. The same holy Martyrs also, in

the feast of the Patrons of our Church, which under the rite

of Double of the first class is annually performed on the Sunday

III after Easter, in Lesson VI among the Compatrons

are numbered.

[7] These are in various cases, The Relics themselves through diverse shrines dispersed

now are. For when in the year MDCLVII, on XXIX of May,

the Most Serene Maximilian Henry, Elector of Cologne

and our Bishop, the Cathedral church

according to his office's reason was visiting; the silver tomb

opening, in which the body of S. Epiphanius and the sacred relics of the SS.

Cantians were deposited, only a part of the same he found:

which lest similarly it could be dispersed,

he wished the tomb itself to be more tightly closed: which

was so done, that without the highest difficulty and the breaking

of the very vessel it can no longer be opened. But in the tower,

covered with silver plates, which the ancients called the Tower

of the Patrons, because the notable Relics of the same

were deposited there; notable parts

of the Holy Cantian Martyrs, and especially of

S. Cantianilla are found: and in the Reliquary, which

in the Processions is carried by the Subdeacon, are seen

notable Relics also of S. Cantius the Martyr, as

also in other shrines other lesser ones with the same title.

The head of S. Cantius, enclosed in a silver reliquary,

is preserved in our Hildesheim sanctuary, and at certain

festivities is exposed to the public devotion of the faithful.

I also in former years another head

found, inscribed, Head of the holy Cantians,

when by command of my Most Reverend Chapter these sacred

treasures I was investigating, and reducing into a Catalogue.

So far the Most Reverend Canon and most fond of our

work; to which nothing can seem to be added,

provided you understand the body of S. Epiphanius, enclosed within the same tomb,

is of the Bishop of Pavia, reported by us on XXI

January, where see the History of the translation made in the year

DCCCCLXIII. Furthermore, with so many and so various Churches contending

over the possession of these Saints' Bodies, no wonder

is it, if many other Churches in Italy, Gaul, Germany

received the cult of the same Saints, with greater

or lesser festivity to be performed, of all which the Breviaries

and Calendars to enumerate would be long. Indeed even into Poland

penetrated that religion, where the feast of SS. Cantius,

Cantianus, and Cantianilla Martyrs under the rite of double

major is celebrated in the diocese of Wratislaw, and in the Order

of Crucigers with the red star, and a proper Prayer is assigned:

but what cause this veneration is, is not added. It is easier

to say, why at Venice also their cult is celebrated;

since there is held a proper church under the name

of S. Cantianus.

* no. 58.

§. II. Miracles wrought at Stampes after the Translation of the year 1249.

[8] Let us return to the Stampian church: where the sacred

bones, enclosed in a chest, were in veneration, by the Priests, After rain having been obtained,

the Senate, and the Stampian people, and twice yearly

in public procession were carried, namely on Tuesday

of Easter and on this XXXI of May, the day of their birth.

It happened meanwhile, that with rains denied from heaven a great drought

around the Stampian regions had arisen, and thence

a wretched famine was feared. Recourse was had to the mercy

of Divine goodness: the intercession of the Holy

Martyrs was applied: a Supplication was instituted with the Relics of these

Martyrs from the town to a church not far distant or

a chapel dedicated to S. Lazarus. While this pious devotion was being exercised,

clouds with the joy of the supplicants were gathered in

the air, the wooden chest remains immobile, about to give copious rains in due time. But behold when,

with the litaneutic prayers now performed in the said chapel, the pious supplication

had to be brought back to the principal church of the Mother of God the Virgin,

there the reliquary of the Martyrs

— from its seat to be moved

And torn cannot: the chest remains an immobile weight,

As a thick rock fixed in the bowels of the earth.

All are stunned, and humble pour out prayers to God. Among

these a Priest, noted for singular doctrine and sanctity,

among many admonitions said this: Let us offer to the Saints

in place of the cheap wooden chest another to be made of silver, that

henceforth in a more honorable manner they may be represented to the eyes of all,

in our church; and we shall see if they wish to be carried back to it.

