ON SS. SATURNINUS AND COMPANIONS: SATURNINUS, CLAUDIAN, PRIMUS, FLAVIAN, ZOTICUS, ASTERIUS, CHARUS, AND SATURUS, MARTYRS IN AFRICA,
IN THE 2ND OR 3RD CENTURY.
CommemorationSaturninus, M. in Africa. (S.)
Claudian, M. in Africa. (S.)
Primus, M. in Africa. (S.)
Flavian, M. in Africa. (S.)
Zoticus, M. in Africa. (S.)
Asterius, M. in Africa. (S.)
Carus, M. in Africa. (S.)
Saturus, M. in Africa. (S.)
B. B.
Single §. Notice of the holy Martyrs from the Hieronymian Martyrologies.
Those holy Martyrs are listed in the ancient martyrologies either all together, Memory in the ancient martyrologies. or some of them, others being omitted. The names also vary among various authors, as is usual in the Hieronymian codices. We have therefore nothing else to say than to set before the eyes what is read in the aforesaid codices, and to compare them with one another as far as may be possible. That of Echternach or Antwerp announces: In Sardinia, at Turres, of Gavinus. Likewise at Rome of 120 Soldiers. In Africa, of Saturninus, Claudian, Primus, Flavian, Asterius, Charus. The greater one of Corbie: In Africa, of Saturninus, Claudian, Priminus, Flavian, Zoticus. In Sardinia, of Savinus, Saturus, Asterius, Charus. The more ancient martyrology of Florentini: In Africa, of Saints Saturninus, Claudeanus, Primus, Flavian. In Sardinia, of Savinus, Saturus, Asthentarius. To these things Florentini aptly notes Vetustius Martyrologium, p. 934.: The holy African Champions, whose standard-bearer everywhere is Saturninus, are only four in our books, five in the Corbie Martyrology, Zoticus being added, whom the Antwerp one does not mention. In this latter rather Asterius and Charus, attributed by our books and that of Corbie to Sardinia, are listed among the Africans; and this is more approved by Florentini: for he adds a little below: More fittingly in the Antwerp Martyrology one of the Sardinian martyrs is set forth, namely at Turres, once a most flourishing city of Sardinia, St. Gavinus, not Savinus, of whom we treat on this day, and he suffered together with St. Protus the presbyter and Januarius. For which reason the same Florentini adds: Hence, that other companions should be added here to St. Gavinus, namely Saturus, Astherius and Charus, or, as in our books by the scribe's error, Saturus and, conflated into one out of Asterius and Charus, Asthentarius, adds to the suspicion that these should be joined with Zoticus and Saturus the Africans, as the Antwerp Martyrology intimates, in which at Turres in Sardinia St. Gavinus alone is commemorated. And this, as Florentini himself has it, is the conjecture to which it has pleased him the more to adhere. Compare the Acts of St. Gavinus and his companions below. In the Hieronymian Martyrologies of lesser note, similar announcements are read on the same day. Thus in that of Reichenau: In Sardinia, of Gavinus. And in Africa, of Saturinus, Claudian, Primus. This is quite singular, that in some very ancient martyrologies edited by Martène Thesaurus novus Anecdotorum vol. III, cols. 1547–1603., no memory is made of our holy Martyrs.