Agricola

ON ST. AGRICOLA, MARTYR,

Agricola, martyr. (S.)

BY G. V. H.

The Hieronymian martyrologies commemorate today a holy martyr Agricola, separate from Germanus with his companions. After Vitalis, named in last place among the martyrs who suffered at Caesarea, a new announcement follows in this way, in the various copies, which are:

The Bern copy: et alibi passio Agriculi. and elsewhere the passion of Agriculus.

The Lucca copy: Et alibi passio sancti Agricolæ. And elsewhere the passion of St. Agricola.

The Echternach copy: et alibi passio Agricoli. and elsewhere the passion of Agricolus.

The Corbie copy: et alibi Agriculæ virginis et martyris. and elsewhere of Agricula, virgin and martyr.

[2] We hold with the most learned Fiorentini that another martyr Agricola is indicated in this place, different from Agricola of Bologna, who suffered with Vitalis at Bologna (of whom we shall treat on the 4th day of November, on which they are celebrated in the Roman Martyrology). If the reading of the Corbie copy were true, and it were thus established that under the name of Agricola not a man but a woman is venerated, the matter would be settled, and no room for doubt could be left. But since the remaining copies, whether by a masculine ending like the Bern copy, or by an added adjective in the masculine gender, like the Lucca and Echternach copies, most clearly designate a man, we think the Corbie copy has committed an error. But if anyone, having perceived the nature of the Hieronymian calendars, should nevertheless suppose that error could easily have occurred, and should judge that the separated Vitalis and Agricola ought to be joined and assigned to Bologna, let him consider, as Fiorentini advises, that the third of the nones does not exactly agree with the Bologna celebration, and then that in various copies, which can be seen in Fiorentini, the memory of Agricola and Vitalis is celebrated on the 27th day of November: In Italia civitate Bononia Agricolæ et Vitalis. The Bern copy is mutilated in this part. Moreover Agricola and Vitalis occur in the same martyrologies on separate days. At the third of the nones of December we read in the Lucca copy: In Bononia sancti Agricole. In the Echternach copy: Bononiæ Italiæ Agricolæ. In the Corbie copy: In Bononia sanctæ Agricolæ. The Bern copy is mutilated in this part. But on the 29th day of April there is read, in the Bern copy: et Bononia Vitalis; likewise in the Lucca copy: Benoniæ Vitalis; in the Echternach copy: Bononiæ Vitalis; in the Corbie copy: Bononi Vitalis. Whence we gather with sufficient security that this Agricola is different from that most celebrated Agricola who suffered at Bologna together with Vitalis.