The title of protonotary first appears in the 14th century (Ordo Romanus XIV, cap. 70; cf. also P. Hinschius, *Kirchenrecht der Kath. u. Prot.*, I, Berlin 1869, p. 412) to designate notaries attached to the first seven regional notaries or all notaries of the Apostolic See. These formed a college with the duty of recording all acts issued by the Roman Curia, and were therefore called "apostolic." Today, the protonotaries apostolic constitute a college of seven prelates with the title of *protonotarii de numero participantium*.
The protonotaries apostolic, known as *extra collegium*, are divided into three classes: 1) *protonotarii apostolicis* supernumerary, who, though not part of the aforementioned college, possess almost all its privileges and are subdivided into: a) *protonotarii apostolicis supernumerariis ad vitam*, who are the canons and prelates of the patriarchal basilicas of Rome—Lateran, Vatican, and Liberian; b) *protonotarii apostolicis supernumerariis durante munere*, who are the canons of the cathedrals of Concordia, Florence, Gorizia, Padua, Palermo (Metropolitan and Palatine Chapel), Treviso, Udine, and Venice; 2) *protonotarii apostolicis ad instar*, who in turn are subdivided into: a) *protonotarii apostolicis ad instar ad vitam*, who are those invested with this dignity by the Supreme Pontiff; b) *protonotarii apostolicis ad instar durante munere*, who are the canons of the chapter of S. Maria ad Martyres (Pantheon) in Rome and of the metropolitan churches of Bologna, Cagliari, Malta, Modena, and Strigonia; 3) titular or honorary protonotaries, appointed by the Pope or by the College of protonotaries *de numero participantibus*. Vicars general, capitular vicars, and canons of certain chapters are also titular protonotaries.
The principal duties of the participating notaries since the 15th century were: to compile authentic reports in public and semi-public consistories (Pius II, const. *Cum servare in rebus ordinem*, 12 June 1450, in *Bullarium Romanum*, V, Turin 1860, p. 152); to draft or at least subscribe to bulls for the conferral of benefices made in consistory, or at least to subscribe in a shorter form *per viam camerae*, by virtue of the constitutions of Alexander VI (*In eminentii*, 22 Aug. 1500) and Pius V (*Pontifice dignum*, 24 July 1570). Later, the subscription of these bulls was performed by the secretary of the College of protonotaries. Another duty of the protonotaries apostolic was to collect votes in councils and draft the acts. Adrian VI, with the *motu proprio Cum una Sancta Catholica* of 1522 (Moroni, LVI, Venice 1852, p. 1 ff.), decreed that the protonotaries *de numero participantibus* were always to attend papal chapels, under pain of excommunication. With the constitution *Romanus Pontifex* of 16 Nov. 1585 (*Bullarium Romanum*, VIII, part 4, Turin 1863, p. 621), Sixtus V increased the number of protonotaries to twelve. With the constitution *Laudabilis sedis* of 15 Feb. 1586 (*Bullarium Romanum*, VIII, loc. cit., p. 624), he further defined their privileges, granting the College, among other things: a) the faculty to create, after examination, doctors in theology or other faculties (Urban VIII restricted the number of those promoted to four per year, Benedict XIV raised it again to six per year); b) the right to create public notaries; c) to legitimize children born of any illicit and damnable union; d) to give themselves statutes; e) to be familiars, papal chamberlains, and domestic prelates of the Pope; f) exemption from the jurisdiction of Ordinaries; g) to appoint each year an honorary protonotary; h) the use of pontificals; i) and of portable altars. Gregory XV (const. *Inscrutabili divinae Providentiae* of 22 June 1622: *Bullarium Romanum*, XII, Turin 1867, p. 690), Urban VIII, and Benedict XIV (*De Servorum Dei beatif. et canoniz.*, I, cap. 17, n. XXXIII) established that a protonotary *de numero participantibus* was to take part in the compilation of processes for beatification and canonization. This protonotary, chosen by the Pope, was a consultor of the Sacred Congregation of Rites (now, however, an Official Prelate). Alexander VII, with the brief *Ex Romani Pontificis Supremi* of 4 Sept. 1656 (*Bull. Rom.*, t. XVI, Turin 1869, p. 227), confirmed these provisions.
Gregory XVI, with the constitution *Neminem certe latet* of 8 Feb. 1838 (*Acta Gregorii XVI*, II, Rome 1901, p. 248), restored the College of protonotaries *de numero participantibus*, with all the privileges, indults, and honors of the past.
