Theodolus

ON ST. THEODOLUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR,

AT ALEXANDRIA IN EGYPT

From the Hieronymian calendars.

Theodolus, bishop and martyr, at Alexandria in Egypt (St.)

BY J. S.

Theodolus the bishop the Hieronymian martyrologies celebrate today with marvelous agreement. That which Florentinius published has thus: At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Theodolus the bishop. The Epternach, in the same place in the notes: At Alexandria, of Theodolus the bishop. The Corbie, in d'Achery: Alexandria, the birthday of St. Theodolus the bishop. Thus in both editions of the Spicilegium is read Theodoli, although Florentinius, praising that Martyrology, has Theodori, probably by the error of a copyist, or by a typesetter's fault passed over. There agree among us the Rheinau and Reichenau martyrologies, which both have: At Alexandria, of Theodolus the bishop. The Gellone too, the Augsburg, and the Labbean exhibit today the name of Theodolus, but without the additions of place and office; and the last has Teudotus for Theodolus. Of the more recent, Greven thus commemorates Theodolus on this day: At Alexandria, of St. Theodolus the bishop. These things suffice for us to believe that St. Theodolus was a bishop, and was crowned with martyrdom at Alexandria; not, however, that we should think him bishop of Alexandria, since in the first centuries of the Church none of this or a like name is found among the bishops of Alexandria. Whether this St. Theodolus is the same as St. Theodore the martyr, whom I gave yesterday, or as Theodore the Egyptian bishop, of whom there is treatment in the Roman Martyrology at the 26th of November, or finally as some other, I can neither declare with certainty, nor does it thus far appear to me sufficiently probable. Far more martyrs suffered at Alexandria whose Acts are unknown than is the number of those who became known by Acts, so that this one may easily be distinct from the rest.