E03220: The Latin Martyrdom of *Eleutherius and his mother Antia (martyrs of Rome, S01661) is written in closely related variant versions, the earliest by the 8th c. at the latest. It narrates Eleutherius’ education in Rome and consecration as bishop, the miracles and conversions triggered, his arrest, the tortures he endured, and his martyrdom in Rome together with his mother. One version narrates that after their death their bodies are buried just outside Rieti (civitas Reatina) and a church is built on the site where miracles happen. Another version tells of the translation of relics from Rome to the city of Aecae in Apulia (modern Troia in southern Italy), where Eleutherius was bishop. Variant versions translated and adapted from a Greek text.

Martyrdom of Eleutherius and his mother Antia

The Martyrdom is preserved in variant versions closely related but bearing important differences regarding the cult of Eleutherius; here we have provided summaries of two of the earliest attested, the first (BHL 2450) situating Eleutherius’ cult in Rieti near Rome, the second (BHL 2451) setting it in Aecae in Apulia.


BHL 2450:

Summary:

§ 1: In the 25th year of his reign, the emperor hears about a boy named Eleutherius as he comes to Rome from the East. Eleutherius is the only son of Antia, a widow who, after the death of her husband, the senator Eugenius, educates her son in the Christian religion and then entrusts his instruction in the Bible to the bishop Dynamius. Eleutherius makes great progress and is made a deacon at the age of sixteen, a priest at eighteen and, as he heals the sick and expels demons, a bishop at the age of twenty.

§§ 2-3: Hearing this, the emperor asks his count (comes) Felix to summon Eleutherius with the help of soldiers. Felix finds Eleutherius teaching to a great crowd; Felix is rebuked by Eleutherius for attempting to seize him by force, and is converted. They go to Rome with all the soldiers and on the way Eleutherius instructs them on Jesus Christ’s coming and resurrection. Then Felix is baptised in a river and his companions also believe.

§§ 4-7: In Rome, the emperor Hadrian interrogates Eleutherius about his conversion to Christianity and attempts to bring him to adore pagan gods. As he refuses, Eleutherius’ body is stretched naked on a bronze bed with fire burning underneath. The Roman people come to watch the show and praise Eleutherius. Eleutherius is then freed and walks unharmed, preaching in favour of Christianity and against idols to the crowd. Hadrian prepares a burning gridiron for torture but it is instantly cooled as Eleutherius is put on it; he then orders a huge frying-pan full of oil to be heated. After referring to the three young Hebrews in the furnace (Daniel 3:8-30), Eleutherius is put in the frying-pan, which stays cool, and he refuses to offer sacrifice. Referring to the miracles that have just happened, he attempts to convert Hadrian.

§§ 8-10: The prefect Corribon suggests that Eleutherius should be put in jail, then shut in a great oven to be prepared in the amphitheatre. As this is done the next day, in front of all the Roman people, Eleutherius is summoned to adore the gods but says that either he will be defeated by this torture and adore the gods or he will overcome it and the prefect will believe in Jesus Christ. After a prayer to God, Eleutherius is thrown into the oven but it becomes cool and he is unhurt.

§§ 11-12: Seeing this, Corribon states his belief in God to Hadrian. He asks Eleutherius for baptism and receives the Holy Spirit thanks to Eleutherius’ prayer. He is put into the oven but it becomes cool. Then the emperor orders Corribon to be beheaded and Eleutherius to be shut again in the oven. After two hours, the oven is opened and Eleutherius is standing unhurt in it, glowing like an angel. The Roman people praise God.

§§ 13-15: Angered, Hadrian holds a meeting in his palace to find a way to kill Eleutherius. In jail without food for many days, Eleutherius receives food from a dove and thanks God with reference to Elijah receiving food in the desert (1 Kings 17) and Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6). The emperor orders for Eleutherius to be put on a chariot and torn apart by wild horses. However, he is freed by an angel and the horses bring him to a high mountain where there is fresh water and fruits. All wild beasts come to stay next to him and are tamed. Hunters come to seize beasts that they need for games. They see Eleutherius and tell the emperor, who sends soldiers to summon him. Eleutherius sends away the wild beasts that defend him and converts the soldiers with a short speech. On the way down from the mountain, more than 608 men are baptised among whom three counts who tell Eleutherius that he is free to go. However Eleutherius replies that he will remain steadfast and obtain his crown of martyrdom.

§§ 16-17: As the emperor hears that Eleutherius has been brought back, he organises games with wild beasts. In the arena Eleutherius tames a lioness and a huge lion. The Roman people are torn apart and fight each other, some despising, others praising, Eleutherius. Hadrian again asks Eleutherius to change his mind but he replies cursing him. Hadrian orders Eleutherius’ mouth to be crushed with a block of lead but it melts in the hands of one of the assistants, burning his fingers. Hadrian is troubled as he finds no way to kill Eleutherius. Seeing this Eleutherius, fears that he will not be martyred and prays to Jesus Christ, asking to be crowned with martyrdom in the arena on the same day.

