SS. SERGIUS AND BACCHUS, MM.

THESE two glorious martyrs are mentioned with great distinction by Theodoret, John Mosch in the Spiritual Meadow, Evagrius, St. Gregory of Tours, Bede, and other ancient Martyrologists. They were illustrious officers in the army, and suffered with great constancy cruel torments and a glorious death under Maximian: the theatre of their triumph was Rasaphe in Syria, in the diocese of Hierapolis. Their tomb at Rasaphe was famous for miracles in the year 431,1 when Alexander, bishop of Hierapolis, built there a stately church in their honor. Out of respect for their relics, Justinian caused this town to be fortified, called it Sergiopolis, and made it the metropolis of the province. He also built many churches in their honor in several provinces of the East. They are the titular saints of a church in Rome, which has been famous at least ever since the seventh century, as appears from Anastasius; nevertheless, no authentic acts of their martyrdom have reached us. Two other churches in Rome Lear their name: one called ad montes belongs to the Russian college, and possesses a portion of their relics brought from Syria in the crusades: as does the cathedral of St. Vitus at Prague, by the gift of the emperor Charles IV., in 1354. See Tillemont, t. 5, p. 491.