Donata of Scilli

Donata of Scilli was one of the five women among the Scillitan martyrs. According to the Acts, she answered the judge: "Honour Caesar as Caesar, but fear God alone."

The Scillitans were twelve Christians of North Africa, seven men and five women: Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestia, Donata and Secunda. Their name comes from the town of Scillium. They were tried at Carthage by the proconsul Publius Vigellius Saturninus, without being tortured, and because they refused to swear by the emperor and to deny Christ they were beheaded on 17 July 180, in the time of Marcus Aurelius. Their spokesman was Speratus.

Their story, the Acts of the Scillitan Martyrs, is the earliest dated document of the Latin Church and the first to mention a Latin Bible. A basilica was built in their honour at Carthage. They are venerated as saints by the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, and their commemoration falls on 17 July.