The Presence of God

Ἐγγὺς Κύριος τοῖς συντετριμμένοις τὴν καρδίαν, καὶ τοὺς ταπεινοὺς τῷ πνεύματι σώσει.   Τῇ ἑαυτοῦ ἀγαθότητι πᾶσιν ἐγγίζει· μακρύνομεν δὲ ἑαυτοὺς ἡμεῖς διὰ τῆς ἁμαρτίας. Ἰδοὺ γὰρ, φησὶν, οἱ μακρύνοντες ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ σοῦ, ἀπολοῦνται. Διὰ τοῦτο Μωϋσῆς ἐγγίζειν λέγεται τῷ Θεῷ· καὶ εἴ τις ἄλλος παραπλήσιος ἐκείνῳ, δι' ἀνδραγαθήματα καὶ πράξεις ἀγαθὰς ἐγγὺς γίνεται τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἄντικρυς δὲ προφητείαν ἔχει ὁ λόγος τῆς ἐπιδημίας τοῦ Κυρίου, καὶ σύμφωνος τῳ προάγοντι. Ἐκεῖ μὲν γὰρ ἐλέγετο· Πρόσωπον Κυρίου ἐπὶ ποιοῦντας κακά· τουτέστιν, ἡ ἐπιφάνεια αὐτοῦ κατὰ τὴν κρίσιν ἐπὶ ἀφανισμῷ πάσης πονηρίας γενήσεται· ἐνταῦθα δὲ, Ἐγγὺς ὁ Κύριος τοῖς συντετριμμένοις τὴν καρδίαν, την ἐπιδημίαν τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου τὴν ἐν σαρκὶ προαγέλλει, ἐγγιζουσαν ἤδη, καὶ οὐ μακρὰν ἀφεστηκυῖαν. Ἅγιος Βασίλειος ὁ Μέγας, Ὁμιλία Ἐις Τους Ψαλμούς, Ψαλμός ΛΓ’

The Lord is near to those who are contrite in heart and the humble of spirit he saves. By his own goodness He is near to everyone but we withdraw ourselves by sin. 'Behold, he said, 'He who makes himself distant from You, he perishes.' Whence Moses drew near to speak to God, and if someone else is similar to him, through brave deeds and good acts, he may be near to God. Openly the prophetic message proclaims the presence of the Lord, and it agrees with what has been said, for it says 'The face of the Lord is over those who do evil.' That is, in the sight of His judgement every wickedness shall be destroyed. But here: 'Near is the Lord to those who are contrite in heart.'  Here is the coming of the Lord in the flesh heralded, and already it is coming closer and it is not far off. Saint Basil of Caeserea, Homilies on the Psalms, Psalm 33

The Death of the Soul

Διά τοῦτό φησιν ἡ Γραφὴ, κατ' εἰκόνα Θεοῦ γεγενῆσθαι τὸν ἄνθρωπον· ὡς ἄν, οἶμαι, τῷ ὁμοίῳ Βλέπειν τὸ ὅμοιον. Τὸ δὲ βλέπειν τὸν Θεὸν, ἐστὶν ἡ ζωὴ τῆς ψυχῆς, καθὼς ἐν τοῖς φθάσασιν εἴρηται. Ἐπεὶ δέ πως ἡ τοῦ ἀληθῶς ἀγαθοῦ ἄγνοια καθάπερ τις ὁμίχλη τῷ διπατικῳ τῆς ψυχῆς ἐπεσκότησεν, παχυνθεῖσα δὲ ἡ ὁμίχλη νέφος ἐγένετο, ὥστε διὰ τοῦ βάθους τῆς ἀγνοίας, τὴν ἀκτῖνα τῆς ἀληθείας μὴ διαδύεσθαι· ἀναγκαίως τῷ χωρισμῷ τοῦ φωτὸς καὶ ἡ ζωη αὐτῆς συνεξέλιπεν. Εἰρηται γὰρ τὴν ἀληθῆ ζωὴν τῆς ψυχῆς ἐν τῇ μετουσίᾳ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ ἐνεργεῖσθαι, τῆς δὲ ἀγνοίας πρὸς τὴν θείαν κατανόησιν ἐμποδιζούσης ἐκπεσεῖν τῆς ζωῆς τὴν ψυχὴν τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ μὴ μετέχουσαν. Ἅγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης, Περι Των Νυπιων

Thus when Scripture says that man was made in the image of God, 1 it was so, I think, that like might be able to see like. To see God is the life of the soul, as was said previously. But as ignorance of the true good is like a mist obscuring the perception of the soul, and that as the mist thickens a cloud is formed so that through the depth of ignorance the ray of truth cannot pierce, so it is that with the removal of the light the life of the soul departs; for it has been said that the true life of the soul is in the activity of the partaking of the Good, but when ignorance impedes the apprehension of the Divine, the life of the soul, not partaking of God, perishes. Saint Gregory of Nyssa, On Infants 1 Gen 1.26