§ 18: Two executioners come and kill him. A voice from heaven welcomes Eleutherius in heaven. Many hear this and are frightened. His mother Antia weeps over his body, collects the blood with linen cloth and aims to take care of his burial. However she too is killed by the sword and both bodies are left unburied.

Venientes autem nocte sancti viri, rapuerunt corpora eorum: et una cum episcopo, nomine Primo, venerunt ab urbe Roma in campum Reatinum, juxta ipsam civitatem Reatinam milliarium unum, et ibi sepelierunt corpora eorum, in praediolo quod est episcopi Primi, in campo Reatino, in olco qui nominatur Urbanianus, qui est ab urbe Roma milliariis XLI juxta civitatem Reatinam, quique est in via Salaria. In ipso vero praedicto loco, ubi corpora eorum recondita fuerunt, unam sancti Eleutherii et Antiae matrie ejus fabricaverunt ecclesiam, in qua operantur sancti martyres multa beneficia. Usque in hodiernum diem, ad eorum corpora aegri veniunt et sanantur, energumini veniunt et liberantur.

‘However holy men came at night, stole ther bodies, and together with the bishop, named Primus, they came from Rome to the campus Reatinus next to the civitas Reatina at the first milestone, and buried their bodies there, in a small estate belonging to the bishop Primus, in the campus Reatinus, in the place that is called Urbanianus, which is 41 miles away from Rome, next to the civitas Reatina, which is on the via Salaria. And in the same above-mentioned place, where their bodies were buried, they build a church for the saints Eleutherius and his mother Antia, where the holy martyrs bestow many favours. Up to this day, the sick come to their bodies and are healed, and the possessed come and are freed.'

§ 19: We, the brothers Eulogius and Theodulus, who were ordained by him, have written this, taking note of what he have seen and heard, to earn mercy from God thanks to those who read and hear it. Their feast day is on the 8th day before the Calends of December [= 24 November].

Text: Acta Sanctorum, Apr. II, 530-532. Summary and translation: M. Pignot.


BHL 2451:

Summary:

After the death of his father, who was first among the senate and gave games three times, Eleutherius is left to his mother Antia, who entrusts his instruction in sacred letters to a bishop. Eleutherius grows in the faith; he is made a deacon at the age of 17 [according to AASS; Mombritius reads 12], ordained priest at 18 [Mombritius reads 23]. As he is 20, the bishop sees the miracles that Eleutherius performs and how he expels demons; he is thus asked by many to ordain him a bishop and Eleutherius then becomes bishop in Apulia in the city of Aecae [in Apuliam civitatem Hecanam, according to AASS, while Mombritius has simply in Apuliam].

The emperor Hadrian comes back from the East, hears about Eleutherius’ reputation in Rome and in the place where he has been sent to be a bishop. The emperor sends his count (comes) Felix to summon Eleutherius with the help of soldiers. Felix finds him in church in the city of Aecae, discussing the word of God. After a short dialogue, Eleutherius teaches them and they are all amazed. Felix falls at Eleutherius’ feet, asks to be instructed and rejects his former religion. After a prayer, Eleutherius makes him a Christian through the imposition of his hand. On their way to Rome in a place where there is water, Felix is baptised by Eleutherius on his own request.

In Rome, the emperor Hadrian interrogates Eleutherius about his conversion to Christianity, and attempts to bring him to adore pagan gods. As he refuses, Eleutherius’ body is stretched on a bronze bed with fire burning underneath. Eleutherius is then freed and walks unharmed, preaching in favour of Christianity and against idols to the crowd. Hadrian prepares a burning gridiron for torture but it is instantly cooled as Eleutherius is put on it; he then orders a huge frying-pan full of oil to be heated. After referring to the three young Hebrews in the furnace (Daniel 3:8-30), Eleutherius is put in the frying-pan, which stays cool, and he refuses to offer sacrifice, mocking Hadrian.

The prefect Correbor comes to help Hadrian, he orders a burning oven to be prepared. When it is ready, Eleutherius prays to Christ. Seeing this prayer, Correbor proclaims that the God of Christians is great and that there is no evil in Eleutherius. Hadrian asks the prefect whether he has received gold or silver from Eleutherius’ mother to defend the boy and reminds him that he has granted him the prefecture. Correbor replies that he wants to believe in Eleutherius’ God and that he rejects his former religion. The God of Christians is great since this single boy is able to overcome the emperor. Hadrian orders Correbor to be sent into the oven that he had prepared. Before entering it, Correbor asks for Eleutherius’ help, who promises that he will not be hurt. Indeed, Correbor enters the oven and the fire does not touch him. He is sentenced to die by the sword, but before his death, he asks Eleutherius to pray for him so that he may