1583 Edition | Book 1 | Page 87 
Close(c. 673/4 - 735) [ODNB]
Benedictine monk at Wearmouth and Jarrow; historian and theologian
Wrote on the use of language, computation, chronology, biblical commentaries, hagiography and biography
Author of Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum
Bede entered the monastery at Wearmouth under Abbot Benedict Biscop when he was seven years old. 1570, p. 164; 1576, p. 124; 1583, p. 122.
Bede was made deacon at nineteen years of age, and priest when he was twenty. 1570, p. 170; 1576, p. 128; 1583, p. 127.
Pope Sergius I sent a letter to Ceolfrith, abbot of Wearmouth, praising Bede's learning and asking that he be sent to Rome. 1570, p. 170; 1576, p. 128; 1583, p. 127.
Bede gave his Anglorum Historia to King Ceolwulf of Northumbria to be approved and amended. 1570, p. 170; 1576, p. 128; 1583, p. 127.
Bede wrote that in his time Easter was celebrated in Britain following the eastern practice. 1570, p. 145; 1576, p. 107; 1583, p. 106.
Thomas Arthur and Thomas Bilney, in their examination for heresy, said that Bede had translated the gospel of St John into English. 1563, p. 465; 1570, p. 1137; 1576, p. 974; 1583, p. 1000.
Bede died during the reign of Æthelbald of Mercia. 1570, p. 150; 1576, p. 112; 1583, p. 111.
CloseBishop of Apollonia; martyr under Decius, according to Bede
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseMartyrs in Colonia under Decius, according to Bede.
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Close(d. 253) [Kelly]
Pope (251 - 53); opposed by antipope Novatian
Favoured the readmission after penance of Christians who had lapsed during persecution; exiled to Civita Vecchia in 252
Novatian set himself up in opposition to Cornelius, but some of his chief supporters returned to the obedience of Cornelius. Cornelius was supported by Cyprian of Carthage and by Fabius of Antioch. 1570, pp. 84, 93; 1576, pp. 58, 65; 1583, pp. 58, 64.
During his exile at Civita Vecchia, Cornelius corresponded with Cyprian of Carthage. Foxe says Decius had Cornelius beaten for this [Decius died in 251]. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 65.
Close(d. 258) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Teacher of rhetoric; bishop of Carthage (249 - 58); there was opposition and schism in his see. Early Christian writer; in conflict with Pope Stephen I over the efficacy of baptism by heretics; executed
Cyprian was born in Carthage, grew up a pagan and became a skilled rhetorician. He was converted by a priest and baptised. Not long after he became a priest, he was made bishop of Carthage. 1570, p. 98; 1576, p. 69; 1583, p. 69.
Cyprian was called 'papas' or 'father'. 1570, p. 11; 1576, p. 8; 1583, p. 8.
Cyprian favoured the rebaptism of those baptised by heretics; in this he disagreed with Pope Stephen. 1570, p. 101, 1576, p. 71, 1583, p. 71.
Cyprian complained that many of the faithful, without having been subjected to any torture, through cowardice voluntarily agreed to sacrifice to the gods. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Novatian was a priest under Cyprian in Carthage, where he appointed Felicissimus deacon without Cyprian's knowledge and stirred up factions. Novatian opposed the reinstatement of lapsed Christians. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 64.
Cyprian was banished from Carthage during the reign of Gallus due to sedition within the church there. 1570, p. 95; 1576, p. 66; 1583, p. 66.
Cyprian returned from exile in the reign of Valerian. 1570, p. 99; 1576, p. 70; 1583, p. 69.
Cyprian received visions warning him of the persecution of Valerian. He wrote an Apology in defence of the Christians. 1570, p. 97; 1576, p. 68; 1583, p. 68.
He was banished a second time. When he refused to sacrifice to the gods, he was beheaded. 1570, p. 99; 1576, p. 70; 1583, p. 69.
Foxe discusses his writings. 1570, pp. 99-101; 1576, pp. 70-71;1583, pp. 69-71.
Constantine fulfilled Cyprian's vision of a time of peace for the church. 1570, p. 144; 1576, p. 106; 1583, p. 105.
