E05337: Gaudentius of Brescia composes a Latin sermon (Sermon 15) in Brescia, northern Italy, after 384/397, in honour of the feast day of the *Maccabean Martyrs (pre-Christian Jewish martyrs of Antioch, S00303).

Gaudentius of Brescia, Sermon 15

Summary:

The tract is entitled: ‘Tract Fifteen on the Maccabean Martyrs on their Feast Day' (Tractatus Quintus Decimus de Machabaeis Martyribus. Die Natalis Eorum). Gaudentius opens by asking if any in his congregation are surprised that Jews are celebrated as holy martyrs. He tells them this is because they were living before the coming of Christ. He praises the nobility of the youths who suffered: they venerate God and the law. In particular they did not eat the flesh of pigs. This was because meat can nourish carnal lusts and pigs are unclean animals who are associated with demons. This exhortation to avoid a certain type of meat is likened to God’s command that Adam and Eve should not eat from one of the trees in Eden. The most important thing for the Maccabees is that they obeyed God in even small matters. Gaudentius then praises the brothers for withstanding tortures, which ranged from physical suffering to resistance to promises of riches. Their mother – who looked on their bodies with joy – also ought to be praised.

Summary: Frances Trzeciak.