E04565: The Martyrdom of *Pastor (presumably priest and martyr of Rome, S01842) is written in Latin, presumably in Rome, at an uncertain date, by the 12th-13th centuries at the latest. The Martyrdom relates that Pastor is from Nicomedia, where he converts to Christianity after a miracle, is instructed by the bishop Erasmus, converts his parents, is arrested and tortured by Diocletian and performs miracles. He is then brought by an angel to Rome where he performs further miracles and conversions, leading to his arrest, trial and execution, dragged by wild horses. He is said to be buried next to the clivus cucumeris by a priest Iohannes.

Martyrdom of Pastor (BHL 6470d)

Summary:

Under Diocletian and Maximian, in Nicomedia, a certain Sisinnius has a son named Pastor, who takes care of his sheep. One day, as they are led astray by wolves, Pastor prays to the God of Christians for them to return, promising to believe. His prayer is fulfilled, he leaves his sheep and his family and goes to the bishop Erasmus, who instructs and baptises him. After three years, advised by an angel, he returns to Nicomedia where he converts many to Christianity, including his father Sisinnius and his mother Tecla. Diocletian hears about it and has him arrested. As he refuses to worship the gods, Pastor is tortured with leaden scourges (plumbatae) and put in jail. The next day he is presented to Diocletian but keeps his resolve, and is tortured with claws (ungulae) on a rack. His mouth is crushed and his teeth broken. He is dragged along the streets, his head bound to a rope until, left for dead, he is put back in jail. He is cured by an angel, brought to a temple where a statue of Jupiter is destroyed following his prayer, leading three thousand men to believe. Brought back to jail, he is then freed by an angel who brings him to Rome, where he preaches and performs many miracles, leading seven thousand men to believe. The emperor Maximian hears about Pastor, orders him to be arrested and brought to him. After enduring several tortures, he is put into public custody and spends the whole night chanting psalms to God. In the morning, he is presented to the emperor: as he keeps his faith, he is sent to a burning furnace, but comes out of it unharmed thanks to divine help. This astonishes the emperor and a great multitude believes in the Lord. At the emperor’s orders, Pastor is led outside the porta Salaria, his neck bound to wild horses that drag him through rocks and thorns until he dies. His body is taken at night by the priest Iohannes, who buries it next to the clivus Cucumeris on the 7th day before the Calends of August [= 26 July].

Text: Delehaye 1936, 267-268. Summary: M. Pignot.