Martyrs of the Holy Books

Our Lady and the Martyrs of North Africa, icon of a Russian Orthodox church in Rabat

The Martyrs of the Holy Books († around 286 to 304 ), also known as the protectors of the holy books , were a group of early Christian saints who suffered martyrdom in North Africa .

The martyrs of Abitina (also martyrs of Abitinae , martyrs of Abitene , martyrs of North Africa or martyrs of Numidia , † 304 ) are remembered, a group of 49 around the presbyter Saturninus from Abitina in Numidia (today at Chouhoud al-Bâtin near Medjez El-Bab in Tunisia ). Since these were not only tortured and killed because they refused to hand over the holy books, but also because they followed the Sunday sanctification with worship and Eucharistic celebration despite the imperial prohibition, this group is also called martyrs of the Sunday or martyrs of the Holy Eucharist .

Martyrs of the holy books are venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches , and the Evangelical Church in Germany also commemorates them.

Among the martyrs of Abitina are several men named Felix and a person named Regiola. It is sometimes assumed that the relics of Felix and Regula , which are said to have been kept in Zurich, are the remains of Regiola and Felix, while their own legend about Felix and Regula came about later.

background

In 284 Diocletian became emperor in the eastern part of the Roman Empire . At first he had a positive attitude towards Christianity. His wife Alexandra and his daughter Galeria Valeria were Christians themselves, who are said to have been martyred around the year 314. The Roman Catholic Church commemorates them on April 23rd . Furthermore, Christians were allowed to build a large church in Nicomedia right next to Diocletian's palace. In 303 the emperor turned against the Christians. His first corresponding edict was passed on February 23. In the church history of Eusebius of Caesarea , the events are described as follows:

"It was the 19th year of the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, when a decree of the Emperor was posted everywhere, according to which the churches were to be torn down, the holy books were to be handed over to the fire [...]"

With the annihilation of the biblical scriptures, Christianity was to be deprived of its foundation. At the same time, their services were banned. The real originator of the persecution was probably Galerius , the designated successor of Diocletian. The persecution reached its climax after the resignation of Diocletian in 305 and the assumption of office of Galerius. The persecution of Christians in the western part of the empire under Constantius Chlorus was less pronounced, so that Asia Minor , Syria , Palestine and Egypt were particularly affected. Here Galerius was assisted in the persecution by Maximinus Daia . In 311, however, Galerius fell seriously ill and ordered the reconstruction of the destroyed churches, as he now hoped for the intercession of Christians.

General

Christians who were ready to publish the holy books were amnestied by the Roman state, excommunicated by the church . A resumption of these so-called "Traditores" was only possible after severe penance. Most of those responsible for the books, usually editors , refused to hand them over. This refusal led to torture and execution. Few of them are known by name, which is why a common day of remembrance was set up for all victims. Their number is said to have been 40,000. Reports of the North African martyrs have been received from the church father Augustine .

Saturninus and his companions

arrest

The concept of the martyrs of the holy books is mainly used to remember the priest Saturninus and his companions who were arrested in Abitina in Africa proconsularis . Before this arrest, the Bishop of Abitina, Fundanus, had already consented to the publication of the Bible manuscripts he had kept. According to tradition, the fire in which these were to be burned was extinguished by a downpour from a clear sky shortly before. The surrounding fields are said to have been devastated by hailstorms. The group around Saturninus continued the service. Her arrest took place surprisingly on Sunday, February 6, 304, during the Eucharistic celebration in the house of Octavius Felix at the behest of the city leaders by soldiers stationed there. The arrested were first taken to the city's forum and brought before the magistrate . At the head of the train of prisoners, next to Saturninus and his family, the most famous prisoner was Senator Dativus, whose parents had raised him in a Christian way.

Transfer of the prisoners to Carthage

After interrogation, the Abitina magistrate placed them in chains and brought them to the provincial capital of Carthage , some 80 km away, for condemnation by the proconsul Anulinus . On the way they sang sacred songs. In Carthage they were accused before the proconsul of having held Sunday services despite the imperial ban. According to Augustine von Hippo, the interrogation took place on the day before the Ides , i.e. on Saturday, February 12, 304, as he reports in the Retractationes, libri II. The prisoners were questioned under torture. For this purpose, the rack , called Equuleus ("little horse"), was available in the courtroom , to which the prisoners were tied one after the other.

Dativus and Thelica

Dativus was the first to be asked about his status and his participation in the Christian congregation. When he said yes and professed his Christian faith, the torture began by being beaten with iron hooks. This, too, did not initially persuade him to give the name of the leader of the congregation or reveal in whose house the services had been held.

According to the acts of martyrdom, a strong prisoner named Thelica pushed his way through the crowd to the torturers and pointed out that he and all the prisoners were also Christians. He was tortured the same way and prayed to Christ for salvation. The proconsul asked him who was responsible for the meetings. Thelica named him Saturninus, but included herself and all other prisoners in responsibility. When the torture continued, he prayed again for God's help, lamenting the injustice that innocent people, not criminals, were mistreated. The proconsul then indicated that the torture was the result of his belief. Thelica continued to pray, expressing hope in the kingdom of God for which he suffered. The proconsul explained again that he should have obeyed the imperial order. Thelica replied that for him only the law of God, for which he wanted to die, was valid. He was then taken to prison.

