(BEGINNING OF 4TH CENT.)
[Roman Martyrology. Authority:--The "Conversio" of S. Afra, which
existed in the ninth century, but of no historical value.]
Narcissus, bishop of Gerona, being driven from his see in the
persecution of Diocletian, wandered homeless as far as Augsburg, where
finding that the Christians were mightily oppressed, and well nigh
exterminated, he and his deacon Felix, not knowing whither to take
refuge, received the hospitality offered them by a courtesan named
Afra.[62] And they not knowing who and what manner of woman she was
that invited them into her house, went in nothing doubting. Then Afra
marvelled what manner of men these were, who ate little, and spent
their time in prayer. And before they departed, she believed and
was baptized, with all her house. Now when nine months had elapsed,
Narcissus and his deacon, finding the violence of persecution had
abated, returned into Spain, and recommenced their work of converting
the heathen. The success of Narcissus so exasperated them that they
waylaid him and assassinated him. When king Philip of France took
Gerona, his soldiers pillaged the shrine of S. Narcissus, whereupon a
swarm of hornets issued from it and stung them. Consequently in art he
is represented with hornets issuing from his tomb. Relics at Gerona.
[62] In the Life of S. Afra (Aug. 5th), it will be shown that it is a
late mistake to call her a courtesan.