mercredi 30 octobre 2013

Saint MARCEL (MARCELLUS) de TANGER le Centurion, martyr


Saint Marcel le Centurion

Martyr à Tanger ( 298)

Sa légion était cantonnée à Tanger au Maroc. Au jour de la fête de l'anniversaire de l'empereur Maximien, il osa déclarer au moment d'offrir l'encens: «Que maudit soit ce métier qui m'oblige à tuer et m'empêche d'être tout au service du Christ.» Traduit devant le préfet, il maintint ses propos et fut condamné à mort.

À Tanger en Maurétanie, l’an 298, la passion de saint Marcel le centurion. Le jour anniversaire de l’empereur, alors que tous sacrifiaient, il jeta devant les enseignes son ceinturon militaire, ses armes et sa vie même, en déclarant qu’il était chrétien et qu’il ne lui était plus possible d’obéir comme il convient au serment des soldats, mais à Jésus Christ seul; aussi acheva-t-il son martyre par la décapitation.

Martyrologe romain




SAINT MARCEL  LE CENTURION,

MARTYR¹. — Année 298.

ON célébra, l'art 298, la naissance de l'empereur Maximien-Hercule , avec une pompe extraordinaire. Les sacrifices aux dieux de l'empire firent une partie considérable de la fête. Marcel, centurion ou capitaine de la légion trajane, alors campée en Espagne, eut horreur de ces superstitions impies; et pour n'y point participer, il quitta son baudrier à la tête de sa compagnie, et déclara à haute voix qu'il étoit soldat de Jésus-Christ, le roi éternel. Il quitta aussi ses armes, et le bàton qui étoit la marque de son grade. On en instruisit Anastase Fortunat, préfet de la légion. Celui-ci ordonna que l'on mit Marcel en prison.


    Mais après la féte, il fit paroitre Marcel devant lui, pour lui demander l'explication de la conduite qu'il avoit tenue. Le martyr lui répondit: a Lorsque vous célébrâtes la fête de l'empereur, le » douze avant les calendes d'août ², je déclarai que j'étois chrétien, i, et que je ne servirois jamais que Jésus-Christ, le Fils de Dieu a. Fortunat lui dit qu'il ne pouvoit dissimuler une pareille témérité, et qu'il étoit obligé d'en informer l'empereur Maximien et le césar Constance. L'Espagne étoit alors soumise au césar , qui étoit favorable aux chrétiens.

    On envoya cependant Marcel sous bonne garde à Aurélien Agricolails, vicaire du préfet du prétoire, lequel étoit alors à Tanger en Afrique. Agricolaiis lui demanda s'il avoit lait ce qui étoit porté dans la lettre du juge. Marcel ayant tout avoué, il fut condamné à mort, comme coupable de désertion et d'impiété c'est-à-dire, d'attachement au christianisme. On le décapita le 50 d'octobre. Ses reliques furent depuis transférées à Léon en Espagne. On les y garde dans la principale église paroissiale de cette ville, dont le saint est le patron titulaire.

    Cassien, greffier de la cour, refusa d'écrire la sentence prononcée contre le martyr; il jeta même par terre ses tablettes. Agricolaïs se levant de son siége avee fureur, lui demanda pour-quoi il agissoit de la sorte : « C'est, répondit Cassien, que la sentence que vous avez dictée est injuste a. On le mit en prison, et il subit un second interrogatoire, environ un mois après. Sa fermeté lui mérita la couronne du martyre. Il fut décapité le 3 de décembre. Le martyrologe romain nomme saint Marcel et saint Cassien sous leurs jours respectifs.

    C'est à juste titre que nous honorons les martyrs, puisque Dieu daigne les honorer lui-même. Le martyre est en effet l'acte de vertu le plus héroïque dont l'homme soit capable, le sacrifice le plus parfait et le plus entier qu'il puisse faire de lui-même au Seigneur. De tous les biens de ce monde , la vie est le plus précieux, et celui auquel nous sommes le plus attachés. Il faut donc bien ;rimer la loi divine, pour s'exposer avec joie à une mort cruelle, plutôt que de consentir au péché. Il faut donc avoir bien du courage et de la fermeté, pour affronter des tourments dont l'idée seule fait frémir la nature. Mais aussi Dieu mesure ses récompenses sur nos souffrances et sur notre amour pour lui. Nous chercherions inutilement à nous figurer celles qui sont destinées aux martyrs; aussi se réjouissoient-ils , quand ils voyoient multi-plier leurs tourments, qu'ils savoient n'avoir aucune proportion avec le bonheur qui en scroit la suite. Malheur à nous, si nous nous laissons abattre par les moindres contradictions! Nous prouverions par-là que nous avons bien peu d'idée des récompenses célestes, que notre foi est bien foible, et notre charité bien imparfaite.

