Alexandrian Martyrs

27 May · commentary

ON THE HOLY ALEXANDRIAN MARTYRS, ACCULUS, OR AQUILUS, OR AQUILINUS, EVANGELIUS, AND THE OTHER XIV.

Notice taken from the Martyrologies.

Commentary

Acculus or Aquillus or Aquilinus, Martyr at Alexandria (S.)

Evangelius, Martyr at Alexandria (S.)

XIV, Martyrs at Alexandria (SS.)

G. H.

The ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology begin the day with these Saints, and the most ancient Epternac one with these words: "VI Kalends of June. Memory in the ancient fasti At Alexandria of Acculus the Priest, of Evangelius, and of XIV others." In the ancient Ms. of the Queen of Sweden published by Holstenius, the names of Aculus and Evangelius are expressed. In the Corbey copy printed at Paris, are the names of Aquilus and Evangelius. In the same way the name Aquilus is held by the Mss. of Casino, of Cardinal Barberini, of the Congregation of the Oratory and of Duke Altempsius the Roman, of Cologne S. Mariae ad Gradus, of Paris of Labbé and others with Notker. But in place of Aquilus is read Aquilinus in the copies of Lucca and Blume, likewise in the Mss. Vatican of S. Peter, Rhinau, Reichenau, Augsburg of S. Ulrich, Trier of S. Maximinus and others: nor in the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck printed about the year 1490; by Greven also, Maurolycus and Felicius, but in these two and the Lucca copy the name of Evangelius is missing, in some Evangelus. In the fourteen Anonymous companions all copies everywhere agree. The Aachen Ms. has the birthday of S. Accolus the Priest, and then among others the name of Aquilinus: but this should be taken of the same.

[2] Confused in Galesinius. Galesinius again from his quite mutilated and confused Ms. writes thus: "At Rome of the blessed Martyrs Aquilinus, Elias, Quintus and Restitutus." Of these Restitutus pertains to the Romans, but to be referred to May XXIX. But on this day is venerated S. Restituta the Virgin who suffered at Sora. But S. Helias is one of the Saints, who on this day is the first among the Martyrs crowned at Tomi, and S. Quintus also on this day is venerated, in Sardinia from the opinion of many having obtained the laurel. Finally Aquilinus, of whom we treat here, in others is Acculus and Aquilus. So also in the Augsburg Ms. of S. Ulrich, but with the place of contest omitted, in the first place are celebrated Aquilinus and Elias; and in the Paris Ms. of Labbé Aquilus and Helias; and in the Calendar of Lucca in Florentinius only Aquilus and Quintus: but in those Mss. some holy Martyrs are usually celebrated piecemeal without any order.

[3] May 28. On the following day May XXVIII are referred as having suffered at Alexandria SS. Aquilinus the Priest, Evangelius, and another fourteen, in the Mss. of Liège of S. Lambert, and S. Lawrence, and in the Ms. Florarium Sanctorum.

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