Saint Léonce de Tripoli
Martyr à Tripoli (IVe siècle)
Soldat phénicien en
garnison à Tripoli au Liban, il fut inculpé du crime de prosélytisme car il ne
craignait pas de prêcher l'Évangile par la parole et par l'exemple. Ce qui lui
valut d'être décapité après d'affreuses tortures dont celle d'être pendu la tête
en bas, avec une lourde pierre attachée au cou, qui l'étouffe lentement. Son
culte devint rapidement populaire dans l'Église syrienne qui était la sienne.
(D'autres sources le situent au Ier siècle.)
Holy Martyr Leontius - Archdiocèse d'Ohrid - Eglise orthodoxe macédonienne - en anglais.
À Tripoli en Phénicie, vers 304, saint Léonce, soldat. Après de très cruels tourments
subis en prison, il parvint à la couronne du martyre.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1342/Saint-L%C3%A9once-de-Tripoli.html
HISTOIRES DE SAINTS
Saint Léonce de Tripoli
Martyr à Tripoli (IVe
siècle)
Saint Léonce, était un
ami du moine Publius avec qui il entreprend d’évangéliser la région de Tripoli.
Ce qui lui vaut d'être condamné à une mort très douloureuse pour faits de
prosélytisme. Il est plongé dans de l'eau salée après avoir été flagellé avec
des épines. Une autre version raconte qu’il a été pendu par les pieds avec une
lourde pierre attachée à son cou.
Soldat phénicien en
garnison à Tripoli au Liban, il fut inculpé du crime de prosélytisme car il ne
craignait pas de prêcher l’Évangile par la parole et par l’exemple. Ce qui lui
valut d’être décapité après d’affreuses tortures dont celle d’être pendu la
tête en bas, avec une lourde pierre attachée au cou, qui l’étouffe lentement.
Son culte devint rapidement populaire dans l’Église syrienne qui était la
sienne.
(D’autres sources le situent au Ier siècle.)
SOURCE : https://fr.aleteia.org/daily-prayer/samedi-18-juin/
Léonce de Tripoli
Saint Léonce, soldat
phénicien du IVe siècle, est un martyr au retentissement considérable.
par Défendente
Genolini
18 juin
C’est un des martyrs les
plus illustres de la Phénicie. La vie de ce soldat originaire de Tripoli, que
l’on connaît tant par la tradition grecque que par la tradition syriaque, nous
apparaît exemplaire.
Issu d’une famille
grecque chrétienne, formé dans l’armée romaine, il prend le commandement de
légions basées en Syrie. Il est estimé de tous, y compris de l’empereur
Dioclétien. De plus, il distribue sa solde aux pauvres de Tripoli. Ami du moine
Publius avec qui il lit les écritures et médite les psaumes, il parle
facilement du Christ aux soldats.
Un jour, il est accusé
d’avoir craché sur la statue d’un dieu. Il est arrêté ainsi que Publius qui est
condamné à l’exil. Léonce est admonesté. Tout semble rentré dans l’ordre mais
Publius revient à Tripoli, reprend contact avec Léonce et poursuit l’évangélisation
des païens. C’en est trop : le moine est flagellé, torturé et envoyé à Tyr. Il
meurt en route.
Léonce court chercher le
corps de son ami et l’ensevelit. Le juge Firmilien l’arrête malgré son parcours
militaire sans faute : « Par quelles forces oses-tu t’opposer à l’empereur
et détourner les gens d’adorer les idoles ? – C’est à bon droit que je le fais.
Si toi-même tu abandonnais ton erreur, tu recevrais en héritage le Royaume
éternel. » Flagellé avec des épines, il est conduit au port, plongé dans la
mer où l’eau salée sur ses plaies vives le fait mourir dans d’horribles
souffrances. Nous sommes au IVe siècle. Sa renommée ne cessera jamais.
Étymologie du nom
Du grec leôn et du latin leo, « lion », et du grec leonteios,
« agate léonine ».
Célébrités
De nombreux saints orientaux ont porté ce nom : Léonce de Constantinople,
martyr des saintes icônes au VIIIe siècle (9 août). Léonce de Lycie, moine
au VIe siècle (22 février). Léonce d’Achaïe, moine au XVe (11
décembre). Léonce de Dionysiou, moine myroblyte mort en 1580 (18 juin). Et le
célèbre jésuite Léonce de Grandmaison (+ 1927) fondateur des Recherches de
science religieuse et directeur des études.
Vieux proverbe de ce jour
« Pluie de Saint-Léonce pour trente jours s’annonce. »
« Mauvais temps à la Saint-Léonce, peu de fruit beaucoup de ronces. »
Pensée spirituelle
« Ce n’est jamais en parlant qu’on change un état de choses, c’est en se
sacrifiant. » (Clemenceau)
Courte prière
« Sainte Marie, obtenez-moi un cœur fidèle et généreux, qui n’oublie aucun bien, et ne tienne rancune d’aucun mal. »
(Père Léonce de Grandmaison.)
POUR ALLER PLUS LOIN :
SYRIE
: ENTRE CONFLITS ARMES ET DIALOGUE INTERNE
Conclusions
provisoires du Synode sur la Parole de Dieu
Liste
des ouvriers pastoraux, Evêques, Prêtres, Religieux, Religieuses et Laics tués
en 2011 et 2010
EXHORTATION
APOSTOLIQUE POST-SYNODALE « AFRICAE MUNUS » DU PAPE BENOÎT XVI
Le
chemin de Damas de 33 catholiques d'Europe
SOURCE : https://www.france-catholique.fr/leonce-de-tripoli.html
Saint Léonce de Tripoli
Programme
du Vème dimanche après la Pentecôte – saint Léonce – ton 4
28 juin 2018 par Henri de Villiers
Martyre des saints
Leonce, Hypate & TheoduleParoisse
catholique russe de la Très-Sainte Trinité, le dimanche 1er juillet
2018 du calendrier grégorien – 18 juin 2018 du calendrier julien, tierce &
sexte à 8h55, divine liturgie de saint Jean Chrysostome à 9h15.
Dimanche du ton IV de
l’Octoèque. Nous fêtons aussi en ce jour le saint Martyr Léonce de Tripoli.
Saint Léonce était un
soldat qui avait été dénoncé comme chrétien auprès du gouverneur de Phénicie
Adrien, lequel envoya pour le saisir un tribun nommé Hypate et deux soldats,
dont l’un s’appelait Théodule. Mais Hypate & Théodule, favorisés d’une
apparition, crurent au Christ et reçurent le saint baptême. Averti de ce qui
s’était passé, le gouverneur, après les avoir soumis à de multiples tourments,
les fit décapiter. Quand à saint Léonce, il mourut sous les coups au milieu des
tortures. Leur martyre eut lieu à Tripoli en Phénicie, mais la date en est
incertaine ; la plupart des auteurs grecs la situent sous l’empereur Vespasien
(69-79), d’autres la placent au commencement du IVème siècle.
La mémoire de saint
Léonce de Tripoli fut rapidement honorée par les différentes églises d’Orient
& d’Occident. Une célèbre église à Tripoli lui était dédiée et contenait
ses reliques (auprès desquelles de nombreux miracles furent signalés), un
monastère de ce diocèse fut placé sous son patronage ; l’empereur Justinien Ier le
Grand (527 † 565) fit aussi édifier une église en l’honneur de saint Léonce
dans la ville de Damas. Sa fête est célébrée au même jour par les rits
syriaque, byzantin & romain. Voici du reste ce que dit le Martyrologe
romain au 18 juin :
A Tripoli, en Phénicie,
saint Léonce soldat. Sous le préfet Adrien, il parvint, après de très cruels
tourments, à la couronne du martyre, avec le tribun Hypace et Théodule,
convertis par lui au Christ.
Aux heures
A tierce & à sexte : Tropaire du dimanche. Gloire au Père. Tropaire du
Martyr. Et maintenant. Theotokion de l’heure. Kondakion : du dimanche
seulement.
Tropaires des Béatitudes : Huit tropaires du dimanche, ton 4 :
1. A cause de l’arbre défendu * Adam fut exilé du Paradis, mais par l’arbre de la croix le Larron y entra ; * car l’un, goûtant de son fruit, méprisa le commandement du Créateur, * l’autre, partageant ta crucifixion, confessa ta divinité : ** Souviens-toi de moi dans ton royaume.
2. Seigneur exalté sur la Croix, * tu as brisé la puissance de la mort, * effaçant la cédule écrite contre nous ; * accorde-nous la repentance du Larron * et donne à tes fidèles serviteurs, ô Christ notre Dieu, * de te crier comme lui : ** Souviens-toi de nous aussi dans ton royaume.
3. D’un coup de lance, sur la croix * tu as déchiré la cédule écrite contre nous ; * et, compté parmi les morts, tu as enchaîné le prince de l’Enfer, * délivrant tous les hommes des liens de la mort * par ta Résurrection, dont la lumière a brillé sur nous ; * Seigneur ami des hommes, nous te crions : ** Souviens-toi de nous aussi dans ton royaume.
4. Crucifié & ressuscité du tombeau, * Dieu tout-puissant, le troisième jour, * avec toi, seul Immortel, tu ressuscitas le premier homme, Adam ; * donne-moi, Seigneur, de prendre aussi la voie du repentir * afin que, de tout mon cœur * & dans l’ardeur de ma foi, je te crie : ** Souviens-toi de moi, Sauveur, en ton royaume.
5. Pour nous l’Impassible devient homme de douleur * et sur la croix se laisse clouer, * afin de nous ressusciter avec lui ; * aussi nous glorifions avec la Croix * les Souffrances & la sainte Résurrection * par lesquelles nous fûmes rénovés, * obtenant le salut en criant : ** Souviens-toi de nous aussi dans ton royaume.
6. Ressuscité d’entre les morts * et dépouillant l’empire de la Mort, * il apparut aux Myrrophores, leur annonçant la joie ; * et nous fidèles, prions-le * d’épargner à nos âmes la corruption, * lui répétant sans cesse la parole du bon Larron : ** Souviens-toi de nous aussi dans ton royaume.
7. Fidèles, glorifions d’un même cœur * le Père, le Fils & l’Esprit saint, * invoquons en trois personnes l’unique Divinité * indivisible, inaccessible, sans confusion, ** qui nous sauve des flammes du châtiment.
8. Ta mère, Seigneur, t’enfanta virginalement * et vierge elle est
demeurée même après l’enfantement : * c’est elle que nous te
présentons pour intercéder auprès de toi : * accorde à sa prière le
pardon des péchés * pour ceux qui ne cessent de te crier : ** Souviens-toi
de nous aussi dans ton royaume.
A la petite entrée :
1. Tropaire du dimanche, ton 4 : Ayant appris de l’Ange la prédication lumineuse de la Résurrection, * et le terme de l’ancestrale condamnation, * les femmes disciples du Seigneur * dirent, pleines de fierté, aux Apôtres : * “Renversée est la mort ! * Le Christ Dieu est ressuscité, ** donnant au monde sa grande miséricorde !”
2. Tropaire du Martyr, ton 4 : Ton Martyr Léonce, Seigneur, * pour le combat qu’il a mené, a reçu la couronne d’immortalité de toi, notre Dieu ; * animé de ta force, il a terrassé les tyrans * et réduit à l’impuissance l’audace des démons ; ** par ses prières sauve nos âmes.
3. Gloire au Père, & au Fils, & au Saint-Esprit.
4. Kondakion du Martyr, ton 3 : Tu mis en échec les desseins pervers des tyrans * et confondis l’erreur impie des païens ; * tu as fais brillé la connaissance de Dieu pour tous les hommes, * martyr sage en Dieu ; * c’est pourquoi nous vénérons avec amour ta mémoire, sage Léonce.
5. Et maintenant, & toujours, & dans les siècles des siècles. Amen.
6. Kondakion du dimanche, ton 4 : Mon Sauveur & mon
libérateur * a ressuscité tous les mortels, * les arrachant
par sa force divine aux chaînes du tombeau ; * il a brisé les portes
de l’Enfer ** et en maître souverain il est ressuscité le troisième
jour.
Prokimen
Du dimanche, ton 4 :
℟. Que tes œuvres sont grandes, Seigneur ! Toutes, avec sagesse tu les fis (Psaume 103, 24).
℣. Bénis le Seigneur, mon âme ! Seigneur, mon Dieu, tu es si grand ! (Psaume 103, 1).
[Du Martyr, ton 7 :
℟. Le juste a sa joie dans le Seigneur, et en lui il se réfugie (Psaume
63, 11).]
Epîtres
Du dimanche : Romains (§ 103) X, 1-10.
Si vous confessez de bouche que Jésus est le Seigneur, et si vous croyez de cœur que Dieu l’a ressuscité d’entre les morts, vous serez sauvé.
[Du Martyr : Actes (§ 29) XII, 1,11.]
Alleluia
Du dimanche, ton 4 :
℣. Va, chevauche pour la cause de la vérité, de la piété & de la justice (Psaume 44, 5).
℣. Tu aimes la justice, tu hais l’impiété (Psaume 44, 8).
[Du Martyr, ton 4 :
℣. Le juste fleurira comme un palmier, il grandira comme un cèdre du Liban
(Psaume 91, 13).]
Evangile
Du dimanche : Matthieu (§ 28) VIII, 28 à IX, 1.
Deux possédés qui étaient si furieux que personne n’osait passer par ce chemin-là, sortirent des sépulcres, et vinrent au-devant de lui ; ils se mirent en même temps à crier, et à lui dire : Jésus, fils de Dieu ! qu’y a-t-il entre vous et nous ?
[Du Martyr : Jean (§ 52) XV, 17 à XVI, 2.]
Verset de communion
Du dimanche : Louez le Seigneur du haut des cieux, louez-le au plus haut des cieux. (Psaume 148, 1).
[Du Martyr : La mémoire du juste sera éternelle (Psaume 111, 6).]
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Télécharger le livret des
choristes pour ce dimanche.
SOURCE : https://schola-sainte-cecile.com/tag/saint-leonce-de-tripoli/
Le 18 juin, nous
célébrons la mémoire du Saint Martyr LEONCE, et de ses compagnons: HYPATOS et
THEODULE (1)
Saint Léonce servait dans
l'armée romaine, sous le règne de Vespasien (vers 69-79), et s'était distingué
par sa vaillance. En garnison à Tripoli (Phénicie), il distribuait aux pauvres
les provisions de l'armée, ne cachant pas sa piété pour le Christ et condamnant
le culte des idoles. Sa réputation parvint jusqu'au gouverneur de Phénicie,
nommé Adrien, qui était un fervent adepte de l'idolâtrie et avait obtenu de
l'empereur licence de mettre à mort les disciples du Christ. Il envoya à
Tripoli un détachement, dirigé par le tribun Hypatos (ou Hypatios), avec pour
mission d'arrêter Léonce et de le garder jusqu'à sa venue. En arrivant à
proximité de la ville, Hypatos fut saisi d'une forte fièvre, et cette nuit-là
un Ange lui apparut et lui dit : « Si tu veux être guéri, invoque trois fois le
Dieu de Léonce », puis le personnage lumineux disparut. Hypatos s'exécuta et
fut aussitôt soulagé.
Le lendemain, Hypatos se
rendit en ville en compagnie d'un autre soldat, Théodule. Ils rencontrèrent
Léonce, qui les salua jovialement et qui, se présentant comme un ami de l'homme
qu'ils cherchaient, les invita chez lui. Après leur avoir offert la meilleure
hospitalité, il leur révéla qu'il était Léonce, le soldat du Christ. Hypatos et
Théodule tombèrent alors à ses pieds et le supplièrent de les délivrer de
l'impureté de l'idolâtrie en les unissant au Christ. Léonce pria pour eux et un
nuage apparut dans le ciel, versant sur eux l'eau nécessaire à leur baptême.
Après avoir été ainsi illuminés, ils marchèrent, en peine ville, vêtus de blanc
et tenant un cierge en main. Les païens s'agitèrent fort devant un tel
spectacle et, deux jours plus tard, lorsqu'Adrien arriva à Tripoli, il les fit
aussitôt arrêter et emprisonner. Pendant le jour, Léonce exhortait ses
compagnons à endurer avec joie les épreuves qui allaient leur procurer la vie
éternelle, et pendant la nuit, ils priaient ensemble et chantaient des psaumes.
Au matin ils comparurent
devant Adrien, au tribunal. Léonce déclara qu'il était fils de la vraie
lumière, à laquelle rien ne peut s'opposer, et soldat du Christ. Exaspéré, le
magistrat ordonna de lui briser les os avec des verges; mais le Saint restant
inébranlable, on le ramena en prison. Adrien fit alors avancer Hypatos et
Théodule et leur demanda pourquoi ils avaient ainsi soudain trahi leur
empereur. Ils lui répondirent que désormais ils étaient enrôlés dans l'armée du
Roi du ciel, et que pour rien au monde ils ne retourneraient au vain culte des
idoles. Hypatos fut alors attaché au chevalet pour être écorché vif, tandis que
Théodule était frappé du plat d'épées. Sous la torture les deux Saints ne
laissaient échapper aucun autre cri que le Seigneur aie pitié! aussi Adrien
ordonna-t-il de les décapiter.
Lors d'un nouvel
interrogatoire, on menaça Saint Léonce de subir les mêmes tortures que ses
compagnons, ce à quoi il répondit que ces souffrances avaient été leur couronne
et la garantie de leur victoire éternelle. Il fut étendu à terre et frappé de
verges par quatre soldats. Pendant qu'un héraut criait : « Voici comment sont châtiés
ceux qui se rebellent contre l'empereur et contre nos dieux ! » le Saint
clamait : « Tu peux bien épuiser mon corps, mais tu ne parviendras pas à
vaincre mon âme ». Il fut écorché vif, mais resta silencieux, les yeux tournés
vers le ciel, en prière. Le tyran prescrivit alors de le suspendre la tête en
bas et de le fustiger, après lui avoir attaché une lourde pierre au cou. A
l'issue de cette torture, on le renvoya en prison et, alors qu'il rendait grâce
à Dieu pendant la nuit, un Ange vint le réconforter et l'encourager à endurer
le combat jusqu'à son terme.
Le lendemain, le Saint
montra la même résolution, malgré les supplices. Adrien ordonna alors de
l'étendre entre quatre poteaux et de le frapper jusqu'à ce que mort s'en suive.
Et c'est en rendant grâce sous les coups que Saint Léonce rendit glorieusement
son âme à Dieu. Des fidèles déposèrent son corps près du port de Tripoli, où
par la suite une magnifique basilique fut érigée en son honneur, et dans
laquelle des foules venaient, de toutes parts, vénérer son tombeau, car Saint
Léonce était devenu le Martyr le plus honoré de Phénicie et l'un des plus
célèbres de tout l'Orient chrétien.
1). Selon la version
syriaque de sa Passion, St. Léonce était soldat à Tripoli sous Dioclétien.
Converti par le moine Publius, il distribua sa solde aux pauvres et se moqua
des idoles. Ils furent tous deux dénoncés par les prêtres païens au tribun
Philérinos, qui les fit flageller et envoya Publius en exil à Emèse. Mais il
rentra bientôt à Tripoli, où Léonce le rejoignit. Traduits devant le gouverneur
Firmilien, ils furent encore torturés et Publius mourut en chemin, alors qu'il
était transféré à Tyr, tandis que Léonce succomba à la bastonnade.
SOURCE : http://calendrier.egliseorthodoxe.com/sts/stsjuin/juin18.html
Also
known as
Leonzio
Profile
Imperial Roman legionairy who
was imprisoned, tortured and executed for
his faith. Martyr.
Born
c.135 at
Tripoli, Phoenicia (in modern Syria)
Additional
Information
Acts
of the Early Martyrs, by Father James
A M Fastré, S.J.
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
MLA
Citation
“Saint Leontius of
Tripoli“. CatholicSaints.Info. 17 June 2024. Web. 18 June 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-leontius-of-tripoli/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-leontius-of-tripoli/
Book
of Saints – Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus
Article
(Saints) Martyrs (June
18) (1st
century) Martyrs of the Apostolic Age (A.D. 76 about). They were Greek Christians,
Hypatius and Theodulus having been converted by Leontius. They suffered torture
and death for Christ at Tripoli in Phoenicia.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info.
7 November 2014. Web. 18 June 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-leontius-hypatius-and-theodulus/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-leontius-hypatius-and-theodulus/
Saints
of the Day – Leontius, Hypatius (Ipazio), and Theodulus, Martyrs
Article
Died in Tripoli,
Phoenicia (Syria), 135? Saint Leontius of Tripoli was a Greek general in the
Roman army serving in Syria. A religious man, he was tortured and beaten to
death under the Emperor Vespasian for converting non-Christians. Two soldiers
who were to arrest him, Hypatius and Theodulus were converted and martyred as
well. Leontius was buried in the yard of a woman by the name of Giovannia
(Joanna). Her husband built a church in honor of Leontius and it was there that
many miracles occurred and were attributed to him. Many other churches were
dedicated to him. A cathedral at Bosra, Syria was consecrated to him, Saints
Sergio and Bacco in 513. He was formerly the patron saint of Syria
(Benedictines, Bibliotheca Sanctorum, VII, 1966, researched by Robert Leonzio;
Encyclopedia).
MLA
Citation
Katherine I
Rabenstein. Saints of the Day, 1998. CatholicSaints.Info.
17 June 2024. Web. 18 June 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-leontius-hypatius-ipazio-and-theodulus-martyrs/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-leontius-hypatius-ipazio-and-theodulus-martyrs/
The
Acts of the Early Martyrs – Saint Leontius
Article
Leontius was by birth a
Greek, but he spent the greater part of his time in Phoenicia, whither he was
sent, in his early youth, to receive an education worthy of his rank in
society. As he was very tall, robust, and of a noble appearance, he did not
fail to improve these natural advantages by manly exercises suited to his age.
At the same time, he devoted himself with unrelenting ardor to acquire stores
of all useful knowledge, which might enable him to gain distinction among men.
When he was of the proper age, he chose for his future career the profession of
a soldier. This choice, which under ordinary circumstances would have been
attended with numberless dangers of soul and body, became for him the source of
many blessings; for, while he had constantly applied himself to cultivate his
mind, he had yet more earnestly studied to foster in his heart all the virtues
which adorn the life of the Christian upon earth, and prepare him for a happier
existence hereafter. Accordingly, God blessed him with success in all his
undertakings. He soon distinguished himself by his military exploits, and won
promotion by his bravery and prudence, until he obtained the grade of a general
officer, with command over the Roman legions stationed in Phoenicia. As he had
been a favorite among his companions in arms when he held an inferior position,
he was now loved and regarded by them more as a father than a commander. By
word and example he encouraged his men to fidelity in the discharge of their
duty. He was slow to punish and ever ready to reward; he was tender to the sick
and disabled, merciful to the erring, kind and affable to all. Hence it
happened that, being himself a model of every Christian virtue, he had the
happiness of opening the eyes of very many to the truths and saving promises of
the Gospel, and of withdrawing them from the degrading worship of the idols.
The prince of darkness could not long endure that all these things should take
place without opposition from himself.
Wherefore, he stirred up
the base passions of the Senator Adrian, who had recently obtained the
Governorship of Phoenicia. This wicked man and zealous upholder of idolatry,
before setting out from Rome to enter upon his office, had heard of the great
popularity enjoyed by Leontius. His jealous disposition at once took the alarm.
Having obtained an audience of the Emperor Vespasian, he represented to him
that in the province assigned to his care there were some men, enemies of the
gods of the Empire, who were using all their power and influence to pervert the
minds of the soldiers by persuading them to worship but one God. The Emperor,
not doubting that the persons spoken of were some of the Jews, whom he had
lately subdued, gave full power to the new Governor to seize, and punish at
pleasure, whomsoever he should find – unwilling to offer sacrifice to the gods
of Rome. Thus empowered, Adrian had no sooner reached the shores of Phoenicia
than he sent the Tribune Hypatius and two soldiers, one of whom was called
Theodulus, to arrest Leontius, who was at that time in the neighborhood of
Tripolis. As they were leaving the city, it so happened that the Tribune was
suddenly seized with a violent fever. Being very superstitious, and greatly
addicted to the worship of the gods, he said to his companions:
“I know why this evil has
befallen me. The anger of the gods is aroused against me: before setting out
upon this business, I neglected to offer sacrifice to render them propitious.”
He was now too ill to
proceed farther on his journey. Accordingly, he repaired to the nearest
military encampment, where he might receive proper attendance. During three
days the fever continued with unabating violence. The companions of the Tribune
lost all hope of his recovery. On the third night, however, Hypatius saw
standing before him a youth arrayed in white garments, his countenance so
radiant that he could not fix his gaze upon him, who said:
“Hypatius, if thou
desirest to enjoy true health, repeat three times in a loud voice: ‘Oh God,
whom Leontius adores, come to mine aid.'”
“I am sent with my men,”
replied the Tribune, “to seize Leontius and bring him as a prisoner to the
Governor, and sayest thou that I must call upon his God to heal me?” But before
he had finished these words, the youth had vanished from his sight. Struck with
astonishment, yet fully persuaded that what he had heard and seen was not the
effect of his disordered imagination, he called for his companion Theodulus,
and related to him what had occurred. Theodulus, who was an upright and
open-hearted man, after reflecting for a while on the meaning of the words
uttered by the mysterious messenger, advised the Tribune to do as he had been
bidden, and even joined him in the exclamations thrice repeated: “Oh God, whom
Leontius adores, come to mine aid.” No sooner had they pronounced the words,
than Hypatius was entirely freed from his illness. Hardly knowing whom to thank
for so unexpected a favor granted to his friend, Theodulus spent the remainder
of the night in his company, meditating on the nature of this strange incident.
In the morning, when the officers of the camp invited him to share their meal,
he kindly refused their offer, and, withdrawing to a little distance from their
company, prostrated himself upon the ground, calling upon the God of Leontius
to make known to him what he should do. Then, going to the officers, he said:
“Adrian, the Governor,
who sent us out, has, probably, by this time established himself in Tripolis,
and Leontius is not yet found. With your permission, the Tribune and myself
will now go in search of him, and when we discover his whereabouts, we will
take the proper steps to secure his arrest.”
When they learnt that
Hypatius was perfectly restored to health, all agreed that under the
circumstances no better plan could be pursued. Thereupon, the Tribune and
Theodulus set out in the direction of Tripolis. As they were drawing near to
the city, they met a person of majestic mien, apparently absorbed in deep
thought. Perceiving the two soldiers, he walked up to them and said:
“God save you, brothers.”
“The same blessing to
you, friend,” they replied. “For what or for whom are you looking?” he said,
“if you will excuse the liberty I take of asking the question.”
“We are sent in search of
a military officer, named Leontius,” answered the Tribune, “who has his
dwelling somewhere in this neighborhood. Adrian, the new Governor of Tripolis,
desires to see him, as he considers him a man of the highest distinction in
these parts, a favorite of the people and much beloved by the gods.”
“I perceive that you are
strangers in this country,” said the person addressed, “and, probably, not well
acquainted with its inhabitants. However, that does not matter. I am sure that
you both need some rest after your weary journey; and, if you do me the honor
of accompanying me to my dwelling, I promise you that I will make you
acquainted with Leontius, who, you say, is much beloved by the gods, But about
this, I dare say, you must have been misinformed; for I know for certain that
Leontius, far from being a friend of what you call the gods, is, on the
contrary, a Christian and a despiser of idols.”
When the two soldiers
heard this, they looked surprised and said to one another: “Who can this
personage be, who asserts so positively that Leontius is a Christian? Is he, perhaps,
some one of his relatives?”
Theodulus, considering
the courteous and friendly manner in which their unknown companion had before
addressed them, said to him:
“And what, pray, honored
sir, may be your own name? Pardon me, if I use too much freedom in asking the
question.”
“My name is not without
meaning – even in the Sacred Writings, since there it is said of it: “Thou
shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk; and thou shalt trample under foot the
lion and the dragon.’ That lion I understand to signify the infernal foe, who
cannot be seen with the eyes of the body; and the dragon,” he added with a
smile, “perhaps, means the Governor and his advisers, whom I must trample under
foot.”
This answer seemed a
mystery to the soldiers. Charmed with the affable manners of their kind friend,
they had been on the point of making known to him the real object of their
mission; but now, convinced that he must be some relative of Leontius, they
began to debate between themselves what was to be done. Unwilling to cause
anxiety to one who showed himself so frank and generous towards them, they were
inclined to return to the city, and report to Adrian that they had been unable
to carry into effect the errand on which they had been sent; but, knowing the
brutal character of the Governor, they were afraid of incurring his
displeasure. So they concluded to say nothing for the present, and allow
themselves to be guided by circumstances.
Meanwhile, they had
reached the dwelling of their obliging friend. Here they were entertained with
the most generous hospitality, insomuch that they could not help expressing
their astonishment at the rich abundance of the good things set before them.
How they now regretted that they could not announce themselves as bearers of
happy tidings to their excellent host and his relatives! But they remembered
that, although they had an unpleasant duty to fulfil, none would more readily
lend them a helping hand herein than he upon whom they had ere this begun to
look with a decided feeling of love and admiration. Wherefore, the Tribune,
after thanking their entertainer for his free-hearted hospitality, said:
“Permit me, most
excellent sir, to remind you of the promise you made, when we had the good
fortune of first meeting you. Tell us where we can find Leontius, that he may
accompany us to the Governor, who, we trust, will treat him as he deserves, and
add new honors to those which he already enjoys.”
“If it is Leontius,”
replied their host, “the commander of the Roman Legions, whom you seek, I am
he. I am that Roman soldier, but a soldier of Christ as well, I am the very man
whom, by order of the Governor, you are sent to arrest.”
At these words they were
both so amazed that they fell to the ground and exclaimed:
“Servant of the Most
High, pardon our sin; implore for us the mercy of your God. Save us from the
wrath of the cruel Adrian. Purify us from the defilements of idolatry; let your
God be our God. We confess Christ, even as you confess Him.”
Filled with rapturous joy
at what he heard and saw, Leontius knelt down, and, shedding many tears the
while, prayed aloud:
“O Lord God, whose will
it is that all men should come to a knowledge of the truth, and find salvation,
look upon us in this hour, and have mercy. They that had come against the poor
sheep of Thy fold now desire to be Thine; receive them, O Lord, and enlighten
their minds by pouring Thy holy Spirit upon them; that, strengthened and
purified by Thee, they may become valiant soldiers, ready to fight against the
wicked foe. Arm them with faith and hope, that they may trample under foot the
dragon, that will seek to devour them. O Thou, who knowest the secrets of all
hearts, mercifully guide the erring, that, illumined by the splendors of Thy
light, they may come unto Thee and glorify thy holy Name forever. Lord Jesus,
hear the prayer of Thy poor and unworthy servant Leontius, that this day Thy
power and mercy may be made known to them for whom he prays. Amen.”
When Leontius uttered the
word “Amen,” suddenly a cloud, as it were, overshadowing the soldiers, as they
lay prostrate on the ground, poured upon them a stream of water, and vanished
as suddenly in the shape of a column of dazzling light. At the sight of this
wonder, Leontius exclaimed:
“Glory to Thee, O my God,
who disregardest not the desires of them that seek Thee in singleness of
heart.”
And forthwith, as he
considered them truly baptized, he put upon them the mystical white garment.
What had taken place at
the house of the general soon became known to the pagans who dwelt in the
neighborhood. Immediately they began to raise an outcry against him and his
guests. Leontius, knowing that the hour had come when he was to give testimony
to the truth, said to his companions:
“My beloved brothers, let
us put our trust in God, and advance to the combat. We must not give to the
Governor the advantage of having a tight to accuse you of failing in your duty.
Let us go to meet him.”
Thereupon they set out at
once. It so happened that, at that very moment, Adrian was making his entry
into the city. When he saw the crowd that accompanied the three friends, and
heard the shouts raised by the pagans, he became very uneasy, and inquired into
the cause of the tumult. Being informed that Leontius, the commander of the
Legions, was a Christian, and that he had persuaded the Tribune and his
companion to abandon the worship of the gods, he forthwith ordered some of his
soldiers to seize the three and cast them into prison. Leontius, after thanking
God for giving him this opportunity of more fully instructing the new converts,
said to them:
“Take courage, brothers,
and remember that the sufferings of this life last only for a moment; when
endured for Christ’s sake, they prepare for you a reward of bliss that knows no
ending. Now, indeed, the wicked may torment us, but these short-lived
sufferings shall be followed by an everlasting repose. To the God whom we serve
belong the heavens and the earth; nothing is done therein without His
permission. His ever-watchful eye is upon us. He will gird us with strength
unto battle. He will subdue the enemies that rise up against us.”
On the following morning,
the Governor, having ordered Leontius to be brought before his tribunal, said
to him:
“Art thou Leontius?”
“I am Leontius,” answered
the commander.
“How darest thou be so
bold as to withdraw, by means of wicked magical arts, from the service of the
Emperor, soldiers who have been most faithful to him. Not only this, but thou
hast beguiled them so far as to make them abandon the worship of the gods of
the Empire, and persuade them to worship a God whom we do not know.”
“My answer to what you
say,” replied Leontius, “is simply this: If I am a soldier faithful to the
Emperor in all things proper, I am also a soldier of Christ, the heavenly King.
He is the true Light that enlighteneth every man who cometh into this world.
Whoever follows the guidance of that light stumbleth not. Hypatius and
Theodulus beheld this light. They followed its leading, and forsook the foolish
worship of idols, that have neither life nor sense.”
“Thou seemest to us
free-spoken enough,” said the Governor; “let us now see whether we have no
arguments that will reduce thee to silence.”
He then ordered Leontius
to be beaten with clubs. The noble soldier underwent the disgraceful punishment
without giving the least sign of bodily pain, and said to Adrian:
“You perhaps imagine that
you are now tormenting me. Be not deceived; I feel convinced that you are only
torturing your own self.”
Seeing that the Martyr’s
constancy could not be shaken, Adrian sent him again to prison, and summoning
the two soldiers before him, said to them:
“Why did you disobey our
orders, when commanded to arrest that impostor? Is it thus you prove your
fidelity to the Emperor? If you have any regard for your own safety, or any
fear of the gods, you will at once confess that it was your unsuspecting and
natural silliness which has led you into this mistake; then I may yet save you
from the consequences of your rashness.”
To this Hypatius and
Theodulus made answer:
“We are not unfaithful to
the Emperor in things wherein he has a right to command our obedience; neither
can you prove us guilty of disobeying your orders, since you have, this very
moment, the noble Leontius in your power. As to what you are pleased to call
our silliness, we have this to say: We were in darkness and in ignorance of the
truth; by the mercy of God our eyes were opened, and we were enabled to behold
the light. We learnt to understand the folly of worshipping idols, and the
wisdom of embracing the truth, as it is in Christ, our Lord. From Him neither
your threats nor your promises are able to draw us away; but, if you are wise,
you will follow our example and acknowledge that Christ is the Saviour of men;
that thus you may secure for yourself the bliss which awaits them that serve
the true God, Creator of the universe.”
“It is the wretch
Leontius,” said Adrian, “who has put these words into your mouth. It will be to
your advantage to renounce all further fellowship with him, and to avail
yourselves of the kind offers of the Emperor, who is willing to forget the
past, and to bestow honors upon all who are faithful worshippers of the gods.
Follow my advice, or prepare yourselves for a shameful death.”
“What will it profit us,”
replied the Confessors, “to have enjoyed honors and imperial favors, if, after
a few days, when we appear before the Judge of the living and the dead, He
condemns us to everlasting sufferings, because we were unfaithful to Him? No,
Adrian, we will not abandon the service of the King of kings; He has chosen us
to be His soldiers in spite of our unworthiness; we remain true to Him. As for
yourself, we advise you to follow our example, and to renounce the worship of
demons, who, after a short time, will reward your blind trust in them with a
share of their own everlasting misery.”
This answer so
exasperated the Governor that he exclaimed:
“I have no time to waste
with these foolish and impious men.” And forthwith he commanded his attendants
to hang up the Tribune and tear his body with iron hooks; at the same time
ordering Theodulus to be stretched upon the ground and to be beaten with clubs.
The Martyrs, while undergoing these torments, cried out from time to time:
“Save us, Oh Lord Jesus!
strengthen us, for the flesh is weak.”
Seeing that they could
not be overcome by these tortures, Adrian ordered the executioners to strike
off their heads. Thus Hypatius and Theodulus went to receive the reward of
their faith and constancy.
After this the Governor
sent for Leontius, and said to him:
“Leontius, the two
soldiers who were led astray by thee have suffered an ignominious death; this
moment thy fate is in thy own hands. At my recommendation thou mayest secure for
thyself the good will of the Senate and the favor of the Emperor. They have
heard of thy exploits in these parts, and of the good name thou hast among the
people, and, above all, among our soldiers. Choose for thyself: offer sacrifice
to the gods of Rome, and be the friend of Vespasian, – or persevere in thy
folly, and prepare thyself for torments more cruel than those undergone by the
Tribune and his companion.”
“God forbid,” replied
Leontius, “that I should desire to be the friend of any one who is an enemy of
Christ, our God! But Oh, Adrian, if you are willing to listen to my words, I
will show you what lasting treasures and what endless happiness you may secure
for yourself by embracing the doctrines which the Saviour of men came to teach
upon earth.”
“I suppose,” cried the
Governor, interrupting him, “thou wouldst fain teach me to attain to the same
happiness that has but just now fallen to the lot of Hypatius and Theodulus.
Dost thou forget, most wretched man, that they perished like the vilest of traitors?”
“Think you that they
perished, Oh Adrian?” said the soldier. “No, no; they have entered into life;
the true life of peace and bliss. Their struggles here below were soon over –
now they rejoice in the company of the angels and friends of God; and this,
their happiness, they cannot lose forever.”
“Listen, Leontius, to
what I have to say to thee,” said the Governor. “When has it ever been heard
that a person of sound mind chose to bid farewell to the sweet light of day,
and to abandon the worship of Jupiter, Apollo, and the other great gods, that he
might suffer a miserable death? No one has ever been guilty of so foolish an
extravagance – unless, like thy late companions, he had first lost his senses.”
“Your idols are the
inventions of your imagination,” fearlessly answered the Confessor, “and the work
of your own hands. What will you say of the soundness of mind of them that,
knowing what I say is true, still worship those powerless and inanimate
objects, and call upon them for help and guidance?”
Adrian, aware that he was
unable to make a suitable reply to this objection of the Martyr, ordered him to
be stretched upon the ground, and, with his hands and feet bound to four
stakes, to be beaten with clubs; a herald crying out the while: “Thus are they
treated who vilify our gods and disobey our commands.” Seeing, however, that
Leontius bore this punishment without giving any sign of pain, he commanded
that he should be hung up by the hands and his body torn to pieces with iron
hooks. When thus suspended the Martyr, raising his eyes toward heaven, exclaimed.
“Turn not away Thy face
from me, Oh Lord: in Thee I put my trust.”
The Governor, hearing
this, said to the executioners:
“Take him down; for I
know that, when he looks up to heaven, he is praying to the gods that they may
grant him relief.”
“Perish your impure and
abominable gods!” exclaimed Leontius. “What help could they give that are
themselves utterly helpless?”
Adrian then gave orders
that he should be hung up by the feet, with a heavy stone tied to his neck.
When in this position the Martyr prayed aloud:
“Lord Jesus Christ, who
didst enable Thy servants Hypatius and Theodulus generously to confess Thy holy
name, strengthen me also, Thy unworthy and sinful servant, that, after
overcoming the enemy, I may be admitted to their blessed companionship.”
Unwilling to acknowledge
that he was powerless against the fortitude of the heroic sufferer, the
Governor said to him:
“I know, Oh Leontius,
that, after mature deliberation, so brave a man, as thou hast proved thyself
this day, will yet become a friend of the gods.”
Be you the servant of
your demons,” replied the Martyr, “and prepare yourself to become a partaker of
their everlasting misery: it is not in my power to withdraw you from your
folly. But, as I have lived a servant of the Most High, so, with His help, I am
resolved to die.”
Convinced that, for the
present, he could do no more to subdue the brave champion, Adrian sent him to
prison, with orders that on the following day he should be again brought before
him. The servant of God, without allowing himself any rest or refreshment,
spent the whole night in praying and in singing the praises of Him who had
granted him strength and courage to defy the powers of darkness. Early in the
morning he stood again before the Governor, who said to him:
“Didst thou reflect, Oh
Leontius, on what thou shouldst do to promote thy greatest good?”
“I have always
endeavored,” replied the Martyr, “to do what I knew to be my duty; therefore,
also, I have refused to listen to your proposals. Now, I repeat again, that
neither by the fairest promises nor by the direst threats, can you induce me to
renounce the service of Christ, the Son of God, who died for my salvation. Were
it proposed to me that I might live and continue in a condition of bringing
others to a knowledge of Him, I would not reject the offer; but no manner of
death, how cruel soever, shall cause me to waver for an instant in the loving
allegiance which I owe to Him.”
This answer so incensed
Adrian, that he forthwith ordered the Martyr to be most cruelly scourged.
Whilst the executioners were obcying his orders, the Governor cried out:
“Do, Oh Leontius, what I
desire of thee; sacrifice to the gods; for, I swear by them all, if thou obey
me in this, the highest honors and boundless wealth shall be thy reward.”
“Do you imagine,” said
Leontius, “that all the riches of this earth have power to make me a traitor to
my God? or do you think that all the honors of this world can equal the honor
of being loved by Christ, my Saviour? No, Adrian, you are mad; – you know not what
you say.”
The Governor, finding it
impossible to conquer the fearless spirit of the Martyr, pronounced this
sentence: “Leontius, the Christian, who obstinately refuses to sacrifice to the
gods, disobeys our commands. It is our will, that he be fastened to four stakes
and beaten with clubs unto death.” This sentence was at once carried into
effect, and the noble athlete went to receive his crown. The Christians took
possession of the Martyr’s remains and placed them in a monument built near the
harbor of Tripolis.
He suffered on the
eighteenth of June.
MLA
Citation
Father James A M Fastré,
S.J. “Saint Leontius”. The Acts of the Early
Martyrs, 1871. CatholicSaints.Info.
24 July 2022. Web. 18 June 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/the-acts-of-the-early-martyrs-saint-leontius/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/the-acts-of-the-early-martyrs-saint-leontius/
Holy Martyr Leontius
7/1/2013
Leontius was a Roman
commander in Tripoli in Phoenicia during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. He was
born in Hellas (Greece) "of great physical stature, powerful, strong and
brave in battles." Hadrian, the imperial deputy, sent a military
detachment to arrest Leontius, for Hadrian was a fierce adversary and
persecutor of Christians. Hypatius, the senior officer of this detachment,
became ill enroute with a bitter fever because of which the detachment had to
slow down their march. One night an angel of God appeared to Hypatius and said
to him: "If you want to be well, cry out three times toward heaven with
all your soldiers: 'O God of Leontius help me!' " Hypatius informed his
companions of his vision and all in unison cried out as the angel instructed
and immediately Hypatius became well. This miracle astonished all but
especially Theodulus. Hypatius and Theodulus then went ahead of the other
soldiers to seek Commander Leontius. Leontius received them graciously and
served them. When he expounded his faith in Christ to them, their hearts burned
with love for Christ and, at that moment, a bright cloud descended upon
Hypatius and Theodulus and dew from a cloud descended upon them. That was the
Holy Spirit of God Himself baptizing these converted souls and St. Leontius, at
that moment, spoke these words: "In the name of the All-holy Trinity:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit." The evil Hadrian, learning that Hypatius and
Theodulus became Christians, ordered that they be scourged without mercy and
following that to be beheaded with an axe. And so, these two spiritual children
of Leontius died. Then Hadrian prescribed cruel tortures for Leontius but
Leontius remained unwavering in his holy faith. His entire body was covered
with wounds but he diligently prayed to God not to abandon him. In the midst of
the cruelest torments, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, encouraged and
comforted him. Finally, they knocked the martyr Leontius to the ground and beat
him until he gave up his soul to God. The sufferings of St. Leontius was
personally witnessed by Kir Notarius who recorded all that he saw on lead
tablets and placed them in the martyr's grave. St. Leontius suffered honorably
in the year 73 A.D.
SOURCE : http://www.mpc.org.mk/English/Calendar/prologue.asp?id=1530
San Leonzio di
Tripoli Martire
Festa: 18 giugno
Il legionario San
Leonzio, sottoposto in carcere ad atroci supplizi, portò infine a compimento il
suo martirio presso Tripoli in Fenicia. La tradizione lo vuole ucciso insieme
ad altri due compagni, non citati però dal nuovo Martyrologium Romanum.
Martirologio
Romano: A Tripoli in Fenicia, ora in Libano, san Leonzio soldato, che,
sottoposto in carcere ad atroci torture, ottenne la corona dei martiri.
Santi LEONZIO di Tripoli,
PUBLIO, IPAZIO (IPATO)e TEODULO, martiri.
La notorietà di questi santi poggia su fattori diversi: i monumenti di culto
per Leonzio, la testimonianza letteraria per gli altri; di sicura autorità i
primi, di dubbio valore la seconda.
Leonzio di Tripoli è il più celebre martire della Fenicia, uno dei più famosi della Siria e di tutto l'Oriente. Al suo Martyrion accorrevano le folle attirate dai miracoli che vi avvenivano (su antichi testi con racconto di miracoli, cf. Anal. Boll., XV [1896], p. 90; LV [1937], p. 382; testo copto: LXXXII [1964], pp. 336-39), e tra i pellegrini troviamo anche nomi illustri, come quello di s. Melania la giovane nel 417 (BHG, II, p. 109, n. 1241, Vita della santa; il cap. 52 è in Anal. Boll., XXII [1903], pp. 35-36), di s. Pietro Ibero, morto nel 484 (BHO, p. 209, n. 955; Vita del santo, ed. in R. Raabe, Petrus der lberer, Lipsia 1895, pp. 103-104), del « Pellegrino » di Piacenza, tra il 560 ed il 570 (P. Geyer, Itinera Hierosolymitana, Vienna 1898, p. 159). Fu in questa basilica che ricevette il Battesimo, nel 488, Severo d'Antiochia (G. Bardy, in DThC, XIV, col. 1989, con indicazione di fonti), il quale, divenuto in seguito patriarca, dimostrò la sua devozione al santo taumaturgo di Tripoli recitando due omelie a lui dedicate, nel 513 e nel 514, e componendo un inno: il tutto ancora inedito.
Testimonianze posteriori ci informano che il santuario di Tripoli era situato presso il porto, nel suburbio di Kritiria, e che era stato costruito da un Mare o Mauro. Altri santuari dedicati a Leonzio troviamo anche altrove. Nel sobborgo di Dafne, ad Antiochia, nel 507 i cristiani occuparono e saccheggiarono la sinagoga e la sostituirono con una chiesa a lui dedicata (Malalas, Chronogr., XVI, ed. Dindorf, p. 396): sembra che di questo santuario antiocheno sia stata trovata traccia in un pavimento musivo scoperto recentemente (cf. Anal. Boll., LXXIII [1955], p. 237); in esso, comunque, assai probabilmente Severo recitò le sue omelie su Leonzio.
Per Costantinopoli i sinassari ci informano che la festa di Leonzio al 18 giug.
veniva celebrata in due località: nel quartiere del Camaridio e nella chiesa di
S. Leonzio posta presso la Porta della Fonte. A Gerusalemme di una chiesa di S.
Leonzio, situata nella valle di Giosafat, parlano due documenti del sec. IX, e
di una memoria del santo celebrata il 14 nov. nell'Aphthonio, presso il
Getsemani, testimoniano il Calendario Palestino-georgiano del Sinaiticus 34
(Garitte, pp. 104, 384) ed un palinsesto georgiano pubblicato nel 1927 a Tiflis
(cf. Anal. Boll., XLVI [1928], p. 385). Singolarmente numerose ed importanti le
testimonianze di culto a Leonzio in Arabia, tanto nella Traconitide (dove a
Sour un architrave datato al 563 porta un'invocazione al santo: cf. Anal.
Boll., LXVII [1949], p. 104) quanto nello Hauran (dove una chiesa di S. Leonzio
a Doroa è del 565, ed una seconda dei SS. Sergio, Bacco e Leonzio, a Bostra, è
del 512-513: cf. ibid., pp. 104, 106. Per altre iscrizioni su lampade o altri
oggetti con invocazioni al santo cf. ibid., LIX [1941], p. 307; LXX [1952], p.
444; LXXVI [1958], p. 236 [su una pittura a Meskla, nell'isola di Creta]; cf.
ibid. anche XL [1922], p. 40 sul culto di Leonzio in Egitto).
I calendari bizantini ed orientali celebrano Leonzio al 18 giug. (Synax.
Constantinop., coll. 755-56); così pure il Sinassario italo-greco del sec. XIII
(Anal. Boll., XXI [1902], p. 25); il Martirologio di Rabbàn Slìbà (ibid., XXVII
[1908], p. 182); il Calendario Palestino-georgiano (Garitte, pp. 73, 254-55);
il Calendario Greco-slavico (Martinov, cit. in bibl., pp. 154-55), e altri
testi.
Teodoreto di Ciro (m. 458) non esita a qualificare la festa di s. Leonzio tra quelle più solenni del calendario cristiano, una di quelle che sostituiscono vittoriosamente le antiche feste pagane (Graecarum affectionum curatio, VIII, 69, in PG, LXXXIII, col. 1033). Ne tace però il Geronimiano, salvo che non vi alluda in oscure note del 19 marzo, del 22 nov. e del 24 dic. (Comm. Martyr. Hieron., pp. 153, 614, 664). Per altri calendari e menei cf. il prologo dell'Henskens negli Acta SS.
Per le testimonianze letterarie, più antica ed autorevole è quella del citato Severo di Antiochia. « Quel santo — cosi egli dice — non fu trascinato a viva forza davanti al tribunale del giudice, ma vi andò da sé, come di propria volontà. Infatti quando vide condotto a morte il martire Publio che abitava appunto nelle sue vicinanze, gli si fece vicino, l'accompagnò, gli parlò senza timore alcuno non preoccupandosi che di udire il di lui insegnamento, e cosi poco dopo compì il suo certame insieme con lui » (F. Nau, in Anal. Boll., XIX [1900], pp. 11-12). Tutto questo Severo dice d'averlo appreso (nel 488) da un vecchio che era sempre vissuto a Tripoli: il che significa che quella tradizione vi si tramandava già dal principio del sec. V, ai tempi di Melania la giovane.
Questa prima tradizione è poi sviluppata ed arricchita di particolari e di precisazioni da una seconda, che chiameremo orientale, perché rappresentata da una passio siriaca (BHO, p. 126, n. 563) e da una georgiana (ed. nel 1946 dal Kekelidze, Monumenta, II, pp. 62-63). Leonzio è un soldato greco dell'epoca di Diocleziano che presta servizio a Tripoli. Qui è convertito dal monaco Publio, dona ai poveri il suo stipendio militare, dimostra il suo disprezzo per il paganesimo sputando sugli idoli. I sacerdoti denunziano lui e Publio al tribuno Filocrinio e, mentre Leonzio viene semplicemente redarguito, Publio è flagellato ed esiliato ad Emesa, in Siria Apamene. Ma non si rassegna a restare in quella terra di pagani e ritorna al suo monastero; Leonzio, avendo appreso che il suo maestro è ritornato a Tripoli, va a trovarlo e si intrattiene con lui. Di nuovo i sacerdoti pagani li denunziano al giudice Firmiliano: Publio, flagellato e torturato, muore per via mentre è inviato al governatore di Tiro, Eumene, e poco dopo Leonzio, seviziato e bastonato, muore il 18 giug. nella zona detta Kritiria, presso il porto di Tripoli. Una Giovanna lo seppellisce nel suo giardino, ed il marito di lei, Mare o Mauro, che si trovava allora in carcere a Roma, vede in sogno il martire che gli preannunzia la liberazione: per cui, tornato a Tripoli, cura in seguito l'erezione del Martyrion.
Il Nau ritiene questa passio una traduzione di un testo greco (oggi scomparso), sostanzialmente autentico (anche se alquanto approssimativo nell'indicare la data della morte, che sarebbe avvenuta sotto gli imperatori Diocleziano, Massimino e Licinio, i quali in realtà non regnarono insieme): per nostro conto siamo più propensi a considerarla una semplice composizione letteraria di scarso valore, all'infuori che per il particolare del nome del costruttore della basilica; composizione letteraria nata probabilmente in ambiente monastico. Severo, infatti, nell'omelia citata, ci dice che numerosi studenti di diritto a Beyruth, e lui stesso, dopo aver pregato Leonzio si sentirono attratti dal santo a farsi monaci; difatti vicino al santuario di Tripoli vi era un grande monastero (cf. Nau, op. cit., p. 11). È comunque a questa tradizione che si riallaccia l'elogio del Calendario Palestino-georgiano al 18 giug. « Leonzio martire e Publio monaco e martire » (Garitte, p. 73).
Del tutto diversa è una terza tradizione, quella dei testi greci (BHG, II, pp. 55-56, nn. 986-987d, cui bisognerà aggiungere che i testi 986 e 987d sono ora pubblicati in And. Boll, LXXXII [1964], pp. 322-39, e che del n. 986 esiste anche un compendio nel cod. Vat. 821, del sec. XI), ed alla quale si rifanno i sinassari. Secondo questa tradizione, che non sembra anteriore al sec. IX, ricca degli elementi romanzeschi e fantasiosi propri della letteratura agiografica di quest'età (lunghi interrogatori, miracoli ed apparizioni di angeli a iosa, atrocità di tormenti, ecc.), l'epoca del martirio di Leonzio è quella di Vespasiano, ed i suoi soci sono tutti soldati. Per quanto riguarda Ipazio (o Ipato, secondo i sinassari) e Teodulo, gli elementi romanzeschi sono tanti e tali che qualche studioso, giudicando la tradizione greca in sé e per sé, giunse ad esporre dubbi sull'esistenza stessa di L. (F. Gorres, in Zeitschrift fur wissenschaftliche Theologie, XXI [1878], p. 529): eccone comunque il sunto. Anche qui Leonzio è un soldato greco di stanza a Tripoli: cristiano fervente cerca con ogni mezzo di convertire i pagani. Il senatore Adriano incarica il tribuno Ipazio di arrestarlo, ma costui è assalito da una febbre violenta. Una voce celeste lo ammonisce che guarirà solo se invocherà il Dio di Leonzio, il che infatti avviene. Egli allora racconta ai suoi soldati il fatto, ed uno di questi, Teodulo, ne resta colpito. Cosi entrambi si convertono e sono miracolosamente battezzati in una nube di pioggia apparsa alle preghiere di Leonzio. Sono tutti arrestati: Ipazio e Teodulo vengono processati sommariamente e decapitati, per Leonzio invece si moltiplicano interrogatori, tormenti e prigionia (durante la quale lo conforta un angelo), sino a che viene condannato ad essere percosso a morte.
Notiamo che di questa tradizione greca la redazione della BHG, n. 986 si autodefinisce opera dello stesso carceriere di Leonzio, un certo Ciro, mentre la redazione n. 986a termina con lo stesso racconto di Giovanna e di Mare, il che ci assicura che questo Leonzio è lo stesso di cui tratta la tradizione orientale; la redazione n. 987a si conclude con una preghiera per l'imperatore: e questo ci fa sospettare (insieme col particolare dei tre soldati) che il racconto sia stato composto per un ambiente militare, o per dare altri protettori soldati all'esercito bizantino. Ma di dove siano venuti fuori i nomi dei due soci, non è possibile precisare con certezza.
Infine di una terza metamorfosi di Leonzio, per cui da greco sarebbe divenuto arabo, e precisamente quel s. Leonzio l'Arabo di cui parlano fonti egiziane e copte, hanno sospettato il Crum ed il Peeters (cf. Anal. Boll., XXIX [1910], p. 159; LVII [19391, p. 104): ed in verità i monumenti arabi di culto che abbiamo segnalato, potrebbero confermare l'ipotesi. Ma di questo v. alla voce Leonzio l'Arabo nel gruppo Teodoro l'Orientale, Leonzio l'Arabo e Panegyris il persiano (BHO, p. 257. n. 1174).
Autore: Giovanni Lucchesi