The Death of a Sister

Αὐτῇ μεν ουν ὑπογυιον τὸ τῆς καὺαρσεως καὶ τελειώσεως ἧν ἀγαθον, ἧν κοινὴν δωπρεὰν, καὶ δευτέρου Βίου κρηπῖδα παρὰ Θεοῦ παντες λαβόντες ἔχομεν. Μᾶλλον δὲ πᾶς ὁ βίος κάθαρσις ἧν αὐτῇ καὶ τελείωσις· καὶ τὸ μὲν τῆς ἀναγεννήσεως εἴχεν ἐκ τοῦ Πνευματος, τὸ δ' ἀσπαλες ταύτης ἐκ τῶν προβεβιωμένων. Καὶ μόνῃ σχεδὸν, ἵν' εἴπω τολμαήσας, σφραγὶς, ἀλλ' οὐ χάρισμα ἧν τὸ μυστήριον. Ἐν δὲ τοῖς πᾶσι προστεθῆναι ζητοῦσα τὴν ἀνδρὸς τελείωσιν, βούλεσθε γραψω τὸν ἄνδρα συντόμως; ἀνδρὸς ἐκείνης, καὶ οὐκ οἴδ' ὅ τι χρὴ πλέον εἰπεῖν, ἵν' ὁλῳ τῷ σώματι Θεῷ καθιερωθῇ, καὶ μὴ ἐξ ἡμιτείας ἀπέλθῃ τετελεσμένη, μηδ' ὑπολείπηταί τι τῶν ἑαυτῆς ἀτελὲς, οὐδὲ ταύτης διαμαρτάνει τῆς δεήσεως παρὰ τοῦ θέλημα τῶν φοβουμένων αὐτὸν ποιοῦντος, καὶ εἰς πέρας ἄγοντος τὰ αἰτήματα. Ὡς δὲ ἄπαντα εἴχεν αὐτῇ κατὰ νοῦν, καὶ οὐδὲν ἐνέδει τῶν ποθουμένων, καὶ ἡ κυρία πλησίον, οὕτως ἢδε τῷ θανάτῳ συσκευάζεται καὶ τῃ ἐκδημιᾳ, καὶ πληροῖ τὸν περὶ ταῦτα νόμον διὰ τῆς κατακλίσεως. Ἐπισκήψασα δὲ καὶ ἀνδρὶ, καὶ τεκνοις, καὶ φίλοις, ὅσα εἰκὸς τὴν φίλανδρον, καὶ φιλότεκνον, καὶ φιλάδελφον, καὶ λαμπρῶς περὶ τῶν ἐκεῖθεν φιλοσοφήσασα, καὶ πανηγύρεως ἡμέραν ποιησαμένη τὴν τελευταίαν, κοιμᾶται, πλήρης μὲν οὐ τῶν κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ἡμερῶν, ὅ τι μηδὲ συνηύχετο, ταύτας ἑαυτῇ πονηρὰς εἰδυῖα, καὶ τὰ πολλὰ μετὰ τοῦ χοὸς καὶ τῆς πλάνης, τῶν δὲ κατὰ Θεὸν καὶ λίαν πλήρης, ὡς οὐκ οἶδ' εἴ τις ῥᾳδίως τῶν ἐν πλουσίᾳ τῇ πολιᾷ καταλυσάντων, καὶ πολλὰς ἐτῶν περιόδους ἀριθμησάντων. Οὕτως ἐκείνη λύεται, ἤ προσλαμβάνεται, κρεῖσσον εἰπεῖν, ἤ ἀφίπταται, ἤ μετοικίζεται, ἤ μικρον προαποδημεῖ τοῦ σώματος. Ἅγιος Γρηγόριος ὁ Ναζιανζηνός, Λόγος Η’

She had very recently obtained the good of cleansing and perfection, which common gift, foundation of the second life, we have all received from God. But it would be better to say that all her life was to her a cleansing and perfecting, and while she received the regeneration of the Spirit, its security was hers by reason of her previous life. And to her almost alone, I would dare to say, the mystery was a seal rather than a grace. Then the perfection of her husband was her remaining wish so that in her whole body she might be consecrated to God and not depart half-perfected or leave behind imperfect anything that was hers, and if you ask me to summarise the man, I do not know what more to say of him than he was her husband; and she did not even fail in this plea to Him Who fulfills the desire of those who fear Him, He who realises their requests. And now when she had all things to put her mind at rest and nothing was lacking of her desires and the fateful time drew near, being thus prepared for death and departure, she obeyed the law which prevails in such matters and took to bed. Having given commands to her husband, her children and her friends, since she was a lover of her husband, her children and her friends, and after having philosophised among them, and after making her last day a day of celebration, she fell asleep, not full of the days of man, for which she had no desire, knowing them to be wicked for her, greatly occupied with our dust and our wandering, but rather more full of the things of God, more so, I think, than any one who has departed in an abundance of hoary hairs and has numbered many terms of years. Thus she was released, or, it is better to say, taken up, or flew away, or changed her abode, or went away before her body. Saint Gregory Nazianzus, Oration 8