¹ Tiré de ses actes sincères, publiés par Baronius et par Sui ius. D. Ruinait en a donné une édition plus correcte. à laquelle il a joint un abréCé des actes de saint Cassien , p. 512. Voyei. aussi Tillcmont , t. IV, p. 575.

² C'étoit  le jour où Maximien a voit été déclaré césar.



ACTES DE SAINT MARCEL, CENTURION, A TANGER, EN L'ANNÉE 298.

Les préludes de la dernière persécution nous retiennent aux armées où un conscrit, un centurion, un greffier militaire souffrirent vers le même temps, avec un grand nombre d'autres militaires; mais sur ces derniers nous avons des détails moins certains que sur Maximilien, Marcel et Cassien.

Comme nous en avons eu de nos jours encore l'affligeant spectacle, les quelques scélérats qui détenaient le pouvoir entreprirent l'épuration de l'armée. Commencée dans les provinces de Galère, elle s'étendit à celle d'Hercule. La recherche directe des soldats chrétiens laissant trop de part à la camaraderie, les empereurs adoptèrent une mesure radicale. Chaque militaire dut prendre part, les jours de fêtes, aux cérémonies religieuses célébrées dans les camps. Dès lors c'était chaque chrétien qui se dénonçait lui-même : telle fut l'occasion du martyre du centurion Marcel.

BOLL. 30/X, Octobre XIII, 274-284. — RUINART, Acta sinc. p. 311 et suiv. — P. ALLARD, Hist. des perséc., t. IV, p. 133 et suiv. — FLOREZ, Espana sagrada, XXXIV, 336-53, 401407 ; XXXVI, 256-60. - TILLEMONT, Méru., IV, 575-8, 768-70.

LES ACTES DE SAINT MARCEL, CENTURION.


Dans la ville de Tanger, dont Fortunat était gouverneur, se célébrait alors l'anniversaire de la naissance de Maximien


Hercule. Tous étaient réunis aux sacrifices qui accompagnaient les banquets. Marcel, un des centurions de la légion Trajane, ne voyant dans tes banquets que des assemblées sacrilèges, s'approcha du trophée de drapeaux de la légion devant lequel on offrait les sacrifices, et lança à terre son ceinturon en disant : « Je suis soldat de Jésus-Christ, le roi éternel ». Il lança aussi le cep de vigne, insigne de son grade, ses armes, et ajouta : « A partir de ce jour, je cesse de servir vos empereurs, car je ne veux pas adorer vos dieux de bois et de pierre, sourdes et muettes idoles. Si c'est à cause du métier qu'on nous oblige à faire des sacrifices aux dieux et aux empereurs, je jette avec mépris le cep, le ceinturon, les drapeaux, je ne suis plus soldat ».

Les assistants se regardèrent, ahuris, puis ils arrêtèrent Marcel et on envoya un rapport au commandant. Celui-ci fit écrouer le centurion. Quand toutes les ripailles furent bien finies, Fortunat se fit amener le centurion dans la salle d'honneur.

— « Pourquoi as-tu, contrairement aux règlements, jeté le ceinturon, le cep et le baudrier? »

— « Le 21 juillet, devant le trophée, pendant la célébration de la fête de l'empereur, j'ai dit publiquement que j'étais chrétien et ne pouvais servir que Jésus-Christ, Fils du Dieu tout-puissant. »

— « C'est trop violent pour que j'essaie d'étouffer l'affaire. J'enverrai un rapport aux empereurs et au César. Je ne te punis pas. On va te conduire à mon chef Aurélius Agricola, lieutenant du préfet du prétoire.

Le 30 octobre, le centurion Marcel ayant comparu à Tanger, l'appariteur dit : « Le préfet Fortunatus a renvoyé devant ta puissance Marcel, centurion. Voici son rapport ; si tu l'ordonnes, je le lirai ».
Agricola: « Lis ».

