Domitius, Pelagius, Aquila and Theodosius

Holy Martyrs Domitius, Pelagius, Aquila and Theodosius were Christians martyred at Caesarea in Palestine, around the year 362, in the time of the persecution of Julian the Apostate. They are honoured as saints by the whole of Christendom.

Domitius appears in the Byzantine Menologion of Basil II as a martyr from Phrygia, killed in the reign of Julian. The Roman Martyrology says, without citing sources, that he was martyred at Caesarea in Palestine. It is said that he brought about his own arrest by openly attacking pagan beliefs during an act of worship of the gods. He was imprisoned, tortured and beheaded. Other Byzantine sources mention that he was killed with other Christians. The Roman Martyrology names Pelagia, Aquila, Eparchius and Theodosia, but there are two errors of transcription from the Greek: "eparchius" is not a proper name but the office of eparch or governor that Aquila would have held, and Theodosia is in fact a man, Theodosius. The companions should therefore be Pelagia (the name also appears as Pelagius), Aquila and Theodosius. A late historical forgery, without foundation, made them natives of Tarragona; the false chronicle was published in 1619.

The Roman Martyrology commemorates them on 23 March.