Maximus, Dadas and Quintilian

The Holy Martyrs Maximus, Dadas and Quintilian were three brothers of Moesia who suffered in the time of the emperor Diocletian (284 to 305), at Dorostolum. The emperor had ordered that everyone offer sacrifice to the idols at the public festivals and that Christians be put to death. His representatives at Dorostolum, Tarquinius and Gabinius, made a sumptuous feast, attended by the inhabitants of the city and of the villages. After the festivities someone reported to the emperor that three brothers, Dadas, Maximus and Quintilian, did not obey the decree and had withdrawn into the Ozovia forest. Soldiers were sent, who caught the holy brothers at prayer and led them out for trial.

The brothers confessed that they were Christians. Tarquinius offered to make Maximus a priest of Zeus, but the saint called Zeus a foul adulterer and confessed the true God again. Dadas and Quintilian said that their brother was well versed in Scripture and they would follow him in everything. They were thrown into prison, where they thought only of the salvation of their souls. At midnight, while they slept, the devil appeared to them, but on waking they saw an angel who said: "Fear not, for God your hope brings you to Himself; He is not far from you and will sustain you." The next day Tarquinius told them that the gods had revealed their will to him in a dream: they were to be put to death if they did not sacrifice. The martyrs answered that the Lord had commanded them to endure torments for Him. The tortures and interrogations continued for several days, from morning to evening; then they were sentenced to death, led under guard to their forest and beheaded with the sword. They are commemorated on 28 April (new style).