L'appariteur lut : « Fortunatus à Agricola, et le reste.


Ce soldat ayant jeté le ceinturon militaire, s'est déclaré chrétien et a accumulé les blasphèmes contre César. C'est pourquoi nous te l'avons envoyé, et ton Illustration voudra bien nous faire parvenir les ordres qu'elle aura décrétés ».

La lecture faite, Agricola dit : « As-tu prononcé les paroles relatées dans le rapport du préfet » ?
— « Oui. »

« Tu servais comme centurion ordinaire ? »

« Oui. »

« Quelle fureur t'a fait renoncer au serment militaire et parler ainsi ?»

« Il n'y a pas de fureur en ceux qui craignent Dieu.»

« As-tu prononcé toutes les paroles consignées dans le rapport?»

« Oui. »

« As-tu jeté tes armes ? »

 « Oui. Il ne convenait pas qu'un chrétien qui sert le Seigneur Christ servît dans les milices du siècle. »

— « La conduite de Marcel doit être punie suivant les règlements. » Et il dicta la sentence ; « Marcel, qui servait comme centurion ordinaire, a renoncé publiquement à son serment, a dit qu'il en était souillé et a prononcé d'autres paroles furieuses, relatées dans le rapport du préfet. J'ordonne qu'on lui coupe la tête ».

En marchant au supplice, il dit à Agricola : « Dieu te bénisse ».

Il était digne d'un martyr de quitter ainsi le monde. Presque aussitôt sa tête tomba pour le nom de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ, à qui soit la gloire dans les siècles des siècles. Amen.



St. Marcellus The Centurion

It is believed that Saint Marcellus was born in Arzas of Galicia. A brave pagan, he entered upon the career of arms, hoping to gain a large fortune. He married a young lady named Nona and they were blessed with twelve children. Saint Marcellus was a valorous solider and was promoted to the charge of centurion; he had no thought for any advancement except the sort pertaining to his military life, when he heard the fervent preaching of a holy bishop of the church of Leon. He was converted with his entire family to the Christian religion. All of them except his wife would soon give their blood in honor of their Faith.

Back in the ancient Roman Empire, some Christians refused to serve in the imperial armies believing that they could not do so in Christian conscience. If being a soldier meant performing pagan rites, as it sometimes did, obviously no Christian could do so. But the additional question was now and then raised: Is armed service in itself forbidden by the Christian law of love?

St. Marcellus the Centurion, after some years of military service, concluded that it was forbidden … at least according to his mature conscience.

The birthday of the Emperor Maximian Herculeus was celebrated in the year 298 with extraordinary feasting and solemn rites. Marcellus, as a centurion of the army, a captain in the legion of Trajan then posted in Mauritania or Spain, in order not to defile himself in these impious sacrifices, left his company, throwing down his cincture and his arms and declaring aloud that he was a soldier of Jesus Christ, the eternal King. He was at once committed to prison.

When the festival was over, he was brought before a judge, and having reiterated his faith, was sent under a strong guard to a prefect, Aurelian Agricolaus. This Roman officer passed upon him a sentence of death by the sword. Marcellus was immediately led to execution and beheaded on the 30th of October of the year 298. Cassian, the secretary or notary of the court, refused to record the sentence pronounced against the martyr, because of its injustice. He was immediately hurried to prison, and was beheaded in his turn on the 3rd of December.

The children of Saint Marcellus imitated his constancy, and all lost their lives for the defense of the Gospel; three of the boys were hanged and then decapitated at Leon. Their pious mother bought back their bodies for money and buried them secretly; they were later transferred to a church built in their honor in the city of Leon.


October 30.—ST. MARCELLUS, THE CENTURION, Martyr.

THE birthday of the Emperor Maximian Herculeus, in the year 298, was celebrated with extraordinary feasting and solemnity. Marcellus, a Christian centurion or captain in the legion of Trajan, then posted in Spain, not to defile himself with taking part in those impious abominations, left his company, declaring aloud that he was a soldier of Jesus Christ, the eternal King. He was at once committed to prison. When the festival was over, Marcellus was brought before a judge, and, having declared his faith, was sent under a strong guard to Aurelian Agricolaus, vicar to the prefect of the prætorium, who passed sentence of death upon him. St. Marcellus was forthwith led to execution, and beheaded on the 30th of October. Cassian, the secretary or notary of the court, refused to write the sentence pronounced against the martyr, because it was unjust. He was immediately hurried to prison, and was beheaded, about a month after, on the 3d of December.

