ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS GAUDENTIUS, FELIX, AGAPITUS, EMERITA.
Notice from the Hieronymian Martyrology, and others.
CommentaryGaudentius, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Felix, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Agapitus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Emerita, Martyr in Africa (S.)
G. H.
All are assigned to the 26th Four copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, on this 26th of June, record the aforesaid Martyrs in these words: In Africa, of Gaudentius, Felix, Agapitus, Emerita. In place of this last, in the single Lucca copy, is read Emeritus. Indeed Notker too reports all the same: In Africa, of Gaudentius, Felix, Agapitus and Emerita. In a certain Manuscript sent to us from Paris by Philip Labbe these things are found: In Africa, of Gaudentius, Felix, and, after others interposed, of Agapitus. But in the Monte Cassino and Altemps Manuscripts they are thus placed in sequence: In Africa, of Gaudentius, Felix, Agapitus. In the Augsburg Manuscript of S. Udalric mention is made of Agapitus and Emerita. But on the day before, that is the 25th of June, their memory is also celebrated in various Manuscripts and in the Reichenau and Rheinau ones in these words: Africa, of Gaudentius, Felix, Agapitus, Emeritus. In the Florentine Manuscripts of the Medicean library and of the Strozzi Museum, the Brussels one of S. Gudula, likewise on the 25th day, and in another Monte Cassino one, with the arena of Africa omitted, these things are noted: The Birthday of the Holy Martyrs Gaudentius, Felix, and Agapitus. In the ancient copy of the Hieronymian Martyrology of Echternach, and in the Manuscripts of Altemps, either all or some, of Monte Cassino, of Aachen, and the Manuscript of Ado belonging to the Queen of Sweden; likewise in the Auctarium of Greven to Usuard these things are read, In Africa the Birthday of S. Gaudentius, Felix. In the Manuscripts of Arras and Tournai is indicated the Birthday of S. Agapus or Agapitus. All of which we judge are to be understood entirely of these same four African Martyrs, on either day; and on account of the four copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology and of Notker, we rather refer them to this 26th of June than to the preceding day.