However, religious peace lasted for 40 years until Diocletien became emperor in 285. There was nothing to suggest that things might change. It was said that his wife and daughter were going to be baptised and many of his aids were Christian.

     In 293, to enable the empire to regain it`s prestige and power, Diocletien re-organised the imperial duties creating a triumvirate, this meaning 4 emperors " Auguste", each one aided by a " Cesar": In the Middle-East: Diocletien and Galere: In the West: Maximien and Constance Chlore whose union gave birth to Constantin, author of the Edict of Milan [ 313 ] which gave freedom to Christians. In this manner Diocletien developed a theology making imperial power sacred, he addressed the " All Powerful" in Rome proclaiming his lineage from Jupiter, Hercule and Maximien, his chosen Cesar and established a totalitarian, police state. Henceforth the Adoration became part of court ceremonies.

     By this divine legacy revealing the holy role of the emperor in front of whom one kneeled, one understands the political danger that Christianity represented, being incompatible with the theology of " an ancient religion which must not be criticized by a new one" [ Edict of 297]

      Diocletien, whose aim was to subdue the revolts in Gaul and prevent the Barbarian invasion, chose to appoint an heir, his son-in-law, Galere who also received the title of Cesar and became in 305, Auguste in the Middle-East and Italy.

     In 306 to unify the army, he decided to dismiss all Christian officers who were suspected of jeopardizing the government`s stability and he suggested to the emperor to take the same measures.
After having hesitated for a long while, Diocletien, whose desire for unification included the Church, issued on the 24th of Febuary a decree forbidding the presence of Christians who were suspected of committing atrocious acts: « Churches were destroyed and holy books burnt: Christians were stripped of all social rank. The population will be deprived of their rights and freed slaves will return to slavery. »

     Undoubtedly knowing the missionary effect of Christian martyrs accused of all kinds of infamous acts, Diocletien understood that by giving these instructions he would cause their bloodshed without really wishing to do so.

     Euthios, a Christian, publicly tore up the decree. A young notary clerk from Arles, the catechist Genesuis, refused to translate Diocletien`s decree ordering the persecution of Christians. He was condemned to death and decapitated in 303. His beliefs spread throughout Province and the church St. Geniez in Marseille was built in his honour. Thus began the 10th and last great persecution by Roman Emperors which lasted from 303- 305 in the West and continued in the Middle-East until 312.

     Diocletien`s first decree ordered the Heads of Churches to be imprisoned- other clergy members were flogged. A second decree ordered them to be tortured if they refused to forsake their Gods, a third decree ordered all Christians to be treated in the same manner.
These decrees were applied to varying degrees depending on places, their authorities and circumstances.

     Numerous bishops rejected these laws and fled. Communities scattered and few Christians were killed. Galere [ the well-named] taking advantage of Diocletien`s ill-health, issued in the Spring of 304, a fourth decree threatening death to those who did not forsake their Gods. From this moment on, many were martyred and they are known by " Des Passions" or " The Martyred".

Egypt was certainly the most effected region by Diocletien`s terrible persecutions

     Diocletien abdicated at the same time as Maximien on the first of May 305. Galere succeeded him [ 293- 311 ] and intensified the persecutions until his decree of Tolerance issued on the 30th of April 311 promulgated during his illness in order to gain favour from the Christian God.

« You will be brought before the Governors » (Mt 10, 18)

     Amongst the most well-known victims of the Roman Government`s last bloody purge, during which St. Devote was sacrificed, bear in the mind the following names and this despite the lack of precise historical details.

     From his writings, Saint Eucher, bishop of Lyon in the 5th century, has left us a detailed account of Saint Maurice`s profession of Faith. If historically certain doubts can be voiced, the arguments developed within, were often used by many Christian soldiers to justify their insubordination :
« Emperor, we are your soldiers but primarily God`s servants. We owe you military obedience, and to Him our purity. We receive from you the rewards for our labour and from Him we have received life. God, our Creator, our Lord and your Creator as well, whether you wish it to be or not. If we are not forced to offend him by such crimes, we will continue to obey you, as we have always done; if not. we will obey him instead of you. We offer you our hands, thus covered in innocent blood, to use against any enemy or commit, as we believe, criminal acts. Our hands know how to fight our enemies and the ungodly; but we are unable to harm pious men and our citizens. Because we took up arms for our fellow citizens not against them. We have always fought for justice, respect and the pure: it honoured us for the dangers we encountered. We have fought bearing our faith. But this faith, how can it be kept in you, if you refuse us our God? We have first sworn to God, then to the Emperor. Clearly understand that the latter is illusory, if we violate the first. You order us to execute the Christians: You do not need to look any further: Here we are! Here we are armed but unresisting. As we prefer to be killed than kill, die as virtuous men than live guiltily. »  

     Until nearly the end of the 4th century, martyrs, whose dignity was considered as an image of the glory of God, were the only saints to receive holy blessings.

