The Doxology of the Seven Generals of Antioch

Abstract

The Equestrian warriors constitute an integral part of Coptic art and piety1. The martyrs of Antioch, (The Basilides’ Family) this group of martyrs is considered as members of a legendary royal or noble family of Basilides. There are several genealogies included in their martyrdoms but without any consistancy. This group includes the martyrdoms of Claudius, Basilides, Apater and Iraie, Macarius, Eusebius, and in some texts the names of Theodore, Victor, Besamon, Justus, Apoli, Theocliea are added2. They are mentioned in the memento sanctorum in the Coptic Psalmodia3. In his study Winstedt shows that there is no fixed genealogy of this family4. Orlandi in the entry of the Coptic Encyclopedia used the word “Cycle” to denote this group. The text edited hereafter contains a doxology Adam5 for the commemoration of the seven generals of Antioch. Our text commemorates another group of saints.