ON ST. PHANURIUS, MARTYR, CELEBRATED IN RHODES AND CRETE. PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY:
Concerning his certain cultus, on an uncertain day; and concerning the miracles written in the VIII century, and the cause of referring them here.
Phanurius Martyr Wonderworker, celebrated in Rhodes and Crete (St.)
BY D. P.
From the Vatican Ms. the miracles are given Among the volumes of the Vatican Library, most rich in codices written in Greek and Latin language, there is one most thick, of more than thirteen hundred and eighty folios, on linen paper, in a quite small character, and not at all most ancient, and marked with the number 1190; which was given to Paul V, intent on enriching the Library, by Alexander Turrianus, Bishop of Sitia and Hierapetra, the dedication prefixed to the book teaches. In this, in no (as I know) order are found the Passions and Lives of many Saints and holy female Martyrs, of certain also Confessors and Virgins, especially Eastern; so that it is credible to have been written for the use of some Church in Syria, while the Christian cause there however was subsisting, before the use of making such paper had become known in our Europe. From this Codex, we have transcribed for ourselves both certain other histories of Saints, and the Life of S. Myron, Cretan Bishop, to be given on August VIII; and the Miracles done among the Cretans at the invocation of S. Phanurius, with the title that promises misleading, "Μαρτύριον τοῦ Ἁγίου Μεγαλομάρτυρος Φανουρίου τοῦ Θαυματουργοῦ," Martyrdom of the holy Megalo-martyr and Wonderworker Phanurius. with proof of cultus, For neither is there here a word about the life and death of the Saint, the author excusing himself in the very beginning, that of these nothing at all is known, and that only the cultus is certain, among the Rhodians indeed more ancient than any human knowledge, but among the Cretans of more recent memory.
[2] Therefore here only Miracles are had, described by an Anonymous Author of neither island as inhabitant, but pertaining to some other Church, where besides this Saint (whose feast on what day it falls is not expressed) on certain (which he indicates) days are venerated Mellifluus Callinicus, also in the Antiochene (as it seems) Church unknown to us from elsewhere, and the holy Fathers, Macedonius Critophagus, and Eusebius. But because we know both these to have lived near Antioch of Syria from Theodoret's Philotheus, we suspect there to have flourished the cultus of S. Phanurius which he indicates also. For although the aforesaid Saints have a place in the printed Menaea, received from the use of the Churches subject to the Patriarchate of Constantinople; yet they have it on other days than those marked here; just as also S. Therapon, of whom we have already treated, translated from Rhodes to Constantinople; for whom, as we have seen, the same Menaea make memory on May XIV; while most of the Mss. Synaxaria and the Typicon itself, where also S. Therapon is venerated on May 27, printed from the use of the monasteries of the Holy Land, mark this day May XXVII: on which also that he himself is venerated in his (which we suspect to be Antiochene) church, this author whom we have at hand teaches, himself bringing him also as an example of Saints celebrated by public veneration, although it is not known who or whence they are, where and with whom they lived, when or how they died.
[3] therefore is joined to this. Therefore since we find the name of S. Phanurius hitherto in no written Fasti; and yet a testimony of cultus so certain and evident is found in the present collection of miracles; it has seemed fitting, that those whose Acts of life and passion are buried in similar oblivion, but whose miracles by similar fortune alone remain, we should report at the same time on this day, on which we know one of them to be venerated. Also that in the same Diocletian and Maximian persecution, in which from Rhodes to Egypt S. Therapon fled, The Miracles happened in the 8th century. Phanurius was crowned, and the Acts perished by the same perverted zeal of the Gentiles, by which most sacred books and acts of Martyrs perished, nothing forbids to suspect. But of the miracles we can affirm with certainty, that they all happened in the VIII century; namely when the Saracens having crossed from Africa now possessed Hispania Bætica, but had not yet occupied Crete and Rhodes and the Cyclades islands; but only by piratical excursions made those seas dangerous, when certain Rhodian Priests led into captivity, and the Cretan monk Jonas by zeal and intercession of S. Phanurius freed, gave occasion of dilating his veneration even into Crete, by translation of an image, expressed in similitude to the Rhodian images of the same Saint. MIRACLES By an Anonymous Author described in the 8th century from the Ms. Codex of the Vatican Library number 1190 fol. 1091. Phanurius Martyr Wonderworker, celebrated in Rhodes and Crete (St.)
