Fresque
romane a Bierge (province de Huesca).
Detail of a Romanesque mural of Saint Fructuosus at Bierge, Huesca. Fructuosus of Tarragona ; Romanesque frescos in Aragón ; Iglesia de San Fructuoso (Bierge)
Saint Fructueux
Et ses compagnons, Augure
et Euloge de Tarragone, martyrs (+ 259)
Evêque de Tarragone,
martyr avec ses deux diacres, saint Augure et saint Euloge. Durant la
persécution de l'empereur Gallien, ils furent d'abord jetés en prison, puis
condamnés à être brûlés vifs. Quand leurs liens furent consumés, ils se mirent
à prier les bras en croix et c'est ainsi qu'ils terminèrent leur martyre.
À Tarragone en Espagne, l'an 259, la passion des saints martyrs Fructueux, évêque, Augure et Euloge, diacres. Dans la persécution des empereurs Valérien et Gallien, après leur confession de foi devant le gouverneur, ils furent conduits à l'amphithéâtre, où l'évêque, en présence des fidèles, pria à haute voix pour l'Église catholique répandue dans la paix de l'Orient à l'Occident ; enfin précipités dans les flammes, et priant à genoux, ils achevèrent leur martyre.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/474/Saint-Fructueux.html
Església
parroquial de St. Fruitós de Boldís Sobirà a la comarca de Pallars Sobirà
St.
Fruitós Church of Boldís Sobirà in the district of Pallars Sobirà
Saint Fructueux de
Tarragone
Évêque et martyr
Fête le 21 janvier
† Tarraco, Espagne
citérieure, 259
Évangélisateur historique
de l’Espagne
Au cours des persécutions
des empereurs romains Valérien Ier (253-260) et Gallien (253-268), le
gouverneur Émilien fit arrêter cet évêque de Tarragone, en Catalogne, et ses
diacres Augure et Euloge. Ils restèrent fermes dans leur foi et furent brûlés
vifs. Les « Actes » détaillant leur martyre sont indiscutablement
authentiques. Le site de l’église romane Santa María del Miracle à Tarragone,
occupait l’emplacement d’un oratoire wisigothique consacré à la mémoire de
saint Fructueux.
Fructueux de Tarragone
et ses compagnons martyrs
Évêque, Saint
† 259
Le feu de la persécution
s'étant allumé sous le règne de Valérien et de Gallien, Fructueux, évêque de
Tarragone, fut arrêté dans sa maison avec les diacres Augure et Euloge, par les
soldats qu'on nommait bénéficiers ; c'était un dimanche 16 Janvier 259. Le
saint évêque s'était jeté sur son lit pour y prendre un peu de repos : le bruit
que les soldats faisaient à la porte de son logis étant venu frapper ses
oreilles, il se leva promptement, et s'avança vers eux. Informé du sujet qui
les amenait, il leur demanda seulement le temps de mettre sa chaussure, et les
suivit avec joie. On le conduisit, avec ses deux diacres, dans une obscure
prison, où il baptisa un catéchumène nommé Rogalien. Il consolait les fidèles
qui venaient se recommander à ses prières, et les renvoyait après leur avoir
donné sa bénédiction. Le vendredi, sixième jour de l'emprisonnement des
confesseurs de Jésus-Christ, le gouverneur Émilien les envoya chercher. Il
commença par demander à Fructueux s'il connaissait le dernier édit des Empereurs.
« Je n'en ai aucune connaissance, répondit le Saint ; mais en tout cas, je vous
déclare que je suis chrétien. Émilien : Les Empereurs ordonnent que
tous leurs sujets sacrifient aux dieux. Fructueux : J'adore un Dieu
qui a fait le ciel, la terre, et tout ce qu'ils renferment. Émilien : Ne
savez-vous pas qu'il y a des dieux ? Fructueux : Je n'en sais
rien. Émilien : Eh bien ! on vous l'apprendra. » Le Saint
dans ce moment leva les yeux au ciel, et se mit à prier en lui-même. Le
gouverneur reprit : « Qui craindra-t-on, qui adorera-t-on sur la terre, si
l'on méprise le culte des dieux immortels et celui des Empereurs ? »
Ensuite, se tournant vers Augure, il lui conseille de ne pas s arrêter à ce que
Fructueux venait de dire. Mais le diacre lui répond en peu de mots, qu'il adore
aussi le Dieu tout-puissant. Émilien ayant enfin demandé à Euloge s'il
n'adorait pas aussi Fructueux, il en reçut cette réponse : « Je
n'adore point mon évêque, mais le Dieu que mon évêque adore. Vous êtes donc
évêque, dit Émilien à Fructueux ? Oui, je le suis, répondit le Saint.
Émilien : Dites que vous l'avez été. » Ces dernières paroles
donnaient à entendre que Fructueux allait perdre sa dignité avec sa vie. Les
trois confesseurs furent aussitôt condamnés à être brûlés vifs.
Les païens eux-mêmes ne
purent retenir leurs larmes, lorsqu'ils les virent conduire à l'amphithéâtre :
ils aimaient Fructueux à cause de ses rares vertus. Pour les chrétiens, ils les
suivirent avec une douleur mêlée de joie. Les martyrs triomphaient à la vue de
la glorieuse éternité dans laquelle ils allaient entrer. Quelques-uns des
frères présentèrent à leur évêque un verre d'eau et de vin pour le fortifier;
mais il le refusa, en disant qu'il n'était pas encore l'heure de rompre le
jeûne. Il était alors dix heures du matin. « Je remets, ajouta le
Saint, à rompre le jeûne dans le ciel avec les patriarches et les
prophètes. » Lorsqu'il fut arrivé à l'amphithéâtre, Augustal, son lecteur,
s'approcha de lui, fondant en larmes, et le pria de trouver bon qu'il le
déchaussât. « Mon fils, répondit le Saint, ne prenez pas cette peine, je
me déchausserai bien moi-même. » En même temps Félix, soldat chrétien, le
conjura de se souvenir de lui dans ses prières. « Je dois, dit Fructueux
en élevant la voix, prier pour toute l'Église répandue par toute la terre,
depuis l'Orient jusqu'à l'Occident. C'est comme s'il eût dit : Restez toujours
dans le sein de l'Église, et vous aurez part à mes prières, » Martial
l'ayant conjuré d'adresser au moins quelques paroles de consolation à son Église
affligée : « Mes frères, dit-il, en se tournant vers les chrétiens,
mes frères, le Seigneur ne vous laissera point sans pasteur ; il est fidèle à
ses promesses. Ne vous attristez n point sur mon sort, une heure de souffrance
est bientôt passée. » Cependant on attache les trois Saints au poteau, et
on allume le feu : mais les flammes parurent d'abord les respecter. Lorsque les
liens qui serraient leurs mains eurent été consumés, ils les étendirent en
forme de croix pour prier, et remirent leurs âmes à Dieu avant que le feu eût
endommagé leurs corps.
