formerly, as I have already shown—having been very opposed to them, he turned out to be a man not uneducated, and he seems to have examined the things which they had in writing with sufficient diligence; so that, truly, one may consider it all entirely plausible.
142. For much the same reason, I have no doubt that Charles, Bishop of Novara, who inscribed his own work, which he composed, *On His Own Study*, to himself in Novara, book I, page 184, writes thus: "Saint Demetrius the martyr is honored on the 14th of May in the same church of Saint Julius (of Novara, surely), and an altar was dedicated to him in it." I have nothing to say, however, regarding his translation, beyond the fact that I believe it is to be doubted that he is speaking of our own martyr rather than another Demetrius, if the people of Novara accept that the holy body of the one they honor on the 11th of May was once transferred there, and hence they contend that they possess the whole body—or at least once possessed it, or possess it still today. Anyone who examines what I have discussed regarding the holy relics and the body of our Saint—that they were never taken from Thessalonica, according to all their parts—will easily understand. Furthermore, I do not have a clear understanding of the church noted at number 14, which is in Brittany, designated by the name of Saint Demetrius, which is mentioned in the *Life of Saint Gildas the Abbot* at the 29th of January, the day on which he is honored, in the edition we have published, number 27. However, it is certain that another church was built and consecrated to our Saint Demetrius, which also deserves to be mentioned here.
143. But there is also another thing that any person would undeservedly marvel at, which remains to be commemorated here. Among them, the Turks hold the Saint in veneration. Thus, I understand from the book which is inscribed *Notes on Evaluating Annals*, composed by the author of the *Acts of the Historical Agents*, etc., page 154, wherein it occurs, and the facts were rendered in Latin from the French: "There [among the Turks himself, indeed] the Saint is called Saint Demetrius by the Italians. The Turks designate him by the name 'Sari-Günü.' Prince Cantemir asserts that they have myths of his own, and that he was a Muslim; this is also affirmed of Saint George, whom they call 'Hüdyrlez' among them. The feasts of both these saints, on which Oriental Christians celebrate, namely, the 24th of April and the 26th of October, mark the end for them. On these days the Turks organize their expeditions. After the 25th of April, they bring their troops into the field, and upon the 26th of October, they finish their service." Prince Cantemir’s work, which is cited in these words by the author, I do not have at hand; wherefore, as to what is transmitted here, I believe that he stands by the faith—and I hear the Turks, who, as it is truly strange, assert that Demetrius, prior to the sect of their own spreading, flourished and was held in veneration—I do not believe this with difficulty; for I also believe it came to pass because of the veneration given to him, that they would eventually capture the most celebrated temple of the Saint of Thessalonica (see number 92) from the Christians and convert it into a temple of their own sect.
PASSIO PRIMA
WRITTEN BY AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR AND TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK LANGUAGE INTO LATIN BY ANASTASIUS THE LIBRARIAN.
*Ex editione Mabillonii cum variis mss. et Photiana Passione collata.*PROLOGUS.
1. To the most pious Emperor Karl (1), always Augustus, Anastasius (2), a humble man, wishes the crown and kingdom with Christ. D Since you, together with the brothers who urge on the passion and miracles of blessed Demetrius of Thessalonica, and especially the most learned man John the Deacon (3), most known for the purity of your faith and the clarity of your knowledge, have exhorted me to translate this passion and miracles from Greek into Latin.
...and having translated the sermon from Greek into Latin, I found it a pity that such a great athlete should be deprived of notice by you. I took pains to send this same account to you at an opportune time, so that your Magnificence, through the intercession of the saints and friends of God, and through his prayer as well, might be able to obtain grace before God and merit the enjoyment of eternal glory. May the King of kings and Lord of lords protect your kingdom with his right hand and transfer it from a temporal to an eternal kingdom.