He said, and forthwith on bended knees the pious assembly

The Priest's useful counsel approves with frequent applause.

When this vow with flaming heart is consecrated,

The burden becomes, as before, light; with sorrow set aside until it be vowed and made of silver

The Stampes-dwellers joyful to those above sing new songs.

Bringing back the holy pledges of the Divine Brothers,

As Tutelars they brought to the chapel of the Virgin.

[9] Soon were collected pious alms, whence a most noble chest

was made of silver, and on every side with figured

borders gilded. That the translation might be made, was indicted the day IV

of August, of the year MCCXLIX, and was invited the Archbishop

of Sens Gilo or Aegidius Cornatus, by whom the bodies of the Holy

Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla

at Stampes were translated, by which in 1249 the sacred bones, as indicate

among the Archbishops of Sens Claudius Robertus

and Sammarthani. Others add, that Gilo, on account of some hallucination about the truth

of the Relics, was punished with a certain blindness,

so that not even in the open chest could he see any bones,

but instructed of the history of the whole matter done, his guilt

he himself accused,

Soon prayer sent forth, drenched with arising tears,

He explains the bundles inscribed with the names

Of the Divine Brothers, and the sacred limbs to the men standing by not without miracle are translated.

Shows, and into the chest recently constructed transmits;

Which the Antistes had previously dedicated by ancient

triple custom To the Brothers. Cantius however his arm

He receives, and of the chaste and holy Sister the chin.

So the Stampes-dwellers, while meanwhile the Senonians believe, that the better

part of the sacred bodies is with them, with no great certainty, as above

we have seen.

[10] After that translation of the sacred bones, increased was

the devotion toward these Martyrs, Grave injuries of the foot are cured, and by God honored with various miracles.

Two leagues from the Stampian town toward Paris

is Strichiacum, commonly Estrechy a village, in whose vicinity

was an oratory or little chapel erected to these Martyrs:

to whom that any reverence be there shown not bearing,

a peasant, returning from the wood with a donkey loaded with cut woods,

before the said little chapel, with the axe slipped from his hands

cut his foot with a grave wound: whence collapsed lifeless, gradually

with spirit recovered he laments his guilt, invokes the Saints,

is seized by sleep, and plainly healthy by the Saints' patronage rises, only

with traces of the received wound left. The miracle being known by the neighbors,

are given to God and the Saints due thanks, and the same

are renewed yearly. There lived at Stampes in the street of S. James,

otherwise called Major, hardened contraction from birth. a certain pious woman, Maria Aupie

named, who from the temple about to return home, met a poor

boy, miserably contracted, and dragging his limbs after the manner of a tortoise

along the ground. She takes care therefore that he be brought to her

house, and so languishing in the space of seven years cherishes him.

But on a certain Sunday following her going out to the temple,

after his manner crawling along the ground, the wretched contracted one; and from excessive

confidence in the Holy Martyrs, having consoled the matron, lest she be crushed,

fearing, beginning to descend through the steps of the church,

between the hands of those holding him under the armpits,

Forthwith with dire shouts the sacred halls

He fills: indeed his sluggish muscles and sinews

Are stretched, and in marvelous ways suddenly relaxed

Bones are restored, and placed in their proper seats.

And the youth suddenly advanced into the midst of the throng,

The hidden causes of so great a shout, and what

Was done in him in few words narrates the marvelous

Prodigy, and pious songs sings with grateful mouth.

[11] The Saints appear with the Mother of God, Another marvel happened to Sulpitia a Stampian most pious matron,

who either to tending the lamps in the temple

or to prayer gave her work, or to the sick who lay under the cover of the temple

attentively served. On a certain night to her thus there praying

stood the Mother of God Virgin, with these Cantian brothers,

and together visited the sick, to one of whom she predicted a happy

approach to the heavens after three days, to others gave health.

