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Natalitia

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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i.e., natal days of the saints. Tertullian and other ancient writers use the words natalitia and natales in speaking of martyrs, not meaning their natural birth, but their nativity to a glorious crown in the kingdom of heaven. (See NATAL DAYS). In this sense, Tertullian says St. Paul was born again by a new nativity at Rome, because he suffered martyrdom there. He explains it on the ground that the death of a martyr is not properly a death, but an endless life; for the sake of which all things are to be endured, and death itself to be despised. See Tertullian, De Cor. Mil. cap. 3; Oblationes pro defunctis, pro natalitiis, annua diefacimus; Conc. Laod. can. 51, Μαρτύρων γενέθλια; Ambrose, Hom. 70; Bingham, Antiquities of the Christian Church, 2:1161; Walcott, Sacred A rchceology, s.v.