ON ST. VICTOR THE MOOR MARTYR AT MILAN.
A.D. 303.
PrefaceVictor the Moor, Martyr at Milan (S.)
By G. H. The memory of St. Victor the Moor the soldier is most celebrated among all the Latins, crowned with martyrdom at Milan in Insubria crowned with martyrdom. The four ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology open this May VIII in this manner: Memory in the sacred fasti on May 8, On the VIII Ides of May, at Milan of Victor. The more ancient Martyrologies agree, the Reichenau near Constance, the Augsburg of St. Udalric, the Vatican of the Church of St. Peter, the Dijon, the Arras, and others: in some of which these things are read: At Milan of St. Victor Martyr, beheaded. Usuard adorns him with this eulogy: VIII Ides of May. At Milan birthday of St. Victor Martyr, who from his earliest age a Christian, when he was a soldier in the Imperial camps, at the urging of Maximian to sacrifice, persevering most bravely in the confession of the Lord, was first severely beaten with cudgels, but by the protection of God free of pain; then drenched with molten lead, but in no way harmed; finally completed the course of his glorious martyrdom by the cutting off of his head. Similar or even longer eulogies drawn from the Acts have in their Martyrologies Rabanus, May 7, Ado, Notker and other later writers along with today's Roman Martyrology. But the day before, his solemnity is celebrated in an ancient MS. of the Queen of Sweden, edited by Lucas Holstenius in his Animadversions on the Roman Martyrology, in these words: On the Nones of May at Milan birthday of St. Victor Martyr, May 14, whose passion is celebrated there. Another and that solemn veneration recurs on the day before the Ides of May, or on the XIV day of the said May, when his sacred body is said by St. Maternus Bishop of Milan to have been buried, as is said below in the Acts: and this feast of translation is indicated in an ancient Missal of the year MDXXII, and a Breviary of the year MDXXXIX, likewise by Galesinius, Molanus and Ferrarius: likewise under the name of Maurus with a long eulogy in the Viola Sanctorum, printed at Hagenau in the year 1508, and in the MS. Florarium. But on the following day May XV, which is the Octave, and May 15, again Victor Martyr at Milan is referred to in the four ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, and another MS. of the Queen of Sweden mentioned above. But whether there it concerns the same Victor, or another different one, is uncertain to us, as on that day among the Passed-over we note.
[2] Church of St. Victor at the Body. There are several churches dedicated to St. Victor in the city and diocese of Milan: the chief among these can be reckoned the church of St. Victor, called "at the body," because in it his sacred body is preserved. This, distant a hundred and more paces from the Ambrosian church, was formerly called Portiana, and for some time the Metropolitan. There is buried Arnulph the second of that name Archbishop of Milan, surnamed of Arzago, who sat from the year a thousand and one, up to the year nineteen above a thousand, and constructed a new church of St. Victor at the Body, with a monastery of the Benedictine Order; with the Benedictine monastery, now Olivetan: but this Abbey afterwards given in Commendam, and at length in the year MDVII transferred to the Olivetan Fathers, by whom in the year MDLX a new church began to be erected, to which the bodies of SS. Victor Martyr and St. Satyrus brother of St. Ambrose were translated in the year MDLXXVI: of which matter accurately treats Giovanni Pietro Puricelli, in the Monuments of the Ambrosian basilica chapter 19. When, he says, the Olivetan monks had asked the holy Cardinal and Archbishop Charles Borromeo, that by himself or another he would inspect the sacred Relics, which were in the old basilica, and which were to be transferred from there to the new; Body of St. Victor translated in the year 1576. Charles himself was at length present there on Friday the twentieth day of the month of July, and thus in the public Document, drawn up six days later (in which all the acts of this Visitation of the Relics and then of the Translation and Reposition are recounted in order) we find written, which we also transcribe from there.