FROM THE VATIC. MS. CHAPTER I.
The cultus of S. Phanurius propagated from Rhodes to Crete, on the occasion of certain Priests captured by the Saracens.
[1] [Greek text — the author begins with prefatory remarks: This great Martyr of Christ Phanurius — whence he came, of what family, of what parents, from what province, whether of faithful or unfaithful, whether from the island of Rhodes or elsewhere — we have no certain way of knowing; for those before us did not hand down, nor did those hear from those before them. And no wonder; that we celebrate in September on the tenth, the holy Callinicus the Mellifluous; in January first and tenth, our holy Father Macedonius the Barley-eater; likewise in the same month tenth, our holy Father Eusebius; in May the twenty-seventh, the holy Hieromartyr Therapon; and many other Saints, both written and unwritten. From of old it is reported, that the temple, near to many things found, is of Phanurius the great. There are also images in the whole island of Rhodes, venerated and revered, wonderful; and even to this day this prevailed, and behold thus it is, but it is more brightly illustrated by miracles. For "Wonderful is God in his Saints," says the blessed David, "the God of Israel." For truly the mind that beholds God marvels at the maker, who glorifies his faithful servants.]
[Continuing the Greek narrative: God glorified his servant Phanurius, great among Martyrs; for as his name signifies, so was his polity. For not in vain in Rhodes was he glorified, and among many of foreign lands coming there; but also in famous Crete he was pleased to be glorified, and indeed always there and there to be glorified through miracles. For it is not possible, as the divine Words say, that a city set on a mountain be hidden, nor that a lamp be placed under a bushel, but on the lampstand of the house, that it may shine to those under it. Many miracles he was seen working, which if we wished to set forth, with much we should weary the ears of those reading the discourse not with desire. We shall show through a few the strength of the Martyr Phanurius, and shall content the hearers in brief — for it is heard, not only among those in Crete, the wonderful prodigy of the priests. We say it is a prodigy, that many sailed from Coron, and to parts of Theon, not at one time, but in each season and month and week; yet none befell such a calamity as her one happened. And this, by the dispensation of God, that as roses in the midst of thorns they might be found, or as gold in the furnace, or even for the testing and faith of parents and friends, but rather that of their spiritual Father his...]
[Greek text — extensive narration of the miracles of S. Phanurius. The author tells how the Saint, although his life and martyrdom are unknown, is celebrated for many wonders, particularly the deliverance of certain Rhodian Priests from Saracen captivity. The narrative recounts how three Priests, Nicolas, George, and Michael, were captured by the Hagarenes; how a Cretan monk named Jonas, learning of their plight from a fellow captive named Theodore, was inspired by S. Phanurius to help ransom them. The Saint's image was painted on Rhodes and brought to Crete, where it began to work miracles, including the healing of the sick and the freeing of captives.]
[1] This great defender of truth, and Martyr of Christ Phanurius, whence indeed he came forth, of what family, of what parents, of what region, Although the beginnings and acts of S. Phanurius are hidden, whether of faithful progenitors, or of unfaithful, from the island of Rhodes, or born elsewhere, or in what manner he was brought to that same island, cannot be certainly understood: since neither did our elders hand down anything to us about these things, nor did they themselves receive from their elders; which indeed should not seem wonderful to anyone or unusual. Since we hold the festive day of the month of September the tenth for the holy and Mellifluous Callinicus; but of January the eleventh day for our holy Father Macedonius b the Critophagus; and the tenth of the same month for our holy Father c Eusebius; finally of the month of May the seventh and twentieth for the holy Hieromartyr d Therapon; and for many other Saints, whose names and deeds are or are not expressed in the sacred monuments. yet a temple in Rhodes obtains, That alone therefore by the unhesitating speech of the ancients prevailed, that there was found long ago a temple, consecrated to the great Phanurius. Images also have been found, endowed with a certain admirable virtue, which throughout the whole island of the Rhodians were held in honor and veneration by all of that time. Which veneration indeed they obtain even now; nor only this, but they shine with greater miracles. Ps. 67, 36 "Wonderful is God in his Saints, the God of Israel," says blessed David. The mind, namely, fixed more deeply in the contemplation of the one God, marvels not a little at the Creator of all, extolling his faithful servants with glory.
