Telemachus - Revision history

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Saint '''Telemachus''', also '''Almachius''' (†404 AD) was an [[Asceticism|ascetic]] who came to Rome from the East and was [[martyr|martyred]] by stoning after trying to stop a gladiator fight in a Roman amphitheatre.<ref group="note">Although the site of Telemachus' martyrdom is often given as being the [[w:Colosseum|Colosseum]] in Rome, [[w:Theodoret|Theodoret]] does not actually specify where it happened, saying merely that it happened in "the stadium".</ref> The Christian Emperor [[w:Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]] was impressed by the monk's martyrdom and took the occassion to issue an historic ban on all gladiator fights.<ref group="note">The last known gladiator fight in Rome was on [[January 1]], 404 AD, so this is usually given as the date of Telemachus' martyrdom.</ref>

The story is found in the writings of [[w:Theodoret|Theodoret of Cyrus]], Bishop of [[w:Cyrrhus|Cyrrhus]], Syria,<ref name=THEODORET>[[w:Theodoret|Theodoret of Cyrus]]. ''[http://dcoi.org/03d/0393-0466,_Theodoretus_Cyrrhi_Episcopus,_Historia_ecclesiastica_%5BSchaff%5D,_EN.pdf Chapter XXVI.—Of Honorius the emperor and Telemachus the monk].'' '''The Ecclesiastical History. Book V: Chapter XXVI.''' In: Philip Schaff (1819-1893) (Ed.). NPNF (V2-03). p.264.</ref> and is further mentioned in the martyrologies of [[Bede]], [[w:Ado (archbishop)|Ado]], and [[w:Martyrology of Usuard|Usuard]], which add that St. Almachius was put to death at Rome for boldly opposing the pagan rites that were practiced on the [[Circumcision of our Lord|Octave of our Lord’s nativity]]."<ref>Rev. [[w:Alban Butler|Alban Butler]] (1711–73). ''[http://www.bartleby.com/210/1/014.html St. Almachus, or Telemachus, Martyr].'' The Lives of the Saints. Volume I: January. 1866. (Bartleby.com).</ref> Telemachus' [[feast day]] is observed on [[January 1]] / January 14.<ref>[http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdjan.htm January 1]. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.</ref><ref>[http://www.breviary.net/martyrology/mart01/mart0101.htm January 1]. The Roman Martyrology.</ref>

==Account in Theodoret==
Theodoret's account of St. Telemachus' martyrdom is as follows:
<blockquote>"Chapter XXVI — Of [[w:Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]] the emperor and Telemachus the monk.<br>
Honorius, who inherited the empire of Europe, put a stop to the gladiatorial combats which had long been held at Rome. The occasion of his doing so arose from the following circumstance. A certain man of the name of Telemachus had embraced the [[Asceticism|ascetic]] life. He had set out from the East and for this reason had repaired to Rome. There, when the abominable spectacle was being exhibited, he went himself into the stadium, and, stepping down into the arena, endeavoured to stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another. The spectators of the slaughter were indignant, and inspired by the mad fury of the demon who delights in those [[Blood in the Bible|blood]]y deeds, stoned the peacemaker to death. When the admirable emperor was informed of this he numbered Telemachus in the array of victorious [[martyr]]s, and put an end to that impious spectacle."<ref name="THEODORET"/></blockquote>

==Later Versions==
Later retellings of the story have differed from Theodoret's in a number of details. [[w:Foxe's Book of Martyrs|Foxe's Book of Martyrs]] claims that Telemachus was first stabbed to death by a gladiator, but that the sight of his death "turned the hearts of the people".<ref>John Fox, (Ed. William Byron Forbush). ''"[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/foxe/martyrs/files/fox103.htm The Last Roman "Triumph"]".'' '''Fox's Book of Martyrs.''' Retrieved 2011-12-07.</ref>

In the version of the story told by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, the entire crowd left in silence.<ref>Reagan, Ronald (1984-02-02). ''"[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/20284a.htm Remarks at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast]".'' Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Retrieved 2011-12-07.</ref>

There is also an alternate form of the story, in which Telemachus stood up in the amphitheatre and told the assembly to stop worshiping idols and offering sacrifices to the gods. Upon hearing this statement, the prefect of the city is said to have ordered the gladiators to kill Telemachus, and they promptly did so.<ref group="note">According to the [[w:Roman Martyrology|Roman Martyrology]]:<br>
:"At Rome, St. Almachius, martyr, who, by the command of Alipius, governor of the city, was killed by the gladiators for saying, '' 'Today is the [[Circumcision of our Lord|Octave of our Lord's birth]]; put an end to the worship of idols, and abstain from unclean sacrifices.'"''</ref>