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### PROTUS AND HYACINTH, Saints, Martyrs
They are already commemorated in the *Depositio Martyrum* on 11 September, buried in the cemetery of Bassilla on the old Via Salaria.
They are commemorated on the same date in the Gelasian Sacramentary of the 8th century from St. Gall and in the Gregorian, while their tomb is mentioned in the itineraries of the 7th century with the indication “in spelunca.” It has been identified with a double crypt where, on 21 March 1845, the place was found intact, with the epitaph of Hyacinth still in situ and his charred remains. The tombs of the two martyrs had already been obstructed by a landslide in the 4th century, and Pope Damasus had arranged for their restoration with an access staircase and a skylight: a work of the priest Theodore. The tombs of the two martyrs were embellished (5th century) through the care of a priest Leo, not otherwise identified (cf. E. Josi, *“Sepulcrum Hiacinthi martiris Leopardus presbyter ornavi,”* in *Römische Quartalschrift*, 32 [1924], pp. 10-36).
They are mentioned in the late and legendary *Passio s. Eugenia* (BHL, 2666), according to which they would have been brothers and eunuchs in the service of Eugenia. After accompanying their mistress to Alexandria, they would have been given to the virgin Bassilla, whom they converted to Christianity. During the persecution of Valerian, they were arrested following a popular uprising and, led into a temple to sacrifice, their prayers would have reduced the statue of the god to dust. The prefect Nicætius then had them killed.
The 1917 Code of Canon Law (CIC) did not regulate this matter, except with regard to the Prelate Auditor Official at the Congregation of Rites (canons 2013 § 2, 2073). The reorganization of the College, however, took place under Pius XI with the Apostolic Constitution *Ad incrementum decoris* of 15 August 1934 (AAS, 26 [1934], pp. 497–521).
In order of precedence, the *protonotarii apostolici* of the *numero participantium* come immediately after the assessors and secretaries of the Congregations, though it is disputed whether this precedence also applies to the *protonotarii apostolici extra collegium* in relation to the Prelate Auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota. Among the duties of the *protonotarii apostolici numero participantium* are the drafting of the most important acts of the Apostolic See, except during its vacancy, and the acts of the taking of possession of new cardinals in their titular churches or deaconries. Four members of the College must always take part in canonizations, councils, public and semi-public consistories to draft acts that are publicly authenticated even if signed by only one.
The *protonotarii apostolici numero participantium* who are doctors of both canon and civil law (*in utroque iure*) are ipso facto Prelate Referendaries of the Apostolic Signatura. Two of the six must subscribe (in place of the suppressed College of Abbreviators *de parco maiore*) all the papal bulls of the Apostolic Chancery. It is the duty of their Dean to publish the bull of the Holy Year for the first time. During a conclave, it is their responsibility to guard one of the ballot boxes.
As for the other *protonotarii apostolici extra collegium*, the motu proprio of Pius X *Inter multiplices curas* provides that they may be elected as conservators of religious orders and other institutes, synodal judges, and finally as Apostolic commissioners and judges, even in benefice and ecclesiastical causes. The *protonotarius apostolicus* must take possession of his office.
The privileges of the *protonotarii apostolici* are established in the aforementioned motu proprio of Pius X and the aforementioned constitution of Pius XI, and, following the privileges pertaining to other prelates, they are distinguished by the use of pontificals and a ring in sacred functions.
The habit of the *protonotarii apostolici numero participantium* is the prelatial habit of violet color; for the others, the provisions of the motu proprio of Pius X *Inter multiplices curas* remain in force. For titular or honorary *protonotarii*, the prelatial habit must be black.
The motu proprio of Pius X also establishes the rite of pontifical Masses, solemn Vespers, and other pontifical functions of the *protonotarii*.
BIBL.:
G. Andreucci, *De protonotariis apostolicis e numero participantium in curia Romana tractatus canonicus-theologicus*. Rome 1742;
G. Marchesi Buonaccorsi, *Antichità ed eccellenza del p. a.* Faenza 1751;
G. Riganti, *De protonotariis apostolicis tam numero participantium quam supranum*, Rome 1751;
Ortolan, *Cour romaine*, in DThC, III, cols. 1965–68;
B. Kurtscheid, *De quibusdam prealatis Romanae Curiae*, in *Apollinariis*, 8 (1935), pp. 64–71.