Après leur mort, Babylas
et Mygdonius, domestiques du gouverneur, et du nombre des chrétiens, les virent
monter glorieusement au ciel. Ils les montrèrent à la fille d'Emilien, qui les
vit aussi ; ils allèrent promptement avertir Émilien lui-même, afin qu'il fût
témoin du triomphe de ces hommes qu'il avait condamnés au feu. Il vint ;
mais il ne vit rien, son infidélité l'en rendant indigne.
La nuit suivante, les
chrétiens s'étant rendus à l'amphithéâtre, enlevèrent les corps des martyrs à
demi-brûlés, et en partagèrent entre eux les précieux restes : mais sur un
avertissement du ciel, chacun rapporta ce qu'il avait pris, et on enferma dans
un même tombeau les reliques des soldats de Jésus-Christ.
Source : Alban
Butler : Vies des pères des martyrs et des autres principaux saints.
Tome 1. Traduction: Godescard.
SOURCE : https://www.paroisselimogne.fr/post/saint-fructueux
Les saints Fructueux, Augure et Euloge dans la chapelle des saints martyrs de la Cathédrale de Tarragone; statues du XVIIe siècle et reliquaire
Saint Fructuous' chapel, Cathedral de Tarragona, Spain, with XVIIth century sculptures and a reliquary
Les saints Fructueux, Augure et Euloge dans la chapelle des saints martyrs de la Cathédrale de Tarragone; statues du XVIIe siècle et reliquaire
Saint
Fructuous' chapel, Cathedral de Tarragona, Spain, with XVIIth century sculptures
and a reliquary
Profile
Bishop of Tarragona, Spain. Arrested on 16
January 259 by
the Roman governor Emilian. Martyred with Saint Augurius and Saint Eulogius in
the persecutions of Valerian. Saint Augustine wrote in
praise of these martyrs.
burned
at the stake on 21
January 259 at
Tarragona, Spain
bishop singing
on a funeral
pyre
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Roman
Martyrology, 1914 edition
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
Saints
and Their Attributes, by Helen Roeder
other
sites in english
images
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
websites
in nederlandse
nettsteder
i norsk
MLA
Citation
“Saint Fructuosus of
Tarragona“. CatholicSaints.Info. 23 February 2024. Web. 2 June 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fructuosus-of-tarragona/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fructuosus-of-tarragona/
St. Fructuosus of
Tarragona
Feastday: January 21
Death: 259
Bishop martyred with
Augurius and Eulogius inTarragona, Spain. Fructuosus was the bishop of
Tarragona, and Augurius and Eulogius were deacons. Arrested in 259 by the Roman
governor Emilian, they were burned at the stake in the local arena. St.
Augustine wrote in praise of these martyrs.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3478
Brunyola
church (Catalonia, Spain)
Església
parroquial de Sant Fruitós de Brunyola (La Selva)
Iglesia parroquial de Sant Fruitós de Brunyola
Book
of Saints – Fructuosus, Augurius and Eulogius
Article
(Saints) Martyrs (January
21) (3rd
century) Saint Fructuosus, Bishop of
Tarragona, then the capital of Spain,
was, during the persecution of
Valerian and Gallienus, called upon to worship the gods. He replied that he
worshipped none save the One True God, which same profession of Faith was made
by his deacons, Augurius and Eulogius. The Martyrs were then fastened to wooden
stakes and burned alive. When the fire had burned through their bonds they
extended their arms in the form of a cross and thus expired (A.D. 259). Saint
Augustine has left us a Panegyric on Saint Fructuosus.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Fructuosus, Augurius and Eulogius”. Book of
Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info.
15 May 2020. Web. 2 June 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-fructuosus-augurius-and-eulogius/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-fructuosus-augurius-and-eulogius/
Cathedral of San Fructuoso at Tacuarembó
_-_panoramio.jpg)
Cathedral
of San Fructuoso at Tacuarembó
Fructuosus B, Augurius
& Eulogius MM (RM)
Died 259. Fructuosus was
the bishop of Tarragoña, Spain, who was martyred with his deacons SS Augurius
and Eulogius, during the persecutions of Valerian and Gallienus--that is all
that is really known about him.
Their authentic 'acts'
relate that they were arrested on Sunday, January 16, just as they were going
to bed. The bishop asked for permission to put on his shoes, after which he
cheerfully followed the arresting guards. In prison they spent their time in
fervent prayer, full of joy at the prospect of the crown prepared for them.
Fructuosus blessed those who visited him and on Monday baptized a catechumen
named Rogatianus. On Wednesday they kept the usual fast of the stations until
3:00 p.m.
A few days later, on
Friday, January 21, the three were brought before the governor. Their
examination was short and to the point: the prisoners affirmed their worship of
one God, and were sentenced to be burned to death.
Officers were posted to
prevent any demonstration because even the pagans loved Fructuosus due to his
rare virtues. The Christians accompanied them with sorrow tempered with joy.
The faithful offered Saint Fructuosus a cup of wine, which he refused because,
being it was only 10:00 a.m., it was too early to break the fast.
Even with the guards at
the gate of the amphitheater some of the Christians were able to get close. The
bishop's lector, Augustalis, weepingly asked permission to remove his bishop's
shoes. Felix, a Christian soldier stepped in and asked the bishop for his
prayers. Fructuosus replied so that all could hear, "I am bound to bear in
mind the whole universal church from East to West. Remain always in the bosom
of the Catholic Church, and you will have a share in my prayers" and added
words of comfort to his flock. As the flames enveloped them and burned through
their bonds, say the 'acts,' "they stretched forth their arms in token of
the Lord's victory, praying to him till they gave up their souls." The
account of their examination is still extant and thoroughly authentic.
Tradition adds that
Babylas and Mygdone, two Christian servants of the governor, saw the heavens
open and the saints carried up with crowns on their heads. By night the
faithful came and each took some part of the martyrs' bodies to their own home,
but heaven admonished them and they each returned the relics to a single grave.
(Attwater, Benedictines, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth).
In art this trio is
portrayed as a bishop and two deacons singing on their funeral pyre. They are
venerated at Tarragona and in Africa (Husenbeth, Roeder).
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-fructuosus-augurius-and-eulogius/
Vista
general de la iglesia de San Fructuoso, en Villada, Palencia, España
St. Fructuosus of
Tarragona
A bishop and martyr; d. 21 January,
259. During the night of 16 January, he, together with his deacons Augurius
and Eulogius, was led into prison, and on 21 January tried by the judge
Aemilianus. He confessed that he was a Christian and
a bishop,
whereupon all three were sentenced to be burnt alive. They underwent the
ordeal courageously,
and, praying and
with outstretched hands, gave up the ghost. In this position they are
depicted. St.
Augustine mentions them in one of his sermons (273), and
the Spanish poet Prudentius has celebrated them in a hymn (Peristephanon, hymn, 6).
Meier,
Gabriel. "St. Fructuosus of Tarragona." The Catholic
Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton
Company, 1909. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06311b.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Joseph P. Thomas.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. September 1, 1909. Remy Lafort,
Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2023 by Kevin Knight.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06311b.htm
Museu
Bíblic Tarraconense - Estàtua de Sant Fructuós
St.
