(A.D. 291.)
[Commemorated in most Latin Martyrologies, and in the Greek Menaea
on the 12th Jan. He is mentioned as Peter the Ascetic, by Eusebius;
his genuine Acts are given in Ruinart.]
Eusebius, in his account of the martyrs of Palestine, appended to the
8th book of his Ecclesiastical History, says:--"On the eleventh of the
month Audynoeus, _i.e._, on the third of the ides of January (11th Jan.),
in the same city of Caesarea, Peter the Ascetic, also called Absolom,
from the village of Anea, on the borders of Eleutheropolis, like the
purest gold, with a good resolution, gave proof of his faith in the
Christ of God. Disregarding both the judge and those around him, that
besought him in many ways to have compassion on himself, and to spare
his youth and blooming years, he preferred his hope in the Supreme God
of all, and even to life itself."
The name of this Saint seems to have been Peter Absolom; the latter
appellation has been corrupted into Apselm, Anselm, and Balsam. The acts
of his martrydom are authentic. They are as follows:--
At that time Peter, called Balsam, was captured at Aulane, in the time
of persecution. He came from the borders of Eleutheropolis, and was
brought before the governor, Severus, who said to him, "What is your
name?" Peter answered, "I am called by my paternal name of Balsam, but
in baptism I received my spiritual name of Peter." The Governor, "To
what family do you belong?" Peter, "I am a Christian." The Governor,
"What office do you bear?" Peter, "What office can be more honourable
than to live a Christian?" The Governor, "Have you any parents?" Peter,
"I have none." The Governor, "There you lie, for I have heard that you
have." Peter, "In the Gospel I am commanded to renounce all things when
I come to confess Christ." The Governor, "Do you know the imperial
edicts?" Peter, "I know the laws of God, the Sovereign true and
everlasting." The Governor, "It is commanded by the most clement
emperors that all Christians shall either sacrifice, or be executed in
various ways." Peter, "And this is the command of the everlasting King.
If thou sacrifice to any demon, and not to God alone, thou shalt be
plucked out of the Book of the Living. Judge thou which I shall obey."
The Governor, "Come, listen to me, sacrifice and obey the law." Peter,
"I will not sacrifice to gods made by men's hands of wood and stone."
And he poured forth a vehement invective against idolatry. The governor
ordered him to the rack, and when he was slung to it, he said, "Well,
Peter, what say you to this? How do you like your swing?" Peter said,
"Bring the iron hooks; I have already told thee that I will not
sacrifice to devils, but to God alone, for whom I suffer." The governor
ordered him to be tortured. And when the stress of torment was very
great, the martyr uttered no cry of pain, but sang, "One thing have I
desired of the Lord, which I will require: even that I may dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of
the Lord, and to visit His temple. What reward shall I give unto the
Lord for all the benefits that He hath done unto me? I will take the cup
of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord." As he thus spake, the
governor ordered other executioners to come to the work, being much
exasperated. And the crowd standing by, when they saw much blood run
over the pavement, lamented, and urged him, saying, "O man,
compassionate thyself, and sacrifice, that thou mayest escape these
dreadful pains." But the holy man of God answered them, "These pains are
nothing, and give me no suffering; but were I to deny the name of my
God, I know that I should fall into greater torments, which would last
eternally." The Governor said, "You had better sacrifice, or you will
repent it." "No," answered Peter; "I will not sacrifice, and I shall not
repent it." The Governor said, "Well, then I shall pronounce sentence."
"That," said Peter, "is what I most ardently desire."
Then the governor gave sentence in these words, "I command Peter,
continuously despising the commands of the unconquered emperors, to
suffer the death of the cross."
Thus, the venerable athlete of Christ, fulfilling his agony, was found
worthy to participate in the Passion of his Lord. And he suffered at
Aulane, on the third of the nones of January (Jan. 3rd,) under Maximian,
the emperor.
This account is somewhat abbreviated from the Acts. There is some little
discrepancy between it and that of Eusebius. The ecclesiastical
historian says he was executed at Caesarea; the Acts say at Aulane; but
as this was an insignificant village in the district over which the
governor of Caesarea held jurisdiction, the discrepancy is only apparent.
Eusebius says he suffered on the third of the ides; the Acts, that he
suffered on the third of the nones. It is probable that Eusebius is
right, for the Greeks observe the martyrdom of S. Peter Balsam on the
12th Jan., and in the Martyrology, attributed to S. Jerome, the passion
of this Saint is given as occurring on the third of the ides, 11th Jan.