Reflection.—"We are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of God!" exclaimed one of the Machabees. This sentiment should ever be that of a Christian in presence of temptation.

SOURCE : http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/lots/lots336.htm

St. Marcellus of Tingis

The Passion of St. Marcellus (BHL 5255a)

1. During the consulship of Faustus and Gallus [298], on the 5th day before the kalends of August [28 July], when the former centurion of the first cohort had been brought in, the praeses Fortunatus said, "What were you thinking to discard your belt and hurl down your sword and staff ?"


2. Marcellus replied, "I have already told you on 21 July, loudly and in public, before the standards of this legion, when you were celebrating the anniversary of your emperor, that I am a Christian and cannot observe this oath unless to Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God."



3. The praeses Fortunatus said, "I cannot conceal your rash behaviour and so I will report these things to the ears of our lords the Augusti and Caesars. You, of course, will be sent to the court of my lord Aurelius Agricolanus, the vice-praetorian prefect, under armed guard by the consular official Cecilius.

3a. "Manilius Fortunatus sends greetings to his lord Agricolanus. On the anniversary most happy and blessed throughout the whole world of our same lords the Augusti and Caesars, when we were willingly celebrating the festival, lord Aurelius Agricolanus, the centurio ordinarius Marcellus, seized by what madness I do not know, wantonly disgirded himself of belt and sword and decided to hurl down the staff which he was carrying before the very headquarters of our lords. I have decided that it was necessary to report what was done to your power, even for him to have been sent to you also."

4. During the consulship of Faustus and Gallus, at Tingis, on the third day before the kalends of November, when Marcellus, the former centurion of the first cohort, had been brought in, an official announced, "The praeses Fortunatus has sent him to your power. There is here for your greatness also a letter concerning his case which I will read out if you so direct."

5. Agricolanus said, "Let it be read out."

6. [See 3a]

7. When it had been read out, Agricolanus said, "Did you say those things which are recorded in the praeses' record ?"

8. Marcellus said, "I did."

9. Agricolanus said, "Were you serving as a centurio ordinarius ?"

10. Marcellus said, "I was."

11. Agricolanus said, "What madness possessed you to cast aside aside your oath and say such things ?" 

12. Marcellus said, "No madness possesses him who fears God."

13. Agricolanus said, "Did you make these separate statements which are recorded in the praeses' record ?"

14. Marcellus said, "I did."

15. Agricolanus said, "Did you hurl down your weapons ?"

16. Marcellus said, "I did. It is not proper for a Christian man, one who fears the Lord Christ, to engage in earthly military service."

17. Agricolanus said, "Marcellus' actions are such that they ought to be disciplined." And so he stated, "It pleases (the court) that Marcellus, who defiled the office of centurion which he held by his public rejection of the oath and, furthermore, according to the praeses' records, gave in testimony words full of madness, should be executed by the sword."

Select Bibliography

Primary Sources

  • Delehaye, H. "Les actes de S. Marcel le centurion", Analecta Bollandiana 42 (1923), 257-287 [BHL 5253 and 5254]
  • Lanata, G. "Gli atti del processo contro il centurione Marcello", Byzantion 42 (1972), 509-522 [BHL 5255a]

Secondary Literature

  • de Gaiffier, B. "S. Marcel de Tanger ou de Léon ? Évolution d'une légende", Analecta Bollandiana 61 (1943), 116-139
  • Masai, F. "Pour une édition critique des Actes du centurion Marcel", Byzantion 35 (1965), 277-290
  • Masai, F. "Réflexions sur quelques acceptions remaquables dans les Actes de S. Marcel le centurion", Vivarium 3 (1965), 95-105
  • Masai, F. "Mélectures d'abréviations romaines dans les Actesdu centurion Marcel", Scriptorium 19 (1966), 11-30
  • Orgels, P. "À propos du sens de principia dans les Actes de S. Marcel", Vivarium 3 (1965), 108-114
  • Seston, W. "À propos de la Passio Marcelli centurionis. Remarques sur les origines de la persécution de Dioclétien", 239-246 in Aux sources de la tradition chrétienne. Mélanges offerts à Mourice Goguel (Paris, 1950), 239-246. Reprinted in William Seston. Scripta Varia: Mélanges d'histoire Romaine, de droit, d'épigraphie et d'histoire, du christianisme (Collection de l'école française de Rome 43: Rome, 1980), 629-636
  • Wistrand, E. "A note on the geminus natalis of the Emperor Maximian", Eranos 62 (1964), 139-142