Close(d. 265) [Gams]
Patriarch of Alexandria (247 - 265); church father
Dionysius succeeded Heraclas as head of the school in Alexandria and then as bishop. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 60.
Dionysius sent a letter to Fabius of Antioch describing the uprisings against the Christians in Alexandria. 1570, p. 88; 1576, p. 62; 1583, p. 61.
In his letter, Dionysius recounted how a number of the faithful lapsed under torture or through terror. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Dionysius gave an account of his and his followers' rescue from the persecutors. 1570, p. 90; 1576, p. 63; 1583, pp. 62-63.
In a letter to Hierax, a bishop in Egypt, Dionysius described the effects of a plague that had afflicted Alexandria after the death of Decius. 1570, p. 94; 1576, p. 66; 1583, p. 66.
Dionysius refused to sacrifice to the gods and was banished by Aemilianus, prefect of Egypt. 1570, p. 102; 1576, p. 72; 1583, p. 72.
Dionysius outlived Valerian and died an old man. 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 73.
CloseAfrican bishop who deserted his flock during the persecutions of Decius
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 64.
Close(d. 250) [Kelly]
Pope (236 - 50) Arrested; died at the beginning of Decius's persecution
Fabian and Origen converted Emperor Philip the Arab and his family to Christianity. 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 59
Origen wrote De orthodoxia su? fidei to Fabian. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60
Decius had Fabian killed either because Philip the Arab had committed his treasures to Fabian, or because he hated Philip the Arab. 1570, pp. 86-87; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 60
CloseMid-C3 deacon of Carthage, appointed by Novatian during Cyprian's absence; leader of Novatian schism [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Excommunicated by Cyprian; joined revolt
He is mentioned by Foxe; 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 65.
CloseMartyrs of Antioch under Decius, according to Bede
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseMartyrs at Rome under Decius, according to Bede.
[There was a Nemesius, deacon at Rome, martryed there with Sixtus II in 258.]
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseChristian martyrs in Tanais, Egypt under Decius, according to Bede.
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseMartyrs under Decius in Caesarea
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseImprisoned as a result of the Decian persecution [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Novatian]
Supporters of Novatian as pope in 251; written to by Dyonisius of Alexandria and Cyprian of Carthage; agreed to support Cornelius
Maximus and Urbanus were holy men who had suffered greatly during the persecutions. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 64.
They repented of their support for Novatian and were reconciled to Cornelius. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 65.
CloseMartyrs in Africa under Decius, according to Bede.
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseLapsed Christian in the time of Decius
Under torture, Nicomachus denied that he was a Christian. After he had sacrificed to the gods, he had a fit and died. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseReputed deacon in the time of Decius who fled, taking church goods; may after have died a martyr
Nicostratus is listed as a martyr. 1570, p. 91; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 63.
He fled taking church goods. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 64.
He was imprisoned with Maximus and Moses. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 65.
Close(d. 258) [Kelly]
Scholar; antipope (251 - 58) against Cornelius
Established a schismatic church, which lasted several centuries
Novatian opposed the reinstatement of lapsed Christians. 1570, p. 84; 1576, p. 58; 1583, p. 58.
Novatian was a priest under Cyprian in Carthage, where he appointed Felicissimus deacon without Cyprian's knowledge and stirred up factions. He later went to Rome and set himself up as antipope in opposition to Cornelius. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 64.
Some of Novatian's chief supporters eventually returned to Cornelius. A synod was held in Rome in opposition to him. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 65.
CloseChristian priest martyred at Córdoba under Decius, according to Bede.
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
ClosePossibly children martyred in Tuscany under Decius
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
ClosePhilcronius, bishop of Babylon, Thesiphon, bishop of Pamphilia, and Nestor, bishop, were martyrs under Decius, according to Bede.
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseAccording to Bede, Phileas, a bishop, and Philocomus were martyred during the reign of Decius in Africa
[According to Eusebius, Phileas and Philoromus were martyred together at Alexandria in 311. Phileas was a scholar and bishop of Thmuis martyred in 311 [Gams]
They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseAccording to Bede, bishop of Milan martyred under Decius
[Mona (d. 251) was bishop of Milan (193 - 251) [Gams]]
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseReputed martyr with Varianus and Marcellianus under Decius at Civitavecchia
Secundianus, with his fellow martyrs, was tortured and then beheaded. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseOld man in the time of Decius who lapsed, repented and died
Serapion, having lapsed, was seriously ill and asked for absolution. The priest, being ill, sent a boy with the eucharist. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
CloseSupporters of Novatian as pope in 251
Sydonius and Celerinus were holy men who had suffered greatly during the persecutions. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 64.
