E05338: Gaudentius of Brescia composes a Latin sermon (Sermon 17) in Brescia, northern Italy, in c. 402/3, on the dedication of a basilica to *John (the Baptist, S00020), *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288), *Thomas (the Apostle, S00199), *Luke (the Evangelist, S00442), *Gervasius and Protasius (martyrs of Milan, S00313), *Nazarius (martyr of Milan, S00281), the *Anaunian Martyrs (Sisinnius, Martyrius and Alexander, ob. c. 397, S00605), and the *Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (S00103).

Gaudentius of Brescia, Sermon 17

The congregation are blessed with holy gifts:

Nam ut venerandas sanctorum reliquias haberemus, deus noster tribuit; deinde, ut hanc honori eorum fundare basilicam valeremus, ipse largitus est.

‘For our God has granted that we might have the relics of saints for veneration. He has given that we might be able to lay the foundation of this basilica in their honour.’

Gaudentius then refers to the fact that the actions of barbarians mean that many in the congregation and several bishops are not present. He then lists the saints whose relics are to be honoured. These include John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ who was ‘angel, apostle and chief prophet’ (angelus, apostolus et propheta praecipuus); the apostles Andrew and Thomas; and the Evangelist Luke.

Horum quattuor beatas habemus in praesenti reliquias, qui regnum dei et iustitiam praedicantes ab incredulis et iniquis occisi deo semper vivere operationum suarum virtutibus demonstrantur. Iohannes in Sebastena urbe provinciae Palaestinae, Thomas apud Indos, Andreas et Lucas apud Patras Achaiae civitatem consummati referuntur.

‘We have at present relics of these blessed four. As proclaimers of the kingdom of God and his justice slain by unbelievers and wicked men they are shown by the power of their works to live always with God. John is reported to have been put to death in Sebaste, a town in the province of Palestine, Thomas among the Indians, Andrew and Luke at Patras, a town of Achaia’.

The church also possesses blood from Gervasius, Protasius and Nazarius – discovered by Ambrose in Milan. Nothing more is needed, as this blood is the witness of suffering. Additionally, it possesses ashes (cineres)of Sisinnius, Martyrius and Alexander, who were killed in Anaunia (the Val di Non, northern Italy) as they practiced the Christian religion. They were burned.

As well as the relics of these ten saints, Gaudentius also has the relics of the forty martyrs who were famed in Caeserea (of Cappadocia). A monastery of virgins had received relics of these martyrs from ‘their maternal uncle, the high priest and blessed confessor Basil (of Caesarea)’ (Quibus ab avunculo suo summo sacerdote ac beato confessore Basilio). Gaudentius relates how he received the relics of these forty martyrs from the virgins. He then narrates the martyrdom of the forty martyrs, even if he is – as he claims – far less eloquent than Basil. The martyrs were soldiers stationed in lesser Armenia. They were Christian and refused to recant when pressed by the emperor. They were tortured by being forced to remain outside, naked, in freezing weather. One man gave in and was led to the baths, but all the others were received by a heavenly host. A witness to this event also tore off his clothes and declared he was a Christian. He was the fortieth martyr. As the bodies were being taken off to be burned, one man was left behind as he was still alive. His mother loaded him on to the cart so he might be burned with the other martyrs. Gaudentius states that he is confident they possess the ashes of all forty of the martyrs.

Since the community have relics of fifty saints, Gaudentius states that the basilica ought to be named 'The Council of Saints’ (Concilium Sanctorum). The faithful can now petition these saints to intercede on their behalf.

Text: Glück 1936. Translation: Boehrer 1965.
Summary: Frances Trzeciak.