SINGLE CHAPTER
A*Saint Demetrius is brought in as a captive to the Emperor Maximian, who is hurrying to the gladiatorial games; he is first cast into custody and then put to death.*
When the Emperor Maximian was staying in the city of Thessalonica B, being a superstitious man, he persecuted those who followed the pious religion, and they were put to death by him. Among them was the blessed Demetrius, who, showing himself to be such without any fear, and who from his youth had performed good works, had also taught others. For he taught how divine Wisdom had descended from heaven to earth, that she might vivify with her own blood man who had died through sin.
4. When he was preaching these things and many others, certain ministers of the Emperor, who had been appointed to capture Christians, seized the holy Demetrius and brought him to the Emperor Maximian. It happened that the Emperor was preparing for the stadium because of those who had gathered for the single combat; for there, a circle was being prepared by certain tables, where he C was to stand, guarding those who were positioned opposite each other to fight theatrically. For it was a pleasure for him to watch the shedding of human blood.
5. Yet he did not have without care and concern that which he saw to be delightful to himself. He was burning for a gladiator, who, having already abused many by his strength and bulk of body, had destroyed them, possessing experimental training for killing through study and habit. Because everyone feared him, and it seemed there was no one who could resist him, Maximian held him among the first, loved him, and gladly looked upon him.
6. He lauded and admired him, and D boasted in the pride of the man as if over a great matter. Furthermore...
when he had come near the stadium, those who had seized blessed Demetrius brought him to him. The emperor, hearing that he was a Christian, and because he had betaken himself entirely to the presence of the spectacle, ordered blessed Demetrius to wait there by the stadium and to be kept by the public bath. The emperor himself, sitting down and having brought in Lyæus, asked who wished to enter into single combat with him, promising and tendering gifts. 7. And a certain young man named Nestor A, leaping down from the higher tiers, stood before Lyæus, desiring to take up the single combat, so that Maximian, astonished, called Nestor to himself, who had leaped down for this purpose, and gave him counsel, saying: "I know that poverty of money has caused you to be lifted up to such a fantasy, so that either, by winning, you might acquire sudden riches, or, frustrated in your desire, you might lack what you need while life is burdensome. But I, out of pity for the youth with which you are adorned, will give you gifts worthy and sufficient even for the attempt alone; so go, and have the gifts along with your life. But do not expose yourself to Lyæus, since he has defeated many more powerful than you." 8. Nestor, having heard these things, neither accepted the emperor’s advice nor feared the strength of Lyæus, but answered the emperor: "I did not come to this contest because of money, as you have asserted, but that I might show myself better than Lyæus." Immediately, therefore, both the emperor and those who were around, favoring Lyæus, rose up in anger at Nestor’s words, not enduring his boasting; B the emperor, for his part, was heartening Lyæus and making him confident. But he hastened to show himself worthy of the imperial judgment. And when the meeting had taken place, Lyæus received the mortal blow, and he died straightway, bringing extreme confusion upon the emperor.
9. And so, not compensating Nestor for this with any agreements or promises of money, he soon recoiled from his own resolution and returned sad to the palace. But when some had suggested to him concerning Demetrius, he was immediately moved to anger, and in the very place where he had been kept, ordered him to be pierced with lances. Thus blessed Demetrius finished the martyrdom of a good confession. His body was lightly regarded by the executioners, but certain religious men came secretly at night, and taking it from the dust in which it had been cast, and bringing earth, as much as they could, they took care to bury it, lest it sustain injury from any of the savage and bloodthirsty animals. But after this, it was no one's care to remove the little body of the Saint, but it remained under the sign. C
10. Furthermore, while it was being celebrated in a small way, not a few miracles and signs of healing were done in the same place for those who invoked him with faith. When the merit of the martyr had now been made known, a certain Leontius, beloved of God, a man adorning the throne of the Illyrian prefecture, seeing the house which contained the most holy body of the martyr, that it was most humble and on all sides buried and straitened by the porticoes of the public bath and the stadium, cleansed and purged it of all harmful things, D and enlarged it with more spacious foundations, and erected there an oratory in honor of the holy martyr Demetrius, to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom is glory, honor, and dominion to the Father and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
PASSIO ALTERA AUCTORE ANONYMO
CAPUT I.
