Maximus of Dorostolon

Holy Martyr Maximus of Dorostolon, also called of Ozovia, suffered with his brothers Dada and Quintilian in the time of the emperor Diocletian (284-305), when the order went out to offer sacrifices to the pagan gods at the great festivals and to put the Christians to death. He was killed in the year 286.

The emperor's governors, Tarquinius and Gabinius, arranged a great festival at Dorostolon, which the people of the city and of the surrounding villages attended. After the festival someone told the emperor that three brothers, Dada, Maximus and Quintilian, had not obeyed the order and had gone to their village, Ozovia. Soldiers were sent, found them at prayer and brought them to trial. Questioned by the governors, the brothers confessed themselves Christians. Tarquinius offered Maximus the office of priest of Zeus, but he called Zeus a filthy adulterer and again confessed the true God. Dada and Quintilian said that their brother Maximus knew Holy Scripture well and that they followed him in everything.

The martyrs were shut in prison, but even there they thought only of the salvation of their souls. At midnight, as they slept, the devil appeared to them armed, but when they awoke they saw an angel who told them not to be afraid, for God, their hope, would receive them and was not far from them. In the morning Tarquinius told them that the gods had made their will known to him in a dream, to put them to death if they did not sacrifice. The brothers answered that the Lord had commanded them to suffer for His Name. For several days the torments and questionings went on from morning to evening. At last the martyrs were sentenced to death, taken under guard to their village and there beheaded.

They are commemorated on 11 May, in the new style.