Maximus the Presbyter

9 June · commentary

ON SAINT MAXIMUS THE PRESBYTER, MARTYR AT ALEXANDRIA.

From ancient Martyrologies.

Commentary

Maximus Presbyter, Mart. at Alexandria (S.)

G. H.

[1] Celebrated is the memory of this holy Martyr in several Fasti: but to be lamented, that in them alone & without any Acts of martyrdom: from other Martyrs of this name by this only we distinguish him, that he was a Presbyter, & at Alexandria he suffered. Him refer four apographs of the Hieronymian Martyrology, in these words: At Alexandria, of Maximus the Presbyter. In three apographs are joined five Martyrs, but whom crowned at Nicaea we shall presently relate. The same, but with no word added, refer the ancient Mss. Richenoviense, Rhinoviense, Trier of S. Maximin, Liege of S. Lambert & S. Lawrence, Brussels of S. Gudula, of the Queen of Sweden by Holstenius published, Ms. Florarium, & others; as also, but the contest omitted, Mss. Prague, Augsburg, Paris of Labbé, Greven finally in the Auctarium to Usuard: but always in all it is indicated he was a Presbyter.

ON THE SAINTS, DIOMEDES, AMANTIUS, MUCIANUS, ALEXANDER, JANUARIUS, MARTYRS AT NICAEA IN BITHYNIA.

From the Hieronymian Martyrology & others.

Commentary

Diomedes, Martyr at Nicaea in Bithynia (S.)

Amantius, Martyr at Nicaea in Bithynia (S.)

Mucianus, Martyr at Nicaea in Bithynia (S.)

Alexander, Martyr at Nicaea in Bithynia (S.)

Januarius, Martyr at Nicaea in Bithynia (S.)

G. H.

The most ancient apograph of the Hieronymian Martyrology of the Epternach monastery, after relating at Alexandria Maximus the Presbyter, subjoins these: At the city of Nicaea, of Diomedes, Amantius, Mucianus, Alexander: to whom Januarius is added in three other apographs, where by the yawning of amanuenses these words have been omitted, at the city of Nicaea. All things are best distinguished in the Ms. Martyrology of the Queen of Sweden, by Holstenius published, in which these things are read: At Alexandria the natal of S. Maximus the Presbyter. At the city of Nicaea the natal of S. Diomedes, with four others: whose names we have expressed. In the same manner by others they are distinguished in the Mss. of Brussels of S. Gudula, Medici & Strozzi among the Florentines, where it is thus read: At the city of Nicaea, of Dionysius, Amantius, Motianus & Januarius, with Alexander omitted. And he who in place is Mutianus, here is written Motianus, also Modianus & Monanus elsewhere is named. In the Vatican of the Church of S. Peter, & another of the Vatican Library no. 1449, & the Utrecht of the Collegiate Church of S. Mary, as also in Usuard, Bellinus and others, about the first Martyr these things are had; At Nicaea the natal of S. Diomedes. Of him, with the contest omitted, mention is made in the Ms. Prague, as of Alexander & Januarius in the other Vatican of S. Peter, Liege of S. Lawrence, & Trier of S. Maximin. The name of Amans, or Amandus, in place of Amantius & Januarius, is read in the Ms. Barberini, & only of Januarius in the Ms. Cassino & Altempsi. And these things from various Mss. But also using them Maurolycus, writes these things; At Nicaea, of the Holy Martyrs Diomedes, Amaranthus, Motianus, & of Januarius the Martyrs. To which similar things are read in Felicius & Galesinius, but this one in place of Motianus has the name of Montianus, & in the same Amaranthus is what to others is Amantius. From all these things thus set forth, the ancient reading is established, of the crown of martyrdom, conferred on the same at Nicaea in Bithynia.

ON THE HOLY FIFTEEN SOLDIERS, MARTYRS AT ROME.

From the same & a Ms. of Card. Francis Barberini.

Commentary

Fifteen Soldiers, Martyrs at Rome (SS.)

G. H.

The Ms. Martyrology which we found at Rome in the Library of the most Eminent Cardinal Barberini, these Holy Martyrs to us thus represents. At Rome the passion of the holy soldiers, fifteen in number. Where likewise with the same number are referred in the apographs of the Hieronymian Martyrology, at Lucca and Blume; likewise in the Mss. Trier of S. Maximin, Liege of S. Lambert & S. Lawrence, & Ms. Florarium and in the Martyrology of Notker published from the Ms. of the Library of S. Gall among the ancient Lessons of Canisius. In the apograph of Corbie are reckoned only thirteen soldiers. The rest with their names lie hidden.

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