ON THE HOLY MARTYRS HESPERUS AND ZOË SPOUSES, CYRIACUS AND THEODULUS SONS, AT ATTALIA IN PAMPHYLIA.
UNDER HADRIAN.
PrefaceHesperus, Spouse, Martyr, at Attalia in Pamphylia (St.) Zoë, Spouse, Martyr, at Attalia in Pamphylia (St.) Cyriacus, Son, Martyr, at Attalia in Pamphylia (St.) Theodulus, Son, Martyr, at Attalia in Pamphylia (St.)
BY THE AUTHOR D. P.
Attalia, retaining its name from the most opulent King Attalus, commonly Satalia, was once a chief and Archiepiscopal city of Pamphylia, on the shore of the Mediterranean sea, at the mouth of the river Cestrus. It gave to these holy Martyrs an end of human servitude and the beginning of heavenly liberty, The Greek Acts, under the Emperor Hadrian. The place of Martyrdom is indicated by the Acts, which we give from a Vatican Greek MS. by us into Latin rendered: the Time those Acts do not mark; yet it (from other Acts perhaps) is noted, and the worship everywhere received among the Greeks is proved by all their Menaea and Synaxaria, both manu- script and printed: in which an Elogium under a lesser or greater compendium is handed down. For all let it be that which is found in the MS. Synaxarium of our College of Clermont at Paris in these words.
[2] The Saints Hesperus and Zoë were under the Emperor Hadrian from the region of Italy, slaves of a certain rich man Catalus and Tetradia his wife: the elogium from the Synaxarium. who when they had brought up their sons Cyriacus and Theodulus in a Christian manner, on a certain day the boys said to them: Why do we serve these impious ones and not rather Christ, lest we perish with them? Their mother hearing these things said: Resist him who bought our bodies, and we shall undergo martyrdom for Christ. Then approaching Catalus, We have, they say, Christ Jesus as Lord of our souls, but by a certain fortune it has come about that our bodies were subjected to thy power: meanwhile we count the servitude of Christ preferable, because one ought to obey God rather than men. Astonished at this Catalus then indeed sent them to Tritonium to his father Hesperus, but afterward summoning the father and mother with the sons, ordered them to be beaten and tortured vehemently because they would not celebrate the birthday-feast of his son, and taste of the wine and meats which he had sent them. He then ordered an oven to be kindled, and the Saints to be cast into it: who in it gave up their souls to God. But on the following day opening the same, they found the Saints as if sleeping, turned toward the East. But the festivity is performed on their most holy martyrdom, which is on the Second.
[3] The temple of St. Zoë at Constantinople. Thither namely were brought either the bodies of them all, or at least that of St. Zoë, perhaps under the Emperor Justinian: of whose buildings treating Procopius in book 1 chapter 3, when he had said, that in that Region of the city of Constantinople which is called δεύτερον, he dedicated to St. Anne a most noble and altogether wonderful temple; soon added: Not far thence, at the last angle of the city, he made for the Martyr Zoë a very elegant temple. Hence it comes that the Acts bear the name of Zoë alone in the title, with a general mention added of those who suffered with her. Sirleto, composing his Menology from the Menaea, the names in the Martyrology. gave Baronius occasion to insert them all by name in the Roman Martyrology: but so that, following one hallucinating, he should write Exuperius for Hesperus.
THE PASSION
From a Vatican Greek MS.
Hesperus, Spouse, Martyr, at Attalia in Pamphylia (St.) Zoë, Spouse, Martyr, at Attalia in Pamphylia (St.) Cyriacus, Son, Martyr, at Attalia in Pamphylia (St.) Theodulus, Son, Martyr, at Attalia in Pamphylia (St.)
FROM A GR. VAT. MS.