Which so came to pass. A certain youth wholly filled

with pustules, a dead one is raised for baptism, was by his mother to the Holy Cantians not without pious tears

commended, and soon obtained his pristine health,

retaining only the memory of so great an evil. In the village of Alliacum

of the Chartres territory, a certain woman bore a daughter

dead, and took care to bury her. But divinely inspired,

on the following day having received the daughter from the sepulchre, she carried her to Stampes to

the chest of the Holy Martyrs, where she received life, and

with sacred baptism was also regenerated, in the year MDXIII

in the sight of very many men, scab is cleansed who by their testimonies

confirmed the deed. Another miracle was wrought in the time of Henry II,

when on Tuesday of Easter in public

procession was carried the chest of SS. Cantius, Cantianus,

and Cantianilla. There was present a youth, from his very birth

deaf and dumb, and then twenty years old: to whom near

the chapel of S. Michael.

Forthwith the bonds of the mute tongue are loosed,

And to the speechless mute are given vocal gifts.

[12] and in 1638 a paralytic. And these things from the more prolix poem of Petrus Gandraeus

let it be enough to have plucked; meanwhile until the old context

of the same miracles, which we vehemently desire,

someone shall transmit to us. Now from the Elogia, by Counsellor

Chauvin published, I add a more recent one; for which faith

the Author about to make, in a special instruction to us,

alleges a relation printed at Paris in that very year or

the following; and several worthy witnesses, who related it to him,

and among others Lord de Lescomay,

Advocate in the Parliament, a man of great judgment and study.

The matter happened thus. A certain girl from S.

Memmius's village, had not yet attained the sixth year of age,

called Jacquetta Chapé, and already was inclining

to the end of life, wholly weak and paralytic,

almost from her very birth. In vain a certain surgeon from the town

of S. Arnold had undertaken to cure her: indeed even Parisian physicians consulted

over her, despaired of finding a remedy by themselves for so great an evil. Therefore

to superhuman aid is converted Cornelia the mother of the girl, and in the year

MDCXXXVIII on the day VI of April coming with her daughter to Stampes,

she having clothed her in white garments, in

the procession which was led had her likewise carried around.

With this done the wretched one began to feel better,

and brought home, soon all other appeared,

walking by her own feet without impediment:

then indeed day by day more and more

strengthened, within the space of one month, most fully

was well for all the functions of human life and her age congruous.

§. III. On the new inspection and translation of the sacred Relics, made at Stampes in the years 1620 and 21.

[13] In that chest, which we have seen made of silver in the year MCCXLIX,

remained unmoved the Relics of the Saints

for CCCLXXI years, The Stampes-dwellers about to repair the silver chest which having passed what was done

the aforementioned Chauvin accurately pursues, in the new

Observations on the history, after the Elogia printed;

whose words it will not be tiresome to render from French into Latin thus:

In the year MDCXX it was decreed to repair the silver

chest of the Saints; and to that end recourse

was had to the Most Illustrious and Reverend Joannes David, Archbishop

of Sens; who that it might be opened,

permitted to public piety; entrusting it to be done

to Guido de Verambrois, Master in Arts

made at Paris, and Dean of Christianity, and

Curate of S. Martin of Stampes. The Commission,

signed on I July, was followed by a decree

of the Chapter given XVI of the same. Therefore on day XXX of the said

month of July, was instituted of the whole general Clergy

a procession, accompanying the Officials of the town and the citizens

and dwellers in great number, to whom a panegyric

on the Martyrs P. Drupianus the Capuchin pronounced.

on 30 June they indict a general procession The pomp returned to the church,

Mag. William Chasse-cuillier, Cantor and Canon

of the Mother of God the Virgin, celebrated Mass; with assisting

him, as Deacon and Subdeacon, Mag. Stephen

Beauvoix Primicerius Curate of the same church,

and Peter Godin Sacellan.