[3] In the presence of the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord Charles, Cardinal Presbyter of the title of St. Praxedis, under the major altar of the church of St. Victor was found a certain marble box, constructed of six stones mutually adhering with leaden plates: in which were found the Bodies of the most glorious Saints Victor Martyr and Satyrus Confessor, separated from each other by a clear interval. For the body of St. Satyrus was on the left of St. Victor, and on the head of the same rested a brick stone (a sign of the greatest antiquity) on which were read written these words; namely S. Satir. But on the right of St. Satyrus was placed the body of St. Victor, having a brick stone in every way similar to the above-mentioned resting on it: on which these words were read, namely S. Victor, whose letters V and T were written in retrograde fashion. And all these things in the presence of the very Reverend Lords, Rodulph de Cruce Primicerius of the major Church of Milan, John Francis a Basilica Petri Ordinary of the aforesaid Church, both dwelling in the Canonica: Pietro Galesinio Apostolic Protonotary, Abbot of St. Ambrose Major of Milan, Prior of the same Church, and Abbot of St. Victor. Thus there. The said Galesinio in the Notes to his Martyrology and the day VIII May, the head placed in a silver case in the year 1602. where he treats of St. Victor, attests that he was present at this Translation. Afterwards, as the same Puricelli teaches, both Heads, of Victor as well as of Satyrus, in the year of Christ above one thousand six hundred and second, on the twenty-third day of March, before Antonio Seneca, then Dean of the Metropolitan basilica and others, they solemnly drew them out of the chest, in which that holy Charles had once placed them, and placed them in two silver heads, that they might be carried among sacred processions, and exposed to the people for veneration on certain days. Of which matter a public document also exists, drawn up at that time by Jacobus Antonius Cerrutus, Notary of the Archiepiscopal Curia.
[4] These things Puricelli, who from this concludes that the head of St. Victor Martyr, which is preserved among the Volaterrans, is not of this Martyr of Milan, although Raphael Volaterranus book 20 of his Anthropology wrote in the beginning of the XVI century, There is also at Volaterra the head of St. Victor M. and after him Lucas Alemannius made Bishop of Volaterra in the year MDXCVIII affirmed it, and took care that it be inscribed on a marble stone erected at the left of the major altar. We treated on February III of S. Candidus Roman Martyr, whose body is preserved at Volaterra, and we likewise indicated that a notable writing drawn up by public authority concerning all the Relics was made and sent to us: in which is exhibited the most ancient monument preserved in the sacristy, by which is indicated the church dedicated by Pope Calixtus II in the year MCXX on day XX of May, and at the end these things are added: Moreover the Pope gave to the Church and Clergy and people of Volaterra a most devoted head, adorned with gold, of the most invincible Martyr St. Victor as a gift: which by the Clergy and people was humbly received as Protector and Patron of the city. Thus there: which more broadly from Volaterranus and others Ughelli sets out in book 1 of his Italia sacra in the Bishops of Volaterra, and exhibits a sculpted figure of the very skull: and again Puricelli in the Nazarian Dissertation chapter 46 number 20. But because of no month are Saints published by us, but that among them are ten, twelve, sixteen or more Martyrs, called by the name of Victor, besides others called Victorius, Victorinus, Victorianus, we judge that the head of some Saint Victor and other bones of his were sent from Rome by Pope Calixtus or given in person. So that prudently was assumed by the Volaterrans for his veneration not the day VIII May, on which St. Victor was crowned at Milan, but May XIII, on which another Victor could have died as Martyr: and such is given by us a Victor crowned with other Martyrs on the said May XIII at Polentia, but perhaps crowned elsewhere. and indeed (as we say there) in Picenum between Macerata and Septempeda. But what if on May XIII he was assumed, because on that day was received the sacred head and exposed to public veneration? Then we should rather judge these to be the Relics of some Saint who suffered at Rome. Thus also we at Antwerp, in the church of the Professed House of the Society of Jesus, have the body of St. Victor Roman Martyr, and for his veneration we chose the Sunday after the feast of St. Martin Bishop of Tours. But these things we leave to the decision of the Volaterrans, and we return to the churches dedicated to St. Victor.