Fructuosus, Bishop of Tarragon, and his Companions, Martyrs
From
his most valuable acts in Ruinart, quoted by St. Austin, Serm. 273. and
transcribed by Prudentius, hymn 6
A.D.
259.
ST. FRUCTUOSUS was
the zealous and truly apostolical bishop of Tarragon, then the capital city of
Spain. The persecution of Valerian and Gallien raging in the year 259, he was
apprehended by an order of Emilian the governor, who sent the soldiers, called
Beneficiarii, 1 for that purpose. They seized
the good bishop in his lodgings with two deacons, Augurius and Eulogius, on
Sunday the 16th of January. He was then laid down on his bed, and only asked
leave to put on his shoes; after which he cheerfully followed the guards, who
committed him and his two companions to close prison, where he spent his time
with them in fervent prayer, full of joy at the prospect of the crown prepared
for them. He gave his benediction to the faithful who visited him, and
recommended themselves to his prayers. On Monday he baptized in gaol a
catechumen named Rogatianus. On Wednesday he kept the usual fast of the
stations 2 till none, or three o’clock in
the afternoon. On Friday, the sixth day after their commitment, the 21st of
January, the governor ordered them to be brought before him, and asked
Fructuosus if he knew the contents of the late edict of the emperors? The saint
answered that he did not, but that whatever they were, he was a Christian. “The
emperors,” said Emilian, “commanded all to sacrifice to the gods.” Fructuosus
answered: “I adore one God, who made heaven and earth and all things therein.”
Emilian said: “Do you not know that there are gods?” “No,” replied the saint.
The proconsul said: “I will make you know it shortly.” St. Fructuosus then
lifted up his eyes to heaven, and began to pray in private. The proconsul broke
out into this exclamation: “What will any man fear or adore on earth, if he
contemn the worship of the immortal gods, and of the emperors?” Then turning to
the deacon Augurius, he bade him not regard what Fructuosus had said: but he
satisfied him in few words that he adored the same Almighty God. Emilian lastly
addressed himself to the other deacon, Eulogius, asking him if he did not adore
Fructuosus? The holy man answered, “I adore not Fructuosus; but the same God
whom he adores.” Emilian asked Fructuosus if he was a bishop; and added, upon
his confessing it, “say you have been one;” meaning that he was going to lose
his dignity with his life: and immediately condemned them to be burned alive
The
pagans themselves could not refrain from tears, on seeing them led to the
amphitheatre; for they loved Fructuosus on account of his rare virtues. The
Christians accompanied them with a sorrow mixed with joy. The martyrs exulted
to behold themselves on the verge of a glorious eternity. The faithful offered
St. Fructuosus a cup of wine, but he would not taste it; saying, it was not yet
the hour of breaking the fast, which was observed on Fridays till three
o’clock, and it was then only ten in the morning. The holy man hoped to end the
station, or fast of that day, with the patriarchs and prophets in heaven. When
they were come into the amphitheatre, Augustalis, the bishop’s lector, came to
him weeping, and begged he would permit him to pull off his shoes. The martyr said
he could easily put them off himself, which he did. Felix, a Christian soldier,
stept in, and desired he would remember him in his prayers. Fructuosus said
aloud: “I am bound to pray for the whole Catholic church spread over the world
from the east to the west;” as if he had said, as St. Austin observes, who much
applauds this sentence: 3 “Remain always in the bosom of
the Catholic church, and you will have a share in my prayers.” Martial, one of
his flock, desired him to speak some words of comfort to his desolate church.
The bishop, turning to the Christians, said: “My brethren, the Lord will not
leave you a flock without a pastor. He is faithful to his promises. Do not
grieve for me. The hour of my suffering is short.” The martyrs were fastened to
wooden stakes to be burnt; but the flame seemed at first to respect their
bodies, having consumed only the bands with which their hands were tied, giving
them liberty to stretch out their arms in the form of a cross in prayer, in
which posture they gave up their souls to God before the fire had touched them.
Babylas and Mygdone, two Christian servants of the governor, saw the heavens
open, and the saints carried up with crowns on their heads. The faithful came
in the night, extinguished the fire, and took out the half-burnt bodies. Every
one carried some part of their remains home with them; but being admonished
from heaven, brought them back and laid them in the same monument. Saint Austin
has left us a panegyric on St. Fructuosus, pronounced on the anniversary day of
his martyrdom, on which his name has been always famous in the western church,
especially in Spain and Africa.
Note
1. Beneficiarii were soldiers
distinguished by certain privileges, and who stood for promotion, as Vegetius
informs us, l. 2. c. 7. [back]
Note 2. Wednesdays and Fridays were fast-days
at that time; but only till none, that is, three in the afternoon, and called
the fast of the stations. [back]
Note
3. Serm. 273. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler
(1711–73). Volume I: January. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
Kirche San Fructuoso in Barós in Aragonien (Spanien)
Kirche San Fructuoso in Barós in Aragonien (Spanien)
Fructuosus (1) M., bp. of
Tarragona
Fructuosus (1), M., bp.
of Tarragona in the 3rd cent. The Acta of his martyrdom and of his
two deacons and fellow-sufferers, Eulogius and Augurius, are the most ancient
Spanish Acta, and marked by a realistic simplicity which contrasts
very favourably with many of the Acta of Diocletian's persecution.
Prudentius made use of them in his hymn to the martyrs (Felix Tarraco Fructuose
vestris, etc., Peristeph. vi.), and they are largely quoted by St.
Augustine (Serm. 273, Migne, Patr. Lat. xxxviii.). Under Valerian and
Gallienus in the consulate of Aemilianus and Bassus (a.d. 259), Aemilianus
Praeses of Tarragona issued an edict against the Christians, compelling all to
sacrifice to the gods. Hearing this, bp. Fructuosus and the whole church of
Tarragona gave themselves to unceasing prayer. One night, after Fructuosus had
retired, four apparitores appeared at his gate and summoned him and
his deacons before the Praeses. This was Sunday, and they remained in
prison till Friday, enjoying, however, some intercourse with the brethren
outside. Fructuosus even baptized a catechumen within the prison. Appearing
before the Praeses, all three simply and steadfastly avowed their faith.
Finally the Praeses asked Fructuosus, "Art thou the bishop of
the Christians?" He answered, "I am." The Praeses retorted,
"Thou wast," and gave orders for them to be scourged and burnt alive.
On their way to the amphitheatre Christians and heathens alike crowded around
in sympathy. Some offered Fructuosus a cup of aromatic strengthening drink. He
refused, saying, "It is not yet time to break the fast " (it being
Friday, and ten o'clock; the Friday fast lasting till three). At the gate of
the amphitheatre Fructuosus addressed the people. "Be of good cheer; a
pastor shall not be wanting to you, nor shall the love and promise of God fail
you, either here or hereafter. For this which you behold is but the infirmity
of an hour." After the flames were kindled, the ligatures binding their
hands were quickly burnt; then Fructuosus, consuetudinis memor, fell
on his knees and so passed away.
This is the account of
the Acta printed by Tamayo in the Martyr. Hisp. (vol. i.