After that, the interrogation focused again on Dativus. The lawyer Fortunatianus, the brother of the prisoners Victoria, an influential man who adhered to the old belief in gods, appeared as a witness and claimed that Dativus had lured his sister as well as Secunda and Restituta from Carthage to Abitina with false promises. Victoria testified, however, that she went to Abitina voluntarily and had also taken part in the forbidden meetings out of Christian convictions. The proconsul ignored her testimony and continued to subject Dativus to severe torture so that the contents of his chest were exposed. Dativus prayed and asked Christ for patience. He protested that he had done nothing wrong and, when asked by the proconsul, who had the torture stopped for it, again admitted his participation in the meeting and the sacrament. Then the torturers pressed the irons into his side again. Dativus repeated his prayer and added: “O Christ, I pray to you that I will not be tempted.” And asked: “What have I done?” When asked again about the leader of the meeting, he replied: “The priest Saturninus and we all ”. He was also sent to prison and died shortly afterwards of his injuries.

Saturninus and Emeritus

Now Saturninus was interrogated and asked why he had held the service. He replied that this should not be omitted. Now he was also put on the torture bench and asked if he had initiated the gathering. He admitted his presence there.

Now the prisoner emeritus, a lecturer, spoke up and confessed that he had given the occasion because the meetings had been held in his house. The proconsul initially ignored this statement and only questioned Saturninus further. He wanted to know why he had acted against the law. Saturninus responded by saying that the law of Christ ordered Sunday worship. The proconsul pointed out that Saturninus was not allowed to act against the imperial order and ordered the torture. Saturninus was tortured so severely that the body cavity was opened and the internal organs were exposed. His limbs were stretched and seriously injured. He prayed to Christ and was asked again why he had acted against the law. Saturninus again responded with the law of Christ and was put in prison.

Next, the proconsul turned to emeritus and inquired whether the services had been held with him. Emeritus confirmed this. The proconsul asked why he had allowed this. Emeritus then referred to the Christians as his brothers whom he could not refuse. Anulinus said he was obliged to refuse. Emeritus denied this and, with an answer that was often quoted later, pointed out the necessity of the Lord's Supper, which they had celebrated despite the imperial prohibition, but which everyone had decided on despite the threat of torture and death sentence: “Sine dominico non possumus ”, “Without that We can't be on Sunday. ”Now emeritus was also tortured. He also prayed. When the proconsul remarked that he should have respected the imperial order, he replied that God was greater than the emperor. When asked if he had scriptures in his home, he replied that he had them in his heart. He was then sent to prison as well.

Felix

Then one of the prisoners named Felix was beaten on the torture bench. He confessed his Christian faith and died on the bench. Another prisoner of the same name died after being tortured in prison.

Ampelius

Ampelius, who actually had the scriptures in safekeeping, confessed to participating in the services and also confessed that he had the scriptures with him, and that in his heart. Then he prayed too. He was sent to prison with severe head injuries.

Rogatianus

Rogatianus was next questioned. He was sent to prison unharmed.

Quintus

The next to be interviewed by the proconsul was Quintus. He was put on the torture rack, professed Christianity, beaten and sent to prison.

Maximianus and Felix

Next came Maximianus and another Felix, who explicitly professed Christianity.

Saturninus the Younger

Saturninus, the son of the priest of the same name, a lecturer, behaved in the same way. He also said that he had the scriptures, which was in his heart. He kept repeating this under the torture. In the meantime it was evening. The proconsul threatened the other prisoners that the same would happen to them if they did not renounce. But they unanimously professed Christianity.

Victoria

Victoria is also reported to have been forced to marry a wealthy young nobleman some time beforehand. To avoid this, she jumped out of the window on the planned wedding day trusting God and, as it is said, was caught unharmed by the wind. Afterwards she took refuge in a church and received the consecration of a virgin , which was widespread in Carthage, Italy , Gaul and the entire western empire.

The proconsul now tried everything to dissuade them from Christianity. However, it was unsuccessful. First he asked her what her belief was. She replied: “I am a Christian”. Her brother Fortunatianus tried again to defend her, this time by claiming that she had gone mad. She rejected this, pointing out that she had not recently been a Christian. She also declined the offer to return home with her brother, as only those were her brothers who kept the commandments of God. The proconsul pretended to save her life and told her not to throw it away. But even the reference to her brother's commitment to her life could not change her mind, she repeated that she was a Christian and had participated in the meetings. She was taken to prison with the rest of the arrestees. All prisoners were sentenced to death a little later.