[5] Church of St. Victor at the Golden Heaven. Another therefore is the church of St. Victor, formerly called at the Golden Heaven, now called of S. Satyrus, near the Ambrosian basilica, from which it is scarcely ten paces distant, and in that basilica is the altar of St. Victor at the Golden Heaven. Moreover according to Puricelli praised above, of the same St. Victor, as Patron and Protector, the effigy is there seen still most ancient, elaborated in mosaic work, in the very apex and summit of the church, vaulted and gleaming with gold all around. Whence from such an apex and gilded summit seems to have arisen that very name of St. Victor at the Golden Heaven. Moreover the effigy itself is fashioned in this very way. As much with the right as with the left hand he separately bears a Cross, inscribed with larger characters in the transverse part. On the right is thus inscribed Pane gratiae, but on the left thus, Faustin. and there is also thus held in the left hand an open book, inscribed Victor, lest anyone could doubt of which Saint that effigy was. Thus there Puricelli, in which is also the head of St. Victor, and after several pages he adds, that the Ambrosian monks claim for themselves the Head of the same Victor, but for the greater part mutilated: and this perhaps can more easily be reconciled with the credulity of the Church of Volaterra. St. Ambrose in his sermon for the feast of SS. Nazarius and Celsus Martyrs asserts, that the city of Milan possesses peoples of Martyrs: perhaps of another who suffered at Milan. from these on May VI we gave the catalogue of LXXIX Martyrs expressed by their names, and among these three called Victor, again on May XIV we shall give four Martyrs, and the leader of these Victor, crowned at Milan. Why not should we judge some head of these to be in veneration among the Ambrosian monks? But also let the Milanese themselves resolve this controversy among themselves.
[6] other churches of St. Victor Two other basilicas the same Puricelli indicates as still existing, one called of S. Victor at the Elm, the other of St. Victor at the Theater. It is said below in the Acts that S. Victor was led to a little wood, which is called At the Elms, where the Emperor had his garden, and there beheaded. But when before St. Victor had fled, he was found in a stable before the theater. Hence to the perpetual memory of St. Victor, churches were erected to him there. Paul Morigi in the Sanctuary of Milan page 140 describes the church of St. Victor at the theater, and asserts that among various Relics, some also of St. Victor are preserved there. We have moreover illustrated on day XIII February the Life of SS. Haymo and Veremundus brothers, who in hunting were to be torn by boars, beheld at the top of a hill a church constructed and dedicated to St. Victor the Moor, who having attained the laurel of martyrdom at Milan, in many churches of that diocese is honored; vowed themselves there to build a monastery, and they constructed and endowed it for Virgins of the Benedictine Order, in Meda a village of the diocese of Milan. The said Morigi also mentions on page 237 the Collegiate Church of St. Victor constructed in the ancient town of Varese. And these things abundantly suffice, that the ancient cult and veneration may be held for certain: to which can be added what we subjoin below to the Acts taken from St. Gregory Bishop of Tours.
[7] St. Victor suffered under Maximian Herculius, But at what time St. Victor suffered, and with what faith the history of the Passion has been written, must be set forth in a few words. The Acts have that under the reign of the Emperor Maximian, in the city of Milan there was a great persecution of Christians, namely as we said above when that city according to St. Ambrose possessed a people of Martyrs. This was Maximian Herculius who reigned with Diocletian, and lived for the most part at Milan, enlarged the circuit of the city and surrounded it with a wall, made a palace lofty with two towers: moreover by erecting statues, signs, columns everywhere he strove to make it most similar to Rome: as Tristan Calchus tells in book 1 of the History of Milan near the end. and Anolinus the Counselor Furthermore in persecuting Christians there was at hand Anolinus, a Counselor of similar mold to Maximian, a man most ferocious in shedding the blood of Christians, whose cruelty is explained by the Acts of SS. Nabor and Felix slain at Lodi Pompeia on July XII, and of SS. Firmus and Rusticus crowned at Verona on August IX: whose Acts thus begin: When the most impious Emperor reigned, in the city of Milan, there was a great persecution of Christians etc. We have indicated more about Anolinus on March XXIII at the Life of St. Proculus Bishop of Verona number 6. The same Anolinus in torturing St. Victor, while at Milan Maximian was present, played the principal part. Nor is there any difficulty here: but for the matter to be believed to have been done in the same year in which Maximian himself died, which follows from the Acts, and indeed in the sixth year after he had abdicated the Empire, is not without difficulty.