Jan. 21) from a 14th-cent. calendar in the library of the cathedral of Astorga.
It omits important points contained in the Bollandist Acta (A.A. S.S. Jan.
ii.), which are the same as those printed by Florez (Esp. Sag. xxv.).
[M.A.W.]
Henry
Wace, A Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature:
"Fructuosus"
SOURCE : http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wace/biodict.html?term=Fructuosus%20%281%29%20M.,%20bp.%20of%20Tarragona
.jpg)
Església de Sant Fruitós d'Aramunt, municipi de Conca de Dalt
Església
de Sant Fruitós d'Aramunt, municipi de Conca de Dalt
St. Fructuosus, Augurius
and Eulogius -- A Bishop and His Two Deacons, Martyrs
St. Fructuosus was the
bishop of Tarragona in Spain. Augurius and Eulogius were his deacons. All three
suffered martyrdom at Tarragona in the year 259 during the persecution of
Valerian and Gallenius. The earliest account of the martyrdom is in the "Acts
of Fructuosus," which hagiographers agree in considering authentic. All
the episodes related in the Acts are found in "A Hymn in Honor of the Most
Blessed Martyrs Fructuosus, Bishop of the Church of Tarragona, and Augurius and
Eulogius, Deacons" composed by Prudentius and published in the year 405.
Prudentius took special
pride in the fact that the three martyrs were from his native country and
opened his hymn with corresponding verses of praise.
Tarragona, O Fructuosus,
raises High its fortunate head agleam with splendor From the fires lit for you
and your two deacons.
God regards with
benevolence the Spanish, For the Trinity singularly honors This Iberian city
with three martyrs.
Bright Augurius seeks the
highest heavens, And Eulogius shining not less brightly Takes his flight to the
throne of Christ supernal.
Their guide, Master, and
teacher, Fructuosus, To the heavenly heights advanced in glory, Dignified by
the holy name of martyr.
Prudentius then tells the
tale of martyrdom. Fructuosus approached it eagerly while his deacons seemed to
be more reluctant. However, they remained strong in their faith -- thanks to
the encouragement of their bishop.
Summoned all of a sudden
to the forum By command of the judge, the holy prelate Had appeared with his
levites as companions.
As the butcher, who fed
on blood, was dragging These heroes to the galling chains of prison, Fructuosus
ran hence with eager joy.
Lest with fear his
companions should be stricken Their courageous instructor urged them forward,
Kindling in them the love of Christ the Savior.
'Stand you firm with me,
men. The bloody serpent Calls the servants of God to cruel sufferings. Be
dauntless in death. The palm awaits you.'
The three approached the
prison stronghold and were incarcerated there for several days.
For six days in this
prison they lay hidden; Then they stood at their cruel foe's tribunal, And the
gridirons shuddered at the trio.
With a menacing look,
Aemilianus, The proud, impious prefect, fierce and brutal, Bade them worship at
altars of the demons. ...
'If you now have good
sense you will relinquish This old woman's belief, for Gallenius Has decreed
that all worship as he worships.'
At this mandate the
gentle prelate answers: 'The eternal monarch of days I worship, The Creator and
Lord of Gallenius,
'And Christ, Son of the
everlasting Father. His servant, of His flock I am the shepherd.' The judge
smiled on him: 'you are that no longer.'
The prefect then ordered
fires prepared for the martyrs. They rejoiced at their fate but had to restrain
the tearful mourners. Some of these presented the bishop with a cup to drink
but he refused it, saying, "I will not drink, for we are fasting."
Now at last they approach
the vast arena, By its circular tiers of seats surrounded, Where the mobs drunk
with blood of wild beasts gather ...
Here a swarthy assassin
had made ready For their tortures a pyre of blazing fagots, And was laying the
last brands on the altar, ...
Pious friends now came
forward to assist them: One would take off the sandals of the bishop, Bending
low to untie the thongs that bound them.
Fructuosus refused this
act of compassion and asked his supporter to leave lest he make his own death
more painful. Then the bishop untied his own sandals so that he might run more
swiftly into the furnace. At the moment when he had completed this action, a
prodigy occurred.
As with bare feet the
martyr there was standing, Lo the voice of the Spirit from Heaven sounded,
Uttering words that astonished all the hearers: ... 'Blest indeed are these
souls to whom is given To mount upwards through fire to heights celestial;
Fires eternal shall flee from them hereafter.'
At these words with quick
steps the martyrs enter The hot furnace of flames that crackle round them And
recoil before them, all atremble.
Soon the fetters that
bound their hands behind them Were consumed in the blaze and quickly falling,
Left the flesh of the holy ones uninjured.
There, in the midst of
the inferno, the three martyrs were now free to lift their arms in the form of
a cross and to offer an extended prayer to the Father. During the course of
their prayer, the flames spared the heroes.
While these saints, when
the blazing fires retreated, Prayed to God that the flames might rush upon them
And soon bring to an end their dreadful peril.
Sovereign Majesty heard
these faithful servants, And releasing them from their fragile bodies Bade them
come to Himself by death's sure pathway.
Then a guard from the
palace of the prefect Saw the heavens stand open for the martyrs, And the
heroes borne through the starry spaces.
Upon seeing this vision,
the guard informed the prefect's little daughter. She also saw the vision and
so knew that those slain in her father's forum now lived in heaven.
Prudentius next pens a
couple of verses that provide interesting information pertaining to the cult of
martyrs in this early period of Church history.
Then men sprinkled with
wine the sacred relics, And collecting the bones and glowing embers Each one
claimed for himself some precious token.
So intent were the
brethren in obtaining For their homes these blest gifts of holy ashes, Or to
bear them as pledges in their bosoms.
Prudentius then writes of
concerns that the sacred relics would be buried in scattered places far apart.
In response, the three saints returned with a final request.
Now appeared the three
saints in snowy garments, And enjoined that their hallowed dust be gathered And
enshrined in a sepulchre of marble.
The poet ends his hymn
with an appeal to the citizens of Tarragona.
Let a chorus come forward
of both sexes: Youth and maidens and children, men and women, Sing the praises
of your own Fructuosus!
Let a psalm now resound
to your Augurius, And Eulogius be praised in equal measures; Let us raise hymns
alike to both these heroes.
Reference
"The Poems of
Prudentius" translated by Sr. M. Clement Eagan, C.C.V.I. "The Fathers
of the Church, Vol. 43"; The Catholic University of America Press,
Washington, D.C., 1962.
[© Michael Closs,
June 25, 1997]
SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20081106021000/http://www.deacons.net/Deacons_before_us/augurius.html
%2C_fa%C3%A7ana_oest.jpg)
Església parroquial de Sant Fruitós façana oest
Sant
Fruitós de Llofriu
Martyr Fructuosis, Bishop
of Tarragona, Spain, and his deacons Augurius and Eulogius
Commemorated on January 21
Saint Fructuosis lived
during the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus in the third century, during
the consulship of Amelianus and Bassus.