[2] But do you think that he was less concerned to render his servant Phanurius, illustrious among the Martyrs especially, and cultus among the Cretans. illustrious among men? Indeed according to his name, e so also is his life and glory; for it was not fitting that only in Rhodes, and only by foreigners flowing into that island for the cause of veneration, he should be religiously venerated; but it pleased God in the most illustrious land of the Cretans to honor his Saint, or rather both there [f] and there always to illustrate him with most beautiful miracles. Matt. 5, 14, Not, just as the sacred pages declare to us, can a city placed on a mountain be hidden, nor a lamp be placed under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that it may shine to all who are in the house. Therefore by the splendor of admirable things this Saint shone forth so greatly, On account of many and remarkable miracles, that if it were proposed for us to narrate them all, with the prolixity of speech we would weary the ears especially of those who came to hear us perhaps with little desire. With few therefore the admirable force and power of the Martyr Phanurius in working we shall set before the eyes, and with brief speech satisfy the hearers. For not only to the inhabitants of the island of Crete is it heard, that which happened wonderfully in certain Priests. Indeed it can be held in the place of a prodigy, that from the city of Coron [g], and from the parts of h Thebes not a few, and not at one time, but at every season of the year, among which especially well-known every month, every week, by the grace of this Saint crossed the sea; but no one after he came there fell into such a calamity. But this through the disposition of God so happened to them, as if they should find roses in the midst of thorns, or gold placed in the furnace, or even for some experiment and to give greater faith to parents and friends; or rather
[continuing the Latin narration of how through prayer to S. Phanurius the captive Priests were finally freed by the Lord Petranus, with their image carried to Crete to spread the cultus.]
that the perfect charity and fragrant love of this our spiritual Father toward God, might be made known not only to us, but also to all posterity to come, but rather more to the Cretans, that his admirable and glorious image, and the miracles which are done through it, also might come to their knowledge.
[3] O depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Rom. 11, 33. Who indeed has known the things which the Lord knows? for truly according to the Apostle's witness, incomprehensible are his judgments and his ways unsearchable. The liberation of 3 Priests captured by the Saracens; It is indeed both to think and to tell stupendous, by what reason that miracle which happened concerning the Priests had its beginning, and with what end it was concluded. Nevertheless as it pleased the Lord, so was it done, that I may speak with Job. The things I shall say are wonderful, not to be imitated. Job. 1, 21. Come now, with few how the name of the holy Martyr first became known to the venerable Father Jonas, into the midst as we shall be able, let us bring forth; for it has been done, that to the memory of posterity an illustrious deed by merit may be transmitted, and that the calamity of the Priests, and the right conversation of the venerable Father before God, and his memorable and especially distinguished integrity of mind may be celebrated openly to all men, when it shall have been known also, by what reason he laid down his life for friends, or rather that into greater knowledge of S. Phanurius we may come by the commemoration of these things.
[4] The Priests, captured by the impious Ishmaelites, whom I have spoken of, were altogether four, of whom one, named Constantine, for whom after the murder of another captured at the same time. as soon as they captured him, they killed, destined for death. Wis. 4, 11 For since he was already then pleasing to God, therefore, as Solomon says, he was taken away, lest malice change his understanding. Consummated therefore in a brief time, he fulfilled long times. But the other three who were left, meanwhile while for a long time they were sailing in one and the same trireme with the impious men, what many and what grievous things from them they suffered, I cannot tell: for indeed which only by voice became known, but by sight were not entirely known except by one of them, named Michael. Having gone out from the ship and dwelling in the city of Palatia i, and that not in one family alone, nor under one Master, when the Rhodian friends had labored in vain, but under different and certainly worst men (that their virtue might be more proved) how many and how great evils they sustained, by labors and afflictions, by hunger and thirst and finally every calamity oppressed, I cannot more accurately explain to you. This may be affirmed, that infinite were the evils, which one of them suffered above measure, as before said. But the tears of parents and kinsmen and friends, the groans, afflictions, migrations from place to place, and concourses to the houses of various people, who could accurately enough and tearfully describe? But what indeed were their efforts, what supplications, what letters sent, even by some of the chief men from Rhodes, to the Princes, to obtain their return to their fatherland and freedom? Nor did this little increase the grief, that when from our Magistrate to the Prince of Palatia they had sent an embassy to ask for peace; they were cast down from the great hopes they had conceived; and with the legate returning empty-handed, every expectation of conducting the matter prosperously vanished. For he who had brought a great quantity of money to redeem them, despairing of their freedom, had overturned the hope of all.
