Cantianus

ON SS. CANTIANUS, EUTYCHIUS, AND EUTHYMIUS, MARTYRS AT AQUILEIA IN ITALY.

From the Martyrology of S. Jerome.

Cantianus, Martyr at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

Eutichius, Martyr at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

Euthymius, Martyr at Aquileia in Italy (S.)

G. H.

The city once most ample, Aquileia, had very many athletes, who confirmed the Christian faith with their own blood, and among them are venerated on the following day the holy brothers Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, with SS. Protus and Chrysogonus, there crowned and related in the ancient transcripts of the Hieronymian Martyrology: of which the most ancient example, written nearly a thousand years ago, which from the beginning of the work we have used, begins this day also from other Martyrs of the same city thus: III Kalends of June. At Aquileia the birthday of Cantianus, Eutycus, and Eutimus. The MS. Martyrologies, the Roman one of Cardinal Barberini and the Tournai one of the monastery of S. Martin, name S. Euthymius, but joined to the Antiochene Martyrs. The same is done in the MS. Reichenau and Rheinau ones, but it is written Eutimita or Eutimia. But the MS. of Aachen, every arena being omitted, celebrates the birthday of S. Eutimius.

It can however be disputed whether S. Cantianus here related is to be reckoned the same, who with two brothers is venerated the day after, especially because with Cantius, Protus and Chrysogonus he is also on this day mentioned in the MSS. of Arras and Tournai. But because to this Cantianus other companions in martyrdom are joined, he can have been another: chiefly because Venantius Fortunatus in book 4 of the Life of S. Martin seems to indicate that in his time several Cantiani were famous at Aquileia, while he inserts these verses:

Or if perchance you have approached the Aquileian city, You would greatly venerate the Cantiani, exceeding friends of the Lord.

The cities Milan and Aquileia glory that they possess the sacred pledges of Cantianus and his companions: what if one Cantianus was translated with his Companions to Milan, and another Cantianus remained at Aquileia, thus all that controversy would be most easily laid to rest. The reader will find more on the following day: here I only add, that that distinction of a double Cantianus, from the verses of Fortunatus is not so certain, as it might seem to someone at first glance; since he could call the three very brothers, of whom above, by the common name Cantiani.

ON SICUS OR ISICHIUS AND PALATINUS, MARTYRS OF ANTIOCH.

From the Martyrology of S. Jerome.

Sicus, or Isichius, Martyr at Antioch (S.)

Palatinus, Martyr at Antioch (S.)

G. H.

The Corbie transcript of the Hieronymian Martyrology printed at Paris begins this day thus: III Kalends of June. At Antioch the birthday of the Saints Sicus, Palatinus. The Blume and Lucca transcripts add, who suffered many torments. Rabanus celebrates these thus. At Antioch of the holy Martyrs Sicius and Palatinus, who suffered many torments for the name of Christ. Notker with some variety indicates them thus: At Antioch of SS. Isychius and Palatinus, who, as S. Jerome writes, suffered many torments for the name of Christ. Where we judge the aforesaid Martyrology of S. Jerome is noted. This day is vacant in the genuine Martyrology of Bede, and the more sincere copies of Usuard do not treat of these Saints: but only those things which under the name of Usuard, augmented by later men, are had in various places. Bede and Usuard being meanwhile cited by Baronius in his Notes, these things in the present-day Roman Martyrology are handed down: At Antioch SS. Sycus and Palatinus, who for the name of Christ suffered many torments. Somewhat varies in the names Peter de Natalibus book 11 number 160, while he names the same Sycus and Platinus: even more Maurolycus, with whom Hesichius and Phalerinus are pointed out. In place of Sicus is read in the MS. of the Queen of Sweden Sitius, in the MS. of Liège of S. Lambert Isitius, in the MS. Florarium Ysichius, in the MS. of Reichenau Esicia, in the MS. of Rheinau Esitia, in Bellinus Ficus, in the Martyrology of Cologne printed in the year 1490 Sichius. This being omitted, at Antioch Palatinus is attributed in the MSS. Cassinese, Altempsian, and Vatican of S. Peter: and in this is added, who suffered many torments. Finally in the most ancient Epternach transcript these things are had: At Antioch Scipalitini, for Sici Palatini.