ON ST. SEVERUS, MARTYR.
From the Greek Calendars.
CommentarySeverus martyr (S.)
J. S.
The printed Menæa of the Greeks exhibit to us this Martyr, no better known than some of the preceding: for at the VIII of September they have thus: Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρα ὁ ἅγιος Σεβῆρος ξίφει τελειέται. On the same day saint Severus is slain by the sword. Then such little verses as these are subjoined:
> Ἕτοιμος εἰμὶ πρὸς τὸ πᾶν οἴσειν πάθος, > Σεβῆρος εἶπε· καὶ τί πρός με τὸ ξίφος; > > I am ready to bear every torment, > Said Severus: and what is the sword to me?
The Sirletian Menology at the IX of September joins Severus as it were to the two preceding Martyrs, Rufus and Rufianus, when, after giving their eulogy, it subjoins consequently thus: The same suffered also saint Severus. The Menæa however suggest that he suffered separately from the others. But no monuments are at hand from which anything certain can be gathered. No more can it be said with certainty whether this Severus is distinct from all of the same name who are celebrated on other days. Galesinius believed him distinct, when at the VIII of September he liberally adorned him with this eulogy: Besides, of saint Severus the martyr, who, having endured every torment for Christ, at length with the strength of a steadfast mind offered his neck. He could have been silent about other torments, and only the death recorded. Baronius preferred to be silent altogether.