[1] Sold into servitude to idolaters This holy Martyr and her husband and two sons, pilgrims like Abraham the father of the elect, were citizens of the heavenly city: for they were bought by Catlus a and his wife Tertia. Now Catlus, coming from Rome, had migrated into Pamphylia, and dwelt at Attalia: but he had bought them as slaves for himself out of Phrygia b. Since therefore they were endowed with much faith and had their hope placed in God, as being born of Christians, both Zoë herself and those who were with her, walked in the right way: but those who bought them followed the impure superstition of idols, as being pagans, and sacrificed to idols, saying they were Gods. And so St. Zoë and her husband and two sons, they spurn the meat offered to idols, seeing their vain superstition, bore it grievously: and therefore they did not even taste of the consumption of the foods which they received, suspecting them to be offered to idols: for in the house, in which they dwelt, idols were set up.
[2] And so the holy Martyr, having received her dole, stood at the door, and said to the doorkeeper, Rest by day, and I, if there be need, will rouse thee: for thou laborest enough the whole night, on account of the multitude of those going out and coming in to our Lord, Zoë imparts her allotment to the poor: whom his vain religion allures to subject themselves and adore Fortune. The doorkeeper, then, obeying her words, withdrew himself, and rested in the court next to the gate. But there were dogs tied outside the gates; and if anyone, besides the guests, who were wont to come for the sake of receiving the command, arrived, they immediately flew upon him. Seeing therefore the Saint the poor and pilgrims arriving, she cast a little of her food; and they being silent, the rest she gave to the poor; persuading them to become Christians: for therefore, she said, you are saved coming hither. Moreover she fed the domestic fowls, when she received the monthly allotment, imparting to these grain, to those legumes, according as each fed according to its kind. And finally about sunset they themselves also were refreshed, mindful of the divine word saying, Consider the fowls of heaven, for they sow not, neither reap, nor gather into barns, and the heavenly Father feeds them. Matt. 6, 26
[3] But the sons said to their mother: We cannot dwell with these: for dost thou not thyself teach us from the divine Scriptures, the sons, led by zeal of faith, whence also we remember the Apostle saying, Do not bear the yoke with infidels? 2 Cor. 6. 14 Unless therefore, obedient to the Scriptures and keeping the Lord's precepts, we depart from them, we also shall be numbered with them. But the Martyr said to her sons: By what pretext at length will you depart from them, sons? for they are Lords of the bodies which are seen. To this the sons: Christ for us delivered himself into the hands of the impious Jews, and was crucified and buried, they explain their counsel to their mother: and on the third day rose again: if therefore we also deliver our bodies to the impious Catlus, and he by torturing kill us, we shall know that our souls eternally will live: therefore rejoicing and exulting, O mother, set us before our impious Lord; and what the Lord shall give our mouth, we will speak to him.
[4] And when Catlus came to dinner, the young men were ready, like noble athletes, for the contest, saying to one another; If God grant that for him we die and be held worthy to see him, and openly professing Christ we shall be with him. But the mother feared lest by torments terrified they should be induced to sacrifice, for hitherto their Lords knew not that they were Christians. When therefore she would not bring them in, her sons said to her, Why dost thou fear that impious man? Dost thou not remember that it is written, I spoke in thy testimonies in the sight of Kings and was not confounded? Psal. 118, 45 Going out therefore the sons met Catlus outside the door and said to him: Welcome, Lord of our visible bodies, but the Lord of our souls is Jesus Christ, who resides in the heavens. But Catlus said; These boys are mad, bringing a strange name upon me, calling God and Lord him who is called Jesus Christ: call me their father and mother.
[5] with her they are sent off to the father in the country estate. The servants going away found not their father, but brought their mother Zoë: to whom Catlus said: Where is thy husband? She answered: Didst thou not thyself order that he should dwell outside in Tritonium? Catlus said to her; Would that you also were in Tritonium, and did not disturb my mind, saying that you have a peculiar God, whom neither I nor any other has heard: but I seemed to myself for a great solace and many gifts to have received your mistress Tertia, because I offered sacrifices to the great Goddess Fortune. I will have no further question about those things which you have said to me: but when the boy shall be born, and the great Goddess Fortune I shall have adored, then I will also hear you. He ordered them therefore to depart into Tritonium [c]. Who when they were led away rejoiced and exulted singing psalms and saying, The Lord feeds me and nothing shall be wanting to me, in the place of pasture there he placed me: and again, Because thou hast rescued us from hell, and from the hand of death thou hast saved us: for they esteemed the house to be hell, Catlus death, but the idols fire.
