Christian tradition Flavia Domitilla (saint)

1 christian tradition

1.1 christian writers
1.2 1 person or two?
1.3 catholic liturgy

christian tradition

both greek orthodox church , catholic church celebrate flavia domitilla saint.

the greek orthodox church celebrates saint flavia domitilla on 12 may , publication of apostolic service of church of greece states lived in rome in first century, wife of roman official titus flavius clemens , daughter of emperor domitian s sister, , died martyr refusing sacrifice idols. description identifies flavia domitilla described above.

the identity of saint honoured in catholic church, feast on 7 may, less clear.

christian writers

in church history, written @ end of 323 or 324, eusebius, speaking of writers far our religion , says recorded in fifteenth year of domitian flavia domitilla, daughter of sister of flavius clement, @ time 1 of consuls of rome, exiled many others island of pontia in consequence of testimony borne christ.

in chronicon, survives in translation jerome (c. 340–420), eusebius quotes earlier writer gives similar information. under year 16 of domitian in 218th olympiad (96 ad, year of domitian s assassination), states: brutius writes there many christian martyrs under domitian, among whom flavia domitilla, niece (on sister s side) of flavius clemens consul; exiled island of pontia, because bore witness christian.

the identity , religion of brutius or bruttius uncertain.

george syncellus, died after 810, repeats statement eusebius in chronicon , adds flavius clemens died christ. first speak of first-century roman consul christian. in quoting eusebius, syncellus describes domitilla clement s ἐξαδελφή (exadelphe), term can mean cousin , not only, jerome understood it, niece .

writing of death in 404 of saint paula, jerome says that, on way holy land, vessel touched @ island of pontia ennobled long since place of exile of illustrious lady flavia domitilla under emperor domitian banished because confessed herself christian; , paula, when saw cells in lady passed period of long martyrdom, taking herself wings of faith, more ever desired see jerusalem , holy places .

one person or two?

the information eusebius attributes brutius flavia domitilla not agree cassius dio says of flavia domitilla exiled domitian. domitilla of cassius dio wife of flavius clemens , exiled island of pandateria in context of persons drifted jewish ways . domitilla of eusebius niece of flavius clemens , banished island of pontia declaring herself christian.

the acts of saints nereus , achilleus, legend of no historical value composed in fifth or sixth century, begins stating domitilla domitian s niece, goes on speak of consul s niece. furthermore presents domitilla, not wife , mother of 7 children, formally consecrated christian virgin, description absent writings of eusebius , jerome.

some modern scholars posit existence of 2 distinct victims of domitian, each called flavia domitilla, both belonging same senatorial family. first propound view caesar baronius: no ancient author speaks of 2 , suetonius able speak of stephanus, assassin of domitian, steward of domitilla without having indicate domitilla served.

others consider more domitian banished 1 flavia domitilla , there errors in texts of either cassius dio or eusebius or of both. instance possibility of confusion between geographically close islands of pontia , pandataria.

catholic liturgy

flavia domitilla first time included in list of saints in ninth-century martyrology of florus of lyon, in there in regard long entry based on acts of saints nereus , achilleus , puts feast on 7 may, perhaps because martyrologium hieronymianum had on date mention of saint flavius. same martyrology mentions on 12 may, feast of saints nereus , achilleus, saying (again on basis of these acts) these eunuchs. martyrology of ado of vienne, in same century, did same, more briefly. ninth-century martyrology of usuard copied of ado , in turn copied roman martyrology of caesar baronius, gave credence legendary acts of saints nereus , achilleus , in 1595 succeeded in having domitilla s name added in general roman calendar of nereus , achilleus on feast, 12 may.

until roman martyrology revised in 2001, had following entry under 7 may: @ terracina, in campania, birthday of blessed flavia domitilla, virgin , martyr, niece of consul flavius clemens. received religious veil @ hands of st clement, , in persecution of domitian exiled many others island of pontia, endured long martyrdom christ. taken afterwards terracina, converted many faith of christ teaching , miracles. judge ordered chamber in virgins euphrosyna , theodora, set on fire, , consummated glorious martyrdom. mentioned holy martyrs nereus , achilleus, on 12th of month.

the roman breviary presented niece, not of consul clemens, of emperors titus , domitian, , virgin, not wife. based closely on acts of saints nereus , achilleus, said under date of 12 may: roman virgin flavia domitilla, niece of emperors titus , domitian, after receiving religious veil of virginity @ hands of blessed pope clement, accused fiancé aurelianus, son of consul titus aurelius, of being christian , banished emperor domitian island of pontia, underwent long martyrdom in prison. taken terracina , again confessed being christian. shown more , more constant and, under emperor trajan, fire set, order of judge, room and, foster sisters theodora , euphrosyna, consummated glorious martyrdom on 7 may. bodies found intact , buried deacon caesarius. on day [12 may] bodies of 2 brothers [nereus , achilleus] , domitilla brought cardinal-deaconry of saint adrian basilica of these martyrs, titulus fasciolae.

the translation of relics in question arranged greatest solemnity cardinal baronius in 1597.

the 2001 decree of promulgation of revised roman martyrology declared: in accordance constitution sacrosanctum concilium of second vatican ecumenical council on sacred liturgy, accounts of martyrdom or lives of saints accord facts of history (art. 92 c), names of saints included in martyrology , notices have subjected more before judgment of historical study.

the roman martyrology states under 7 may: @ rome, commemoration of saint domitilla, martyr, daughter of sister of consul flavius clemens, who, being accused during persecution of emperor domitian of denying pagan gods, because of witness christ banished others island of pontia , there underwent long martyrdom.

earlier that, name of domitilla in 1969 removed general roman calendar (into inserted in 1595), because liturgical cult has no basis in [roman] tradition. accordingly, domitilla no longer mentioned on 12 may, feast of soldier martyrs nereus , achilleus.