Denise, Dativa, Leontia, Tertius, Emilianus, Boniface, Majoricus, and Servus
Encyclopedia
Saints Denise Dativa, Leontia, Tertius, Emilianus, Boniface, Majoricus, and Servus are venerated as martyrs by the Catholic Church. They were killed in the late 5th century during the persecution of Trinitarian
Christians in Proconsular Africa by the Arian
Vandals
, according to Victor of Vita. These martyrs were killed during the reign of Arian king Hunneric. According to Victor, Denise was a beautiful and widowed noblewoman who was his contemporary, who was killed during this persecution. Denise’s son Majoricus was killed during the same persecution, as well as Denise’s sister Dativa.
Denise was brutally whipped by the authorities, and her young son witnessed this spectacle. Denise, however, exhorted her son to remain strong in his faith. Majoricus, Dativa, and Denise were burned alive.
Also killed were Leontia, daughter of Bishop Germanus of Perada (Paradana); a doctor named Emilius or Emelius (“Emilianus” according to Usuard), brother-in-law of Dativa; Tertius, a monk of Byzacena
; and Boniface, surnamed Sibidense, who has been identified as Boniface, bishop of Sicilibba in Proconsular Africa. Emilius and Tertius were flayed alive.
Two other figures associated with the same persecution were venerated on the same feast day: Servus or Servius, who was martyred at Tuburbium; and Victoria or Victrix, who was tortured at Cucusa (Colusitana, Culcitana).
Servus was hung and dropped from ropes and then dragged through the streets, while Victoria was hung from the wrists above a fire. Victoria's husband begged her to abjure her faith and to think of her young children but she refused. Thinking her dead, the authorities left her on the ground. According to the legend, Victoria later recovered and stated that she had been miraculously cured by a young maiden.
, Florus, and Usuard. The Legendarium associated with the convent of the canons regular at Böddeken records their legend in a codex
dating from the 15th century (Biblioteca Teodoriana, Paderborn
). The Roman Martyrology commemorates their feast day on December 6, although Servius’ name is recorded on December 7, and Victoria’s name is completely left out.
There was a cult in the late Middle Ages
devoted only to Emilianus, which was popular especially in Naples
, and at the end of the 14th century, he was chosen as the patron
for a local society of pharmacists along with Saint Peregrine
. A church was built in Emilianus’ honor at Naples.
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
Christians in Proconsular Africa by the Arian
Arianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
Vandals
Vandals
The Vandals were an East Germanic tribe that entered the late Roman Empire during the 5th century. The Vandals under king Genseric entered Africa in 429 and by 439 established a kingdom which included the Roman Africa province, besides the islands of Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearics....
, according to Victor of Vita. These martyrs were killed during the reign of Arian king Hunneric. According to Victor, Denise was a beautiful and widowed noblewoman who was his contemporary, who was killed during this persecution. Denise’s son Majoricus was killed during the same persecution, as well as Denise’s sister Dativa.
Denise was brutally whipped by the authorities, and her young son witnessed this spectacle. Denise, however, exhorted her son to remain strong in his faith. Majoricus, Dativa, and Denise were burned alive.
Also killed were Leontia, daughter of Bishop Germanus of Perada (Paradana); a doctor named Emilius or Emelius (“Emilianus” according to Usuard), brother-in-law of Dativa; Tertius, a monk of Byzacena
Byzacena
Byzacena was a Roman province in what is now Tunisia.At the end of the third century AD, the Emperor Diocletian divided the great Roman province of Africa Proconsularis into three smaller provinces: Zeugitana in the north, still governed by a proconsul and referred to as Proconsularis, Byzacena,...
; and Boniface, surnamed Sibidense, who has been identified as Boniface, bishop of Sicilibba in Proconsular Africa. Emilius and Tertius were flayed alive.
Two other figures associated with the same persecution were venerated on the same feast day: Servus or Servius, who was martyred at Tuburbium; and Victoria or Victrix, who was tortured at Cucusa (Colusitana, Culcitana).
Servus was hung and dropped from ropes and then dragged through the streets, while Victoria was hung from the wrists above a fire. Victoria's husband begged her to abjure her faith and to think of her young children but she refused. Thinking her dead, the authorities left her on the ground. According to the legend, Victoria later recovered and stated that she had been miraculously cured by a young maiden.
Veneration
Their cult was mentioned in the martyrologies of various ancient churches and in the martyrologies associated with AdoAdo (archbishop)
Ado , archbishop of Vienne in Lotharingia, belonged to a famous Frankish house, and spent much of his middle life in Italy. He held his archiepiscopal seat from 850 till his death on the 16 December 874. Several of his letters are extant and reveal their writer as an energetic man of wide...
, Florus, and Usuard. The Legendarium associated with the convent of the canons regular at Böddeken records their legend in a codex
Codex
A codex is a book in the format used for modern books, with multiple quires or gatherings typically bound together and given a cover.Developed by the Romans from wooden writing tablets, its gradual replacement...
dating from the 15th century (Biblioteca Teodoriana, Paderborn
Paderborn
Paderborn is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, capital of the Paderborn district. The name of the city derives from the river Pader, which originates in more than 200 springs near Paderborn Cathedral, where St. Liborius is buried.-History:...
). The Roman Martyrology commemorates their feast day on December 6, although Servius’ name is recorded on December 7, and Victoria’s name is completely left out.
There was a cult in the late Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
devoted only to Emilianus, which was popular especially in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, and at the end of the 14th century, he was chosen as the patron
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
for a local society of pharmacists along with Saint Peregrine
Peregrine
Peregrine, Latin Peregrinus, is a name originally meaning "one from abroad", that is, a foreigner, traveller, or pilgrim. It may refer to:- Birds :* Peregrine Falcon, a bird of prey* The Peregrine Fund, a bird conservation organization- People :...
. A church was built in Emilianus’ honor at Naples.