The Burial of the Dead

Profecto etiam provisus sepeliendis corporibus apud memorias sanctorum locus, bonae affectionis humanae est erga funera suorum: quoniam si nonnulla religio est ut sepeliantur, non potest nulla esse quando ubi sepeliantur attenditur. Sed cum talia vivorum solatia requiruntur, quibus eorum pius in suos animus appareat, non video quae sunt adiumenta mortuorum, nisi ad hoc ut dum recolunt ubi sint posita eorum quos diligunt corpora, eisdem sanctis illos tamquam patronis susceptos apud Dominum adiuvandos orando commendent. Quod quidem facere possent, etiamsi talibus locis eos humare non possent. Sed non ob aliud vel Memoriae vel Monumenta dicuntur ea quae insignita fiunt sepulcra mortuorum, nisi quia eos qui viventium oculis morte subtracti sunt, ne oblivione etiam cordibus subtrahantur, in memoriam revocant, et admonendo faciunt cogitari: nam et Memoriae nomen id apertissime ostendit, et Monumentum eo quod moneat mentem, id est, admoneat, nuncupatur. Propter quod et Graeci vocant, quod nos Memoriam seu Monumentum appellamus; quoniam lingua eorum memoria ipsa qua meminimus dicitur. Cum itaque recolit animus ubi sepultum sit carissimi corpus, et occurrit locus nomine martyris venerabilis, eidem martyri animam dilectam commendat recordantis et precantis affectus. Qui cum defunctis a fidelibus carissimis exhibetur, eum prodesse non dubium est iis qui cum in corpore viverent, talia sibi post hanc vitam prodesse meruerunt. Verum et si aliqua necessitas vel humari corpora, vel in talibus locis humari nulla data facultate permittat, non sunt praetermittendae supplicationes pro spiritibus mortuorum: quas faciendas pro omnibus in christiana et catholica societate defunctis etiam tacitis nominibus eorum sub generali commemoratione suscepit Ecclesia; ut quibus ad ista desunt parentes, aut filii, aut quicumque cognati vel amici, ab una eis exhibeantur pia matre communi. Si autem deessent istae supplicationes, quae fiunt recta fide ac pietate pro mortuis, puto quod nihil prodesset spiritibus eorum quamlibet in locis sanctis exanima corpora ponerentur.   Sanctus Augustinus Hipponensis, De Cura Pro Mortuis Gerenda

Without question the provision for the burial of bodies at a place among the Memorials of the Saints is a mark of a good human affection towards those who have died, since if there be religion in the thought that they should be buried, it cannot but also accompany the thought of where the burying should be. But while such things are comforts to the living, by which their pious intent is apparent, I do not see what help they be to the dead unless that, on recalling the place in which are placed the bodies of those whom they love, they should by prayer commend them to those same saints who have as patrons taken them into their care to help them before the Lord. Which indeed they would be still able to do, even though they were not able to be buried in such places. But the sepulchres of the dead are called Memorials or Monuments only when they are specially distinguished, that is, when they call to memory those who by death are withdrawn from the eyes of the living, that they may not by forgetfulness be withdrawn from the hearts of the living, and it reminds us to think of them. For both the word Memorial evidently shows this, and Monument is so named from 'monere', that is, to instruct the mind. So it is that the Greeks call that μνημεῖον which we name a Memorial or Monument because in their tongue the memory itself, by which we remember, is so called. When, therefore, the mind remembers where the body of one dear is buried, and there occurs to the mind a place rendered venerable by the name of a martyr, to that same martyr the affection commends the dear soul in memory and prayer. And when this is exhibited to the dearly departed by the faithful, without doubt it profits those who while living in the body merited that such things should profit them after this life. And yet if some necessity does not allow the burial of bodies, or it is by lack of ability that they cannot be placed in such places, yet there should there no absence of supplications for the souls of the dead, supplications which should be made for all the departed in the Christian and Catholic community, even without mention of their names, under a general commemoration, that which the Church has taken upon herself, so that those who lack parents or children, or relations or friends, may have the same offered to them by the one pious and common mother. Indeed if there were lack of these prayers made with right faith and piety for the dead, I think that it should not profit at all their souls even though their lifeless bodies should be placed in holy places. Saint Augustine of Hippo, On Care for the Dead