[14] Before the same, with Mass finished, Mag. Andreas

Gilles and Gedeon Pans, Canons of the Mother of God the Virgin, together

with Mag. de Verambrois, ascended to the place

where the Relics rest above four columns

elevated, where also present were Masters,

Nicolas Thiroüin, Joannes Veron Cantor and

Canon of the Holy Cross, Damianus Doucet

Curate of S. Aegidius, and Petrus le Roy Curate of S. Peter;

Domnus Michael Gaguin, Claustral Prior

of the Abbey of Moriniacum; Fathers, Seraphinus le

Bourgeois, Minister of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for

the Redemption of captives; then before many witnesses, Desiderius Parisot,

S. T. D. Guardian of the Franciscans; Petrus Audiger,

S. T. B. of the same Order; Raphael de Rouate,

Guardian of the Capuchins, of the same Order

preacher. There also were found to be present

the Officials of the Bailliage and Provostship which from Election

has its name, the Mayor and Echevins of Stampes,

Provisors and Custodians of the Mother of God the Virgin, and innumerable others,

led by the same zeal. After therefore the silken

veils white and red, destined for receiving the sacred Relics,

with the customary rite were consecrated and incensed,

together with a small oaken case, into

which they should be deposited; the silver chest was opened,

as well as the wooden very ancient one which within was enclosed,

and within this were found the Relics, with Latin

inscriptions, of which one sounds thus: Here are contained

the Relics of the Holy Martyrs Cantius,

Cantianus, and Cantianilla &c. Another: Here rest

the Relics from the bones of the Holy Martyrs, Cantius,

Cantianus, and Cantianilla, Brothers. In the same

old wooden chest also, was found a purse of diverse

colored silk, and within it three iron fragments,

from that perhaps with which death to the Holy Martyrs

was inflicted. the same opened the Relics are taken out. Also appeared cloths, with red

color tinged, traces perhaps of shed blood: and

finally in a certain part marked was seen the likeness

of a Bishop holding a crozier, with these words, Gilo

by the grace of God Archbishop of Sens; and beside him

S. Stephen Protomartyr, Titular of the Senonian Metropolitan.

[15] After these, by the industry of artisans, repaired, where need

was, new splendor was added to the silver chest: [the work

within nine months completed, what was done, the verbal Relation, as they call it, will tell, by him who performed the Translation, in this manner authentically consigned.

In the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred twentieth

first, on the day before the Ides of April, on the second feria

of Easter, with Gregory the fifteenth seated as Supreme Pontiff,

Joannes David Archbishop of Sens, Louis

the thirteenth King of the Franks and of Navarre;

We, Henricus Clausse, Bishop of Aurensis,

and also Coadjutor of Châlons, and successor

designate, indict and attest, with faculty given

by the same Most Reverend Senonian Archbishop,

the very ancient and revered Relics of the divine

Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla,

into a feretory, whose long antiquity had dimmed the golden

splendor, with great expenses to its splendor

restored, polished, and with many silver plates

augmented, and into a new chest (because the other was almost

eaten away by decay and was perishing) by accustomed rites and ceremony,

with a sermon previously held to the frequent people

by Brother Gabriel of Saint-Lô, Capuchin Preacher,

by our hand, with great frequency observing,

deposited in the chapel of Blessed Mary, in the same with new ornament splendid deposited, where

they are wont piously to be venerated and preserved. But on the following day

in the appointed and solemn supplication, with promulgated forty

days of Indulgences, which the same Lord

Archbishop conceded, and ordered to have eternal force,

with great apparatus we accompanied around the city the same

holy Relics, with a huge multitude

of Stampian citizens, and the people from every side flowing to

the celebrity. Which all that

faith may be greater, for the perpetual memory of the matter,

with these letters by our own hand we have subscribed,

with present notable men, and on 13 April carried around. both Clerics and

seculars, Reverend Fathers and Lord Andreas Berzeau,

Abbot of Morigniacum and in the supreme Senate Counsellor:

with venerable men Masters Guilielmus

Chassecuilier Cantor and Canon, Andreas Gilles,

Ludovicus Bastard, Nicolaus Thirovyn, Aegidius Barrault,

of the aforesaid church Canons, Stephen Beauvoix

Capicerius Curate, and many other of the same church

Chaplains: Reverend FF. PP. Joannes Pave

Doctor of Theology Franciscan; Raphael of Rouen

Guardian of the Stampian Capuchins; a public instrument made about the matter.

