ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS, FABIANUS, FELIX, ARION, CAPITOLINUS, NISIAS, ELAPHAS, VENUSTUS THE EUNUCH, CRESCENS, ALEXANDER, THEONAS, PLEOSUS, ASTHESIUS, APOLLONIUS, AMPHAMON, PHISOCIUS, MELEUS, DIONYSIUS, HINUS, PANNUS, PLEBRIUS, PANUBRIO, DIOSCORUS, TUBONUS, CAPITULINUS, NICAS, GURDINUS.
From the Martyrology of S. Jerome and others.
CommentaryFabianus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Felix, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Arion, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Capitolinus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Nisias, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Elaphas, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Asthesius, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Apollonius, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Amphanion, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Phisocius, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Meleus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Dionysius, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Hinus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Venustus, a eunuch, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Crescens, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Alexander, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Theonas, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Pleosus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Pannus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Plebrius, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Panubrio, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Dioscorus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Tubonus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Capitulinus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Nicas, Martyr in Africa (S.)
Gurdinus, Martyr in Africa (S.)
G. H.
Memorial in the Martyrology of S. Jerome This class of African Martyrs four ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology adduce, under some variety of writing. And first indeed Arion after Theonas is placed; Capitolinus and Nisias, set in the fourth and fifth place, are only in the Ms. of Epternach, and are wanting in the others; as if Capitulinus and Nicas, placed at the end, were not other than these former ones: them however as distinct, with that most ancient copy we keep. Then in place of Pleosus and Asthesius, are read the names Pleosus, Pleosus, Astecius and Astefer. So for Amphamon is had Ampamon and Amphimontus; and for Phisocius and Meleus, Philosisus, Astisus, and Melatus. For Hinus and Pannus in the same place is, "In Spanis," as if a second class were to follow, to be attributed to Spain. Afterward for Pannus and Plebrius are Penius, Pheursus, and Benverus: but Panubrio is in the Epternach copy alone, and in place of Nicas is Bicca.
[2] Many of these Martyrs are signed in other Mss. and in a certain one of the Queen of Sweden published by Holstenius, are these; In Africa, of Fabianus, Felix, and various other Calendars. and of twenty-two others. So also Notker: In Africa, of Fabianus, Felix, with many other Martyrs. The Aachen Ms.: In Africa the birthday of Fabianus, Felix, Arion, Capitulinus, Theonas, Gurdinus. The Barberini Ms.: In Africa, of Fabianus, Felix, Venustus, Crescens. The Mss. of Reichenau and Rhinow: In Africa, of Fabianus, Arion, Capitulinus. The Mss. Augsburg of S. Udalric and Parisian of Labbe: In Africa, of Fabianus, Theonas, Gurdinus, Alexander, Venustus the Eunuch, Apollonius, Dionysius. The Ms. of Trier of S. Maximinus: In Africa, of Fabianus, Felix, Nemesius, Crescens. Everywhere their arena is named Africa, and of these Athletes the standard-bearer, Fabianus; to whom from the rest various companions are attributed by different Martyrologists. But Nemisius or Nemesius does not pertain hither, to be given below with others.