(ABOUT A.D. 260.)
[Usuardus, Ado, Notker, Bede, Wandelbert, and Roman Martyrologies.
Authority:--Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. lib. vii. c. 15, 16.]
"Peace being restored to the Church," writes Eusebius, "Marinus of
Cæsarea, in Palestine, who was one of the army, distinguished for
his military honours, and illustrious for his family and wealth, was
beheaded for his confession of Christ, on the following occasion. There
is a certain honour among the Romans, called the vine, which they who
obtain are said to be centurions. A place becoming vacant, Marinus, by
order of succession, was called to be promoted, but another, advancing
to the tribunal, objected, saying that he was a Christian, and refused
to sacrifice to the emperor, and therefore legally could not share in
Roman honours; but that the office devolved on himself, the objector,
who was second on the list. The judge, whose name was Achæus, roused
at this, began first to question Marinus on his opinions; and when he
saw that he was constant in affirming that he was a Christian, granted
him three hours for reflection. But as soon as he came out of the
judgment hall, Theotecnus, bishop of that place, coming to him, took
him by the hand, and drawing him to the Church, placed him before the
altar, raised his cloak a little, and pointing to the sword at his
side, at the same time that he presented before him the book of the
Holy Gospels, told him to choose which of the two he would retain.
Without hesitation, Marinus extended his hand and took the book. 'Hold
fast, then, hold fast to God,' said Theotecnus, 'and strengthened by
him, mayest thou obtain what thou choosest. Go in peace.' Immediately
on his return thence, a crier proclaimed before the prætorium that
the appointed time had elapsed. Marinus then was arraigned, and after
exhibiting a still greater fervour for the faith, was led away and made
perfect by martyrdom."
"Mention is also made of the confidence of Asterius, a man of
senatorial rank, in great favour with the emperors, and well known
for his nobility and wealth. As he was present at the death of
the above-mentioned martyr, taking up the corpse, he bore it on
his shoulder in a splendid and costly dress, and covering it in a
magnificent manner, gave it a decent burial."
Asterius is venerated by the Greeks on August 7th as a martyr, who
suffered decollation, and Marinus is not mentioned by them. Eusebius
says nothing of the martyrdom of Asterius, as he certainly would have
done, had he died for Christ, for he says, "Many other facts are
stated of this man by his friends, who are alive at present," and then
he relates his counteracting by his prayers the drowning of a victim
annually offered to the river Jordan. The Roman Martyrology, however,
accepts the Greek tradition. "Asterius received the honour he rendered
to the martyr, becoming himself a martyr;" but perhaps the word martyr
is here to be taken in the sense frequently given to it anciently, of
a confessor, or witness to Christ, not necessarily by losing his life
for his testimony, but only by imperilling it.