Thinking Of The Dead

Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Εὐάγριος· Καθεζόμενος ἐν τῷ κελλίω, συνάγαγέ σου τὸν λογισμόν· μνήσθητι ἡμέρας θανάτου· ἴδε τότε τοῦ σώματος τὴν νέκρωσιν· ἐννόει τὴν συμφοράν· λαβὲ τὸν πόνον· κατάγνωσθι τῆς ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ματαιότητος· ὅπως δυνηθῇς διαπαντὸς μένειν ἐν τῇ προθέσει τῆς ἡσυχίας, καὶ μὴ ἀσθενήσῃς. Μνήσθητι δὲ καὶ τῆς ἐν τῳ ᾅδῃ νῦν καταστάσεως· λογίζου τὸ πῶς εἰσιν ἐκεϊ αἱ ψυχαὶ, ἐν ποίᾳ δεινοτάτῃ σιωπῇ, ἐν ποίῳ πικροτάτῳ στεναγμῷ, καὶ πηλίκῳ φόβῳ καὶ ἀγῶνι καὶ προσδοκίᾳ· τὴν ἄπαυστον ὀδύνην, τὸ ψυχικὸν καὶ ἀπέραντον δάκρυον. Ἀλλὰ καὶ ἡμέρας ἀναστάσεως μνήσθητι, καὶ παραστάσεως τῆς πρὸς τὸν Θεόν· φαντάζου τὸ φρικῶδες καὶ φοβερὸν ἐκεῖνο κρῖμα. Ἅγε εἰς μέσον τὰ ἀποκείμενα τοῖς ἀμαρτάνουσιν, αἰσχύνην τὴν κατ' ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ ἀγγέλων καὶ ἀρχαγγέλων καὶ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, τουτέστι κολαστήρια, πῦρ αἰώνιον, σκώληκα τὸν ἀκοίμητον, τὸν τάρταρον, τὸ σκότος, τὸν τῶν ὀδόντων Βρυγμὸν, τοὺς φόβους καὶ τὰς Βασάνους. Ἄγε δὴ καὶ τὰ τοῖς δικαίοις ἀποκείμενα ἀγαθὰ, παῥῥησίαν τὴν μετὰ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ Χριστοῠ αὐτοῦ, ἀγγέλων καὶ ἀρχαγγέλων, καὶ παντὸς δήμου τῶν ἀγίων, Βασιλείαν οὐρανῶν, καὶ τὰ ταύτης δωρήματα τὴν χαρὰν καὶ τὴν ταύτης ἀπόλαυσιν. Ἐκατέρων τούτων τὴν μνήμην ἄγε σεαυτῷ· καὶ ἐπὶ μὲν τῇ τῶν ἀμαρτωλῶν κρίσει δάκρυσον, πένθησον, φοβούμενος μὴ καὶ σὺ αὐτὸς ἐν τούοις γένῃ· ἐπὶ δὲ τοῖς ἀποκειμένοις τοῖς δικαίοις, χαῖρε καὶ εὐφραίνου. Καὶ τούτων μὲν σπούδασον ἐν ἀπολαύσει γενέσθα, καὶ ἀλλοτριοῦσθαι ἐκείνων. Ὄρα νὴ ἐπιλάθῃ ποτὲ, κἂν ἔνδον τοῦ κελλίου σου τυγχάνῃς, κἂν ἔξω που, τῆς ἐκ τούτων μνήμης, ὅπως κἂν διὰ τούτων, τοὺς ῥυπαροὺς καὶ βλαβεροὺς διαφεύξῃ λογισμούς. ᾽Αποφθεγματα των ἀγιων γεροντων, Παλλαδιος

Father Evagrius said, ' Sitting in your cell, gather up your thoughts and think of the day of death, then ponder the dissolution of the body; know that calamity; and so to your toil, condemn the vanity of the world, insofar as you are able to remain in a place of quiet and not weaken. Be mindful of those now in hell, think of how those souls fare there, in what terrible silence, amid what bitter groaning, in such grave fear, struggles and foreboding; think of griefs never fading, the endless tears of the soul. But then bring to your mind the day of resurrection and the coming before God, imagine the horror and terror of the judgement. Put yourself in the midst of those who died sinners, their disgrace in the presence of God and the angels and the archangels and all humanity.  Suffering, eternal fire, the worm that does not sleep, the darkness, the grinding of teeth, the terrors, the torments. Compare this with the good rest of the righteous, faith with God the Father and Christ and the angels and archangels and the gathering of the saints, the kingdom of heaven and its gifts, its joy and it pleasure. Both these things place in your mind and for the judgement of the sinner weep, groan, lest you also be numbered among them; and concerning the rest of the just rejoice and be glad. Exert yourself to obtain the fruits of the latter, that the former be foreign to you. Take care lest anyone, whether within your cell residing, or outside it, causes this mindfulness to slip away, but rather flee sordid and harmful thoughts.' Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Palladius of Galatia