SOURCE : http://www.ucc.ie/milmart/Marcellus.html

ST MARCELLUS THE CENTURION, MARTYR (A.D. 298)
October 30


[From the authentic acts of his martyrdom in Baronius and Surius, and most correctly in Ruinart who has published with them the short acts of St. Cassian, p. 312; Tillem. t. iv. p. 575.]

The birthday of the Emperor Maximian Herculeus was celebrated in the year 298 with extraordinary feasting and solemnity. Pompous sacrifices to the Roman gods made a considerable part of this solemnity. Marcellus, a Christian centurion or captain in the legion of Trajan, then posted in Spain, not to defile himself with taking part in those impious abominations, cast away his military belt at the head of his company, declaring aloud that he was a soldier of Jesus Christ, the eternal King. He also threw down his arms and the vine-branch, which was the mark of his post of centurion; for the Roman officers were forbid to strike a soldier with any instrument except a vine-branch, which the centurions usually carried in their lands. The soldiers informed Anastasius Fortunatus, prefect of the legion, by whose order Marcellus was committed to prison. When the festival was over, this judge ordered Marcellus to be brought before him, and asked him what he meant by his late proceedings. Marcellus said, "When you celebrated the emperor's festival on the 12th before the calends of August (the day on which Maximian had been declared Caesar), I said aloud that I was a Christian, and could serve no other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Fortunatus told him that it was not in his power to connive at his rashness, and that he was obliged to lay his case before the Emperor Maximian and Constantius Caesar. Marcellus was sent under a strong guard to Aurelian Agricolaus, vicar to the prefect of the praetorium, who was then at Tangier, in Africa. Agricolaus asked him whether he had really done as the judge's letter set forth; and, upon his confessing the fact, the vicar passed sentence of death upon him for desertion and impiety, as he called his action. St. Marcellus was forthwith led to execution and beheaded on the 30th of October. His relics were afterwards translated from Tangier to Leon, in Spain, and are kept in a rich shrine in the chief parish church in that city, of which he is the titular saint.

We justly honour the martyrs, whom God himself honours. Martyrdom is the most heroic act of divine love, and the most perfect and entire sacrifice man can make of himself to God. Of all the goods of this life man has nothing more precious and dear than his life and honour. And what stronger proof can he give of his fidelity to the law of God than to embrace with joy an ignominious and cruel death rather than consent to sin? God proportions his rewards and crowns to the measure of our sufferings and love for him. How great, then, is the glory, how abundant the recompense which attends the martyrs! They rejoiced to see their torments redoubled manifold, because they had before their eyes the incomparably greater increase of grace, divine love, and eternal glory. If we shrink under the least sufferings, it is plain our faith and our idea of everlasting bliss must be very weak, and our love faint and imperfect.



(Taken from Vol. III of "The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints" by the Rev. Alban Butler.)


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Roman centurion at Tangiers (in modern Morocco). During a celebration of the emperor’s birthday, Marcellus refused to participate in the pagan offering ceremony. He threw away his arms and armour, openly declared himself a Christian, and was condemned to death. His condemnation led to the death of Saint Cassian.



Saint Marcellus, the Centurion
and His Children

Martyrs


(† 298)


It is believed that Saint Marcellus was born in Arzas of Galicia. A brave pagan, he entered upon the career of arms, hoping to gain a large fortune. He married a young lady named Nona and they were blessed with twelve children. Saint Marcellus was a valorous solider and was promoted to the charge of centurion; he had no thought for any advancement except the sort pertaining to his military life, when he heard the fervent preaching of a holy bishop of the church of Leon. He was converted with his entire family to the Christian religion. All of them except his wife would soon give their blood in honor of their Faith.

