E02760: The Martyrdom of *Iustus (martyr of Trieste, S01309) is written in Latin, presumably in Trieste, probably between the 6th and the 8th c. It narrates Iustus' trial, his death at sea near Trieste, the return of his body on the seashore near Trieste and its burial there by the Christians of the city.

Martyrdom of Iustus (BHL 4604)

Summary:

§ 1: Under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian during their fourth consulate, the ninth year of their reign, at the time of persecution against Christians. Magnentius, a citizen from the East (civis orientis) appoints the pagan Eunomius as governor (praeses) of the city of Aquileia (civitas Aquileiensis). A man named Iustus lives in the city of Trieste (Tergestina civitas) in the province of Istria (Histriae provincia), near Aquileia. He is just (iustus) not only by name but by deeds, revering the name of Christ from childhood, fasting and giving alms, although he is still young. The citizens of Trieste and the magistracy (magistratus), having heard of Iustus, send a decurion (decurio) of the city to summon him in Manatius’ cabinet (consistorium), who governs the city.

§ 2: Iustus arrives, signs himself on the forehead with the cross. He is interrogated and admits that his parents are Christian and he is Christian since childhood. Manatius tells him that emperors have given the order that all Christians should sacrifice to the Gods and be sentenced to death if they refuse. Iustus replies that he will only offer sacrifices to Jesus Christ. Manatius tells him that many Christians have been killed because of Christ, Iustus replies that he hopes to become one of them. Manatius tries to convince Iustus to sacrifice but he refuses, thus he is sent to jail (custodia).

§ 3: There, kneeling, he prays to the Lord, referring to the Incarnation of Christ and the miracles He performed and asking for His help to persevere in this fight, as did others before him who died for the Lord’s name and are now in paradise (paradisum). He is ready for martyrdom and prays all night. The next day, Manatius summons him, Iustus tells him that he is ready to die for Jesus Christ. Iustus is put on a rack and beaten. He thanks Jesus Christ, for his prayer has been heard. He asks Him for help in this fight, and to be worthy of divine mercy and share the joy of His holy martyrs. Manatius tries to convince Iustus to sacrifice to avoid death and please the emperors, but Iustus tells him that he sees the world (saeculum) with contempt and rejects the idols. Even emperors are nothing to him; he has obtained the friendship (amicitia) of Jesus Christ and will soon rejoice in paradise with the holy martyrs. Manatius sentences him to death: he will be thrown in the sea, bound to leaden weights.

§ 4: The executioners (ministri) take him and compel him to walk. On his way, Iustus carries the weights, says farewell to brothers and faithful (fideles) friends in the city and walks fast, as if invited to a banquet. They arrive at the sea, bind the weights to his hands, feet and neck with a long rope, put him on a small boat (scapha) and take him out to sea. He chants a hymn to the Lord (Psalm 29:11-12), then he prays the Lord to welcome his soul, invoking His only son Jesus Christ, the Apostles and the Trinity. Then he is thrown in the sea, the rope breaks and the sea returns his body on the shore of this city of Trieste, before sunset.

§ 5: A priest (presbyter) named Sebastianus has a vision: the martyr Iustus tells him to get up, find his body on the seashore and bury him in a hidden place. The priest Sebastianus visits at night the homes of the faithful (fideles) to tell the news about Iustus’ body. They all go to the seashore, find it and thank God. They embalm it with perfume, put it in precious linen cloth and bury it not far from the shore, where the body was found. Then after the burial all thank the Lord for being worthy of finding and burying the body. The most blessed Iustus died the 4th day of the Nones of November [= 2 November].

Text: Di Brazzano 2013, 341-345. Summary: M. Pignot.