A Terse Epitaph For Dominicus

Ista vorax fossa Dominici continet ossa. Anima eius requiescat in pace. Epitaphios Dominico

This hungry hole holds the bones of Dominicus. May his soul rest in peace. Epitaph for Dominicus

Epitaph for Theodosius

Insegnem genetum cruces munimene septum, insontem nulla peccati sorde fucatum, Theodosium parvum, quem pura mente parentes optabat sacro fontes baptesmate tingui, improba mors rapuet.set summi rector Olimpi praestabet requiem membris, ubi nobele signum praefixum est cruces, Christique vocavetor eres. Epitaphios Theodosios

Weak at birth with defence of crosses walled, Guiltless of any dark stain of sin, Little Theodosius, who with pure mind parents Chose to dip in the sacred baptismal font Cruel death seized. May the ruler of Olympus' height Give rest to these members with the noble sign Of the cross marked, proclaiming an heir of Christ. Epitaph for Theodosius

Epitaph for Rhode

O Rhode, dulcis anima, acervo mihi funere rapta, qui tantum properasti matris foedare senectam senilemque aetatem tantos onerare dolores, te sine namque mihi nec lux nec vita iocunda est. quid primum tollerare queam, tua dum singula quaero, cum venit in mentem quod tuorum tu decus omnium esses? quid pudor, castus, quid sancta fides moresque benigni ingeniumque doctrinaque tua et verba sobria mente? prudens et innocua caelestia regna petisti. iam vale perpetuo dulcis et in pace quiesce. Epitaphios Rhodae

O Rhode, sweet soul, bitter to me death's strike, Which only sped the ravages of a mother's old age, And senility with such heavy grief, For without you there is no joy in light or life. What can I endure first, when I ponder your uniqueness, When it comes to mind that you gloried in everything? Your modesty, chastity, your holy conduct Your teaching and words from a steady mind? Wise and innocent you have sought the celestial kingdom. Now, farewell, sweet one, rest in perpetual peace. Epitaph for Rhode

Epitaph for Festus

Hic Festus iacet, cognoscite fratres, quem puerum, Christe, monuisti spernere mundum. pro meritis credo quia sancta luce fruetur. bis duodenos necdum conpleverat annos. conposuit versos Marcianus. Epitaphios Festo

Here lies Festus, know brothers, Whom, O Christ, you warned as a boy to spurn the world. For his merits I believe he enjoys the holy light. Not quite twice twelve years he completed. Marcianus composed these lines. Epitaph for Festus

A Fragmentary Epitaph for a Bishop

...vitans omnem iniqum, Inopum et viduarum defensor et omni valens, Sedulus in cunctis mitis patiens et modestus, Canticis et laudibus incessanter domino reddens, Omnibus predicens ut deo digna redderet pleuem, Pontificatum tenens quater lustro et menses XX,             obiit X kl. Dk. Veniens ab Hispaniis Ismaelitarum clade sublatus... Epitaphios Fractus Episcopi

...avoiding all iniquity, Defender of the poor and widows, to all strong, Diligent in meekness, patience and modesty, Giving without pause song and praise to the Lord, Preaching to everyone that they make themselves worthy of God, The Bishopric holding fifteen years and twenty months, He died with ten days to the Kalends of December. He came from Spain having suffered the ravages of the Ishmaelites... Fragmentary Epitaph for a Bishop

Epitaph for the Bishop Hilarius

Antistes domini qui paupertatis amorem praeponens auro rapuit caelestia regna, Hilarius cui palma obitus et vivere Christus, contemnens fragilem terreni corporis usum, hic carnis spolium liquit ad astra volans. sprevit opes, dum quaerit opes mortalia mutans perpetuis, caelum donis terrestribus emit, gemma sacerdotum plebisque orbisque magister, rustica quin etiam pro Christo munia sumens, servile obsequium non dedignatus adire, officio vixit minimus et culmine summus. nec mirum si post haec meruit tua limina, Christe, angelicasque domos intravit et aurea regna, divitias, paradise, tuas, flagrantia semper graminas et halantes divinis floribus hortos, subiectaque videt nubes et sidera caeli. Epitaphios Hilario

