This sermon bears the name of St. Maximus in the 108th codex of the library of St. Mark of Venice, from which codex we arranged for it to be transcribed. And that we judge this also to be by the same holy prelate, we are fully confirmed not only by the authority of two other codices no less ancient, but also by the character of the style in which it is written, which is so like that of Maximus that, in our judgment at least, nothing more similar could be sought. 'The crown of all the martyrs shines forth, and of those whose birthday of victorious glory is celebrated, who with sturdy faith engaged in the contest of suffering; knowing for certain that in all things Christ suffers, and that they are straightway transferred to the kingdom of heaven with exultation of the body;'
and while the nations shudder at death in sickness, these in death itself obtain a perpetual inheritance, and through their sufferings they believe it to be rather a passing over than an end. This is the hidden wisdom which in Thine elect, O Lord, is not gathered by persuasion, but is drawn by Thy martyrs from the divine fountain of power; because 'to live well is Christ, and to die is gain' (Phil. 1); triumphing in Christ, gaining their sins as profit. Although he who suffers in Him does not die at all; for confession is not death, but the inheritance of life. Martyrdom, therefore, is the pardon of crimes, the head of virtues, the occasion of justice, the imitation of the Lord's Passion. O most happy martyrs, who renounced the world!
They chose rather to be better at the last than at the first; whose consummation, in short, makes a just beginning. By Thy divine will, O almighty God, the most glorious martyrs merited to be witnesses of Christ; having meditated on victory too, they confessed Christ amid scourges, in prisons, in workhouses, in solitude; for confession ought ever to be the companion of the just. O renowned souls of the blessed martyrs and glorious victory! Among whom the most devoted women also overcame at once both the world and their sex, doing battle with the devil, and stood forth stronger than the men who tortured them, giving thanks to the raging executioner! For the almighty God awaits from all faith rather than death. But the devil, who hates those who confess, unwillingly bestows crowns.
He makes martyrs who slays them, and while he strives to conquer God's servants, he himself is despised when he rages. Thy liberality, therefore, O Lord God, has hitherto set martyrdoms before us, so that the adversary, once dashed down, might be steadfastly cast down even when they are already removed. For Thou hast willed not only to rescue man from the devil's power through faith, but to slay him who tramples upon him through virtue. So that we who rejoice in the blood of Christ, being more easily set free though dead, offering our martyrdoms, may afterwards triumph crowned in Christ. Through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns unto the ages of ages. Amen.