E01802: Augustine of Hippo preaches a sermon at a feast of unnamed martyrs, probably at Hippo Regius (North Africa). Exposition on Psalm 40, written in Latin in North Africa, 400/410.

Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 40.1

... Quoniam sollemnis dies martyrum illuxit, propter gloriam passionis Christi imperatoris martyrum, qui sibi non pepercit militibus imperans pugnam, sed prior pugnauit, prior uicit, ut pugnantes exemplo suo hortaretur, et maiestate sua adiuuaret, et promissione coronaret, audiamus aliquid in isto psalmo, quod pertineat ad eius passionem.

'The solemn day of the martyrs has shined, for the glory of Christ, the emperor of the martyrs, who when ordering the fight to his soldiers did not spare himself, but fought before them, was first to win, encouraged by his example, assisted by his majesty, crowned with the promise. Let us listen what in this psalm tells about his sufferings.'

There follows the exposition without further references either to the martyrs or the feast.

Text: Dekkers and Fraipont 1956. Translation and summary: Robert Wiśniewski.