[5] When the spiritual Father of the wretched ones learned this, he resolved to do those things which neither a carnal father nor brother, nor all kinsmen at all could undertake; and struck with great grief of mind, leaving all things he gave himself to the way. He was not deterred from his purpose by being deprived of the sight of his sweetest mother, his most beloved brother, and the whole community living in his monastery: he was not deterred by the dread face of the vast sea, not by solitude from friends and kinsmen; but by certain decision of mind and a kind of divine power impelled, he at length reached the city of Chandax [k], and after some sailing he disembarked at Rhodes. When he arrived there, and proceeded into the interior of the region; the letters which he had received written friendly from the chief magistrate and other principal men, into the hands of public scribes he delivered. And these not so much on account of the letters, as on account of the supreme prudence and moderation of the man received him benignly, whom they had as the best among friends. Petranis (this was the man's name) was not found there, but was dwelling in the territory of Palatia; therefore there both the letters and the entire price of the redemption was soon sent. But what meanwhile happened, I shall not easily say or write: for many contentions and many disagreements within the limits of Palatia arose. Wherefore the good Father despaired of the freedom of the Priests; since Lord George Petranis had written to him in letters whatever had happened; and because one of the Priests was being pressed by very grievous infirmity, who was both most faithful and was loved by him more.
[6] and the hope of liberation soon to come: When therefore he understood these things, he was in great mourning, when there came a certain Rhodian Priest, named Antonius, an urbane and gracious man, not so much on account of him, as for the sake of suggesting some consolation; for he had this in custom, to console those who were in mourning. But then so much was the good Father oppressed by grief, that not even for a moment did he compose his face to cheerfulness. Seeing him so sad also the most holy Metropolitan Lord Nilus, thus questioned the man: "In what way or for what cause are you so distressed, O Father, in matters concerning the spirit so exercised?" To whom the other answering soon indicated the cause of so dejected a mind. But the Pontiff again to him: "Go," he said, "to the monastery of the great Martyr Phanurius, and there, as the Priest Antonius before said, is admonished to invoke S. Phanurius: adore the Saint, and from him the relief of your sorrow ask confidently; without doubt, that he will continually indicate to you those things, which will be for your comfort. For he received this faculty from God, who indeed is wonderful in his Saints." When he heard these things, immediately rejoicing equally and grieving to the temple of S. Martyr he betook himself, whom when with great affection he had adored, he promised something which he would promptly do, as soon as he had learned something of the Priests.
[7] which done, he receives more certain news of the captives, After this filled with joy as well as grief from the monastery he went out, with joy indeed, that not a small hope he placed in the prayers of S. Phanurius; but with grief, because of the help of the Saint and his hearing he was not yet certain. And when he had advanced somewhat, a certain captive he beheld hastening to his cell. This man, named Theodore, as if from S. Martyr he had been sent to him, he received. After he understood, that he had recently come from the city of Palatia, he asked about the captive Priests. To which the captive responded fully enough: "I saw," he said, "two of those concerning whom you ask, captive Priests, whose names are Nicolas and George, healthy and unharmed. But of Michael, whom he greatly loved, on account of external humility and internal cheerfulness, and because he was his disciple in the spirit, he was saying, that he was sick, so much that scarcely from the voice could he be known to be a man, on account of those things which from the impious he had suffered for the cause of faith: but one I learned to have been killed, but the Prince Petranis I heard speaking thus about the freedom of the Priests, therefore he brings his image to Crete. as if he vehemently desired them to be redeemed with the price paid." Hearing these things the Father was filled with great joy, and what he had promised to S. Phanurius without delay he paid (for so it was fitting; because the Saint had quickly freed him from trouble) and an image of the Saint on this account took care to be made for himself, and brought it with himself to Crete.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
Other Miracles of S. Phanurius among the Cretans.