[8] Acts that bear the authority of an eyewitness. Those Acts from ancient monuments about two hundred years ago Boninus Mombritius of Milan published, and inscribed to Cicco Simonetta, Secretary of the Dukes of Milan. We have copied the same from the MS. codex of the library of Cassino written in Lombardic letters, likewise from the very ancient codex of Trier of the Imperial monastery of S. Maximinus, and we have found in the Ms. of Christina Queen of Sweden marked number XIII. The same Pierre Francois Chiflet sent us drawn from a Ms., but abridged. The same Lawrence Surius edited, but with the style here and there somewhat polished: a compendium of the same exists in the Breviary of Milan according to the institution of St. Ambrose printed in the year MDXXXIX, in which three Lessons drawn from this Life are prescribed, on this VIII May, on which he suffered, to be recited at Matins. A notable eulogy also taken from the same is inserted in the Missal of Milan printed in the year MDXXII, which is wont to be recited in the Preface of the Mass. All these things bring it about that one understands that those Acts of the Passion, which I said, were everywhere and without scruple received. Nor do I think the truth of the martyrdom should be doubted: I fear nevertheless that the Acts themselves are not so ancient and sincere as the last paragraph makes them appear; in which after it is narrated, how Anolinus adjured the recorders of the Palace, that each one would bring forth whatever he had papers or documents concerning the martyrdom of Victor, and these he had burnt before him; thus then it is read: Then I also Maximianus, notary of Maximian the Emperor, a Christian from my infancy, swore by their paganism: and yet by night with lamps in the Hippodrome of the Circus I wrote these things, as I could retain in memory, because I dwelt there: and I adjured, that if anyone should find this writing, he would not deny it to a Christian man. All these things I Maximianus with my own eyes saw, with God as witness and the holy Trinity.
[9] such things they are not, He would have written therefore those Acts, not only as an eye-witness, but also would have written with fresh memory, with the persecution still continuing: but his writing he did not dare to deliver by himself to a Christian man, and would have left it rashly thrown out in public. For what is more rash than where so many idolaters were; who seemed about to snatch it more quickly, than according to the wish of the writer to deliver it to Christians, to hope that it would come into their hands? What more incredible than that to that nocturnal and furtive writing the author himself would have appended his name, and wishing to lie hidden, would have wanted it to be made known to whoever found it, with manifest peril of his own life? For the preservation of which yet he confesses an impious oath was conceived by him, so feeble was he in professing the faith of Christ. How therefore is so ill-cautious a precaution not suspect?
[10] but when idolaters were already called Pagans Nevertheless I am moved by this, that I see the Gods of the Pagans and Paganism named: for I shall never believe anyone living in the time of Maximian would have written so. Iacobus Gothofredi at the Theodosian Code book 16 title 10 on Pagans, refers the most ancient mention of such a name, which he has hitherto been able to find, to the beginning of Valentinian and Valens, or the year of Christ CCCLXV: and no one doubts but that this phrase had its origin from Christians, so begun to call idolaters contemptuously, after their superstition, proscribed by Christian Emperors, departed from the cities to the villages: which the reader will be able to see learnedly discussed by him. To me it does not seem that much is needed to prove this, which the very name as it were speaks of itself. For not in the way that Christians said Gentiles and Heathens, a word employed from the beginning of the Church, written when Christianity flourished: thus would you think Pagans were said, as if by the failure of Latinity Pagus was said for the whole Roman Empire, and in that sense was called the Pagan religion, which was held everywhere by all. But that with a stricter and more Latin notion, Pagans were called as it were rustics and country-dwellers, we can prove from this, that in our Teutonic tongue we have received from our ancestors no word that responds to the Latin one, except one to which that vile and full of contempt signification is subjoined, when we call idolaters Heydenen, from the noun Heyde, which to us even now denotes a field, and indeed an uncultivated one, because outside the places of common habitation, to those almost desert places they were relegated, where they exercised their ancestral superstitions as best they could.
