Donatus of Libya

Holy Hieromartyr Donatus of Libya, bishop of Arezzo, died between the years 360 and 363. His parents having died, he found refuge, together with the monk Hilarion, in the city of Arretium, today Arezzo, in Etruria in Italy, and became bishop of the place.

In the persecution under Julian the Apostate (360-363), the prefect Quadratian commanded Donatus and Hilarion to sacrifice to the idols. Not only did they refuse, but they firmly rebuked those who were sacrificing. Then Hilarion was beaten with rods to death, and Donatus, after long torments, was beheaded. Christians took the remains of the saints from the place of execution and buried them with honour.

The name of Donatus is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Church. The Synaxarion commemorates him on 17 July (new style).