On Sunday, January 16,
259 Bishop Fructuosis of Tarragona, Spain was arrested with his deacons
Augurius and Eulogius. He had already retired to his chamber when soldiers of
the VII Gemina Legion came for him. Hearing them approach, he went to meet
them.
“Come with us,” they told
him, “the proconsul summons you and your deacons.”
When they arrived, they
were thrown into a prison where other Christians were also being held. They
comforted the bishop and asked him to remember them. The next day, Bishop
Fructuosis baptized Rogatianus in the prison.
On Friday, January 21,
Bishop Fructuosis and his deacons were brought out for their hearing. When the
proconsul Aemelianus asked to have the bishop and his deacons brought before
him, he was told that they were present. The proconsul asked Saint Fructuosis
whether he was aware of the emperors’ orders.
“I do not know their
orders,” he replied, “I am a Christian.”
Aemelianus said, “They
have ordered that you worship the gods.”
Bishop Fructuosis
answered, “I worship the one God Who made heaven and earth, and all that is in
them” (Acts 4:24).
Then the proconsul asked,
“Do you know that the gods exist?”
“No,” said the bishop, “I
do not.”
“You will know later.”
Bishop Fructuosis raised
his eyes to heaven and began to pray. The proconsul said, “The gods are to be
obeyed, feared, and adored. If the gods are not worshiped, then the images of
the emperors are not adored.”
Aemilianus the proconsul
said to Augurius, “Do not listen to the words of Fructuosis.”
Deacon Augurius replied,
“I worship almighty God.”
Turning to Deacon
Eulogius, the proconsul Aemilianus asked, “Don’t you also worship Fructuosis?
“No,” said the deacon, “I
do not worship Fructuosis, but I do worship Him Whom he worships.”
Aemilianus inquired of
Saint Fructuosis, “Are you a bishop?”
The holy bishop replied,
“Yes, I am.”
“You were,” said
Aemilianus, then he ordered them to be burned alive.
As Saint Fructuosis and
his deacons were being taken to the amphitheatre, many people felt sympathy for
them, for the bishop was loved by both Christians and pagans. The Christians
were not sad, but happy, because they knew that through martyrdom the saints
would inherit everlasting life.
When offered a cup of
drugged wine, Saint Fructuosis refused saying, “It is not yet time to break the
fast.” In those days, Christians did not eat or drink anything on Wednesdays
and Fridays until after sundown (Didache 8:1).
As they entered the
amphitheatre, the Reader Augustalis asked the bishop to permit him to remove
his sandals. Saint Fructuosis replied, “No, my son. I shall remove my own
sandals.”
A Christian by the name
of Felix took the bishop’s hand and asked him to remember him. The martyr said
that he would remember the entire catholic Church throughout the world from
East to West.
Now the time was at hand
for the martyrs to receive their crowns of unfading glory. The officers who
arrested them were standing nearby as Bishop Fructuosis addressed the crowd in
a loud voice. He told them that they would not remain long without a shepherd,
and that the Lord’s promises would not fail them in this life or in the next.
He added that what they were about to witness represented the weakness of a
single hour.
The three martyrs were
tied to posts and a fire was lit. When the flames burned through their bonds,
they knelt down and extended their arms in the form of a cross. They continued
to pray in the midst of the fire until their souls were separated from their bodies.
Several people saw the
heavens opened and beheld the three martyrs wearing crowns and ascending to
heaven. They told Aemilianus to see how the martyrs had been glorified, but he
was not worthy to behold them.
That night Christians
went to the amphitheatre to put out the fire and gather the relics of the
martyrs. Each one took a portion for himself. Saint Fructuosis later appeared
to these Christians and admonished them for dividing their relics, saying that
they had not done well. He ordered them to bring all of the relics together
without delay. The holy relics were brought to the church with reverence, and
were buried beneath the altar.
.JPG)
Església de Sant Fruitósm Castellterçol
Església
de Sant Fruitós, Castellterçol
Santi Fruttuoso, Augurio
ed Eulogio Martiri
Martirologio Romano: A
Tarragona nella Spagna Citeriore, passione dei santi martiri Fruttuoso,
vescovo, Augurio ed Eulogio, suoi diaconi: sotto gli imperatori Valeriano e
Gallieno, dopo aver confessato la loro fede al cospetto del procuratore
Emiliano, furono condotti nell’anfiteatro, dove, rivolta a chiara voce dal
vescovo verso i fedeli presenti una preghiera per la pace della Chiesa,
portarono a compimento il loro martirio gettati tra le fiamme e pregando in
ginocchio.
La Spagna, terra di
martiri anche recenti, vanta una tradizione di eroismo cristiano che risale ai
primi secoli., come attesta la “passione” dei Santi Fruttuoso, Augurio ed
Eulogio, forse il primo documento storico sulla persecuzione anticristiana
arrivato fino a noi. Una tradizione che sconfina nella leggenda attribuisce il
primo annuncio del cristianesimo in questa terra direttamente all’apostolo
Paolo. Certo è che nel terzo secolo la Chiesa nella penisola iberica è
consolidata e ben impiantata. Sulla cattedra episcopale di Tarragona siede il
vescovo Fruttuoso, di cui non conosciamo l’età e neppure la durata
dell’episcopato, anche se dalla popolarità e dalla stima di cui gode, e che
traspaiono dal racconto del martirio, possiamo desumere non fosse troppo
giovane e comunque alla guida di questa chiesa da un periodo sufficiente a
farsi conoscere ed apprezzare anche dai pagani. Nel primo pomeriggio di
domenica 16 gennaio dell’anno 259, all’ora della siesta, alcuni soldati bussano
alla porta del vescovo, che li accoglie in pantofole nell’ingresso di casa. E’
appena stato emanato il secondo editto dell’imperatore Valeriano contro i
cristiani e i soldati sono stati inviati con il preciso scopo di accompagnare
il vescovo Fruttuoso davanti al console Emiliano. Gli viene concesso di posare
le pantofole e di calzare un paio di scarpe e insieme a lui portano via anche i
due diaconi, Augurio ed Eulogio. Che non si tratti di una semplice
convocazione, ma di un arresto in piena regola, lo dimostra il fatto che i tre
vengono subito rinchiusi in carcere.. I cristiani tarragonesi non abbandonano
il loro vescovo e non si vergognano di lui: fanno anzi la fila per andarlo a
trovare e a portargli un po’ di viveri, e tutto questo movimento probabilmente
induce il console ad accelerare i tempi del processo. Senza contare che
Fruttuoso non cessa neppure in cella di esercitare il suo ministero: di sicuro
si sa che amministra un battesimo, ma è probabile che abbia anche confessato
fino all’ultimo. Cioè fino al venerdì successivo, 21 gennaio, quando Fruttuoso
e i suoi due diaconi, vengono portati in tribunale. La loro testimonianza è
limpida e coraggiosa, resa con una serenità ed una forza che impressionano. Li
condannano ad essere bruciati vivi, quel giorno stesso, nell’anfiteatro. “Devo
custodire nel mio animo l’intera chiesa cattolica che si espande da oriente a
occidente”, risponde Fruttuoso a quei suoi fedeli che pretenderebbero da lui un
ricordo particolare dall’aldilà. Su una catasta di legno si consuma lentamente
e dolorosamente il loro sacrificio, mentre i tre martiri si sostengono a
vicenda e cantano la loro fede fino all’ultimo. A sera, quando anche le ultime
fiamme si sono spente, i cristiani si precipitano su quello che resta dei
poveri corpi per accaparrarsi almeno una manciata delle loro ceneri, ma devono
restituirle quanto prima, perché è lo stesso Fruttuoso ad esigerlo, apparendo
in sogno a quei fedeli troppo devoti: quasi una prosecuzione “post mortem” del
suo magistero, per tutelare la fede dei suoi cristiani da ogni forma di
fanatismo o superstizione. Quelle ceneri, probabilmente sotto la spinta delle
invasioni saracene, arrivano poi in Liguria, nella baia di Capodimonte, (dove
da 50 anni è stata immersa la statua del “Cristo degli Abissi”) e tutt’ora sono
conservate nell’abbazia dedicata a San Fruttuoso, il cui culto, probabilmente
in virtù della dignità episcopale, ha finito per prevalere su quello dei due
“poveri” diaconi Augurio ed Eulogio, caduti un po’ nel dimenticatoio.