     « Nowadays the word "martyr" has taken on other meanings and is used to describe those who die in defending a noble cause or innocent victims sacrificed through Man`s wickedness. Christians who have been martyred throughout history did not die to defend their religion or even to profess God`s existence or that heaven follows death. They died so as not to forsake He, in whom they have Faith, He, to whom they are devoted, He, with whom they are in continual contact and acknowledge as The Lord and Saviour, The Risen Christ, The Emmanuel, The God present in them.
Here is the originality of the Christian martyr who did not die for a noble cause, however great it could be, but through his loyalty to God by whom he knows he is loved. The Christian. martyr as God`s witness, present in our world today for Man to revere. He shows God`s love and the greatness of Man. » (Cardinal R Coffy, archbishop of Marseille, Patron Day 1993).

DEVOTE (283-304) : « SHE SPEAKS WITH WISDOM » (Pr 31, 26)

     Driven out of Rome by Septime Severe and Caracalla, at the beginning of the 3rd century, Christians fled to Corsica, where one hundred years before J.C., the Romans had founded the city of Mariana, situated at the entrance of the river Golo, near the salt water lake of Biguglia..

     In fact, in the year 93 B.C. Marius founded a colony, named after him, for war veterans who had fought pirates under his command. It was Auguste (27 B.C. to 14 A.D.) who built the port Mariana, which became an important passage way for Roman expansion in the north of the island. Next to the Roman cathedral named La Cononica, was discovered a 4th century paleo-christian basilica and a baptistery from the same period, thus revealing the beginnings of Christianity in Corsica and confirming the importance given to baptisms by the Ancient Church.

     A 5th century baptistery, proving the age and existence of a bishopric in Ajaccio, was discovered in 2005, in the St. Jean district. Typical of those found in Tunisia and Algeria, which during Antiquity formed a Roman province in Africa, it`s architecture confirms the hypothesis that Christianity in Corsica was spread by bishops coming from North Africa. Whilst in the Gaul region circular basins with steps to the bottom were generally used for total immersion.

     Her fellow Christians hid her body from her executioners and in order to avoid any profanation, placed her in a boat whose destination was probably the African coast where many Christian communities lived. Piloted by Gratien and the priest Benenatus, guided by a dove, the boat arrived in Monaco, in the valley of Gaumate where a legend says that a chapel had been built to honour St. George who had also been persecuted by Diocletien. Devote`s body was buried at the foot of the Rocher on the left bank of the stream Later a chapel was built on her burial site.

     During the Saracen invasion, her remains were hidden in a convent in Cimiez then returned to Monaco and placed in the chapel which had been restored by Antoine 1er. It was there that in 1070 that Antinope, the captain of a Florentine boat, stole the receptacle containing Devote`s remains with the intention of claiming a ransom. History relates that a violent storm prevented him from sailing. Arrested, he was led to the Palace where Hugues of Grimaldi condemned him to having his ears and nose cut off. According to some, the tradition each year of burning a boat to celebrate their Patron Saint originates from the Monagesques` wrath and their wish to destroy all traces of this event.

PATRON OF CORSICA

THE BODIES OF THE SAINTS WERE BURIED IN PEACE (Si 44, 14)

     It is certainly long-lasting devotion that « explains the stories about her youth, her discussions with the unbelievers or persecutors and the spreading of her enlightened beliefs, following biblical tradition, by that of a dove, symbol of God`s spirit that guided the vessel of Christian thinking to the Rocher of the Faith. » (Mgr. Jean-Charles Thomas, Bishop of Ajaccio, Patron Commemoration 1979)

     In hagiographical literature, numerous stories originating from the the first centuries A,D., contain less historical truth than imaginary and embellished facts. It is difficult to judge authentic facts in their idealistic presentation. Facts modified by enhancement, praise, controversy which often supplant historical truth.

