Felix and His Companions

14 September · commentary

ON ST. FELIX AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS IN TUSCANY,

From the Hieronymian transcripts.

Commentary

Felix, Martyr in Tuscany. (S.)

Demetrius, Martyr in Tuscany. (S.)

Honorius, Martyr in Tuscany. (S.)

Zetus, Martyr in Tuscany. (S.)

Perhaps other Martyrs in Tuscany

J. S.

Various Martyrs are today commemorated together in several Hieronymian codices, but in a much diversified and ambiguous manner. This consideration persuaded me to express in the title only the one who is everywhere named, and in two places attributed to Tuscany, although without doubt several are to be admitted, who are indicated under the name of Companions, and will presently be enumerated by name. The Reichenau Martyrology, published in tom. VII of June, announces only one, in this manner: In Tuscany, of Felix. But the Epternach Martyrology in Florentinius, in the Annotations, has thus: And in Tuscany, of Felix, Demetrius, and Zotta, Setirus, Felix, Honorius, Demetrius. Of these Florentinius found only four in his own codices, and these mentioned thus without a place: Of Felix. Of Honorius. Of Demetrius. Of Zetus. The Corbie codex has the same, where they are thus expressed: And of Felix, Honorius, Demetrius, Zetus. In the Gellone and Augsburg codices mention is made, without a place, of Saturus, Felix, Honorius. But the Labbean codex mentions Saturus alone, and Felix. Further, Felix, Demetrius, Honorius and Zetus seem to be admitted more certainly than the rest. But whether Setirus or Saturus, as distinct from Zetus, are to be joined to them, and another Felix and another Demetrius, does not appear so certain. For the rest, in the Corbie codex the four Martyrs praised are subjoined immediately after St. Cyprian announced at Carthage in such a way that they can seem to be announced at Carthage also: but Florentinius has already observed that a lacuna seems to be admitted in the Corbie codex and in his own; and we believe that from those codices the words in Tuscany have fallen out, which we find in the Epternach and Corbie codices.

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