E01726: The Latin Acts of *Saturus, Saturninus, Revocatus, Felicitas and Perpetua (martyrs of Carthage, S00009), of the 4th c. or later and surviving in two recensions, provide a substantially modified version of the narrative recounted by the Martyrdom of Perpetua, Felicitas, and their Companions (E01666). The text ascribes the story to the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus, indicating 7 March as the date of martyrdom.

Acts of Saturus, Saturninus, Revocatus, Felicitas, and Perpetua (BHL 6634-6636)

Summary:

Recension I (BHL 6634-6635)

1. Under Valerian and Gallienus, the young brothers Saturus and Saturninus, the siblings Revocatus and Felicitas, and the noble woman Perpetua are arrested in Thuburbo (civitas Turbitanorum). At the tribunal, the proconsul Minutius orders them to sacrifice according to the decree of the emperors, but Saturus replies that they are Christians.

2. Perpetua’s father attempts to dissuade her, but she remains steadfast.

3. Perpetua recounts to her fellow martyrs a dream vision of a ladder leading to heaven, and they interpret it as a prefiguration of their imminent martyrdom.

4. Minutius interrogates them again at the tribunal, but Saturus refuses to sacrifice, and defends his faith. So too do Saturninus and Revocatus.

5. The Proconsul asks Felicitas about her husband and relatives, urging her to sacrifice, which she refuses to do. She has a husband, whom she despises, and Revocatus is her brother. Perpetua also refuses to sacrifice, and Minutius asks about her relatives.

6. Perpetua’s parents and husband, with her baby son, appear, and her father implores her to pity her family and change her mind, but she is not dissuaded. Her earthly family cannot be more important than God.

7. The proconsul orders that the male martyrs be flogged and the female ones beaten. They are incarcerated until they are thrown to the beasts on the Birthday of the Caesar. In gaol Perpetua recounts her vision of her fight with an Egyptian, which the martyrs interpret as meaning that they will fight and defeat the devil.

8. Thanks to their prayers, Felicitas gives birth in the eighth month of her pregnancy, which allows her to suffer martyrdom together with the rest.

9. On the birthday of the Caesar, a great spectacle is given at the amphitheatre. Saturus and Perpetua are devoured by a lion. Saturninus is killed by the sword, after having been wounded by a bear. Revocatus and Felicitas are killed by a leopard. All this has taken place at Thuburbo, on the nones (7th) of March, under Valerian and Gallienus (253-260). The acts of these martyrs should be read for edification in church.


Recension II (BHL 6636)

1. Under Valerian and Gallienus, the Christians Saturus, Saturninus, Revocatus, Felicitas and her sister, the noble woman Perpetua, are arrested in Thuburbo (civitas Tuburbita). At the tribunal, the proconsul Minutius orders them to sacrifice according to the decree of the emperors, but Saturus replies that they are Christians. The proconsul has them imprisoned.

2. Perpetua’s father and others come to the prison and attempt to dissuade her, but she remains steadfast.

3. In prison, Perpetua has a dream vision of a ladder leading to heaven, which her companions interpret as a prefiguration of their imminent martyrdom.

4. Minutius interrogates them again at the tribunal, but Saturus refuses to sacrifice and defends his faith. So too do Saturninus, Revocatus, Felicitas, and Perpetua. The proconsul separates men from women, and interrogates Saturus, Saturninus, and Revocatus. They refuse to sacrifice.

5. The men are taken away, and the proconsul orders Felicitas and Perpetua to sacrifice, but they are steadfast.

6. Perpetua’s parents, brothers, and husband, with her baby son, appear at the tribunal, and they implore her to pity her family and change her mind, but she is not dissuaded. The proconsul, moved by the plea of her relatives, urges her to pity them. Her father pleads with her, but she dismisses her family.

7. The proconsul orders that the male martyrs be flagellated and the female ones beaten. They are incarcerated until they are thrown to the beasts on the Birthday of the Caesar. In gaol, Perpetua recounts a vision of her fight with an Egyptian, which the martyrs interpret as meaning that they will fight and defeat the devil.

8. Thanks to their prayers, Felicitas gives birth in the eighth month of her pregnancy.

9. On the birthday of the Caesar, a great spectacle is given at the amphitheatre. Saturus and Perpetua are devoured by lions, Saturninus by bears, and Revocatus and Felicitas by leopards. All this has taken place at Thuburbo, on the nones (7th) of March, under Valerian and Gallienus (253-260). The Church has to remember these martyrdoms, and the example of perseverance provided by both the sexes, even if it is not a time of persecution.

Text: Rebillard 2017.
Summary: Efthymios Rizos.