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ER 1832
Anthimus, a presbyter from Asia Minor, heals and converts the proconsul of Asia, Pinianus. Pinianus returns to Rome with Anthimus and other Christians. They are nevertheless persecuted and some of them die. Anthimus hides near Rome on the via Salaria. He heals and converts a peasant possessed by a demon during a sacrifice to god Silvanus (the story is said to take place during the reign of Diocletian, AD 303/305). The Martyrdom of the Presbyter Anthimius and his companions, probably the 8th c.
Lucina, a daughter of Sergius Terentianus, senator, and Plutina/Protina, grandaughter of the emperor Gallienus, marries Faltonius Pinanus who takes up the proconsulship of Asia. Their advisor Chaeremon persecutes and kills Christians, but later is possessed by the devil and dies. Because of these things, Pinianus fells ill. Lucina seeks the Christians who are in prison and orders them to be brought to her - among them is the Presbyter Anthimius and the Deacon Sisinius. Anthimus recommends that Pinianus become a Christian. Anthimus and Sisinius go to the dying Pinianus, instruct him about the faith and lay their hands over Pinianus to heal him. They pray and Pinianus is healed. Later he is baptized with his wife and the entire household. Pinianus realeses the persecuted Christians from mines, workhouses and prisons and helps them to return home. Pinianus returns to Rome together with some of the Christians, and donates a property in Osimo to Sisinius, Diocletianus and Florentius. The pagans from Osimo try to force the three to sacrifice to the pagan gods, they refuse and are stoned to death.
 
II (7) Anthimus autem presbyter non longe ab urbe Roma, milliario vicesimo secundo in via Salaria, circa Piniani praedia latitabat. Contigit autem ut dum Silvano suo rustici sacrificarent, ipso qui auctor erat sacrificantium, diaboli arreptus furore, omnes qui ei occurrissent gladio transverberaret. Cumque omnes fugerent, annuntiatum est Anthimo quod jam multos occidisset, et furens a diabolo percuteret omnes qui ei occurrere potuissent. Qui orans et commendans se Deo, occurrit ei, et dixit: In nomine Domini Dei mei Jesu Christi, sta vinctus catenis spiritualibus; et projice gladium, quem ad interfectionem hominum assumpsisti. Ad hanc vocem stetit, fecit: statimque tenuit eum Anthimum presbyter, et ducit eum ad habitaculum suum, jejuniis et orationibus vacans infra tres dies, ita ut eum menti suae restitueret, et etiam Christianum efficeret: qui cum uxore et filiis suis Domino Jesu Chrsito credidit, quin etiam multos converti fecit et credere, ita ut lucum ipsum Silvani igne combureret, reddens ei hanc vicem quod ei tale daemonium immisisset, per quod homines innoxios jugularet.
 
(Acta Sanctorum, Mai, II, 614-616; summary M. Szada)
Lucina, a daughter of Sergius Terentianus, senator, and Plutina/Protina, grandaughter of the emperor Gallienus, marries Faltonius Pinanus who takes up the proconsulship of Asia. Their advisor Chaeremon persecutes and kills Christians, but later is possessed by the devil and dies. Because of these things, Pinianus fells ill. Lucina seeks the Christians who are in prison and orders them to be brought to her - among them is the Presbyter Anthimus and the Deacon Sisinius. Anthimus recommends that Pinianus become a Christian. Anthimus and Sisinius go to the dying Pinianus, instruct him about the faith and lay their hands over Pinianus to heal him. They pray and Pinianus is healed. Later he is baptized with his wife and the entire household. Pinianus realeses the persecuted Christians from mines, workhouses and prisons and helps them to return home. Pinianus returns to Rome together with some of the Christians, and donates a property in Osimo to Sisinius, Diocletianus and Florentius. The pagans from Osimo try to force the three to sacrifice to the pagan gods, they refuse and are stoned to death.
 
II (7) The Presbyter Anthimus hid not far from the city of Rome, at the 22. mile stone on the via Salaria, near the property of Pinianus. It happened then that when peasants were making sacrifices to Silvanus, the one who was presiding over sacrifices was possessed by the fury of the devil, and he pierced through with the sword every person that stood on his way. When all the people were running away, it was announced to Anthimus that he had already killed many and made mad by the devil attacked every person he met. Anthimus prayed to God and entrusted himself to Him, went to meet the possessed and said: "In the name of the Lord, my God, Jesus Christ, be bound by the spiritual binds; throw away the sword which you took up to kill people." At these words he stopped and did [what he was told]. At once, the Presbyter Anthimus took him and led to his hideout. He fasted and prayed for three days in order to give him back the sanity of mind and made him a Christian. He believed in the Lord Jesus Christ together with his wife and children, and moreover made many others to convert and believe so that he himself burnt the shrine of Silvanus taking revenge for what had been done to him by this demon because of whom he killed innocent people.
 
(trans. M. Szada)

Place of event:

Region
  • Rome
City
  • Rome

About the source:

Title: Martyrdom of Anthimus and Companions, Acta s. Anthimi et sociorum martyrum, Passio Anthimi et sociorum
Origin: Rome (Rome)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
The Martyrdom of Anthimus and Companions is the anonymous text composed in Italy focusing on the cult of these martyrs which developped along the via Salaria and Osimo. The text was dated to the 5th or 6th century but more recently it was convincingly claimed that it should be rather dated to the 8th century. For the details and bibliography see Pignot 2017.
Edition:
BHL 561:
Acta Sanctorum, Mai., II, 614-616; Mara, M.G., I martiri della via Salaria (Rome, 1964), 54-83 (also provides an Italian translation).
Bibliography:
Matthieu Pignot, Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity, E02483 E02483, 2017

Categories:

Non-Latin Origin - Greek
Social origin or status - Peasants
Travel and change of residence
Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
Fame of sanctity
Ritual activity - Baptism and instructing catechumens
Ritual activity - Imposition of hands
Ritual activity - Exorcism
Relation with - Secular authority
Relation with - Noble
Conflict - Violence
Administration of justice - Imprisonment
Relation with - Pagan
Devotion - Fasting
Pastoral activity - Teaching
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1832, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1832
Record by: Marta Szada
last edited: 2019-12-08 13:52:18
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