E05207: Ambrose of Milan, writing in Latin in Milan (northern Italy) in c.388/9, in his Letter 74 describes monks celebrating the feast of the *Maccabean martyrs (pre-Christian Jewish martyrs of Antioch, S00303), in the hinterland of Antioch (northern Syria). They were interrupted by a Gnostic group and attacked the Gnostic place of worship in retribution.

Ambrose of Milan Letter 74.16

Vindicabitur etiam Valentinianorum fanum incensum? ... Nam et de ipsis comperi relatum et praeceptum, ut in monachos vindicaretur qui prohibentibus iter Valentinianis quo psalmos canentes ex consuetudine usu que veteri pergebant ad celebritatem Machabaeorum martyrum moti insolentia incenderunt fanum eorum in quodam rurali vico tumultuarie conditum.

‘Will punishment be exacted also for the burning of a temple of the Valentinians? ... For when the Valentinians blocked the route along which the monks were advancing in procession to the festival of the Maccabean martyrs, chanting psalms, as was their ancient practice and custom, the monks were angered by such insolence, and set fire to a Valentinian shrine which had been hastily constructed in some country village.’

Text: Zelzer 1982. Translation: Liebeschuetz 2005.