ON S. SIMPLICIANUS MARTYR
AT POITIERS IN GAUL.
A Sylloge on his sacred cult.
Simplicianus, Martyr at Poitiers in Gaul (S.)
G. H.
There exist Pictonic Litanies of the Saints,
who by birth or dwelling
ennobled the shore of the Pictones,
by Henricus Ludovicus Castanaeus
de la Rochepozay Bishop of the Pictavi
composed
and arranged, Cult, and illustrated with notes:
in which is invoked S.
Simplicianus the Martyr, and of him these things are noted: Simplicianus,
born of a man of consular rank and Rector of the Pictonic province,
because he scorned the cult of idols,
by his father's command near the city of the Pictavi was beheaded
with the sword, in the meadow next to the bridge of S. Cyprian,
where a Cross for memory's sake was anciently placed. To his
name a parochial church within the walls of the same
city is consecrated: The parochial church, and is added in the margin, that he is venerated on this
XXXI of May: on which day with this elogium he is celebrated by
Saussajus. At Poitiers of S. Simplicianus the Martyr, who as a young boy
by his Just father, unjust and impious, because he cultivated the faith of Christ,
was beheaded with the sword, the laurel of glorious martyrdom
he gloriously merited.
[2] In the Pictavian, as they call it, Pullarius, that is, Register of benefices
of the city among the parochial churches is numbered the above
cited, dedicated to S. Simplicianus: whose Parish-Priest to be constituted
the Abbot of S. Cyprian presents to the Dean of the Cathedral Church,
to whom it pertains, to confer that Benefice. In the proper
Offices of the Pictavian Church is prescribed the solemnity of S.
Simplicianus the Martyr, to be celebrated on this XXXI of May under
the rite of double, and this Prayer: Proper Prayers God who Blessed Simplicianus
the Martyr, in adolescence constituted,
in the contest of struggle strengthened; grant we beseech, that
by his merits and prayers eternal glory to attain
we may merit. Likewise this: God who your Church
by the merits and prayers of your most blessed Martyr Simplicianus
with marvelous splendor make bright; concede propitious,
that we who venerate his memory on earth,
intercessor him with you to have may merit in heaven.
For the second Nocturn this Lesson is set: and Lesson Simplicianus,
born of a man of consular rank and Rector of the Pictonic province,
as a youth by the admonitions of pious men in
Christ supported by religion was confirmed. Which
when his father had learned, and that the veneration of idols by
his son was held in contempt; against him by beheading
near the Pictavian city he ordered animadversion to be made,
and by this reason Simplicianus of the Christian faith illustrious
bore witness. Of the Saint's body's Relics,
which it is likely in his proper name's church at one time
were, it is wonderful that nothing is said by anyone.