[8] [Greek text: And these are the prerogatives of the holy Martyr Phanurius; for thus is God marvelous in his Saints, and he glorifies them more abundantly. And those who suffer little are greatly benefited; for God tested them as gold in the furnace, and as a whole burnt offering of sacrifice he received them; for "Wonderful is God in his Saints," he says. Therefore the Priests became captives, that three goods might come about through them: first, that they might be tested and become sober; secondly, that the love of their spiritual Father might appear; thirdly, and especially more than the others, that the Martyr of Christ Phanurius...]
[Greek text — continuation of the encomium of S. Phanurius, recounting numerous miracles wrought through the Saint's intercession in Crete: recovery of lost objects, healings of the sick, deliverance from various calamities, and other marvels confirming the Saint's power and the divine glory operating through him. The author offers prayers asking the Saint, standing before the Holy Trinity, to remember those who chant hymns and praise his miracles, and to grant deliverance from afflictions and salvation of soul.]
[8] And these are the things which by the invocation of this Saint before all things admirably happened. Henceforth the Saint is known to the Cretans, So namely is God honored in his Saints, whom in turn he himself affects with greater glory: and those who in a few things were vexed, in many are well disposed: for he tested them as gold in the furnace, and as a holocaust victim he received them, who is, as the Prophet says, wonderful God in his Saints. Ps. 67, 36. For this cause indeed were the Priests led into captivity, that through them three goods might come to pass. First, that they themselves through trials might be made prudent; second, that the great spiritual love of their Father might shine more clearly; third finally, and that especially, that the Martyr of Christ Phanurius might be in greater veneration, among those also who had not yet by report or eyes received anything of him, among the Rhodians indeed sufficiently known, by his image and the splendor of admirable works conspicuous, but among the Cretans not at all; but now also there sufficiently and superabundantly manifest, through frequent miracles: not only by his image and the miracles which he wrought in the island of the Rhodians, but also by those things which were done in Crete: for as soon as he entered there, he began to be a Wonderworker.
[9] He was indeed a Wonderworker, just as the Great George a, concerning the lost ox of a certain woman, named Fama; among which lost things recovered: and concerning the donkey of the Monk Theodulus, which the physician seeing greatly swollen, said: "Take this animal far from here before evening to die, that, since it stinks grievously, it may not infect the monastery with foul and noxious odor." But the Monk Theodulus to call the holy Phanurius for help, and to render adoration with sacrifice.
When behold the swelling, as great as it was, suddenly burst into a wound, and the wound itself was soon healed: at which miracle as many as were present being astonished, sent up to heaven voices of thanks and joy. Wonderfully also a certain Nicolas, a most religious Priest, recovered the gold earrings which he had lost, with the same Saint invoked. He likewise showed himself a Wonderworker toward the daughter of a certain George, who named Herina, with incredible abundance of blood was emitting it from her nostrils [b]. When her father had brought her to the physicians for treatment, likewise a girl healed of flux of blood, yet she was nothing the better. But a little later, persuaded to seek help from the Saint, without delay she was restored to former health, only with a reddish mark, which would testify to the stupendous matter, left around her nostrils.
He also again the father of the daughter, of which I have just spoken, when he had asked Phanurius's help a second time, was made possessor of his vow. For when a most copious shower fell upon that part of the earth, which George had sown with [c] palanthis, he feared lest by excessive moisture the tender plantation be injured. crops saved from a shower, All the neighbors, by what means each one could, defended their things: but he in this manner began to invoke the Saint: "S. Phanurius, turn your eyes here propitiously, I pray, and I dedicate to you a sacrifice with humble adoration in the giving of thanks." With this prayer finished, the shower pouring itself on others did not corrupt his things at all. Indeed his brother Nicolas, by his wife, a dying calf cured, when he saw his calf fallen to the ground, and rolling on it as if about to die, received this counsel from his kinsmen, that he should slaughter the beast before it died worse.
Brought into despair therefore Nicolas, together with his friends fled as suppliant to S. Phanurius, and the beast immediately recovered.
