The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity

from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world

Name

Cantius, Cantianus and Cantianilla, martyrs of Aquileia

Saint ID

S01552

Number in BH

BHL 1543-1547

Reported Death Not Before

285

Reported Death Not After

305

Gender

Male
Female

Type of Saint

Martyrs, Groups and pairs of saints

Related Evidence Records

ID	Title
E03221	The Latin Martyrdom of Cantius, Cantianus and Cantianilla (martyrs of Aquileia, S01552) narrates how the saints, born in Rome and instructed by Protus, flee Diocletian and Maximian’s persecution to their estates in Aquileia; here they are arrested and beheaded, and their bodies buried by the priest Zoilus; an epilogue found in variant versions adds that Zoilus, who raised the virgins Agape, Chionia and Irene (presumably the martyrs of Thessalonike, S00206), has a vision telling him of their martyrdom; it also adds that the sisters pray at the martyrs’ tomb with *Anastasia (martyr of Sirmium and Rome, S00602) before Zoilus dies. Written presumably in Aquileia, at an uncertain date between the 5th and the 9th centuries.
E04851	The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 14 June.
E04852	The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 15 June.
E04854	The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 17 June.
E05323	Maximus of Turin preaches a sermon (Sermon 15) for the feast of *Cantius, Cantianus and Cantianilla (martyrs of Aquileia, S01552). Delivered in Latin in Turin (northern Italy), between c. 397 and 408/423.
E06878	Pope Pelagius I, in a letter of 558/561 to Bishop Eleutherius (of Syracuse), authorises the consecration of an oratory in honour of a 'martyr Cantiana' (just possibly *Cantianilla, martyr of Aquileia, S01552), on an estate named 'Pancellus', in the diocese of Syracuse (Sicily). Written in Latin in Rome.
E08349	Venantius Fortunatus writes the Life of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050). It is an adaptation in epic verse of the Life of Martin and of books 2 and 3 of the Dialogues of Sulpicius Severus; in a final envoi, the book travels from Poitiers to Fortunatus' home city of Ravenna, stopping at the shrines of many saints along the way. Written in Latin, in Poitiers (western Gaul), between 573 and 576. Overview entry.
E08488	Venantius Fortunatus, at the end of his verse Life of St Martin (4.658-60), sends the personified book on a pilgrimage, from Poitiers to the poet's home city of Ravenna, venerating various saints along the way; its seventh such stop is at Aquileia (northern Italy), where it can meet the city's martyrs: the 'Cantiani' (Cantius, Cantianus and Cantianilla, martyrs of Aquileia, S01552) and Fortunatus (brother of Felix and martyr of Aquileia, S01164). Written in Latin in Poitiers (north-west Gaul), 573/576.