Sanctus fidem prædicat, comprehenditur, ad Maximianum adducitur, custodiri ab hoc jubetur, a Nestore, contra Lyceum pugnaturo, convenitur, illique benedicit.A 1. Maximianus, who is also called Herculius, having subjugated the Goths and Sarmatians to the Roman Empire, returned and was residing in the city of the Thessalonians, an unhappy man, an enemy of God, and fallen into the depths of error. At that time the madness of idols was flourishing, being worshipped everywhere and honored with the greatest gifts; for the ministers of the gods were persecuting those who confessed Christ as the Son of God, and were killing the cultivators of true Wisdom with impunity. Among them was the most blessed Demetrius, who, caring for no fear or danger, made himself manifest, and who, having led a life truly pure and irreproachable from his youth, held within himself the words of salvation, and passed them on to those he met, teaching and insisting and arguing with alacrity of mind according to the apostolic command of blessed Paul writing to holy Timothy, and earnestly striving to inculcate that, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.”
B 2. Thus, therefore, the most blessed Demetrius, being descended from an illustrious and senatorial family, when he had first served in the office of secretary, and had then been created proconsul of Greece, received also the consular insignia from the Emperor Maximian; he himself, however, counting all the glory of the world as nothing, uttered words bringing salvation, explaining and showing how the advent of the all-knowing Word of God according to the flesh, for man who was lost and dead in his own sins, had indeed drawn him away from error, and had cleansed him from all iniquity and all darkness, and had caused light to rise, and in the souls of those who received Him, produced liberty,
righteousness, gentleness, peace, charity, and the hope of eternal life; casting away things temporal, and conferring an eternal and incorruptible pledge, it brings about the resurrection from the dead, and the return to paradise. B
3. While the blessed martyr Demetrius was teaching these things and confirming that doctrine of faith by his works, many of the multitude of the Gentiles, because of this, came to him, and were found together at the western part of the city’s great forum, in a place situated there which was called the Aenea portico, where he was also accustomed to hold his gatherings under the subterranean vaults of the nearby public bath. And as the report of him was being spread through the whole city and the surrounding region, the emperor’s soldiers, together with the public lictors who had received orders to inquire after Christians, seized the blessed Demetrius (for he was not caught fleeing, but was taken while performing the customary religious services with his brothers) and presented him to Maximian, that enemy of God, as if he were a most valuable prize, thinking that they would commend themselves greatly to the emperor if they showed how much diligence they exerted so that no Christian—especially those of higher status—remained hidden and unnoticed. C
4. It happened, however, that he [Maximian] went to the city’s theater, which is called the stadium, in order to watch those who were to compete in singular combat, and those who were to perform the other spectacles of the pentathlon. For there, a place enclosed in a circle by certain boards, suspended on high, had been prepared for him; he intended to receive those entering into it, for it was his pleasure to look upon the shedding of human blood. Yet, he could not look upon what was being presented without care or concern. For the emperor was captivated by a certain gladiator named Lyaeus, of the Vandal race, excellent in the strength and size of his body, who had slain many in single combat not only in Rome, but also in Sirmium and in the city of the Thessalonians; for he moved through the boards and the engine, having acquired an extraordinary skill in killing through practice and habit. D
5. Because everyone feared this man, as it seemed that no one could contend with him, the emperor held him among his favorites, and showed that he loved him; he looked upon him with a pleasant countenance, and praised and admired him.
and marveling at the vigor of his age, he boasted of the man’s pride as if it were some great achievement. When he had finally come to the stadium and had descended from his chariot, those who had arrested the blessed Demetrios brought him to Maximian, who had been previously informed of the matter. Inquiring whether he would persist in worshiping Christ, and having learned that he also urged others through his teaching to worship the Crucified One, he gave orders for him to be brought before him.
