E02499: The Martyrdom of *Hedistus, Priscus and Companions (martyrs of Laurentum near Rome, S01229) is written in Latin, presumably near Laurentum, at an uncertain date. It narrates how the soldier of Nero Hedistus, who had been baptised by *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), meets and celebrates liturgy, vigils, prayers and fasts with the priest Priscus, his wife Thermantia and daughter Christes, and Victoria in a sand quarry close to an altar of Diana where Nero hunts; their death by being buried alive in the sand quarry, situated on the via Laurentina, except Victoria who is killed by the sword.

Martyrdom of Hedistus, Priscus and Companions (BHL 3765)

Summary:

§ 1: The emperor Nero goes to Laurentum to sacrifice to the demons and stays for a long time there to tame a revolt. He comes to an altar of Diana and hunts there with his soldiers, among whom is the beautiful Roman arms-bearer (armiger) Hedistus (Hedestus), who has been baptised by the apostle Peter and is secretly Christian. At that time Hedistus hears about a priest Thimoteus [there follows a lacuna]. As he cannot find him, he is saddened and prays to God with vigils and fasts, asking to be granted to see him.

§ 2: Hedistus looks for a place where the mass (missa) is celebrated. Nero comes to the altar of Diana with tribunes and pagan priests; Hedistus also comes, looking for a priest. He finds a girl sitting with her servant spinning wool. He learns from her that she is the daughter of Thermantia and Priscus a Christian priest, that she has been taught by her parents not to fear martyrdom, that and her name is Christes [there follows a lacuna]. After hearing this, Christes and Victoria (Victuria), go to the priest Priscus and his wife Thermantia and tell them that a young man wants to see Priscus. He is well appointed and beautiful. Priscus agrees and they come to Hedistus.

§ 3: Hedistus falls at Priscus’ feet and thanks Jesus Christ. He tells Priscus that he has been baptised by Peter, and is embraced by him. From that day Hedistus spends his time with Priscus and his wife and Christes and Victoria, providing them with food and lodging. They celebrate mass with hymns, fasts and vigils at the altar of Diana in a sand quarry (harenarium). One night Hedistus has a vision of the Apostle Peter telling him that he should not leave Priscus, through whom he will receive the crown of martyrdom. He tells Priscus about his vision.

§ 4: Nero tells Hedistus that he looks pale and unwell and advises him to see a physician (medicus). Hedistus tells him that he has a physician who heals through the word; this raises Nero’s interest. Then Hedistus speaks to Priscus about his conversation with Nero, who tells him that he will be rewarded for this.

§ 5: Hedistus often comes by horse from Laurentum to the altar of Diana in the sand quarry where he meets Christes and Victoria, and where Priscus celebrates mass. One of Hedistus’ servants remarks that Hedistus does not eat nor drink but spends his nights in vigils, prayers and hymns, and often leaves on horseback. One night as Hedistus leaves to go to Priscus, one of his servants named Florus questions him, learns that he is Christian and starts despising him. Hedistus goes to Priscus, receives the Eucharist, and then goes back to Nero.

§ 6: Nero orders baths to be built in Laurentum and tells the builders (philosophi ) to do nothing without Hedistus’ advice. Thus Hedistus closely follows the building works. As they dig up sand quarries they reach that of the altar of Diana where Priscus and Hedistus celebrate mass. Hedistus prohibits anyone to enter the place, and at night comes as usual to celebrate the liturgy with Priscus, Christes and Victoria.

§ 7: Florus follows Hedistus at night and sees him speaking with the virgin Christes. He goes back to the house in the city, unnoticed. Later, during a meal, Florus tells Hedistus that he has served him for ten years and that he wonders why he has not told him about his love for the girl, who is most beautiful. Hedestus replies that the girl brings him to love Jesus Christ and he forbids Florus to say anything, threatening to punish him.

§§ 8-9: The following night Hedistus goes to Priscus as usual and is followed by his servant, who sees him entering the sand quarry and witnesses all the mysteries of the faith. He tells everything to a pagan priest named Liberius who tells Nero. Infuriated, Nero orders Hedistus to be buried alive in the sand quarry and all his possessions to be given to the one who betrayed him, but only if what they tell is true. When, the following night, Hedistus goes to Priscus, the servant tells Liberius, who informs Nero. Nero orders Hedistus to be buried alive. When it is done, Victoria flees but is arrested in the forest next to the altar of Diana and killed by the sword. The priest Priscus, Thermantia, Christes and Hedistus are buried in the sand quarry next to the via Laurentina on the 4th day before the ides of October [= 12 October], during the fourth consulate of Nero and Cornelius [= 60 AD].


Text: Rigollot 1875, 112-113. Summary: M. Pignot.