Noble and famous men Jacobus Petau of the Stampian

province Praeses, Nicolaus Couste Vice-Praeses,

Guido David Assessor, Michael Egal

Praetor, Claudius Prevost Vice-Praetor, Simon

Chauvin, and Isaac Blanchard, Royal Advocate and Procurator,

Petrus le Gendre Mayor, Petrus de

Jambon, Isaac Guysenet, Joannes Aleaume, and

Michael Gillet, Echevins; Petrus Baron, Doctor

of medicine; Joannes Albert Licentiate of both Laws,

Moderator of the Stampian College; Clemens Poisson,

Royal Elect; Jacobus Guysenet, Claudius Guetard,

Renatus le Sueur, Natalis Maugin, and Stephen Rivet,

of the said church of Blessed Mary Custodians, and many

other witnesses admitted to the matter. Given at Stampes in the said

church of Blessed Mary, under our seals and the Chapter's,

in the year and day above said. Signed

Henricus Bishop of Aurensis, and also Coadjutor

of the Cathedral Church of Châlons.

[16] From the aforesaid and from the smallness of the chest destined to receive the Relics

aforesaid, it sufficiently appears that only a small part

of each of the three bodies is held at Stampes:

which more certainly we could have learned, if it had pleased the authors

of the said Translation to enumerate one by one the bones within.

To increase then in the people the veneration of the aforesaid

Holy Martyrs, In 1644, Indulgences granted to the instituted Sodality. was instituted also by Archiepiscopal

authority a Sodality of both sexes of the Faithful:

whose zeal that it might be kindled in exercising the offices proper to themselves

of religion and charity, Pope Urban VIII, by

Confraternity by him approved granted various Indulgences; and

plenary indeed to those, who confessed and with sacred Communion

refreshed, give their names into it, on the very day on which they shall do this;

then in individual years, after the sacraments received, on the principal

feast of the Sodality, visiting its oratory, and there

praying to the customary intentions of the Pontiff; and also on other

four days, to be commonly elected for devotion and

approved by the Ordinary: but indulgences of sixty days

are granted to all, who at any works of piety and

charity prescribed to them assemble, &c. To all

these in the year MDCXLV, on the XIV of February the force of ordinary

his power adding Octavius, Archbishop of Sens;

he approved the four days elected by the Confraternity,

The Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord; The Tuesday

of Easter; the IV of August, memorable for the translation of the holy

Martyrs; and the first Sunday

of October, festive by the Dedication of the church of the Mother of God the Virgin.

[15] Furthermore the Tuesday of Easter is by the Stampes-dwellers passed with special

religion, Principal feast on Tuesday of Easter. because on such day they believe were brought to them

the Relics of the often-named Saints. There is instituted

indeed a general Procession, says Chauvin,

which both Orders of S. Francis begin, with exemplary

modesty; these are followed by the Parishes

collected from diverse places, and of both Chapters

of the Mother of God the Virgin and of the Holy Cross the Canons, these the left, those the

right side holding; but the chest is surrounded

by an immense number of burning torches. After this

is also carried another reliquary, called of S. Matthew,

and another, of S. John Chrysostom: the Officiant

bears a silver Cross, wrought by excellent work.

The pomp is augmented by a sculpted image of the Mother of God,

in which is enclosed a particle of her vestments, the memorable gift of Louis

Count of Évreux of Stampes;

who also by a noble foundation left his affection

testified to the Stampes-dwellers; nor are lacking those who in humble

dress and bare feet surround the chest accompanying.

On the Birthday of the Saints, XXXI of March, another procession

is led, in which only is carried around the chest,

which they call the Smaller, another lesser on 31 March. containing the garments of the same

Martyrs; those, I believe, the cloths, which in the recent

Translation were found bloodstained; and is sung

but at Orleans, at S. Anianus a Canon, recently deceased.

Nor must we be silent of the year MDCLXVI,

when to Stampes coming of special nobility

two women, Lady Duchess of Vendôme, mother

of the Cardinal so named; and Lady Aumale,

afterwards Queen of Lusitania; both chests deposited

in the middle of the church were, and to their and

innumerable, who had flowed in, people, sight presented.