Autore: Gianpiero
Pettiti
SOURCE : https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/38380
St.
Fructuous, Augurius and Eulogius' martyrdom at Tarragona; Catalan painting of
XVIIIth century
Den hellige Fructuosus av
Tarragona og hans ledsagere ( -259)
Minnedag:
21. januar
Ledsagere: de hellige
Augurius og Eulogius
Den hellige Fructuosus
(sp: Frutuoso) var på 200-tallet biskop av Tarragona, som da var hovedstaden i
romersk Spania. Vi vet ikke noe om hans tidlige liv, men historien om hans
arrestasjon og død regnes som autentisk. Forfølgelsene under keiser Decius
(249-51) ble etterfulgt av en periode med ro under hans etterfølger, keiser
Valerian (253-60). Denne roen varte til 257, da Valerian under politisk og
økonomisk press utstedte et edikt som påla biskoper, prester og diakoner å ofre
til de romerske gudene og forbød dem å feire messe eller samle folkemengder, under
trussel om dødsstraff.
Fructuosus og hans
ledsagere skulle komme til å falle som ofre for denne loven, som hadde som mål
å utrydde lederne i det kristne samfunnet, og dermed redusere de kristne som
helhet til ubetydelighet. Valerius ble i 259 tatt til fange av perserne og døde
året etter, og da fikk hans sønn og etterfølger, keiser Gallienus (253-68), en
slutt på den korte forfølgelsesbølgen. Han stadfestet til og med de kristne
samfunnenes rett til å dyrke sin Gud fritt og å inneha eiendom.
Fructuosus og hans
diakoner Augurius og Eulogius ble arrestert søndag den 16. januar 259. Det
finnes en autentisk skildring av deres arrestasjon og forhør for den romerske
guvernøren og deres påfølgende martyrium. Disse acta forteller at de
ble arrestert om kvelden da de var i ferd med å legge seg, og biskopen ba om
tillatelse til å ta på seg skoene først. Deretter fulgte de gladelig med til
fengselet. Der tilbrakte de tiden i konstant bønn, full av glede over utsikten
til martyrkronen som ventet dem. Fructuosus velsignet dem som besøkte ham, og
mandagen etter arrestasjonen døpte han en katekumen ved navn Rogatian.
Fredag den 21. januar ble
de brakt for guvernør Aemilianus til forhør. Undersøkelsen var kort og rett på
sak. Guvernør presiderte ved forhøret og spurte om de kjente keiserens ordre om
å tilbe de romerske gudene. Fructuosus svarte: «Jeg tilber den ene Gud som har
skapt himmel og jord». Da han ble spurt om han visste at gudene eksisterte,
svarte han: «Nei, det gjør jeg ikke».
Guvernøren påpekte da
sakens politiske side: «De lystres, fryktes og tilbes; hvis gudene ikke dyrkes,
blir keisernes bilder ikke tilbedt». Deretter vendte han seg til diakonene og
ba dem om ikke å høre på Fructuosus' svar. Men Augurius erklærte at han tilba
samme Gud som Fructuosus, et svar som guvernøren kan ha misforstått eller
valgte å feiltolke, for han spurte Eulogius om han også tilba Fructuosus. Han
svarte: «Nei, men jeg tilber Ham som han tilber». Aemilianus spurte da
Fructuosus om han var biskop. «Ja, det er jeg,» svarte han. «Du var,» svarte
guvernøren sarkastisk, og dømte dem til straks å brennes levende.
Offiserer ble utpostert
for å forhindre demonstrasjoner, men på vei til henrettelsesstedet viste både
kristne og hedninger biskopen sin sympati, og noen tilbød ham vin tilsatt bedøvende
midler for å lindre smertene. Men han avviste den spøkefullt fordi det var
fredag og fastedag. En av hans lektorer, Augustalis, spurte gråtende om han
kunne ta av ham sandalene, men igjen avslo han. Ved porten til amfiteatret var
noen av de kristne i stand til å komme nær de dødsdømte, og en soldat ved navn
Felix kom for å ta biskopen i hånden og be om hans bønner. Fructuosus svarte så
alle kunne høre: «Jeg er forpliktet til å huske på hele universalkirken, fra
øst til vest». Den hellige Augustin tolket
senere disse ordene som en påminnelse til Felix om å forbli trofast mot hele
Kirken.
Deretter kom Fructuosus
med trøstens ord til sin flokk, og han forsikret en annen kristen om at menigheten
ikke ville være lenge uten hyrde og at lidelsens time ville være kort – noe som
viste seg å stemme, siden forfølgelsene sluttet samme år.
De tre martyrene ble
bundet til pæler og bålene ble tent, og da flammene slikket opp rundt dem, sier
skildringen at tauene brant opp først, slik at de «kunne falle på kne og
strekke ut armene i form av et kors, som tegn på Herrens seier, mens de ba til
Ham inntil de oppga ånden». Forfatteren av deres acta hevder at
Faderen, Sønnen og Den Hellige Ånd var til stede ved deres bål, og forteller at
to av guvernørens kristne tjenere, Babylas og Mygdone, så himmelen åpne seg for
å motta deres sjeler, noe som ikke var synlig for guvernøren, enda han ble
tilkalt for å se den.
Om kvelden gikk de
kristne til amfitatret og slukket de døende bålene med vin, og alle tok med seg
noe av asken. Men Fructuosus skal ha vist seg for dem og bedt dem om å holde
alle relikviene samlet på ett sted, og da ble de lagt i en enkelt grav. Deres
minnedag er 21. januar og deres navn står i Martyrologium Romanum. Prudentius
(348-ca 410) synger Fructuosus' pris i sin hymnesamling Peristephanon, noe
som viste at han kjente aktene. Augustin viste også at han kjente dem i en
lovtale han holdt på årsdagen for Fructuosus' martyrium. Fructuosus avbildes som
biskop som sammen med sine to diakoner synger mens de står på bålet.