They repented of their support for Novatian and were reconciled to Cornelius. 1570, p. 93; 1576, p. 65; 1583, p. 65.
CloseMartyr in Spain under Decius, according to Bede.
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Close(d. c. 270) [Gams]
Bishop of Neocaesarea in Pontus (c. 240 - 264); pupil of Origen; attended the Council of Antioch in 269 that condemned Paul of Samosata
[According to Bede, he was martyred in the reign of Decius.]
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 92, 106; 1576, pp. 64, 76; 1583, pp. 64, 75.
Close(d. 251) [G. Nathan and R. McMahon www.roman-emperors.org]
Consul, commander under Philip the Arab
Roman emperor (249 - 51); killed in battle against the Goths
Decius killed Emperor Philip the Arab and his son Philip because they were Christians. 1570, p. 86; 1576, p. 60; 1583, p. 59.
Great persecution of Christians took place during his reign. 1570, pp. 86-93; 1576, pp. 60-66; 1583, pp. 59-65.
Pomponius Laetus said that, when Decius was overcome by the Goths, rather than fall into their hands, he threw himself into a whirlpool and drowned. 1570, p. 94; 1576, p. 66; 1583, p. 66.
CloseReputed martyrs with Secundarius under Decius at Civitavecchia
Varianus and Marcellianus complained at the arrest of Secundarius, spat on the idols and were tortured and beheaded. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Close(d. 380); [Gams] bishop of Verona (362 - 80); there is a Zeno on a list of martyrs at Verona
According to Bede, Zeno bishop of Verona was martyred under Decius. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Zeno, bishop of Verona, was said to have been martyred under Valerian. 1570, p. 104; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 73.
Close[Antiochia apud Orontem]
Turkey
Coordinates: 36° 12' 0" N, 36° 9' 0" E
Close[Aretium]
Tuscany, Italy
Coordinates: 43° 28' 24" N, 11° 52' 12" E
Close[Charlago]
Tunisia
Coordinates: 36° 53' 12" N, 10° 18' 53" E
Close[Centumcellas]
Rome province, Italy
Coordinates: 42° 6' 0" N, 11° 48' 0" E
Close(Mediolanum) [Mediolanensis; Millan; Millaine; Miliane; Millayne; Millen]
Lombardy, Italy
Coordinates: 45° 28' 0" N, 9° 10' 0" E
Cathedral city
CloseTroad [Troade; Troada]
Çanakkale province, Turkey
Coordinates: 39° 57' 27" N, 26° 14' 20" E
Sennas, to be the same, whome in other storyes we finde, and before haue mentioned to be Ammon and Zenon.
MarginaliaSecundianus. Verianus. Marcellianus. Martyrs. One Secundianus was accused to Valerian a Captayne of Decius, to be a Christian, which professiō when he stoutly did maynetayne, was commaunded to prison. By the way as the souldiours were leading him to the gaile, Verianus and Marcellianus seing the matter, cried to the souldiours, asking them whether they drew the innocent. At the which worde, when they also confessed them selues to be Christians, they were likewise apprehended, and brought to a Citie named Centumcellas: where being willed to sacrifice, they did spit vpon the Idols, and so after sentence and iudgement geuen, first they were beaten with wasters or trunshons, after that were hanged and tormented vpō the gibbet, hauing fire set to their sides. Vincentius addeth moreouerMarginaliaEx Vincent. lib. 11. cap. 51. that the tormentors some of them fallē sodainly dead, other some being taken wt wicked spirites, the Martyrs wt sword at length were beheaded. Vinc. Lib. 11. cap. 51.
