African Martyrs
Acta Sanctorum, May 4
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-04/african-martyrs.html
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ON THE HOLY AFRICAN MARTYRS

CÆLESTINUS, FELIX, URBANUS, ROMANUS, BELLICUS, MARTIALIS OR MARCIANUS, MITTUNUS THE PRESBYTER, FLORIANUS, PETER.

[Commentary]

Cælestinus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Felix, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Urbanus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Romanus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Bellicus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Martialis, or Marcianus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Mittunus the Presbyter, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Florianus, Martyr in Africa (S.)

Peter, Martyr in Africa (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

The four apographs of the Hieronymian Martyrology
report these Martyrs, who in the codices
of Lucca and Corbie thus are read.
In Africa the Birthday of Cælestinus, Felix,
Urbanus, Romanus, Bellicus, Martialis,
Mittunus the Presbyter, Florianus, Peter. In the MS. Blume
is omitted Urbanus. In the MS. Epternach are
all, but Marcianus is written in place of Martialis, and Mittunus
is not called Presbyter. To whom are subjoined in order
changed Peter, Florianus. Which therefore to be noticed
we judge, because in Riverside Noricum at Lauriacum is venerated
this day S. Florianus the Martyr, and the said place although
corruptly without the name of S. Florianus is subjoined in three
apographs, namely Lucca, Corbie, Blume. With which forewarning
made we leave among these Martyrs S. Florianus,
until from elsewhere it be established he rather ought to be absent. Reported
also is Florianus the Martyr in the MS. Monte Cassino, as below it will be said.
In the MS. Reichenau near Constance of Swabia these
are read: In Africa of Cælestinus and thirteen others,
for which in the MS. Rheinau is held, and fifteen others.
Nay also in the MS. Epternach these are repeated: In
Africa of Cælestinus and forty others. Of the Forty
Martyrs separately we treat, who both are doubled, and
to diverse ones also are joined. Are here companions of S. Cælestinus only
eight by their names expressed, to whom seem by some
adjoined, who on this day separately are remembered. In
the MSS. Augsburg of S. Udalric and Paris of Labbe is made mention
of SS. Cælestinus, Felix, Florianus, Romanus and Fortunatus.
But Fortunatus seems to be referred to the Martyrs
of Africa on the preceding day proposed, among whom two were Fortunati
called. In the MSS. Monte Cassino and Altempsian are remembered
having suffered in Africa Cælestinus, Felix, Urbanus. Are
also these three in the MSS. Trier of S. Maximinus, and Roman
of Cardinal Barberini, but the first Cælestis or Callistus
is written: thus in another MS. Romanus and Cælestina in place
of Cælestinus is indicated. They mentioned Cælestinus the MS. Aachen,
Greven and Galesinius; but to others they join. In
the MS. Tamlacht are the names of Urbanus, Romanus, Florianus,
then of Cælestina and Emetunus, in place of Cælestinus and
Mittunus.