Kilder:
Attwater/John, Attwater/Cumming, Farmer, Butler (I), Benedictines, Bunson, KIR,
CE, CSO, Infocatho, Bautz - Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden -
Sist oppdatert: 2004-03-06 13:02
Linken er kopiert til
utklippstavlen!
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/tarragon
Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, Camogli, Liguria, Italia
Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, Camogli, Liguria, Italia
_-_abbazia_di_San_Fruttuoso_-_facciata_della_chiesa_-_01.jpg)
Camogli (GE) - abbazia di San Fruttuoso - facciata della chiesa
Camogli
(GE) - abbazia di San Fruttuoso - facciata della chiesa
Fructuosus van Tarragona;
bisschop & martelaar met
zijn beide diakens Augurius &Eulogius: † 259.
Feest 21 &
22 januari.
Over hun arrestatie en
marteldood is een ooggetuigeverslag bewaard gebleven, dat naar alle
waarschijnlijkheid is opgetekend door een plaatselijke christen. Door de
eenvoud ervan en de schilderachtige details lijkt het document historisch
volkomen betrouwbaar.
Ooggetuigeverslag
'Tijdens het bewind van de keizers Valerianus (253-260) en Galienus (260-268), toen
Emilianus en Bassus consul waren, werd op zondag 16 januari te Tarragona
bisschop Fructuosus gearresteerd, tezamen met zijn beide diakens Augurius en Eulogius.
Fructuosus lag juist op zijn bed wat te rusten, toen zes soldaten aan zijn deur
verschenen.
Zelfs de namen van de zes
mannen zijn bewaard gebleven: Aurelius, Festucius, Aelius, Pollentius, Donatus
en Maximus.
De bisschop hoorde ze aankomen door het lawaai dat ze maakten. Hij stond onmiddellijk op en ging hen tegemoet tot op het bordes. Zij zeiden: "U moet met ons mee, want de gouverneur vraagt naar u, en ook naar uw diakens." Daarop antwoordde de bisschop: "Ik kom eraan. Laat me alleen even mijn schoenen aantrekken." Waarop zij antwoordden: "Toe maar." Zij brachten hem met zijn beide diakens naar de gevangenis. Fructuosus was zielsgelukkig, toen hij in de gaten kreeg welke beloning God voor hem in petto had. Hij was onafgebroken in gebed. De broeders in het geloof die hem al die tijd gezelschap hielden, bezwoeren hem hen in zijn gebeden bij de Heer aan te bevelen.
De volgende dag morgen diende hij in de gevangenis aan onze broeder Rogatianus het doopsel toe. De bisschop en zijn twee diakens verbleven alles bij elkaar zes dagen in de gevangenis. Ze werden er alleen zo nu en dan uitgehaald voor verhoor.
Gouverneur Emilianus sprak:
"Laat bisschop Fructuosus met zijn diakens Augurius en Eulogius binnenkomen."
Waarop een gerechtsdienaar riep: "Daar zijn ze!"
Gouverneur Emilianus richtte zich tot bisschop Fructuosus: "U bent ongetwijfeld op de hoogte van de nieuwste richtlijnen van onze keizers?"
Bisschop Fructuosus antwoordde: "Ik weet er niets van. Maar hoe dan ook, hierbij verklaar ik dat ik christen ben."
Gouverneur Emilianus antwoordde: "U weet dus blijkbaar heel goed dat die richtlijn de verering van onze goden betreft, en dat zij bepaalt dat alle onderdanen van het Rijk zonder uitzondering die godsdienst moeten volgen."
Bisschop Fructuosus antwoordde: "Ik aanbid de ene God, die de hemel, de aarde en de zee en alwat daarop is gemaakt heeft."
Gouverneur Emilianus: "Weet u niet dat er meerdere goden zijn?"
Fructuosus: "Nee, daar weet ik niets van."
De gouverneur: "Dan zullen we u dat bijbrengen."
Op dat moment verhief de bisschop zijn hart tot God en bad in zijn binnenste.
De gouverneur hernam: "Wie zal men nog vrezen en op aarde vereren als men de verering van de goden en die van de keizers aan zijn laars lapt?"
Vervolgens richtte hij zich tot de diaken Augurius: "Als ik u was, zou ik me niet aansluiten bij de woorden die Fructuosus zojuist gesproken heeft."
Diaken Augurius sprak: "Ik aanbid de almachtige God."
De gouverneur zei tegen diaken Augurius: "En aanbidt u ook niet Fructuosus?"
Diaken Augurius antwoordde: "Nee, ik aanbid niet mijn bisschop, maar dezelfde God die ook mijn bisschop aanbidt."
De gouverneur wendde zich tot Fructuosus: "U bent dus bisschop?"
Bisschop Fructuosus antwoordde: "Ja, dat ben ik."
De gouverneur: "U kunt beter zeggen dat u het wás." En ter plekke veroordeelde hij hen ter dood door levende verbranding.
Toen men ze naar het amfitheater overbracht, stond heel het volk te huilen. De
bisschop was namelijk zeer geliefd, niet allen bij de christenen, maar evenzeer
bij de ongelovigen. Met recht kan men zeggen dat hij een bisschop was zoals de
grote meester van de heidenen, Sint Paulus († ca 67; feest 29 juni) dat
voorschrijft. Daarom ook ging het verdriet van de broeders gepaard met
blijdschap. Ze zagen immers hoe hun vader met zevenmijlslaarzen naar het eeuwig
geluk toestapte, en dat hij op het punt stond om de kroon der glorie te
ontvangen. De een of ander probeerde hem nog een beker water of wijn toe te
reiken. Maar hij weigerde met de woorden: "Mijn broeders, nog is de tijd
niet gekomen om het vasten te doorbreken." Het was tegen het tiende uur.
Dus vier uur in de
middag. Hetzelfde uur waarop de eerste twee leerlingen met Jezus meegaan om te
zien waar Hij verblijf hield, volgens het evangelie van Johannes: 1, 35-41.
Hij had gedurende de dagen van zijn gevangenschap consequent gevast. En de broeders die hem al die tijd gezelschap hadden gehouden, hadden 's woensdags plechtig met hem meegevast. Bewonderenswaardig en gewetensvol als hij was, wilde hij nu niet op deze vrijdag het uur van het eten naar voren halen en de regel van het vasten nog met geen duimbreed overtreden. Straks zou hij het vasten doorbreken, als hij in gezelschap was van de aartsvaders en de profeten.
Aangekomen bij het amfitheater kwam zijn voorlezer Augustalis in tranen naar hem toe; hij smeekte hem toestemming te geven zijn schoenen uit te mogen trekken. De heilige martelaar antwoordde: "Doe geen moeite, mijn zoon; ik zal ze zelf wel uitdoen, en met des te meer vreugde, omdat ik er zeker van ben dat God zo meteen aan mij zijn beloften gaat inlossen."
Een andere broeder, Felix, nam zijn hand en smeekte hem met aandrang aan hem te denken. Daarop antwoordde Fructuosus met luide stem zodat iedereen het duidelijk kon horen: "Ik behoor de gehele katholieke kerk te gedenken, verspreid over heel de aarde, van het oosten tot het westen."