[11] with not the best faith, Whoever therefore he was, who either first composed these Acts from the tradition of his elders, or interpolated those anciently written; in the part where he wished to gain for them the greatest authority of eye-witness testimony, in this same part he detracted from them even the simple prerogative of good faith, while he is found to have used fraud. Wherefore neither do we now dare to trust that note of time, which the Saint would have made, ordering it to be announced to Maximian, that in this year he would die: For by the authority of so wavering faith it becomes hardly probable, that a man, however hostile to Christians, at that time could have been at leisure to harass them, at which he should have been wholly intent on stabilizing what he was rashly presuming to resume the Empire, and therefore they do not persuade that the matter was done in the year 310. in the very attempt of carrying out the matter being suppressed and extinguished. Therefore that fatal persecution, of which the Acts of many other Saints make mention, and in which St. Victor triumphed (no account being had of those words so rashly added) I shall refer to the last year of Diocletian and Maximian co-reigning, of Christ CCCIII, in which Maximian, present at Milan, presided over the cruel butchery. Nor will I make much of what the Saint is said to have threatened the tyrant, that when he should be dead no burial would receive him, unless his shins were broken: because I read no such thing elsewhere, but well in Eusebius at the end of book 8, that he ended his life by a noose, according to a certain prophecy of demons, deservedly afflicted by such punishment for the very many crimes he had committed; and that at Marseilles, where he had fled, with Maxentius III sole Consul, as Idatius writes, that is in the year of Christ CCCX.
ACTS OF THE MARTYRDOM
From MS. Codices and Mombritius.
Victor the Moor, Martyr at Milan (S.)
BHL Number: 8580
FROM MSS.
[1] Under the reign of the impious Emperor Maximian, in the city of Milan there was a great persecution of Christians. There was however there a certain soldier, a Moor by birth, by name Victor, very well known to the Emperor. Then the Ministers reported to the Emperor saying: Lord most clement Emperor, Victor the Moor, having become a Christian, blasphemes our gods, and says they are demons. Then the Emperor indignant ordered him to be apprehended and brought to him: to whom also he said: Before the Emperor he professed the faith, Victor our soldier, what did you think was lacking to you, that you should have made yourself a Christian? Victor replied: I have not lately been made a Christian, but from the beginning of my life. The Emperor Maximian said: Therefore, as you assert manifestly, are you a Christian? Victor replied: I am manifestly a Christian, and I adore Christ Jesus the son of the living God born of the Virgin Mary, and I believe with my heart, and with my mouth I do not cease to praise. Then the Emperor Maximian, filled with anger, ordered him to be sent to prison near the Circus, by which way one goes to the Ticinese gate, and to be diligently guarded, saying to him: in prison he is tortured by hunger: Go Victor, consider with yourself how you can escape the horrid torments, which will fiercely tear you, if you are unwilling to sacrifice. Sent therefore into prison he spent there six days, and the Emperor ordered that neither bread nor water should be given to him. But on the seventh day Maximian the Emperor ordered the tribunal to be prepared in the hippodrome of the Circus, and ordered St. Victor to be led forth, and said to him: What is it Victor, what have you considered concerning your salvation? S. Victor replied: My salvation and my strength is Christ: by whose spirit I am nourished, whom I have received in my bowels.
[2] Then the Emperor Maximian, filled with wrath, ordered cudgels to be brought, and in his sight him to be stretched out and beaten, a and three teams of three to take turns and to cry to him: Sacrifice to the gods, whom the Emperor and all adore. And when he had been beaten, he is beaten with cudgels: he ordered him to be raised: to whom also he said: Victor, hear my counsel, and approach and serve these gods: because no one can better serve them than you, especially since you are an honored hound. S. Victor replied: Blessed David the King and Prophet teaches saying: All the gods of the gentiles are demons, but our God made the heavens: if therefore from the beginning they are called demons, b how shall I adore them? Ps. 95 Then Maximian the Emperor said to him: he scorns honors and gifts: Behold I give you the honor of Master of the soldiers, and gold and much silver, and offices and possessions, only sacrifice to these gods, whom we worship. Victor replied: I have already said, and I will say again: I will not sacrifice to demons, but to God I offer myself as a sacrifice of praise: because it is written, everyone sacrificing to demons and not to God shall be eradicated. Exod. 22 Anolinus, Counselor of the Emperor, said: Victor, honors are promised you by the most clement Emperor: why do you not sacrifice to the gods, whom the Emperor adores, and to whom he bows his neck? S. Victor replied: I do not accept the rewards promised by you: but from my God I daily receive c strength.