[Back to Top]To prosecute in length of history, the liues and sufferings of all them, which in this terrible persecution, were Martyred, it were to long, and almost infinite: briefly therefore to rehearse the names of such as we finde alledged out of a certaine briefe treatise of Bede intituled De temporibus, cited by Henricus De Erford, it shalbe at this time sufficient.MarginaliaEx libro. Bedæ, de Temporibus, citante. Henrico de Erfordia. A briefe Cataloge of diuers which suffered vnder Decius ex Beda. Vnder Decius suffered Hyppolitus and Concordia, Hiereneus and Abnudus, Victoria a virgine, being noble personages of Antioche. Bellias Byshoppe of the Citie of Apollonia. Leacus, Tyrsus, and Gallinetus, Nazanzo, Tryphon in the Citie of Egypt called Tanais. Phileas Bishop, Philocomus with many other in Perside. Philcronius byshop of Babylon, Thesiphon Byshop of Pamphilia. Nestor Byshop in Corduba. Parmenius Priest with diuers moe. In the Prouince called Colonia, Circensis, Marianus and Iacobus. In Africa, Nemesianus, Felix, Rogatianus priest. Felicissimus. At Rome Iouinus, Basileus, also Ruffina, and Secunda Virgines, Tertullianus, Valerianus, Nemesius, Sempronianus, and Olympius. In Spayne Teragone, at Verona Zeno Byshop. At Cæsarea, Marinus, and Archemius. In the towne of Miliane Priuatus Byshop, Theodorus surnamed Gregorius Byshop of Pontus. Hæc Beda.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaChildren Martyrs. Ex vincent lib. 11. cap. 52. Vincentius in his xj. booke, maketh also mention, citing Ex Hugone, of certaine children suffering Martyrdome vnder the same persecution, in a Citie of Tuscia called Aretium: whose names I finde not, except they be Pergentius & Laurentius mentioned in Equilinus. Lib. 5. cap. 80.
[Back to Top]Nowe that I haue recorded of them sufficiently, which vnder this tempest of Decius, constantly gaue their liues to Martyrdome for the testimonie of Christ: MarginaliaSuch as reuolted and fell in this persecution. it remaineth, that a fewe wordes also be spoken of such that for feare or frailtie in this persecution did shrinke backe, & slide from the truth of their confession. In the number of whome first commeth in the remembrāce of Serapion an aged olde man. Of whom writeth Dionysius Alexandrinus, vnto Fabius, declaring:MarginaliaSerapion. that this Serapion was an olde man, which liued amongest them a sincere and vpright life of long time, but at length fell. This Serapion oft and many times desired to be receaued againe, but no man listened to him, for hee had sacrificed before.MarginaliaEx Euseb. Lib. 6. cap. 44. After this not long after he fell into sickenesse where he remained three dayes dombe, and benummed of all his sēses. The fourth day following, beginning a litle to recouer, he called to him his sisters sonne, & saide: how long, how lōg (my sonne) do ye hold me here? Make hast I pray you, that I were absolued. Call hether some of the ministers to me, and so saying no more, held his peace, as dombe and speachles. The boy ranne, it was then night, vnto the minister, who at the same time being sicke, could not come with the messenger, but sayde: for somuch as he willed heeretofore (as he sayde) that such as lay a dying, if they couet to be receaued & reconciled, and especially if they required it earnestly, should be admitted, wherby with the better hope & confidence they may depart hence: therefore he gaue to the boy a litle of the *Marginalia* Note here the Sacrament to be called the Eucharist, and not the body of Christ. Eucharist, willing him to crumble it into the cup, & so to drop it into the mouth of the olde man.MarginaliaThe holy Eucharist in time of great neede and distresse committed to a boy. The repentance and reconciliation of Serapion. The goodnes of God shewed to Serapion. With this the boy returned, bringing wt him the holy Eucharist. As he was now nere at hād, before he had entred in, Serapiō the old mā, speaking againe, cōmest thou (sayd he) my sonne? The Priest, quoth the messenger, is sicke & can not come, but do, as he willeth you, & let me go. And the boy immixed the Eucharist, & dropt it in softly into the mouth of the old mā. Who after he had tasted a litle, immediatly gaue vp the Ghost. &c. Hæc Dionys. ex Eus.