     This glorification, promised to those who previously triumphed with Jesus, establishes with God a powerful relationship which surpasses just a corporal presence but also creates a spiritual and physical communion.

     Hallowed by baptism, the Christian body, in which God dwells, is the primary condition to unite with Him and others: The Lord who dwells within us, has made this sanctuary a home to his Spirit. Wasn`t he acknowledged as being alive on Easter morning not by displaying his power but by the human marks demonstrating his love? The life of the Resurrected can still today be strengthened by the ordeal and eminate from our wounds.

     Members of The Church having become united with Christ's body by the mystery of Easter, consider that corporeity is an essential part of the human-being. This revived    understanding of the Faith is apparent by a corporeal presence :
          - A representation, not only of one`s self but of the word God addressed to Man surprising him completely,
          - A continual evolution in time which neither excludes growing old nor death,
          - An act showing the generosity of God's love which surpasses possessions, actions, power and strength,
          - A reminder of Man's role to pass on life which was received as a gift from our Creator,
          - A character that develops through dialogue and human relationships in community life,
          - An act to bless Man who therefore is promised a superior spiritual existence in the light of eternal bliss,

A GOOD NOVEL ?

     It is undeniable that in The Principality, Devote played the fascinating role of unifier and paradoxically founder of a Christian community lacking historically religious ties, or traditions.

     Concerning the circumstances of how Devote arrived in Monaco, as about her brief presence in Corsica, no information dated earlier than around the 12th century exists (period during which a manuscript in Latin written on parchment was made and conserved at the National Library in Paris) that is to say approximately one thousand years after the events (cf. Annals Mon 1997 : Info from the « Passio Devote », an original manuscript).

     This "Passio" about St. Devote, published in 1613 in the Leriensis chronicles, is also « as those of Agnes, d'Agathe, Lucie, Cecile and Anastsie a charming, moving account full of sophisticated poetry. It is fanaticism that persecutes faith, honour and liberty ; It is barbarism that acts ruthlessly towards purity, beauty, youth and, frailty, not even respecting a corpse : and it is piety, the believer's love that has protected the precious relics which have become revered and inspiration. They have perpetuated the souvenir of this sorrowful and praiseworthy event. » (Cardinal Baggio, Patron Celebrations 1980)

     Couldn`t St. Devote`s life just be a legend? Some like Lalande think so.

     However, many other writers and historians, such as M de Trenqualon who in 1902 searched for information on Corsicans` worship of St. Devote, have studied this tradition passed down from the Middle Ages from old accounts: they are mentioned in a reputed book "Recherches" relating to traditions, Monagesque and foreign customs as well as their origins, by Lucien de Castro which was published in 1944 in Grenoble . Another reference is the book on " Popular Festivities and Religious Traditions in the Nice region" by Paul Canestrier and published in 1985 by Serre Editions.

     In analysing historically Devote`s life , we are confronted with our beliefs, with what we know, with what we think we know. What will be said in the future about what 20th century Christians knew about the persecution of fellow Christians in history ?

     Certainly, one might say that they are speaking of "The Silent Church" but this "silence" refers more to those who officially denied or forgot the punishment reserved for the believers of all different creeds and in particular those living under communist regimes Is this the reason that even today we possess very few documents describing this period which remains one of the darkest in the history of the Catholic Church ?

     Nowadays, wariness is the rule under all circumstances.

     While Father Guensay in his studies of Gallicien martyrdom claims that St. Devote was born in Nice where she was brought up and from where she left in order to escape persecution where-as Jerome Carcopin in his writings situates her martyrdom in the 3rd century. Certain historians believe that St. Devote is no other than Julie de Carthage, who died in North Africa and whose life story is told following the same typology and who is venerated by the Corsicans in Nonza as well as in Livourno and Brescia where her remains where placed in the 8th century.
Could it be the same young girl ? Is there a double identity as Lanzoni thought basing this supposition on the name "Julia Virgo Dei-vota" ?

