Of the Holy Dionysius

As we recount the many radiant miracles of these blessed men, we have striven to record them in these final sacred scrolls as a tribute to Christ, for the glory of the martyrs, and as a memorial. We do this so that we might not—by looking down upon them or being negligent, or by yielding to our ancient, watchful, and envious enemy The "ancient enemy" is a common epithet for the Devil.—keep silent. For if we were silent, as some say, and let their writings be consumed by a scorching flame, we would lose the benefit of their grace.

With our thoughts awakened by this same grace, and proceeding from even these few written accounts, the things understood and spoken here have the power to be great.

We believe without hesitation that they endured many other struggles for the sake of Christ, because even until now, the divine power deigns to manifest such wonders through them that all those who dwell there or happen to pass by are filled with wonder.

The blessed martyrs of Christ—Dionysius, Rusticus, and Eleutherius—suffered their martyrdom on the seventh day before the Calends of October original: "ἑβδόμῃ καλανδῶν ὀκτωβρίου" — Traditionally, the feast of St. Denis is celebrated on October 9th. In the Roman calendar, the 7th day before the Calends of October would be September 25th; this discrepancy may reflect a local variant or a scribal error in the Greek tradition. under the Emperor Domitian, in the regions of Gaul and the city of Paris.

STAMP: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ROME