6. But observing the boldness of the man who acknowledged himself to be a Christian and who was emboldened to endure anything for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and furthermore noticing his countenance which was exceedingly beautiful, and being himself entirely devoted to the spectacles set forth, he commanded the venerable martyr to be guarded in the vaulted chambers located near the public bath adjacent to the stadium. While he was kept there, he saw a scorpion emerge from the earth beneath his feet, which attempted to strike the saint with its sting. But he, having made the sign of the cross of Christ over the scorpion, paralyzed it and immediately rendered it dead. At once, an angel of the Lord came and placed a crown upon the head of the martyr and said to him, “Peace be with you, athlete of Christ; be strong and take courage.”
7. But the emperor, having entered the stadium and taken his seat, and having brought in Lyaeos, called through the heralds for anyone who wished to engage in single combat, offering, in addition to the prizes, a large sum of money. Now a certain youth from the populace, very handsome and quite young, Nestor by name, who was just beginning to have down upon his chin, and who was known to the most glorious martyr Demetrios (for he had observed the miracles performed by him and the great crowd that flocked to him—the crowd which was being taught to worship and adore Christ), ran to the place where he was being kept, and falling at his feet said, “Servant of God, Demetrios, I wish to engage in single combat with Lyaeos, but pray for me, invoking Christ.” The saint, having made the seal of Christ upon both his forehead and his heart, dismissed him, saying, “You shall both conquer Lyaeos and bear witness for Christ.”
CAPUT II
Maximian, enraged at the slaughter of Lyaeos, orders Nestor to be put to death first, and then the holy Demetrios himself; and the latter, afterwards becoming renowned for miracles, is honored in the holy places built for him.8. So he went to the stadium, and having leaped down from the steps and cast off his tunic, he stood before Maximian, in such a way that the emperor was astonished.
A Having called him to himself to keep watch, he began to advise and say to him, "Young man, I know that it is a lack of money that has driven you to be carried away by such a fantasy, so that either by prevailing you might suddenly acquire wealth, or by failing you might be rid of the life that is troubled by poverty. But I, out of pity for your youth and the age in which you flourish, shall give you gifts that are worthy of your daring alone, and are sufficient. Depart, possessing both wealth and your life, and do not set yourself against Lyaeus, since he has already destroyed many who were stronger than you."
9. Hearing these things, Nestor neither seized upon the emperor’s generosity nor did he quail at the praise of Lyaeus; but he answered the emperor, saying, "I do not desire riches, O emperor, nor for this reason have I come to the contest, but that I might show myself to be superior to Lyaeus; for I do not wish to live or to be wealthy by yielding and giving way to the glory that Lyaeus has previously won." B Immediately, therefore, the emperor and those about him were filled with anger at these words, not bearing the arrogance of Nestor. And the emperor, inciting him, shouted aloud and encouraged Lyaeus.
10. But Nestor, having made the life-giving cross in his heart, took the blade, and looking up to heaven, said, "O God of Demetrius, your servant, and your beloved Son Jesus Christ, who subjected Goliath the alien to your faithful David, do you yourself lay low the audacity of Lyaeus and Maximian the tyrant." And he leaped into the middle of the barriers. When the struggle had taken place, Lyaeus, having received a fatal blow to the heart, died instantly, and brought the ultimate shame upon the emperor. C But Nestor praised God that the barbarian had been slain through the prayers of the holy Demetrius.
11. Maximian immediately jumped from his chair, and sullenly returned to the royal courts, saying, "By the gods, some sorcery has occurred, for he would not have been slaughtered by this youth, who has shown such and so great manliness." The tyrant therefore called Nestor to himself and said to him, "Tell me, young man, what magic did you use, or whom did you have as collaborators, that you killed Lyaeus?" But Nestor answered, "It was not by magic—far be it—nor was he killed by any sorcery, but the God of Demetrius, the God of the Christians, D he himself sent his angel and killed the wicked and arrogant one by my hand." Angry, therefore, the emperor ordered that he, as a Christian, be led away to the western parts of the city to a place called the Golden Gate, and there be put to death by his own sword by Minutianus the protector; and so he received the crown of martyrdom.