[3] Then the angry Emperor Maximian ordered him again to be sent to prison at the gate, which is called Roman; and there to be guarded by soldiers. And when there he had been for three days, he ordered him to be led out of prison, and the Emperor said to him: Victor, sacrifice to these gods, whom true divinity has proved to be gods. S. Victor replied: I do not sacrifice to the gods of pagans: it is shameful for me that what I received in the sanctification of baptism, I should desert, compelled by you, a corruptible man and placed in every necessity. I do not do it: do what you are about to do: because I know that he who fights for me is stronger than you. Then the Emperor Maximian, and Anolinus his Counselor, ordered cudgels to be brought d and him to be stretched, and five teams of three to take turns, and to shout at him, again he is beaten with cudgels. Sacrifice to the gods whom the Emperor and all adore. Then S. Victor, when he was placed in pains, did not feel pains: but thus he prayed to the Lord saying: Lord Jesus Christ, by whose grain I am daily nourished, my King and my God, help me placed in these pains. Then the Emperor Maximian said to him: Victor, take counsel for your blood, and sacrifice to these gods, whom all adore. For by the gods and by my safety and the state of the commonwealth, unless you sacrifice, I will make you exhale your breath e by various punishments. And do not hope that if you are punished by me, the Christians will make you their Martyr, my servant: but I order you to be cast there, where never your body can be found. S. Victor replied: I do not sacrifice: do what seems good to you: not of your servant will you do as you have said, but of the servant of Christ. Then indignant the Emperor Maximian, that he had answered him so, ordered him to be sent again to prison at the gate which is called Roman, and his feet to be stretched in the stocks.
[4] constant in various temptations, And when he was shut up there, Anolinus the Counselor of the Emperor sent to him saying: Go, say to Victor: Man, you have despaired badly of your life, f take counsel for your blood, and do not provoke the Emperor any more to wrath: hear my counsel and sacrifice to our gods, and ask of the Emperor whatever honor you wish: for by the gods and by the safety of the Emperor many torments are prepared for you. S. Victor replied to those who had come to him: Go, say to Anolinus. Ps. 96 I do not sacrifice to the gods of the Pagans, because Scripture teaches us, let all be confounded who adore idols and who glory in their images. But I adore the living and true God, that I may not be confounded forever. And when this had been reported to Anolinus, it was reported also to the Emperor: and they were exceedingly angry. But on the next day the Emperor Maximian ordered him to be led out of prison, and Anolinus said to him: Victor, is your heart so hardened, that g you do not hear the commands of the Emperor and sacrifice? S. Victor replied: I do not sacrifice to unclean and senseless gods. Then the Emperor ordered all kinds of torments to be brought before him, and said to him: You see, Victor, what great torments await you, if you do not sacrifice? S. Victor replied: These torments, which you wish to inflict on me, are nothing: he is drenched with molten lead, but greater ones will be prepared by my God for you on that day of just judgment. Then the Emperor Maximian, bearing this with indignation, that he had openly blasphemed, ordered lead to be brought and to be melted, and his whole body to be drenched. And when he was drenched, thus he prayed to the Lord, saying: Lord Jesus Christ, for whose name I sustain these things, help me and free me, just as you freed the three immaculate boys from the midst of the burning fiery furnace, and confounded the tyrant; so send now and free your servant, without any harm. that Maximian with his attendants may blush. And immediately an Angel of the Lord was present, who made the lead so cold, as if water lifted from a fountain, and his body was not burnt in any part. Then extending his hands B. Victor blessed the Lord, saying: I bless you, Christ Jesus, son of the living God, because you have deigned to have mercy on your servant, and have sent your holy Angel, who has both cooled the lead, and the wounds, which the impious Maximian inflicted on me, has anointed with the ointment of your mercy. Then Maximian began to be in stupor and all who were present, because his body had not been burnt. Then S. Victor said: I give you thanks, Lord God, father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has both cooled the lead, and made me conquer horrid torments, do not I beseech h make me to be overcome by these men.