A Bishop of the Lord preferring love of the poor To gold seized the celestial kingdom, Hilarius, his the palm, gone and living in Christ, Condemning the weak use of the worldly body, This spoil of flesh he left flying to the stars. He spurned riches and sought to change mortal wealth Into eternal, buying heaven with worldly gifts, Jewel of priests, to citizens and those afar a teacher, Even taking up rustic duties for Christ, Not scorning to approach menial service, In office's pride and lofty heights he hardly lived. Wonder not if thus he merits your house, Christ, Angelic dwellings entering and the golden kingdom, Your wealth, paradise, blazes always Herbs and divine flowers breathing fragrance, And looking down he sees the clouds and the stars.  Epitaph for the Bishop Hilarius

Epitaph for Zosime

Accipe me dixit domine in tue limina Christe: exaudita cito fruitur nunc lumine caeli, Zosime sancta soror moresque imitata Bonosa, iam videt et socios sancti certaminis omnes laetaturque videns mirantes sistere circum, miranturque patres tanta virtute puellam, quam suo de numero cupientes esse vicissim certatimque tenent atque amplectuntur ovantes. iam videt et sentit magni spectacula regni et bene pro meritis gaudet sibi praemia reddi. tecum, Paule, tenens calcata morte coronam, nam fide servata cursum cum pace peregit. Epitaphios Zosime

'Receive me, O Lord Christ into your house', she said, And heard she quickly enjoyed heaven's light, Zosime, holy sister with conduct like Bonosa, Already she sees her fellows in the holy struggle And she is glad seeing them standing around admiring, The fathers who admire the girl for such virtue, Each one desiring that she stand with them, Competing to hold and embrace her exultant. Now she sees and knows the great kingdom's wonders And in joy the reward is given to her for her worth. With you, Paul, with death trampled, she holds the crown, For she kept faith and completed her journey in peace. Epitaph for Zosime

Epitaph for Granddaughters

Lumine virgineo hic splendida membra quiescunt. Insigneis animo, castae velamine sancto Crinibus imposito caelum petiere sorores Innocuae vitae meritis operumque bonorum. Noxia vincentes Christo medicante venena Invisi anguis palmam tenuere perennem, Aspide calcato sponsi virtute triumphant Letanturque simul pacata in secula missae Evictis carnis vitiis, saevoque dracone Obluctante diu subegunt durissima bella. Nam cunctis exuta malis hic corpora condunt. Tantus amor tenuit semper sub luce sacratas, Iungeret ut tumulo sanctarum membra sororum. Alvus quas matris mundo emiserat una, Ad caelum pariter mittet domus una sepulcri. Mirifico genetrix fetu, quae quattor agnas Protulit electas, claris quae quattor astris Emicuit castoque choro comitante Maria Letatur gradiens germanis septa puellis. Ingressae templum domini venerabile munus Accepient, duros quoniam vicere labores, Floribus et variis operum gemmisque nitentes Lucis perpetuae magno potientur honore. Adventum sponsi nunc praestolantur ovantes Veste sacra comptae, oleo durante beatae. Immortale decus numerosa prole parentes Aeterno regi fidei pietate sacrarunt. nomina sanctarum lector is forte requiris, ex omni versu te littera prima docebit. hunc posuit neptes titulum Taurina sacrata. Epitaphius Neptibus

Limbs splendid here in virginal splendor rest. In souls noble, on hair rest Chaste veils, sisters who sought heaven In innocent life's merits and good works. Noxious poison of the hated snake conquering, In the healing of Christ they sought the deathless palm, A serpent trampled, the groom's virtue triumphant. Let these sent together into the age rejoice, Evicting faults of flesh and dragon's ferocity Overcome through hard and long battles, No evil's stay permitting, here their bodies they brought. These consecrated ones had such love always so that In one tomb are the bodies of sacred sisters. A single mother's womb sent them into the world, A single tomb sends them to heaven together. Marvellous how a fertile mother four elect lambs Produced, these four bright stars, Eminent Maria who in the chaste chorus is gathered. Let her rejoice walking with her begotten offspring, Let them enter the Lord's Temple with venerable gifts, All acceptable, for with hard labour they were won, Flowers and various gems shining are their deeds, Let them obtain great honour in the eternal light. Advent of the groom they now await to celebrate Vestments sacred their garb, with blessed oil anointed. Immortal offspring, glory of parents, All dedicated to the eternal king with faith and piety. If, reader, you seek the names of these blessed ones, Learn it from the first letter of every line. The consecrated Taurina made this for granddaughters. Epitaph for Granddaughters

Epitaph for the Nun Florentia

Florentia virgo Christi vix. ann XXI et vita brevi explevit tempora multa. obdormuit in pace Iesu quem dilexit  kal.April.era DCXXVI. Epitaphius Florentiae

Florentia, a virgin of Christ, lived twenty one years And in a brief life expended much time. She slept in the peace of Jesus whom she loved On the Kalends of April in the year 626. Epitaph for Florentia