The birthday of the Emperor Maximian Herculeus was celebrated in the year 298 with extraordinary feasting and solemn rites. Marcellus, as a centurion of the army, a captain in the legion of Trajan then posted in Mauritania or Spain, in order not to defile himself in these impious sacrifices, left his company, throwing down his cincture and his arms and declaring aloud that he was a soldier of Jesus Christ, the eternal King. He was at once committed to prison. When the festival was over, he was brought before a judge, and having reiterated his faith, was sent under a strong guard to a prefect, Aurelian Agricolaus. This Roman officer passed upon him a sentence of death by the sword. Marcellus was immediately led to execution and beheaded on the 30th of October of the year 298. Cassian, the secretary or notary of the court, refused to record the sentence pronounced against the martyr, because of its injustice. He was immediately hurried to prison, and was beheaded in his turn on the 3rd of December.

The children of Saint Marcellus imitated his constancy, and all lost their lives for the defense of the Gospel; three of the boys were hanged and then decapitated at Leon. Their pious mother bought back their bodies for money and buried them secretly; they were later transferred to a church built in their honor in the city of Leon.

Reflection: We are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of God! exclaimed one of the Maccabees. This sentiment must ever be that of a Christian in the throes of temptation.

Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 13; Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).



Marcellus of Tangier M (RM)
(also known as Marcellus the Centurion)

Died 298. During the festivities held by a Roman legion at Tingis (Tangiers) in celebration of Emperor Maximian's birthday the centurion Marcellus, regarding such festivities as idolatrous, refused to sacrifice to the gods. He threw off his military belt and tossed away his arms and vine-branch, the insignia of his rank. When the festival was over, he was brought before a judge named Fortunatus. When questioned, Marcellus declared, "I serve only the eternal king, Jesus Christ."


Fortunatus remanded Marcellus to lay his case before Emperor Maximian and Constantius Caesar, who was then in Spain and favorably disposed to Christians. Instead Marcellus taken under guard before the deputy praetorian prefect, Aurelius Agricolan, who was then at Tangier. After an exchange between the two that is still preserved, Marcellus pleaded guilty to repudiating his allegiance to an earthly leader, and was executed by sword for impiety.

It was afterwards said that the official shorthand writer, Saint Cassian, was so indignant at the sentence that he refused to report the proceedings, and that he too was executed in consequence. In all probability this is a fictitious addition to the authentic account of Saint Marcellus, though there seems to have been a martyr at Tangier named Cassian.

The relics of Saint Marcellus were translated to León, Spain, were they are kept in a rich shrine. Marcellus is the patron of the city (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney, Husenbeth).



San Marcello di Tangeri Martire venerato a Leon


Secondo la «passio» di san Marcello il 21 luglio del 298 si celebrava la festa «augusti imperatori» e in quella data il santo, centurione ordinario di stanza a Tangeri, gettò le sue armi alla presenza della truppa riunita e proclamò la sua rinuncia al servizio militare per servire nella milizia di Cristo. Il 28 luglio fu interrogato dal preside Fortunato, il quale considerando la gravità del delitto, decise di rimandarlo al suo superiore gerarchico, Aurelio Agricolano di Tangeri. Il 30 ottobre Marcello fu di nuovo interrogato, questa volta a Tangeri, e condannato a morte. La devozione che, in seguito, aveva fatto di Marcello il patrono principale della città spagnola di León, si sviluppò lontano dai suoi resti mortali che si conservavano a Tangeri, per cui, subito dopo la liberazione di questa città, ad opera del re del Portogallo, León richiese le spoglie del suo martire. Il 29 marzo 1493 i resti di Marcello fecero il loro ingresso in città e vennero collocati nella chiesa a lui dedicata. (Avvenire)

Etimologia: Marcello, diminutivo di Marco = nato in marzo, sacro a Marte, dal latino

Martirologio Romano: A Tangeri in Mauritania, nell’odierno Marocco, passione di san Marcello, centurione, che nella festa dell’imperatore, mentre tutti sacrificavano agli dei, gettò la cintura militare, le armi e la vita stessa davanti alle insegne, professando di essere cristiano e di non poter più obbedire adeguatamente al giuramento militare, ma solo a Gesù Cristo, subendo per questo il martirio per decapitazione.

La passio di Marcello ci è pervenuta in due recensioni, trasmessa da mss. dispersi nelle biblioteche di Roma, Bruxelles, Londra, Madrid, León, Bordeaux, ecc. Fu pubblicata per la prima volta dal Ruinart, quindi dall'Allard e recentemente dal Delehaye (1923), da García Villada (1929), da J. González (1943), da B. De Gaiffier (1943) e R. Rodriguez (1948).