[6] But a son was born to Catlus, and the impure birthday-feast was being celebrated, by sacrificing to the Fortune of the city; And when, on account of a son born to the lord and all rejoiced at the boy's nativity: but holy Zoë was strengthened, praying God that neither her husband nor sons should be led into temptation. But Catlus, after that impious banquet going forth, said to his wife Tertia: Let all rejoice in the festivity of our son: and she answered: Let all rejoice. Zoë had spurned the dole sent. And immediately they put wine into an amphora and meats into a dish, and ordered them to be carried to Zoë: who seeing the impure servant and understanding the signification of the foul gifts, groaned and said: Lord God, infallible searcher of human hearts, be present to us pilgrims: for besides thee, Lord, we know no other God: confirm us in thy confession. And approaching him who bore the meats, she cast them indeed to the dogs, but the wine she poured out.
[7] she is summoned with her husband and sons: Which when the servant had seen, he went away and announced to Catlus what had happened. But Catlus hearing these things, was filled with wrath and indignation against Christ: and ordered them to be brought into his house. But while they were being led St. Zoë instructed her husband and sons and said: Let us not fear the torments of the impure Catlus: but let us endure them, that through patience we may enter into the city of Christ with his Saints. As they entered to him Catlus said: In what having confidence have you dared to do these things? for I do not so much care that you have affected me with injury, as that the great Goddess Fortune you have contemned. But holy Zoë answered him: Our hope is Christ Jesus, the son of the living God: she confesses Christ, for those whom thou namest Gods, demons to us they are. Catlus said: I order therefore thy sons to be tortured, that we may see whether he can help them, whom God you say to be Christ.
[8] When therefore the boys, suspended, were being scraped with iron claws [d], their mother standing by said to them, she encourages her sons in the torments: Contend, and fear not the torments of the impious Catlus. But the sons answered, These torments are nothing: tell the impious Catlus to inflict greater torments upon us, that we may attain the perfect crown of patience. But she herself said to the impious Catlus: Why hast thou ordered the boys to be suspended, and ceasest to inflict torments upon them? for they have not felt the tearing. Then Catlus ordered the furnace to be kindled, and the servants of God to be cast into it, and diligently guarded. But holy Zoë, and her husband Hesperus, and the two sons Theodulus and Cyriacus, were in the furnace singing psalms and praising the Lord. Catlus therefore hearing them in the furnace [e] singing psalms, then with these and her husband cast into the furnace she expires: was thinking how he might destroy them with greater torture. And it was said to them in the furnace by the Holy Spirit, Be strengthened; for Catlus seeks how to destroy you with greater torments. But they hearing this, prayed and said, Lord Jesus Christ, receive our souls in peace. And immediately they delivered their souls in peace on the second day of May.
[9] But on the following day Catlus coming with his people, found the bodies of the Martyrs unharmed, the bodies are found unharmed. and turned toward the east: for already their souls had been joined to the choirs of the holy Martyrs and Angels and Archangels. And there was a voice from heaven saying, Enter, ye just, into Paradise: but thou, impious Catlus, look upon the eternal judgment and the place of gehenna, where the fire shall not be extinguished, while the just shall be in the joy of paradise through the eternity of times, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.
ANNOTATIONS.
ON THE HOLY MARTYRS GERMANUS, CÆLESTINUS, FELIX, CETINUS, URBANUS, BELLICUS AND PRIVATA.
CommentaryGermanus, Martyr (St.) Cælestinus, Martyr (St.) Felix, Martyr (St.) Cetinus, Martyr (St.) Urbanus, Martyr (St.) Bellicus, Martyr (St.) Privata, Martyr (St.)