==Notes==
<references group="note" />

==References==
<div><references/></div>

==Sources==
* [http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdjan.htm January 1]. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
'''Primary Source'''
*[[w:Theodoret|Theodoret of Cyrus]]. ''[http://dcoi.org/03d/0393-0466,_Theodoretus_Cyrrhi_Episcopus,_Historia_ecclesiastica_%5BSchaff%5D,_EN.pdf Chapter XXVI.—Of Honorius the emperor and Telemachus the monk].'' '''The Ecclesiastical History. Book V: Chapter XXVI.''' In: Philip Schaff (1819-1893) (Ed.). NPNF (V2-03). p.264.
'''Wikipedia'''
* [[w:Saint Telemachus|Saint Telemachus]]
* [[w:Almachius|Almachius]]
'''Non-Orthodox'''
* [http://www.breviary.net/martyrology/mart01/mart0101.htm January 1]. The Roman Martyrology.
* Rev. [[w:Alban Butler|Alban Butler]] (1711–73). ''[http://www.bartleby.com/210/1/014.html St. Almachus, or Telemachus, Martyr].'' The Lives of the Saints. Volume I: January. 1866. (Bartleby.com).
* Monk Preston. ''[http://prayerfoundation.org/favoritemonks/favorite_monks_telemachus_coliseum.htm Telemachus: The Monk Who Ended the Coliseum Games].'' The Prayer Foundation. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
* Fr. Robert F. McNamara. ''[http://www.irondequoitcatholic.org/index.php/St/Almachius St. Almachius].'' Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish. Retrieved 2011-12-07.

[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Pre-Schism Western Saints]]

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← Older revision		Revision as of 02:25, January 4, 2012
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−	Saint '''Telemachus''', also '''Almachius''' (†404 AD) was an [[Asceticism\|ascetic]] who came to Rome from the East and was [[martyr\|martyred]] by stoning after trying to stop a gladiator fight in a Roman amphitheatre.<ref group="note">Although the site of Telemachus' martyrdom is often given as being the [[w:Colosseum\|Colosseum]] in Rome, [[w:Theodoret\|Theodoret]] does not actually specify where it happened, saying merely that it happened in "the stadium".</ref> The Christian Emperor [[w:Honorius ~~(emperor)~~\|Honorius]] was impressed by the monk's martyrdom and took the occassion to issue an historic ban on all gladiator fights.<ref group="note">The last known gladiator fight in Rome was on [[January 1]], 404 AD, so this is usually given as the date of Telemachus' martyrdom.</ref>	+	Saint '''Telemachus''', also '''Almachius''' (†404 AD) was an [[Asceticism\|ascetic]] who came to Rome from the East and was [[martyr\|martyred]] by stoning after trying to stop a gladiator fight in a Roman amphitheatre.<ref group="note">Although the site of Telemachus' martyrdom is often given as being the [[w:Colosseum\|Colosseum]] in Rome, [[w:Theodoret\|Theodoret]] does not actually specify where it happened, saying merely that it happened in "the stadium".</ref> The Christian Emperor [[Honorius I of Rome\|Honorius]] was impressed by the monk's martyrdom and took the occassion to issue an historic ban on all gladiator fights.<ref group="note">The last known gladiator fight in Rome was on [[January 1]], 404 AD, so this is usually given as the date of Telemachus' martyrdom.</ref>