Il nucleo originale è riconosciuto autentico e consta di due verbali d'interrogatorio in due diversi tribunali a distanza di tre mesi, in due località diverse. Poi, intorno al sec. XI, si aggiungono delle interpolazioni che fanno di Marcello lo sposo di s. Nonia e il padre di dodici figli, Claudio, Lupercio, Vittorico, Facondo, Primitivo, Emeterio, Celidonio, Servando, Germano, Fausto, Gennaro e Marziale. L'origine e l'evoluzione di questa leggenda, profondamente radicata nella tradizione cristiana del popolo di León è stata accuratamente studiata dal De Gaiffier.

Secondo la passio, dunque, il 21 luglio del 298 si celebrava la festa degli "augusti imperatori" e, in quella data Marcello, centurione ordinario, gettò le sue armi alla presenza della truppa riunita e proclamò la sua rinuncia al servizio militare per servire nella milizia di Cristo. Il 28 luglio fu interrogato dal pre side Fortunato, il quale considerando la gravità del delitto, decise di rimandarlo al suo superiore gerarchico, Aurelio Agricolano di Tangeri. Il 30 ottobre Marcello fu di nuovo interrogato, questa volta a Tangeri, e condannato a morte.

Dall'accurato studio del De Gaifiier risulta e vidente che Marcello è un autentico martire africano e che soltanto nelle successive interpolazioni della passio, operate da scrittori spagnoli, è stato trasformato in cittadino di León, sul falso fondamento che egli appartenesse alla legio Traiarti, presunta fondatrice di quella città. Dopo questa identificazione, fatta nel sec. XVI, si credette anche di poter indicare a León la casa del martire nei pressi della Porta Cauriense, oggi trasformata in cappella dedicata al Cristo della Vittoria. Secondo questa stessa tradizione, all'avvento della pace costantiniana venne costruita a León una chiesa dedicata a Marcello.

Il cod. 11 dell'Archivio della cattedrale di León riferisce che Ramiro I (842-850) "restaurò la chiesa di S. Marcello nel suburbio legionense nei pressi della Porta Cauriense, fuori le mura della città...". Presso questa chiesa sorse un monastèro nel quale abitò l'insigne teologo legionense, s. Martino, e nel sec. XII un ospedale con lo stesso nome.

La devozione che aveva fatto di Marcello il patrono principale della città di León, era però nata e si era sviluppata lontano dai suoi resti mortali che si conservavano a Tangeri, per cui, subito dopo la liberazione di questa città, ad opera del re del Portogallo, León richiese le spoglie del suo martire. Anche le città di Jerez e Siviglia se ne disputarono il possesso. Il 29 marzo 1493, comunque, i resti di Marcello portati dallo stesso re Ferdinando il Cattolico, fecero il loro ingresso a León e vennero collocati nella chiesa a lui dedicata. Secondo documenti contemporanei conservati nell'archivio municipale le spoglie ebbero un'accoglienza "come mai ve ne fu di migliore".

Le reliquie si conservano oggi in un'arca d'argento sull'altare maggiore; vi si trovano anche una pergamena in cui si narra l'ingresso nella città e i miracoli da cui fu accompagnato, i documenti relativi alla donazione di una reliquia di M. alla chiesa di S. Gil di Siviglia e alcune lettere del re Enrico IV di Castiglia e di Isabella la Cattolica al papa Sisto IV sulla traslazione del corpo del martire a León.

Le reliquie erano portate in processione insieme con quelle di s. Froilano, in occasione di grandi calamità pubbliche. Ogni anno il 9 ottobre, data della festa, il capitolo cattedrale e la giunta comunale della città si recano processionalmente al tempio di Marcello per assistere alla Messa solenne: i canonici e i consiglieri comunali si dispongono alternati, a simbolizzare il comune e uguale diritto di patronato che per molti secoli ebbero sulla chiesa di S. Marcello e per il quale il sindaco custodiva una delle chiavi dell'arca che racchiude le reliquie del santo.

Autore: José Marìa Fernàndez Catòn

SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/75700

Voir aussi : http://alger-roi.fr/Alger/religion/pages_liees/st_marcel_pn93.htm