(A.D. 309.)
[Commemorated on this day by the Greeks, and in some Western
Martyrologies. On this day also the Roman Martyrology.
Authority:--Eusebius; Martyrs of Palestine, c. ii.]
In the year 309, the Emperors Galerius and Maximinus continuing the
persecution begun by Diocletian, five pious Egyptians went to visit
the confessors condemned to the mines in Cilicia, and on their return
were stopped by the guards of the gates of Cæsarea, in Palestine, as
they were entering the town. They readily declared themselves
Christians, together with the motives of their journey; upon which
they were apprehended. The day following they were brought before
Firmilian, governor of Palestine, together with S. Pamphilus, and
others. The judge, before he began his interrogatory, ordered the five
Egyptians to be laid on the rack. After they had long suffered all
manner of tortures, he addressed himself to him who seemed to be their
chief, and asked him his name and his country. They had changed their
names, which, before their conversion, were those of some heathen
gods, as was customary in Egypt. The martyr answered according to the
names they had given themselves, which were those of prophets, as
Elias, Jeremy, Isaiah, Samuel, and Daniel.[47] Firmilian then asked
their country; he answered, Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem,
the true country of all Christians. The judge inquired in what part of
the world that was, and ordered him to be tormented with fresh
cruelty. All this while the executioners continued to tear his body
with scourges, whilst his hands were bound behind him, and his feet
squeezed in stocks. The judge, at last, tired of tormenting them,
condemned all five to be beheaded, and this command was immediately
executed.
Porphyry, a youth, the servant of S. Pamphilus, hearing the sentence
pronounced, exclaimed that the honour of burial ought to be accorded
to these men. Firmilian, provoked at this boldness, ordered him to be
apprehended, and, finding that he confessed himself a Christian, and
refused to sacrifice, "commanded," says Eusebius, "that they should
scrape and mutilate him, not as though they were dealing with flesh of
a human being, but as with stone and wood, to the very bones, and the
inmost recesses of the bowels. This being continued for a long time,
he at length perceived that he was labouring in vain, as he continued
without uttering a sound, or evincing any feeling, and almost totally
lifeless, although his body was dreadfully mangled. But, as the judge
was of an inflexible cruelty, he condemned him to be committed to a
slow fire. One could then see Porphyry covered with dust, but with his
countenance bright and cheerful, advancing on his way to death,
covered only with his philosophical garb thrown round him like a
cloak, and, with a calm and composed mind, beckoning to his
acquaintance and friends, and preserving a cheerful countenance at the
stake. When the fire was kindled, which was done at some distance from
him, he attracted and inhaled the flame, and then, most nobly
persevering in silence, until his last breath, he uttered not another
word, save that which he uttered when the flame reached him, a call
upon Christ, the Son of God, his helper."
Seleucus, an eye-witness of this victory, was heard by the soldiers
applauding the heroism of these martyrs, whereupon he was apprehended,
and his head was struck off.
S. Pamphilus is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on June 1st;
Elias, Jeremias, Isaiah, Samuel, Daniel, Porphyry, and Seleucus, on
Feb. 16th.
The relics of S. Daniel are preserved at Bologna, in the churches of
S. Cecilia and S. Gabriel.