Hilarianus

The last attempt was made by the proconsul, Hilarianus, the youngest son of Saturninus, who was still a child. He also professed Christianity and participation in the forbidden meetings and emphasized that he had been there voluntarily. The proconsul tried to change his mind with what he believed to be child-friendly threats. The boy just laughed at it. Even the threat to cut off his nose and ears did not work. Hilarianus continued to confess to Christianity, with the words: “You are welcome to do that; I'm christ". That's how he ended up in prison. Before he was taken away, Hilarianus exclaimed: "Lord, I thank you".

Restituta

St. Restituta, polychrome bust from 1711

Restituta is the focus of its own tradition, whereby the identity of the Restituta mentioned in it with the woman of the same name in the group around Saturninus is assessed inconsistently:

After the torture, she was reportedly taken aboard a wooden boat that was filled with pitch. The boat was then set on fire. It is said to have landed in the bay of San Montano on Ischia . It is said that the beach was blooming with white lilies when the boat hit the shore.

Death of all arrested

None of the prisoners had renounced Christianity and none was released accordingly. All those arrested died under torture or in prison. Most were starved to death and others died as a result of torture. In most cases the exact date of death is unknown, while for the others separate days of remembrance can be found in the Martyrology of Carthage.

The martyrologies of Saturninus and his companions have been handed down, in many cases only the name of the martyrs is known:

Saturninus, priest
Saturninus, son of the priest
Felix, also a son of the priest, lecturer
Mary, daughter of the priest, consecrated virgin
Hilarion, the priest's youngest son
Emeritus, editor
Ampelius, editor
Benignus, son of Ampelius, infant
Felix
Rogatianus
Quintus
Maximianus
Telica
Rogatianus
Rogatus
Januarius
Cassianus
Victorianus
Vincentius
Fine
Caecilianus
Restituta
Eve
Rogatianus
Givalius
Rogatus
Pomponia
Secunda
Januaryia
Saturnina
Martinus
Clautus
Felix
Margareta
Majora
Honorata
Regiola
Victorinus
Pelusius
Faustus
Dacianus
Matrona
Caecilia
Victoria from Carthage
Berectina
Matrona
Januaryia
Dativus, senator
Octavius Felix

Timothy and Maura

Another example is the lecturer and deacon Timotheus and his young wife Maura, who married a few weeks before their arrest in 286. Timothy was the son of a priest and lived in Thebais , Egypt. As a lecturer he was responsible for the church service books. As a result of the persecution, he was separated from his wife.

Timothy was brought before the local governor. This tried to dissuade him from Christianity. Failing to do this, he wanted at least the scriptures to be given. Since Timothy refused to publish the books, confessing that he would rather hand over his children if he had any, the governor had his eyes poked out, saying that the scriptures would no longer be of any use to him. Even this mutilation did not lead to the result desired by the governor. Therefore, Timothy was next gagged, hung by his feet and weighted down his neck.

Now the governor found out about Timothy's recent wedding. He sent for Maura and promised her that Timothy would be released if he would sacrifice to the gods. Maura then tried to influence her husband accordingly by asking him to save her life. When Timothy removed the gag, he reprimanded his wife for it, who continued to plead with him. Eventually she changed her mind and asked to die with her husband. Maura was now also tortured, but both continued to confess their beliefs. The spouses were crucified side by side and only died after ten days of agony, just 20 days after they were married.

Only a little later they were venerated as saints in Constantinople . There is also a church named after them. Her feast day in the Orthodox churches is May 3rd .

Felix of Thibaris

Felix von Thibaris is also one of the martyrs of the holy books .

Commemoration

Memorial days

Roman Catholic:
- February 11 or February 12 (in the Martyrologium Romanum and in the Martyrologium von Karthago: Saturninus and his companions)
- St. Restituta has its own memorial day on May 17th
- martyrs in other parts of the Roman Empire are remembered on other days:
  - January 2nd (Martyrs in Rome)
  - January 5th (Martyrs in Egypt, including Saints Timothy and Maura)
Protestant: January 7th (in the Protestant name calendar)

Individuals

Victoria

Under the people's altar of the parish church Neuberg in Burgenland are next to relics of hll. Celsus , Donatus and Ladislaus Batthyány-Strattmann also relics of St. Victoria.

Restituta

Procession in honor of Restitutas in Lacco Ameno

St. Restituta is said to have been buried in Lacco Ameno on Ischia, where a Christian community already existed in the 5th century and venerated the saint; accordingly she is considered the patron saint of the place. A wooden statue of the saint is in the church dedicated to her. Their festival is celebrated there as the oldest patronage festival on the island from 16 to 18 May. According to a long tradition, the place is decorated with garlands and lights, and stands with handicrafts are set up.

On the beach of San Montano on Ischia, the miraculous landing of the relics that is said to have taken place there is re-enacted every year, usually with hundreds of spectators. On May 17th there is a procession with her icon across the sea. The usual route leads from the landing stage in Lacco Ameno first west towards Punta Caruso and then to Casamicciola Terme . On May 18th, her statue is carried through the streets of the town, covered with gold and precious stones donated by believers. The festival ends at midnight with fireworks.