Epitaph for Ursinianus

Ursiniano subdiacono sub hoc tumulo ossa quiescunt, qui meruit sanctorum sociari sepulcrum, quem nec Tartarus furens nec poena saeva nocebit. hunc titulum posuit Ludula dulcissima coniux  Epitaphios Ursiniano

The bones of the subdeacon Ursinianus rest beneath this tumulus, He who merited a tomb with the saints, Whom neither furious Tartarus nor cruel punishment shall harm. Ludula, his sweet wife, this inscription composed. Epitaph for Ursinianus

Epitaph for Cinegius

Exegit vitam florente Cinegius aevo et laetus sancta placidae requiescit in aula. illum nunc Felicis habet domus alma beati, dudum per longos susceptum possidet annos, ipseque iam placita laetatur in hospite Felix. sic et tutus erit iuvenis sub iudice Christo, cum tuba terribilis sonitu concusserit orbem humanaeque animae rursum in sua vasa redibunt: Felici merito hic sociabitur ante tribunal. interea in gremio Abraham cum pace quiescit. Epitaphios Cinegio

Cinegius passed from life in the flower of age And happy rests in a sacred place of peace. Now his is the bountiful house of blessed Felix, Through long years it is his possession, And his is the joy of the hospitality of Felix. And so safe the youth before Christ's judgement, When the terrible trumpet's blast shakes the earth And again human souls return into their vessels, For in Felix's favour he shall stand before the tribunal. Until then in Abraham's lap he rests in peace. Epitaph for Cinegius

Epitaph for Mandrosa

Mandrosa hic nomine, omnium gratia plena, fidelis in Christo, eius mandata reservans, martyrum obsequiis devota transegi falsi seculi vitam, unius viri consortio ter quinus coniuncta per annos reddidi nunc domino rerum debitum communem omnibus olim. Epitaphios Mandrosae

Here is one named Mandrosa, in all things pleasing, Faithful in Christ, guarding his commandments, To martyrs' service devoted I passed my life in a false age. A wife of one man, fifteen years married, I return now to the Lord of all the common debt. Epitaph for Mandrosa

Epitaph For Sofroniola

Castitas fides caritas pietas obsequium et quaecumque deus faeminis inesse praecepit, his ornata bonis Sofroniola in pace quiescit.  Martinianus iugalis eius titulum ex more dicabit. Epitaphios Sofroniola

Chaste, faithful, loving, pious, peaceable, And whatever God commands to inhere in woman, With these adorned Sofroniola rests in peace. Martinianus, her yoke fellow, according to the custom, composed this. Epitaph for Sofroniola

Epitaph for Paccius and Germilla

Paccius hic ego sum Germilla compare gaudens. viximus heu nimium frugi, dum iussa tulerunt, atque per emensum spatiis transegimus aevum, coniuge cum sancta suscepta prole potitus, per senos iterumque decem sat fecimus annos. tristia sunt natis, sed multum grata parenti, ut prior in pacem cedat subolemque relinquet. Epitaphios Paccio et Germillae

Here I Paccius rejoice to be joined with Germilla. We lived very frugally while the commands we bore, And our service done we passed from the world. Sacred marriage undertaken we obtained a child, For sixteen years we did what was required. Grief to offspring, but much happiness to parents, That before passing into peace they left a child. Epitaph for Paccius and Germilla

Epitaph for Praestina

Praestina, tibi Verus tuus heu grave munus soluo sub hoc carum deponens marmore corpus. discrevit nos vita quidem, sed vivet amoris indivisa fides, erit hic quoque copula nobis, coniugio nostro nec mors divortia ponet. concorders animas Christus revocabit in unum. Epitaphios Praestinae

Praestina, for you your Verus, alas, performs a heavy duty, A dear body beneath marble he places. Our life is destroyed, but the indivisible faith Of our love lives on and here also we shall be a couple; On our marriage death cannot place divorce. Souls in harmony Christ shall call into one. Epitaph for Praestina

Epitaph for Pulcheria

Clauditur hoc tumulo Benedicti fida iugalis,  quae tenuit castam defuncto coniuge vitam.  nomine Pulcheria fuit, sed nomine formam  signavit mentemque, simul vitamque decentem. filius his Thomas, aluit quem blanda relictae  simpliciter pietas cari post fata mariti,  officium sola exibuit commune parentum, ipsius hic collo genetrix portata quiescit:  tale decus meruit funeris pia mater habere Epitaphios Pulcheriae

This tumulus holds Benedict's faithful wife, She who was chaste with spouse deceased. Her name was Pulcheria, that name signifying Form and mind, as well as a decorous life.  Their son Thomas, whom this gentle widow raised,  She ever pious after the death of her husband,  The common office of parents alone fulfilling, He carried her to this mound to rest;  Such an honour a pious mother merited. Epitaph for Pulcheria