[10] hand affected, A woman one of his neighbors had spent all her means on physicians, for two years carrying around a hand most badly affected: she therefore experienced also the present help of the holy man. Worthy of memory also is what happened to the Priest Manuel;
toothache, who when by toothache had been brought to such a state, that the one which most bitterly pained him of all, had to be drawn out, and he, impatient of the torment, was forced to break out into lamentable voices; observing this, one of those who had been captives, was the author for the man, that he should implore the help and aid of S. Phanurius, and be healed. To whom Manuel: "If indeed I obtain this," he said,
"I promise not only a sacrifice in honor of that Saint, but also every year; and an image of him, in token of mindful spirit, I will cause to be made." With this vow conceived, all the pain immediately vanished. The brother of this Priest Michael, with a lamp offered and veneration shown to the same Saint, was freed from a grave paroxysm. But also Eugenes Marii, grave fever: with not a few others, were cured of a similar disease through Phanurius's intercession. There was also a certain Joseph a Monk by profession, into whose pulse, which by the inhabitants of that land also receive the name of lentils, innumerable doves had descended and were laying waste everything: and when he said indignantly, doves driven away that were grievously infesting, "All day with my sling I will hurl at them," others replied: "Why do you not rather invoke the holy Phanurius, and they will be put to flight." He invoked therefore the Saint, and immediately they fled; and he himself glorified God and the Saint.
[11] Another Monk, named Jonas, suddenly stepped his foot on a sharp reed; a wound of the foot healed; by whose point his sole was pierced, and he suffered no small pain, he went to a physician: but he placed herbs upon it to take away the evil. But Jonas was not freed from torment, until he invoked the Saint: which done, he felt himself healed not only of pain, but also of the wound. Likewise another Monk Philip, with a certain intolerable itching for now twenty years was suffering, and with many remedies applied no relief did he experience for his evil: but as soon as he implored the help of the most kindly Saint [d], immediately all the trouble ceased. a long-lasting itching taken away, But after through the help of the same Saint his hands, gravely affected from I know not what concourse of noxious humors, he saw restored to former health, Nicolas a Pastor [e], a man indeed religious and worthy of veneration, and most inclined in mind to the Saint; conceived hope, that through his invocation he might recover the lost chains [f]. After he had invoked the holy Man at evening time as suppliant, discovery of a chainlet lost in the torrent, rising at very early dawn his three-year-old little son, and placing an arrow on his bow for childish play, threw it toward the torrent; and it stuck among the middle of the chains, which seventeen days before had been lost in the mud of the torrent. Then the boy weeping over the arrow, went to his mother. The venerable matron, just as she loved her son tenderly, kissing the dear one, promised another arrow g, that she might pacify him. But he with more zeal cried out, "My arrow, mother." When therefore no better counsel occurred to her, she went forth from the house together with the boy to eighteen paces toward the torrent; and let herself down three cubits down, and with the child's arrow extracted. to extract the arrow. But together with it the chainlets came forth, and all gave glory to God and to his Saint, who does not despise the supplication of those invoking him. And immediately the Priest took care to have an image of the Saint made, in memory of the miracle done, so that it might be made, the boy did not wish to have another arrow. And this is what is narrated about the Saint and the boy.
[12] Author's epilogue But why have we drawn out a more prolix discourse: since to narrate the miracles of this Saint is infinite, and what is already written can suffice? So lifted up by the wings of faith I glorify the most holy Trinity, from whom all power and efficacy proceeds; and from whom the one Son of God said to his Apostles, "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Pass over, and it shall pass over: and not only as great things as I do, shall you do; but greater than these." Mat. 17, 19 From these is one the great Martyr of Christ Phanurius, who religiously poured out his blood for him: wherefore he also glorified him as his proper servant, magnifying him through miracles, and to all by whom he is invoked granting the effect of his petition. Of one invoking the Saint. John 14, 12 But you, O Christ's Martyr Phanurius, assisting the Holy Trinity, remember those who narrated your praises and miracles, and although it has not been possible to do this according to merit, accept nevertheless our gifts; and free us by your intercession from sorrows, and grant the salvation of the soul, that aided by your prayer we may obtain the kingdom of heaven in Christ Jesus, to whom be glory and power, with the Father at once and the holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.