E03236: The Martyrdom of *Vigilius (bishop and martyr of Trent, S01407) is written in Latin, presumably in Trent, at an uncertain date, perhaps in the 7th or 8th c. It narrates Vigilius’ consecration as bishop, the evangelisation of the region of Trent; the martyrdom and burial of Sisinnius, Martyrius and Alexander, clerics he ordained in Anaunia (Anaunian martyrs, S00605); Vigilius’ martyrdom in the valley of Randena, the translation of his body and burial in Trent where miracles happen; the miraculous intervention of Vigilius’ written martyrdom account in battle against barbarians.

Martyrdom of Vigilius (BHL 8603)

Summary:

§ 1: Prologue. Promotion of the narration of martyrdom accounts as an example to Christians.

§ 2: Presentation of Vigilius. Vigilius is a citizen of Trent educated in Rome and Athens. He becomes bishop at the age of 20, acclaimed by the people because of the miracles he performed. He is consecrated as the third bishop of Trent outside the walls by the bishop of Aquileia. He converts the people of the city through preaching and builds a church within the walls, where he performs miraculous healings and chases demons.

§§ 3-4: Vigilius’ evangelisation of the countryside. His reputation grows outside the city into the countryside and he converts the worshippers of idols from the whole diocese. He exhorts his priests and deacons to evangelise and asks the bishops of Verona and Brescia to preach Christianity outside their cities. They reject his request but Vigilius states that he is ready for martyrdom. Thus they give him permission to come to their territory, where he starts preaching and where he founds more than thirty churches.

§§ 5-6: Reference to the Anaunian martyrs. Sisinnius, Martyrius and Alexander, from Cappadocia, are ordained as clerics of Anaunia by Vigilius after a stay in Milan. There they perform conversions and found a church. They are then seized, tortured, bound and burnt, as is told in their account (gesta). Vigilius sees their souls taken to heaven by angels and is eager to follow their example. He goes with deacons to Anaunia, takes the martyrs’ ashes in clean linen cloth and brings them back to Trent where they are buried in the basilica built by Vigilius.

§ 7: Vigilius’ martyrdom. Vigilius goes to a hostile valley called Randena, in a slave estate of a rich man, where there are still pagans venerating a bronze statue of Saturn. On his way he passes by the city of Brescia, escorted by the inhabitants. He is accompanied by Claudianus, Magorianus and the priest Iulianus. Upon his arrival, Christians ask him to celebrate the Eucharist. He then comes to the statue, gives thanks to God, breaks it and throw it into the river Sarca. He stands on top of the statue’s stone base and starts preaching. A crowd of peasants comes and stones him to death. Later in that place a church is built.

§§ 8-9:Translation to Trent and burial. The priests and deacon accompanying him are left unharmed and thus are confessors. They take his body, place it on Vigilius’ horse and bring him back to Trent. On the way miracles happen; as they cross the bridge over the river Sarca, an armed crowd of citizens of Brescia tries to seize the body but they resist and bribe them with a silver vase. Those possessed by demons reveal Vigilius’ martyrdom even before his body arrives in town and they are freed. The priests and the Christian people gather for the funeral and Vigilius’ relics are buried with perfume on the third day of his passion in the church that he had built at the porta Veronensis. A merchant from Salona collects Vigilius’ blood on the road called Vela, places it in a clean linen cloth and takes it with him, where many miracles happen.

§§ 10-11: Reference to a written account performing miracles. The account (gesta) of Vigilius’ martyrdom is sent to the pope in Rome as is customary, who puts them among the records of the martyrs, after reading it. On advice of the pope, the written account is taken by the emperor and his army fighting against the Alamanni. A soldier uses it as a military standard and the enemy flees before battle begins. Thus the emperor comes back victorious and together with the pope they place the account in the archives and bury some relics of the martyr.

§ 12: Epilogue. Vigilius was martyred on the 6th day before the Calends of July [= 26 June]. He was a bishop for 12 years during the consulship of Stilico [= 400 or 405 AD].

Text: Degl’Innocenti 2013. Summary: M. Pignot.