	The story is found in the writings of [[w:Theodoret\|Theodoret of Cyrus]], Bishop of [[w:Cyrrhus\|Cyrrhus]], Syria,<ref name=THEODORET>[[w:Theodoret\|Theodoret of Cyrus]]. ''[http://dcoi.org/03d/0393-0466,_Theodoretus_Cyrrhi_Episcopus,_Historia_ecclesiastica_%5BSchaff%5D,_EN.pdf Chapter XXVI.—Of Honorius the emperor and Telemachus the monk].'' '''The Ecclesiastical History. Book V: Chapter XXVI.''' In: Philip Schaff (1819-1893) (Ed.). NPNF (V2-03). p.264.</ref> and is further mentioned in the martyrologies of [[Bede]], [[w:Ado (archbishop)\|Ado]], and [[w:Martyrology of Usuard\|Usuard]], which add that St. Almachius was put to death at Rome for boldly opposing the pagan rites that were practiced on the [[Circumcision of our Lord\|Octave of our Lord’s nativity]]."<ref>Rev. [[w:Alban Butler\|Alban Butler]] (1711–73). ''[http://www.bartleby.com/210/1/014.html St. Almachus, or Telemachus, Martyr].'' The Lives of the Saints. Volume I: January. 1866. (Bartleby.com).</ref> Telemachus' [[feast day]] is observed on [[January 1]] / January 14.<ref>[http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdjan.htm January 1]. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.</ref><ref>[http://www.breviary.net/martyrology/mart01/mart0101.htm January 1]. The Roman Martyrology.</ref>		The story is found in the writings of [[w:Theodoret\|Theodoret of Cyrus]], Bishop of [[w:Cyrrhus\|Cyrrhus]], Syria,<ref name=THEODORET>[[w:Theodoret\|Theodoret of Cyrus]]. ''[http://dcoi.org/03d/0393-0466,_Theodoretus_Cyrrhi_Episcopus,_Historia_ecclesiastica_%5BSchaff%5D,_EN.pdf Chapter XXVI.—Of Honorius the emperor and Telemachus the monk].'' '''The Ecclesiastical History. Book V: Chapter XXVI.''' In: Philip Schaff (1819-1893) (Ed.). NPNF (V2-03). p.264.</ref> and is further mentioned in the martyrologies of [[Bede]], [[w:Ado (archbishop)\|Ado]], and [[w:Martyrology of Usuard\|Usuard]], which add that St. Almachius was put to death at Rome for boldly opposing the pagan rites that were practiced on the [[Circumcision of our Lord\|Octave of our Lord’s nativity]]."<ref>Rev. [[w:Alban Butler\|Alban Butler]] (1711–73). ''[http://www.bartleby.com/210/1/014.html St. Almachus, or Telemachus, Martyr].'' The Lives of the Saints. Volume I: January. 1866. (Bartleby.com).</ref> Telemachus' [[feast day]] is observed on [[January 1]] / January 14.<ref>[http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdjan.htm January 1]. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.</ref><ref>[http://www.breviary.net/martyrology/mart01/mart0101.htm January 1]. The Roman Martyrology.</ref>

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Account in Theodoret==
 Theodoret's account of St. Telemachus' martyrdom is as follows:
-<blockquote>"Chapter XXVI — Of [[Honorius I of Rome|Honorius]] the emperor and Telemachus the monk.<br>
+<blockquote>"Chapter XXVI — Of [[w:Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]] the emperor and Telemachus the monk.<br>
 Honorius, who inherited the empire of Europe, put a stop to the gladiatorial combats which had long been held at Rome. The occasion of his doing so arose from the following circumstance. A certain man of the name of Telemachus had embraced the [[Asceticism|ascetic]] life. He had set out from the East and for this reason had repaired to Rome. There, when the abominable spectacle was being exhibited, he went himself into the stadium, and, stepping down into the arena, endeavoured to stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another. The spectators of the slaughter were indignant, and inspired by the mad fury of the demon who delights in those [[Blood in the Bible|blood]]y deeds, stoned the peacemaker to death. When the admirable emperor was informed of this he numbered Telemachus in the array of victorious [[martyr]]s, and put an end to that impious spectacle."<ref name="THEODORET"/></blockquote>

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ==Later Versions==
-Later retellings of the story have differed from Theodoret's in a number of details. [[w:Foxe's Book of Martyrs|Foxe's Book of Martyrs]] claims that Telemachus was first stabbed to death by a gladiator, but that the sight of his death "turned the hearts of the people".<ref>John Fox, (Ed. William Byron Forbush). ''"[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/foxe/martyrs/files/fox103.htm The Last Roman "Triumph"]".'' '''Fox's Book of Martyrs.''' Retrieved 2011-12-07.</ref>
+There is an alternate form of the story, in which Telemachus stood up in the amphitheatre and told the assembly to stop worshiping idols and offering sacrifices to the gods. Upon hearing this statement, the prefect of the city is said to have ordered the gladiators to kill Telemachus, and they promptly did so. The entry in the [[w:Roman Martyrology|Roman Martyrology]] reads:<br>
-In the version of the story told by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, the entire crowd left in silence.<ref>Reagan, Ronald (1984-02-02). ''"[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/20284a.htm Remarks at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast]".'' Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Retrieved 2011-12-07.</ref>
+Later retellings of the story have differed from Theodoret's in a number of details. [[w:Foxe's Book of Martyrs|Foxe's Book of Martyrs]] claims that Telemachus was first stabbed to death by a gladiator, but that the sight of his death "turned the hearts of the people".<ref>John Fox, (Ed. William Byron Forbush). ''"[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/foxe/martyrs/files/fox103.htm The Last Roman "Triumph"]".'' '''Fox's Book of Martyrs.''' Retrieved 2011-12-07.</ref> In the version of the story told by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, the entire crowd left in silence.<ref>Reagan, Ronald (1984-02-02). ''"[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/20284a.htm Remarks at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast]".'' Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Retrieved 2011-12-07.</ref>
 ==Notes==