E02214: Augustine of Hippo (North Africa), preaches in Latin a sermon on the feasts of the *Maccabean Martyrs (pre-Christian Jewish martyrs of Antioch, S00303). Sermon 301, preached in unknown place in North Africa, possibly c. 417.

Augustine of Hippo, Sermon 301

[In solemnitate ss. Machabeorum

'On the feast of the holy Maccabees']


1. Magnum spectaculum positum est ante oculos fidei nostrae. Aure audiuimus, corde uidimus optantem matrem ante se finire istam uitam filios suos: longe contrariis uotis consuetudini humanae.

'1. A tremendous spectacle has been set before the eyes of our faith. We heard with our ears, we saw in our hearts this mother actually choosing that her sons should end this life before herself; a wish clean contrary to normal human feelings.'

In what follows Augustine argues that martyrdom is not a high price to pay for the happiness in heaven.

Text: Patrologia Latina 38, 1380. Translation: Hill 1994, 282 (slightly adapted). Summary: Robert Wiśniewski.