     If it is true that one can question the practice of Christianity in Monaco in 304, one should note that in Nice, only 10 years later, references to a Christian "presence" can be found. (Is this period in history really so distant ?) However, doesn't the first record of the celebration of St. Devote only appear in local calendars in 1130 ?
Didn`t Brea, 9 centuries later, include St. Julie in one of his alter-pieces dedicated to St. Nicolas (Cathedral of Monaco) whilst one can find no trace of any religious reference to this saint by the Catholics in Monaco ?
Weren't the first processions, in 1536, to honour St. Devote at the same time as antagonism between The Principality and La Turbie on territorial grounds?
Did Devote only become the Patron Saint of the Royal Household in the 17th century ?
To recapitulate, didn't Julie de Carthage precede in officially approved documents, she who we worship afterwards under the name of: "Dei Vota" ?
But which Julie is one referring to ? Don't forget that 8 martyrs bear this name in Roman history.

     If information pertaining to her Tunisian origin, her enslavement at Carthage, her death on the cross and her veneration by the Corsicans are corroborated in various documents and they only principally diverge when referring to dates. Certain chroniclers see in Julie a contemporary martyr of St. Devote in Corsica and Africa, others a servant who after having landed at Nonza, was persecuted circa 439 by Felix the governor who ordered her to be crucified. Yet others a young woman crucified at Carthage which was besieged by the Persians in 616.
If this is the case, 2 or 3 centuries separate this period from the cruel repressions of Diocletien.
There is little reason to point out any similarity between Devote and Julie as this does not resolve anything, knowing that the latter character engenders as many questions to the hagiographers as does the Patron Saint of Monaco.

     As is the case in biblical analysis, conformity is often perilous. Until established otherwise, one must believe legends as they have often proved their value. Whatever the similarities, misunderstandings, contradictions, traditions, negations or denials there may be, her life`s history however questionable nevertheless seems plausible.

     If hagiographers have unquestionably embellished the legend of St. Devote, at heart, it can be considered as history, since in the context which was quite real, the Roman Authorities saw in the growing number of Christians, 50% in our region, a danger to their ancient conservative society. Thus were practised the last and most terrible persecutions until the beginning of the 4th century.

     In fact, it always remains more important and interesting to focalize on the meaning of the word « martyrdom », this act on which the Church is based.

     L'histoire de sainte Dévote ne pouvait laisser indifférents les artistes. Au plan musical, plusieurs compositeurs s'en sont inspirés : Mgr Perruchot qui, en 1912, composa une légende musicale et, en 1917, une cantate ; Marcel Landowski (1915-1999) dont la cantate, dédiée au Prince Rainier III : A sainte Dévote, Patronne de Monaco, martyre et bienheureuse, fut créée dans la cour d'honneur du Palais Princier le 20 juillet 1997 et redonnée le 14 décembre 2004 à l'auditorium Rainier III dans le cadre du concert marquant le 1700ème anniversaire du martyre de sainte Dévote.

The legend of St. Devote could not leave artists indifferent. Musically, several composers found their inspiration : Mgr Perruchot composed a musical piece and a cantata in 1917 : Marcel Landowski (1915- 1999) dedicated a cantata to Prince Rainier 111 and to the holy, martyred saint, Patron of Monaco which was played at the Royal Court of The Palace on the 20th of July 1997 and re-performed on the 14th of December 2004 as part of the 17th hundred anniversary celebrations of St. Devote's martyrdom.

     By making his literature and poesy solely nationalistic, L. Notari's aim was not that of a historian but to extol the virtues of the countryman's and sailor's speech which were part of a common language in every day Monagesque life.This language which was being replaced by coined words and phrases in French. Ligurian and Italian.The Monagesque language with it`s fine intonations and surprisingly rich vocabulary, has been the subject of several university theses. It is equally part of the school teaching programme since 1976 .

     Louis Notari , at the beginning of his poem the Legend of Santa Devota, Gives his nostalgic version of Monaco in the 4th century, describing the bay (which became the breakwater ???) which was the source of Monaco's wealth.

     After describing the Rocher, it's inhabitants and the surrounding countryside, the author imagines two pagan festivals being celebrated and how during the ceremonies, intrigued, the crowd sees a boat arrive and listens to the ramblings of it`s pilot Gratien : « Please let me know where I have arrived….(Feme savi, ve pregu unde arrivu) …. From the island called Corsica where we live (de l'isura de Corsega unde a u nostrum) … ».

     Then follows a first prayer to Saint Devote :

     Besides literature and music, one often finds the presence of St. Devote in artistic works Monaco possesses several fresques, stained glass windows and paintings. (see parishes St. Jean-Baptiste, St. Devote and the alter-piece St. Nicolas in the Cathedral).