[5] Then the Emperor Maximian ordered that he be led to the gate which is called Vercellina: and while they were waiting for what the Emperor would order, they rested there. Then the soldiers who were guarding St. Victor fell asleep: and rising St. Victor fled and hid himself i in a stable before the theater. recovered from his hiding-place, Then the soldiers rising followed him, and finding a little woman they asked her, saying; Have you not seen a hoary man with torn garment going this way? The woman replied, and said: I have seen here a hoary man with torn garment fleeing. The soldiers following along the way which is called of the stable, came before the theater; and entering into the stable, they found St. Victor hidden before the heads of the horses. Then the soldiers k insulting him led him out. Hearing this, Maximian, that S. Victor had fled, was indignant with his soldiers, and ordered other soldiers that he be led out of the city, to the garden which is called of Philippus. But the Emperor himself walking in the hippodrome of the circus, sent to him l runners saying: Go, say to Victor: you have despaired of your life, and you are unwilling to sacrifice: by the gods, if you do not sacrifice, I shall make you undergo the capital sentence. To whom S. Victor replied: Go, say to your Emperor, what you are about to do, do quickly, because I desire to receive my reward from God my own, and condemned to death for whom I suffer these things, because it is time: if it be pleasing to him, who gave me soul and spirit. Then the Emperor Maximian ordered to be called m executioners, and ordered them that he be led to the little wood which is called at n the Elms, where the Emperor had his garden, and there be beheaded. And when S. Victor was being led, he said to the soldiers, who were leading him: Say to the Emperor Maximian, that this year o he will die, and when he is dead no burial will receive him, unless his shins are broken. And when he had said these things they came to the place, and he made his prayer saying: I give you thanks, he is beheaded. Lord Jesus Christ, because you have not separated me from your Saints, my fellow citizens [p] Nabor and Felix. I bless you and give you thanks unto all ages of ages. Amen. The prayer being completed his head was cut off by the executioner.
[6] Then the Emperor ordered, that no one should bury his body, that it might be devoured by beasts. And after six days the Emperor sent his Quaestor with soldiers, The body preserved by beasts to see if already by beasts or serpents it had been devoured. Going however they found his body intact, and in no part contaminated, and two beasts, one at the head and the other at the feet, guarding the body of S. Victor: and returning they reported to the Emperor. Then the Emperor ordered that his body be buried. After however permission had been given that the body of the Martyr be buried, the Saint and most blessed man [q] Bishop Maternus went, and found two beasts, one at the head and the other at the feet, guarding his body, and himself as if at that very hour he had been beheaded. But the beasts, when they saw S. Maternus the Bishop, gave place; and as long as they stood there, until his body was lifted: he is buried by St. Maternus the Bishop: which wrapping in linens, they brought not far from that little wood, and buried him in peace. Then Anolinus the Counselor ordered to be apprehended all the recorders who were in the palace, and made them swear by their Gods, that if anyone had any paper or document, no one would conceal it. Then all swore by the gods and by the safety of the Emperor that no one would conceal it, and all the papers being brought, Anolinus caused them to be burnt before him by the executioner: which deed greatly pleased the Emperor. [r] Beheaded was S. Victor on the Eighth Ides of May, and was buried by S. Maternus the Bishop on the day before the Ides of May, with our Lord Jesus Christ reigning with the Father and the Holy Spirit, through all ages of ages. Amen.
ANNOTATIONS.
ANALECTS
From St. Gregory Bishop of Tours book 1 of Miracles chapter 45.
Victor the Moor, Martyr at Milan (S.)
By his intercession captives are freed. Magnified at the city of Milan is Victor the renowned Martyr, that he often releases bound from prison-houses, and permits captives to go free. Therefore at a certain time Apollinaris with Victorius the Duke sought Italy, who they say at the city of Rome was killed: and the inhabitants of the place held Apollinaris as a captive, saying: You shall not see your country, but worthy, as your satellite, you shall pay penalties. Having threatened these things they sent him into exile at the city of Milan. It happened however that with the festival of S. Victor approaching, the people gathering, he was also present at the vigils (for under free custody he was kept released) and prostrated before the tomb of S. Victor, when he had begun more earnestly to pray, that the power of the Martyr might free him from this exile; about the middle of the night going out from the church, he heard one of the poor speaking to another and saying: What do you think, O fellow-poor man, is the power of this Martyr? I speak truly, nor am I deceived, that on this night whoever a captive escapes by flight from his lord, released he comes to his country, nor any longer thereafter shall be found. These words of Apollinaris, as if an omen sent by the will of God, receiving, again and again prostrated to the tomb of the Martyr, he prays that aided by his power he may be able to depart without impediment. And soon calling a boy he ordered the horse to be saddled, saying: Today we are to be released from the bond of this custody. And ascending the heights of the Alps, with a multitude of fellow travelers completed, they so passed through that by no one were they questioned where they were going or whence they came. And it is manifest that they were saved by the protection of the blessed Martyr from this tribulation.