[Back to Top]In the Citie of Troade, as the Proconsul was grieuously tormenting one Nicomachus, he cried out, that he was no Christian, and so was let downe againe. And when after he had sacrificed, he was taken eftsoones with a wicked spirite, and so throwen downe vpon the ground, where he byting of his toung with his teeth, so departed.MarginaliaEx Henr. de Erford. Henr. de Erfordia.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaA terrible example of denying, shewed vppon Nichomachus. Dionysius ad Fabium. Dionysius in his Epistles also writyng to Fabius, and lamentyng the great terrour of this persecution declareth, how that many woorthy and notable Christians, for feare and horror of the great tiranny therof, did shew themselues feeble and weake men. Of whome some for dread, some of their owne accord, other after great torments suffered, yet after reuolted from the constancy of their profession. Also S. Cyprian in his treatise De lapsis,MarginaliaCyprianus Serm. de lapsis. reciteth with great sorrow, and testifieth, how that a great number at the first threatnyng of the aduersary, neither beyng cōpelled uor thrown downe with any violence of the enemy, but of their volūtary weakenes fell downe themselues. Neither (sayth he) tarying while the iudge should put incense in their hands, but before any stroke stroken in the fielde, turned their backes, & played the cowards,MarginaliaThe weaknes of christians denying their fayth. not only commyng to their sacrifices, but preuētyng the same, and pretending to come without compulsion, bringing moreouer theyr infantes & children eyther put into their hands, or taking them with them of their owne accord, and exhortyng moreouer other to do the lyke after their example.
[Back to Top]Of this weaknesse and falling, the said author sheweth two causes, either loue of their goodes and patrimonie, or feare of torments. And addeth moreouer examples of the punishmentes of them which so reuolted:MarginaliaExamples of God hys punishment after denial. affirmyng that many of them were taken and vexed with wicked sprites. And of one man among other which after his volutary deniall, sodainly was stroken dombe. Agayn, an other after his abiuration as he should communicate with other, in stead of breadMarginaliaThe sacrament called bread of S. Cyprian. De lapsis. receiued ashes in his hād. Itē of a certayn mayden, who beyng taken & vexed with a sprite, did teare her owne toung with her teeth, and tormented with paine in her bellie and inward partes so deceased.
[Back to Top]Among other of this sort, S. Cyprian, Lib. 2 cap. 8. maketh also mention of one Euaristus a Bishop in Aphrica, who leauing his charge, and making a shipwracke of his faith, went wandering about in other countreys, forsaking his owne flocke. In like maner he maketh also mention of Nicostratus a Deacon, who forsakyng his Deaconship, and takyng the goods of the Church with him, fled away into other countreys, &c. Albeit Bergomensis geueth that this Nicostratus the Deacon afterward dyed a Martyr. Thus then although some did relent, yet a very great nūber saith he, there was, whom neither feare could remoue, nor pain could ouerthrow to cause them to betray their confession, but that they stoode like glorious Martyrs vnto the ende, Cyprian.
[Back to Top]The same Cyprianus also in an other booke De mortalitate,MarginaliaCyprianus Lib. de mortalitate. reciteth a notable story of one of his owne Colleges and fellow Priest: who beyng oppressed with weaknesse, and greatly afrayd with death drawyng at hand, desired leaue to depart, and to be discharged. As he was thus entreating, and almost now dying, there appeared by him a yong man,MarginaliaA notable voyce of God to a Priest of Carthage. of an honorable and of reuerend maiestie, of a tall stature, and comely behauior, so bright & cleare to behold, that scarce mans carnall eyes was able to beare the beholding of him, but that he was able so to do, which was now redy to depart this world. To whom this yong man speaking with a certaine indignation of mynd and voyce, thus said: Pati timetis, exire non vultis, quid faciam vobis?
ClosePati timetis, exire non vultis, quid faciam vobis?
To suffer ye dare not, to goe out ye will not, what would ye me to do vnto you?
MarginaliaThe occasion and rising vp of Nouatus heresie. Vpon the occasion of these and such other, which were a great number, that fell and did renounce, as is aforesaid, in this persecution of Decius, rose vp first the quarell & heresie of Nouatus,
CloseThe Foxe Project was not able to complete the commentary on this section of text by the date by which this online edition was compiled (23 September 2008).