12. And when some of the magistrates brought up the mention of Demetrius to the emperor and suggested that he was the cause...
of the slaughter of Lysias, he was immediately inflamed with wrath. Considering it a bad omen that he had encountered him as he was entering the stadium, he ordered that he be run through with spears in the very underground vaults where he was being guarded. And thus, being put to death, the all-glorious martyr fulfilled the testimony of His good confession. But Lupus, the servant of holy Demetrius, who was standing by him, took the martyr’s scarf and gathered his blood in it. C 13. Having also taken the imperial ring which he wore on his hand, and having sealed it in the holy blood, he worked healings through it; for he used to heal all who were possessed by various diseases and those afflicted by unclean spirits through the prayer and overshadowing of the Saint, and the grace within the ring, so that the fame concerning this spread throughout the whole city of the Thessalonians. When the emperor learned of him, and how he healed the sick, he ordered that he also be put to death in the city’s tribunal on the day of the council, while he himself presided, along with certain others who had believed in Christ. 14. But the all-holy body of the blessed Demetrius, being despised by those who had killed him, was taken up at night by some of the more devout of the brethren for fear of the emperor; and in the very pits into which they had thrown [the earth], they distributed the soil as much as they could and hid it, so that it might not suffer any harm from any of the bloodthirsty animals. After this, no one had any concern to move the body of the Saint, but it remained in the earth, and many signs and healings occurred in that place, and divine gifts came to those who approached it with faith, and daily all who rejoiced there made the wonder-working energy of the martyr famous throughout all Macedonia and Thessaly. 15. Finally, when the error of the idols had been cleansed away, D and the life-giving and blameless orthodox faith of the Christians was shining brightly, a certain man named Leontius, who adorned the praetorian thrones of the Illyrians, while traveling into the land of the Daci, was seized by an incurable disease. Carried by his servants on a litter to the city of the Thessalonians, he was laid in the venerable shrine where the relics of the Saint were lying under the earth. Immediately upon being laid over the healing-bearing resting place, he recovered his health at once, as he himself
A and those with him marveled at the swift visitation of the martyr, and they gave thanks to God and to the most glorious martyr Demetrius. Demetrius immediately had the arches of the vaulted buildings taken down, along with the house of the hot springs and the public porticoes and gateways that were there, and he cleared the area. He then erected a greatly venerable church for the martyr, adorning it with a lavish supply of offerings at the midpoint between the public bath and the stadium.
16. When he was about to depart for Illyricum, he wished to take a portion of the martyr’s relics in order to build a church for him there as well, in the name of the Saint; the most glorious victor of Christ, Demetrius, appeared at night and forbade him from doing so. Having taken, however, his chlamys, stained with his sacred blood, and a part of his orarion, he placed them in a silver reliquary prepared for this purpose. B But as he was traveling, a harsh winter having set in and the Danube River surging with such a current that it was impassable even for ships for many days, and as it hindered his progress on the journey, the prefect became despondent.
17. And truly he beheld the most glorious Demetrius saying to him, "Having cast aside all unbelief and despondency, take what you are carrying and cross the river without hesitation." Therefore, at dawn he embarked in the carriage, holding the sacred casket in his hands, and crossed the river unharmed; and thus, having arrived, he deposited the sacred casket at Sirmium along with the treasure it contained, in the church of the holy martyr Demetrius which had been built there by him, near the venerable house of the martyr Anastasia, who was crowned with beautiful victories. C Many miracles and healings did the Lord perform, where the carriage and the animals rested on the way, by the grace, long-suffering, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and power, now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen.