E06680: Hymn in honour of *Ioulianos/Julianus and Basilissa (martyrs of Egypt and/or Antioch, S01341) composed in Latin in Spain possibly in the 7th century.
Creators: name: Mszada
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2018
Subjects: History

description: Hymnodia Hispanica, Hymns 141-142<br> <br>141<br>At its beginning, the hymn proclaims the celebration of the feast of the martyr Julianus and exhorts the people to praise. What follows is the story of Julianus: he was a citizen of Antioch of high birth, he was well-educated, cherished by his parents and distinguished by his good morals (strophe 2, cf. Martyrdom of Julianus and Basilissa 2). When he is eighteen his parents want him to marry in order to produce offspring. Julianus holds a vigil for seven days and seven nights and he receives divine advice that he should marry (strophe 3–4, cf. Martyrdom 3). Julianus then agrees to marry a virgin named Basilissa. Many people come for the wedding and the streets of the city are full of music (strophe 5–7; cf. Martyrdom 5). But when the newlyweds enter the bedroom they both have a vision of Christ, angels and holy virgins which prompts them to make a vow of chastity (strophes 8–11; cf. Martyrdom 6–7). <br><br>Later, after the death of their parents, Julianus and Basilissa found monasteries on their inherited estates (strophes 12–13, cf. Martyrdom 9-10). They have the grace of influencing people through their teaching and are compared to lamps giving light to people (strophes 14–15; cf. Martyrdom 10). Basilissa has a vision of a brilliant column with an inscription which says that she and her virgins have found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God promises Basilissa to fulfil her prayer that all of her virgins will go to heaven, and she dies peacefully (strophe 16; cf. Martyrdom 16–17).<br><br>142<br>Martianus orders the persecution of Christians (strophe 1, cf. Martyrdom of Julianus and Basilissa 19). Julianus is tortured, but one of his torturers loses his sight. Julianus heals and converts him, making of him a future martyr (strophe 2–3, cf. Martyrdom 23). Julianus is further beaten and dragged through the streets where he is seen by the governor's son, Celsius (strophe 3–4, cf. Martyrdom 26–27). Celsius has a gleaming vision in which he sees luminous hosts accompanying and consoling the martyr. He also sees Julianus receiving the crown of the martyr, and three persons with aureoles singing sweetly. Prompted by this vision, Celsius runs to Julianus and converts to Christianity (strophes 5–7, cf. Martyrdom 27, 29). His parents are sad and angry because of the conversion of their son, and the governor orders him to be separated from the martyr, but the person who should have done this is paralysed (strophes 9-10; cf. Martyrdom 33–34). Julianus and Celsius are put in jail and their example converts twenty of the guards (strophe 11-12; cf. Martyrdom 35-36). <br><br>Seven Christian brothers led by magister Antonius (in the Martyrdom he is a presbyter) are encouraged by an angel to go to the jail, where they baptise Celsius and the soldiers; the whole group strives for martyrdom (strophes 13–15; cf. Martyrdom 37). Julianus revives a dead man who gives testimony that he was saved from hell by the martyr's prayers. He converts and is baptised; he accepts a new name Anastasius and is also later martyred with Julianus (strophes 16-19; cf. Martyrdom 41–42). On the next day, huge vats of hot tar and sulphur are prepared for the final punishment of the martyrs. The fire, however, does not harm them. After the miracle, Martianus agrees to a meeting between his son Celsius and his mother, which he promised him if he survived the fire. The mother spends some time with her son and she converts and is baptised (strophes 21–24; cf. Martyrdom 43–52). Later, at the prayer of the martyrs, the temple of the pagan gods collapses (strophe 25; cf. Martyrdom 59). Because of Marcianus' fury many martyrs die, while Julianus and Celsius are scalped and the skin from their heads is thrown to the wild beasts (strophes 25–26; cf. Martyrdom 61). <br><br>Finally, the martyrs are brought to the amphitheatre and there killed by the sword together with some criminals. The martyrs' bodies can be recognised among others because their blood is brightly white (strophe 27–28; cf. Martyrdom 62). At the martyrs' tomb, there is a font of water which produces miracles. The story of the ten lepers who are healed when baptised in the font and the voice from heaven declares that they were healed because of Julianus's faith (strophe 29–30; cf. Martyrdom 62).<br><br>(31) Iamiam, beate martyr, audi supplices,<br>iam, Iuliane, confobeto seruulos<br>et aduocatus martyrum consortio<br>fabe redemptis, languidis iam subueni,<br>155 aduersa pellens et secunda inpertiens.<br>(32) Tui sequaces adprobati seculum<br>discamus omnes moribus contemnere,<br>iram domare, fluxa carnis spernere,<br>nullo tenacis blandimento corporis<br>160 usi polorum perfruamur gaudiis.<br>(33) Nullis grauati criminum contagiis<br>semper supernis concrememur ignibus,<br>semper superna caritate feruidi<br>compunctionis innobemur munere,<br>165 Xristum sequentes prestolemur iudicem<br><br>(34) Dies ut illa cum tremenda uenerit,<br>mundumque terror iudicantis presserit,<br>sponsore sacro te patrono uernulo<br>dextram tenentes euadamus tartara,<br>170 regno potiti uestiamur gloria.<br><br>'(31) O blessed martyr, hear now us who beg you, O Julianus, show favour to your little servants and be an advocate for the redeemed, [so that they join] the community of the martyrs. Help those who are weary, drive away adversities and bestow good fortune.<br><br>(32) Recruited to be followers, let us learn how to despise the world in our conduct—to assuage wrath, defy bodily excitements, so that we, unused to the delights of obstinate flesh, might fully enjoy heavenly pleasures.<br><br>(33) Unburdened of pestilent crimes, let us always burn with heavenly fire, and let us, always fervent with the heavenly love, be renewed by the gift of compunction. Following Christ let us wait for Him as the judge.<br><br>(34) When this tremendous day arrives and the world is gripped by the fear of the judge, because you are our holy patron and compatriot, holding your right hand we will evade hell, and, having reached the kingdom, we will be vested with glory.'<br><br>Strophe 35 is a doxology.<br><br><br>Text: Sánchez 2010, 515-529. Summary and translation M. Szada.