The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Januarius of Cirta
fossor AD 303; subdeacon AD 320 (death unrecorded) · Gravedigger, later subdeacon, of Cirta · Cirta (Constantina), Numidia
The Nicene Age
Who Januarius of Cirta was
Listed among the gravediggers of Cirta in 303 and called forward as a subdeacon at the trial of 320. Whether that is one man promoted over seventeen years or two men of the same name, the record does not say — and the manuscript breaks off in the middle of his examination, at the moment Zenophilus asks his name. The archive records both readings and resolves neither.
Common questions
When did Januarius live?
Januarius of Cirta is dated fossor AD 303; subdeacon AD 320 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Januarius in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Januarius?
Januarius of Cirta is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Municipal acts of Cirta and Gesta apud Zenophilum. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Januarius from?
The archive associates Januarius of Cirta with Cirta (Constantina), Numidia. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Januarius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Januarius of Cirta to 2 other figures, including Saturninus and Domitius Zenophilus. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
The Acts of Munatius Felix, 19 May 303 — read into evidence before Zenophilus
c. AD 303In the presence of Paul the Bishop (who remained seated), of Montanus and Victor of Deusatelium, and Memorius priests, Mars and Helius the deacons, Marcuclius, Catullinus, Silvanus and Carosus the subdeacons standing by with Januarius, Meraclus, Fructuosus, Migginis, Saturninus, Victor and the rest of the grave-diggers, Victor of Aufidus made this brief inventory against them.Municipal acts of Cirta · Gesta apud Zenophilum, Acts of 19 May 303 · source text
The trial before Domitius Zenophilus, 13 December 320
c. AD 320Then when Januarius the subdeacon was brought in and sworn, Zenophilus said: ‘What is your name?’ He answered— (What followed in the manuscript is lost.)Gesta apud Zenophilum · Gesta apud Zenophilum, trial of 13 December 320 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 250 · The Decian persecution, AD 250
- AD 251 · The Novatianist schism, AD 251
- AD 257 · The Valerian persecution, AD 257
- AD 260 · Gallienus’ edict of toleration, AD 260
- AD 268 · Antioch deposes Paul of Samosata, AD 268
- AD 272 · Aurelian awards the Antioch church, AD 272
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
- AD 320 · Silvanus tried before Zenophilus, AD 320
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Januarius, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.