CHRONICLE OF JOHANNES TRITEMIUS

The sick flocked to them and were cured of long-standing ailments. Those possessed by demons were also freed by the prayers of these holy men. Indeed, Almighty God deigned to work such great miracles through these servants of his that the merciful Father converted all of Armenia to his worship through their virtue and teaching. Finally, Saint Aurelius, through his teaching and preaching, most diligently warned all the faithful to flee the plague of the Arian heresy and to remain in the faith of the Holy Trinity with the church of the saints. Arianism was a 4th-century theological belief that challenged the traditional view of the Trinity by claiming Jesus was a created being rather than co-eternal with God the Father.

St. Dionysius is kept in custody.

Although the blessed Dionysius was held under guard, as was the custom for those in exile at that time, Saint Aurelius nevertheless had access to him whenever he wished. They were joined by such great mutual love that they agreed to live together while alive and be buried together when dead.

Dionysius's words to St. Aurelius.

Truly, after some years, when the happy Dionysius saw death approaching, he spoke to the blessed Aurelius with these words:

I know, dearest brother, that the end of my living in this world is here. The time of my departure now stands before me. I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. One thing remains in this present age that I ask of you: when I am dead, as soon as you are able, carry my body back to my church in Milan. Let that city, which could not have me alive, at least deserve to have me dead. Do not be frightened by the hardship of the long journey. The Lord will be with you; your reward will be very great.

Saint Aurelius, bound by his great affection and love for the man, consented to this and promised he would do what was asked.

Dionysius dies.

Thus, the holy confessor of Christ, and indeed a martyr, Dionysius, completed the course of his life and died on May 25, in the year of our Lord 379. original: "octauo calendas Iunij." In the Roman calendar, this refers to the eighth day before the Kalends of June, which is May 25. There are those who write that he was exiled to Cappadocia and died there, and that his remains were sent to Saint Ambrose in Milan through the efforts of Saint Basil the Bishop. However, this difference of opinion can easily be reconciled by those who know historical records.

Aurelius sets out for Italy.

Saint Aurelius was famous for his glory of virtues and miracles. He set out partly to avoid the human praise arising from these deeds and partly to satisfy his deceased friend. After a few years, he placed the remains of the blessed Dionysius, which had been preserved by drying techniques, onto a ship. After successfully crossing the sea and completing a long journey by land, he brought the body in glory to the walls of Milan. Bishop Saint Ambrose, with all the clergy and people, hurried out of the city to meet him.

The body of Dionysius is brought into Milan.

No one could easily describe the great joy with which the sacred body was received. Everyone considered it worthy of reverence, as if it had been sent down from heaven.

Ambrose detains Aurelius.

Saint Aurelius, to be brief, completed his duty of devotion. When he thought of returning to his own church, he remained at the urging of Ambrose, whom he felt it was wrong to contradict. He took care to teach and inspire the people of Milan toward the love of their heavenly homeland by his word and example, no less than their own bishop did.

Dionysius appears to Aurelius.

When he was commending his journey to the Lord in daily prayers, a year after he had come to Milan, Saint Dionysius appeared to him and said:

Your prayers have been heard by God, brother Aurelius. Behold, the Lord is calling you to the joys of eternal happiness. You shall die, and you will receive your desired burial next to the chapel of my small body.

Aurelius dies.

Immediately a fever seized Saint Aurelius. After arranging his will and saying farewell to the brothers, he gave up his spirit to the Lord while in the hands of Saint Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan. He died on May 25, the very same day on which Saint Dionysius had passed away in Armenia three years earlier. This was in the year of our Lord 383, during the reign of the Emperor Gratian and his brother Valentinian.

Ambrose gives a speech at the burial of Aurelius.

He was buried in his own sarcophagus at the side of Saint Dionysius in the Church of Milan. The most blessed Bishop Ambrose followed the funeral rites with many tears and gave that famous sermon to the people, which begins, "We have lost a brother and a shepherd."