Rev. Alban Butler (171173). Volume I: January. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
SS. Martyrs for the Holy Scriptures
ON the same day are commemorated many holy martyrs, throughout the provinces of the Roman empire; who, when Dioclesian, in 303, commanded the holy scriptures, wherever found, to be burned, chose rather to suffer torments and death than to be accessary to their being destroyed by surrendering them into the hands of the professed enemies of their Author.1
Note 1. See Baron. in annal. et annot. in Martyr. Rom. Eus. l. 8. c. 2. H. Vales. not. ib. p. 163. Ruinart, in Acta SS. Saturn, &c. and S. Felicis. Fleury Murs des Chrét. p. 45. Tillem. Pers. de Diocl. art. 10. t. 5. Lactant. de mort. Pers. c. 15 et 18, cum not. Baluz. &c. [back]