E05282: Two hymns in honour of *Cyricus and Julitta (child and his mother, martyrs of Tarsus, S00007) composed in Latin in Spain, possibly in the 7th c.

Hymnodia Hispanica, Hymn 108

(1) Adest miranda passio
Quirici, sancti martiris,
qui trium annorum passus est,
confessor Xristi factus est

5 (2) Beatus sanctus Quiricus,
qui orat pro omni populo,
pro xristianus sepius,
qui colent diem ipsius.

(3) Corona, que meruerunt,
10 a domino acceperunt,
pro Iesu Xristo domino
animas suas cesserunt

(4) "Deus, adiuba", Quiricus,
"Iolita pabit cocabum",
15 canstigans matrem filius,
ne perderet tale munus.

(5) Егагius ille artifex
nicil se dicit facere;
limas accepit manibus,
20 quod faceret martirium.

(6) Firmentur omnes martires
at stuporem iudicis;
putabat ipsum uincere,
qui potius confessus est.

25 (7) Gaudebant omnes martires,
qui missi sunt in carcerem,
quia angelus aduenerat
et loquitur cum Quirico.

(8) Honorem in eo xristicola
30 magnificabat domino,
qui hunxit suo filio,
ut uinceret diabulo.

'(1) This is an amazing martyrdom of Quiricus, the holy martyr who was killed being three years old and was made the confessor of Christ.

(2) The blessed and holy Quiricus who prays for all the people, for the Christians who celebrate his day.

(3) The crowns, which they deserved, they received from the Lord, [because] they offered their lives for the Lord Jesus Christ.

(4) "O God, help! Julitta is afraid of the cauldron", said Quiricus, a son chiding his mother so that she does not lose such a great gift.

(5) A coppersmith says that he is not doing that. [Another one] took files in his hands in order to prepare the martyrdom. [In the Martyrdom II.8–9 (Acta Sanctorum Iun. IV, 25) a coppersmith declines Quiricus's demand to prepare the instruments of passion, and another one comes to do this work]

(6) All martyrs strengthened seeing the stupor of the judge. Though he had already conceded, now he thought he could win. [If Gil's emendation is accepted – confusus instead of confessus "Although confused, he thought he might win"]

(7) All martyrs who were sent in prison rejoice because the angel came and talked with Quiricus.

(8) The worshipper of Christ glorified and honoured the Lord who anointed his Son to defeat the Devil.'


Hymn 109

IN SANCTI CYRICI

(1) Adest dies, quod passus est
martir beatus Quiricus;
cetus fidelis deuitas
Deo rependit gratias.

(2) 5 Nam personabat uocibus
preconis uox frequentior:
"deorum est sollemnitas,
libamus tura promtius!"

(3) Hec audiens miratus est
10 gemensque se ortatus est;
Quiricus agit: "uanissimis
non des onorem idolis".


'(1) This is the day in which the blessed martyr Quiricus was martyred; the faithful congregation gives due thanks to God.

(2) A constant call resonated by the voices of heralds: "This is the solemnity of the gods, let us offer incense without delay!"

(3) When Quiricus heard that, he was amazed and he was brought to tears; he said: "You shall not honour the hollow idols".

In the strophe (4) Quiricus rebukes a demon and utters a sentence of obscure meaning. In (5) the ruler is angry with Quiricus and prepares his martyrdom.

(6) Homnes uenite populi
ad expectaculum martirum,
quod sidera occiderat,
qui magno erant iubare.

(7) Iolita, mater Quirici,
simul exclamans dicta est:
“non timeamus quocabum
nec impiorum tartarum".

(8) Tormenta cassat uiscera,
uirtus datur martirium;
gratias Deo agimus,
quia fidelis est omnibus.

(9) Magnus est Deus omnium,
qui dat uictoriam Quirico
pro confirmandas animas,
qui credunt Xristum dominum.

(10) Preses uidens constantiam
sancti caput precidere
iussit, lanista inruens
fundit cruore martirum.

(11) Hec Iconia ciuitas
preclara, in qua natus est,
qui est repleta munere,
almi sacrata sanguine.

(12) Te, conditor piissime,
ad te rogamus cernui,
nostrum reatum dilue
precemque nostram suscipe.

(13) Procul recedat noxia,
sit castitas, benignitas,
pax, caritas, modestia
et larga in nos gratia.

Deo patri sit

'(6) Come, o people, to the spectacle of the martyrs that outshines the bright radiance of the stars.

(7) Julitta, mother of Quiricus, cried: "We are not afraid of the cauldron neither of the hell of the impious".

(8) Tortures crush the flesh, but the power is given in the martyrdom. We give thanks to God who is faithful in all things.

(9) God of all is great, He gives victory to Quiricus to strengthen the souls of those who believe in Lord Christ.

(10) The ruler seeing resolution of the saint, ordered to behead him. A hangman rushed to shed the blood of the martyrs.

(11) It was the famous city of Iconium in which he was born, which is filled with gifts and consecrated with the dear blood.

(12) We ask you with a deep bow, o merciful Creator, cleanse our guilt and hear our prayer.

(13) Make all the noxious things go far away and let there be chastity, benevolence, peace, charity, modesty and generous grace for us.

[Glory] to God the Father.

Text: Castro Sánchez 2010, 398-400. Translation and summary: M. Szada.