Epitaph for Maria and Eugenia

Hic iunctae saepulchris iacent Maria venerabelis religione et eius Eugenia neptes sed Maria longum vitae cursum centeno console duxit obiit d idus Ianuarius. Eugenia XVIII annos habens iuventatis florem amisit durae violintia mortis. obiit d III kalendas Ianuarius.  Epitaphios Mariae et Eugeniae

Here together entombed lie, pious in religion, Maria and her niece Eugenia, But Maria's course of life was long, One hundred years she enjoyed And died on the Ides of January. Eugenia lived eighteen years, She lost the flower of youth To the violence of cruel death. She died on the third Kalends of January. Epitaph for Maria and Eugenia

Epitaph for a Little Boy

Hic iacet extinctus primo sub limine vitae angusto multum dilectus tempore pupus. nec reor hunc lacrimis fas esse urgere beatum, corporis exutus vinclis qui gaudet in astris. nec mala terreni sensit contagia sensus. menses namque nouem postquam super addidit anno conplevitq. dies vitae sex, iuit ad astra. Epitaphios Puero

Here lies one dead on the threshold of life, A little boy who gave great joy in a brief time. I do not think it is right to exhort him to blessedness with tears, Freed from the chains of the body he rejoices among the stars. No evil contagion of earth he knows. Nine months he added to a year completed And six days, and so he went to the stars. Epitaph for A Boy

Epitaph for Paulina

Paulina hic posita est clarissima femina mater quae meruit miserante deo ut funus acerbum nesciret natae, quae mox in pace secuta est. Epitaphios Paulinae

Here is placed Paulina, an eminent woman and mother, Who merited by the mercy of God that she would not know The bitter funeral of a daughter, she who soon followed her into peace. Epitaph for Paulina

Epitaph for Maria

Sanctorum gremiis commendat Maria corpus casta gravis sapiens clemens moderata quieta, claram sublimis fudit quam partus in auras, sed placitura deo generis superavit honorem haec non mortales, sed virginitatis amore aeternos sortita toros Christiq. petivit perepetuam  lucem, nullo quae fine tenetur. tertius et decimus gaudens hanc viderat annus, conposuit corpus, caelum cum laeta petivit. texerat haec sacros casto velamine crines, sed Christum festina petit mundumq. reliquit. Epitaphios Mariae

Into the lap of the saints Maria commends her body, Chaste thoughtful wise kind moderate and quiet, She who born brought with her great light, But being pleasing to God, her family's honor surpassing, Not with mortal but with love of virginity The eternal wedding chamber of Christ she chose, And sought the light perpetual, which without end she might obtain. This happy one, seeing thirteen years, Composed her body and sought heaven with joy. Covering her sacred hair with a chaste veil She swiftly sought Christ and the world abandoned. Epitaph for Maria

Epitaph for Artemia

Hic icaet Artemia, dulcis aptissimus infans et visu grata et verbis dulcissima  cunctis quattor in quinto ad Christum detulit annos, innocens subito ad caelestia regna transivit. Epitaphios  Artemiae

Here lies Artemia, a sweet most fitting child, A grace to see and with sweet words for all. Four years going on five to Christ She was taken, An innocent suddenly to the celestial realm transported. Epitaph for Artemia

Epitaph for Felicia

Aspicite venientes hic mea membra sepulta: hic recubo felix parba etate peremta. Felicia mici nomen est ex progenie ductu, octavo etatis in saeclo gesseram anno. dulcis eram patri et garrula matri, serbis eram leta, tota me leta ferebam. non vitium mors, consuetudo propria natis, virginio iam cetu nunc letior adsto. ultime cum dominus totum concusserit orbem, tunc cineres isti mundo pereunte resurgent. Epitaph for Felicia

See, you who come, here my members buried; Here I rest happy in young age cut off. Felicia my name, from my lineage drawn, Eight years of age I attained. Sweet I was to father, a chatterbox to mother, A joy to servants, all bore me gladly. No fault is death, it is the proper way of those born; And a virgin I wait more joyfully in the whale Until at last the Lord strikes the whole earth And these ashes, as the world perishes, rise. Epitaphios Feliciae

Epitaph for Martyrs

Tempore quo gladius secuit pia viscera matris  sexaginta duo capti feritate tyranni  extemplo ducibus missis tunc colla dedere.  confessi Christum superato principe mundi  aetheriam petiere domum regnaque piorum.   Sanctus Damasus I, Epigrammata XXXII

When the sword pierced a pious mother's interior, Sixty two captives of a tyrant's ferocity Forthwith to officers sent offered their necks. Confessing Christ, conquering the prince of the world, They sought the heavenly dwelling and the kingdom of the pious. Saint Damasus I, Epigram 32