Bij het betreden van het amfitheater richtte hij zich nog één keer tot de gelovigen die hem omringden: "Geliefde broeders, onze Heer zal jullie niet als verdoolde schapen zonder herder achterlaten. Hij komt zijn beloften na, en Hij zal altijd goed zijn voor jullie. Laat je niet in de war brengen door de situatie waarin ik me thans bevind. Een uur van pijn is zo voorbij."
De beide diakens bleken enorm gesterkt door deze woorden. Met hun bisschop bestegen zij de brandstapel, juist zoals de drie jongelingen destijds de vuuroven van Babylon binnengingen [Daniël 03]. Je kon zelfs merken dat zij werden gesteund door de drie personen van de heilige Drie-eenheid. De almachtige Vader kwam hen tegemoet in hun zwakheid, de Zoon hielp hen door de inspiratie van zijn voorbeeld, en de heilige Geest temperde met zijn adem een beetje de hitte van het vuur. Op het moment dat de boeien waarmee hun handen vastgebonden zaten, waren doorgeschroeid, hieven zij hun armen omhoog in de vorm van een kruis, juist zoals de gelovigen altijd bidden. Zo maakten zij de overwinning van het kruis van onze Heer aanschouwelijk en gaven zij Hem hun ziel in de kracht van hun gebed.
Na hun dood gebeurden er verscheidene wonderen. De hemel opende zich en je kon zien hoe Fructuosus en zijn beide diakens op het punt stonden naar binnen te gaan. Het leek wel of zij nog vastgebonden waren aan de paal van de brandstapel. Abilanus en Migdonius, twee van onze broeders die deel uitmaken van het paleispersoneel van de gouverneur, zeggen dat ze dit wonder zelf gezien hebben, net als het dochtertje van de gouverneur, Emiliana. De twee mannen renden naar hun heer om hem op dit onverwachte visioen te attenderen: "Kom gauw kijken, heer," zeiden ze "dan kunt u zien hoe de mannen die u tot de vuurdood hebt veroordeeld, naar de hemel opstijgen." De gouverneur ging inderdaad met hen mee, maar hij zag niks; dat verdiende hij ook niet, ongelovig als hij was.
's Nachts begaven de broeders zich naar het amfitheater; ze hadden wijn bij zich om de half verkoolde lijken van de gelukzalige martelaren te wassen en het vuur te doven dat nog nasmeulde. Alles wat door het vuur niet was verteerd verzamelden zij met de grootst mogelijke zorgvuldigheid; vervolgens verdeelden zij alles eerlijk onder elkaar. Maar nu verscheen hun de heilige bisschop met de vermaning dat allen hun deel van de heilige relieken bij elkaar moesten brengen en op één plaats bewaren. Hij verscheen ook in gezelschap van zijn beide diakens aan Emilianus en verweet hem zijn zinloze wreedheid: "U denkt waarschijnlijk nu ons lichaam in vlammen is opgegaan, dat u ons voorgoed uit de weg hebt geruimd, maar kijk, u ziet ons voor u levend en wel in volle glorie!"
[Ru2.1818p:7-12]
Verering & Cultuur
Sint Augustinus († 430; feest 28 augustus) heeft eens op hun feestdag een preek
aan hen gewijd.
[B&B.1988p:100; Bau.1925; Bri.1953»FructuosusHa1.1838p:122; HMa.1910p:151;
Lin.1999; Rge.1989; Rgf.1991; RR1.1640»01.22; Ru2.1818; Dries van den Akker
s.j./2007.12.27]
© A. van den Akker
s.j. / A.W. Gerritsen
SOURCE : https://heiligen-3s.nl/heiligen/01/21/01-21-0259-fructuosus.php
Esculturas de san Fructuoso, san Eulogio y san Augurio en la iglesia de su nombre en Colmenares, Palencia, España.
San Fructuoso de
Tarragona
Fructuoso de Tarragona,
San. ?, p. m. s. iii – Tarragona, 21.I.259. Obispo y mártir (junto a
Augurio y Eulogio).
Eclesiástico Mártir Obispo Santo,
ta
Biografía
La pasión que cuenta el
martirio del obispo Fructuoso y de sus diáconos Augurio y Eulogio es un
precioso testimonio de un autor testigo presencial de la mayor parte de los
hechos que relata. El obispo de Tarragona fue detenido junto con sus diáconos
el domingo 16 de enero del año 259, durante la persecución de Valeriano, siendo
cónsules Emiliano y Baso.
Fueron llevados a la
cárcel y allí el obispo bautizó al día siguiente al catecúmeno Rogaciano. El
viernes, día 21, fueron conducidos ante el juez Emiliano, quien se limitó a
urgirles el cumplimiento del mandamiento del Emperador, que ordenaba sacrificar
a los dioses.
Ante la negativa de
Fructuoso y sus diáconos, condenó a los tres a ser quemados vivos en el
anfiteatro.
Inmediatamente la
sentencia fue ejecutada en presencia de los cristianos de la ciudad, ya que la
persecución iba dirigida únicamente contra sus dirigentes. Consumado el
martirio, recogieron al atardecer las cenizas de los mártires y les dieron
honrosa sepultura.
El culto de estos santos
se extendió por toda la Península Ibérica, traspasando sus fronteras. El poeta
Prudencio les dedicó un himno del Peristephanon, escrito entre los
años 398 y 405, y san Agustín tiene un sermón para el día de su fiesta.
Leer menos
Bibliografía
D. Ruiz Bueno, Actas
de los mártires, Madrid, Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos, 1951, págs.
781-800
A. Fábrega Grau, Pasionario
hispánico, vol. I, Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
(CSIC), 1953, págs. 86-92
vol. II, Madrid, CSIC,
1955, págs. 183-186
J. Fernández Alonso,
“Fruttuoso, Augurio ed Eulogio”, en VV. AA., Bibliotheca Sanctorum, vol.
V, Roma, Instituto Giovanni XXIII, 1964, cols. 1296-1298
C. García
Rodríguez, El culto de los santos en la España romana y visigoda, Madrid,
CSIC, 1966, págs. 316-321
J. Vives, “Fructuoso,
Augurio y Eulogio”, en Q. Aldea Vaquero, T. Marín Martínez y J. Vives Gatell (dirs.), Diccionario
de Historia Eclesiástica de España, vol. II, Madrid, CSIC, Instituto
Enrique Flórez, 1972, págs. 962-963
P. Riesco Chueca, Pasionario
hispánico. Introducción, edición crítica y traducción, Sevilla,
Universidad, 1995, págs. 72-79
J. A. Martínez, “Santos
Fructuoso, Augurio y Eulogio”, en J. A. Martínez Puche (dir.), Nuevo año
cristiano, vol. I, Madrid, Edibesa, 2001, págs. 445-448.
Autor/es
Miguel C. Vivancos Gómez,
OSB
SOURCE : https://historia-hispanica.rah.es/biografias/17351-san-fructuoso-de-tarragona