G. H.
The most ancient transcript of the Hieronymian Martyrology, which received from the men of Echternach we have hitherto used, thus auspicates this day: VI Nones of May, of Germanus, Cælestinus, Felix, Cettinus, Urbanus, Bellicus, Privata. The same are read in three other transcripts of the same Martyrology, except that in the Lucca one the name of Germanus is wanting, and in place of Privata is written Privatus: then variously are written the names Cettinus, Cetinus, Cætinus and Ceticus, and Bellicus, Bellacus, Bellapus and Hellacus. Of these various ones in other MSS. are reported. Of the first three, namely Germanus, Cælestinus and Felix, Their names in the ancient Martyrologies. the memory is celebrated in the MS. of the Queen of Sweden praised by Holstenius. In the MSS. of Prague, and the double Liège of St. Lambert and St. Lawrence, is indicated the birthday of SS. Germanus, Cælestinus, Urbanus and Privata. The same are in the MS. Florarium, but Privatus is written. Likewise in the MS. Barberini, but Germanus being omitted; and in the MS. of Trier of St. Maximinus, but Privata being omitted; and Orbanus, in place of Urbanus, written. But others, of whom we shall soon treat, being intermixed are inserted in the MS. of Rheinau the names of Germanus, Cælestinus, Felix, Urbanus, and besides in the Reichenau Bellacus, Privata. In the MS. of Augsburg of St. Udalric these are handed down: of Germanus, Cælestinus, Privatus, Felix, to which in the Paris one communicated to us by Labbe is added Cetinus. In the MS. of Tallaght are the names of Cælestinus, Germanus, Urbanus, Bellicus, Privata. Thus far the illustrious memory of these Martyrs in so various MSS. is contained without the palestra or place of martyrdom. Of the other Germanus, Cælestinus and Santinus suffering at Alexandria below we shall treat. Likewise of Germanus and Cælestinus attributed to Rome in the following class. The name of St. Bellicus is inscribed in the ancient Calendar before the MS. works of St. Isidore, preserved at Rome among the Fathers of the Congregation of the Oratory.
[2] The relics of some St. Cælestinus at Bologna. Paulus Masinus in his survey of Bologna writes on this day, that at Bologna in the Church of St. Francis there is the head and part of the arm of St. Cælestinus Martyr, likewise some relics are with the Nuns of St. Helena. We received also ourselves an authentic testimony, when we were at Bologna in the year MDCLX, that with the said Franciscans with an Ecclesiastical office under a double rite St. Cælestinus martyr was venerated on account of the aforesaid relics, which there we venerated. But they seem to have assumed this day, because in the Roman Martyrology there is noted some Cælestinus suffering at Rome with two others soon to be named: which we cannot prove; and although we could, not on that account would we think it consequent, of another, that of Calepio. that of precisely him who is commemorated on this day, the Relics are at Bologna. Similarly diverse from this we think to be him, whose body, in the year MDCLXXV, on May XVIII, by Pontifical mandate from Gaspare of the title of St. Sylvester at the head of the H. R. C. Cardinal Priest of Carpineo, his Vicar general, John Paul Count of Calepio received, together with the relics of the holy Martyrs of Christ Liberalis, Angelus, Castus, Severianus, Perpetua, Victorina, Pontianus, to be placed in the church of the Visitation of B. Mary de Begnanga, situated in the commune of Calepio of the diocese of Bergamo. Yet of him I wished here to make mention, both because I judge for his worship in the aforesaid church to have been assumed this day, on which some Cælestinus is found in the Roman Martyrology, though by error, ascribed: both because it deserves it the piety of the Count himself and of the men of Calepio, who to us the instruments of the public acts of that translation under Notarial faith caused to be communicated: from which it is established, that that body was received from the Roman cemetery of St. Calixtus, and together with it was found the stone which is kept, with the inscription CÆLESTINUS and a martyr's palm sculpted. Of Cælestinus the Spanish Consul, who under Julian the apostate is presumed to have suffered, below we shall treat.