Quintilian of Dorostolon

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

The emperor's governors, Tarquinius and Gabinius, arranged a splendid festival at Dorostolon, which was attended by inhabitants not only of the city but of the surrounding villages. After the festival, someone reported to the emperor that the three brothers, Dada, Maximus and Quintilian, had not obeyed and had gone to their village, Ozovia. Soldiers were sent after them, who found them at prayer and led them to trial. The governors questioned them, and the brothers confessed themselves Christians. Tarquinius proposed to Maximus that he become a priest of the god Zeus, but he called Zeus a foul adulterer and again confessed the true God. Tarquinius tried to persuade Dada and Quintilian as well, and they said that their brother Maximus knew the Holy Scriptures well and that they followed him in everything. They were sent to prison, where they thought only of the salvation of their souls. At midnight, when the saints had fallen asleep, the devil appeared to them armed against them, but when they woke they saw an angel who said: "Do not be afraid. God, your hope, will receive you to Himself. He is not far from you and will help you". In the morning Tarquinius told them that the gods had made known to him their will in a dream: to put them to death if they did not sacrifice. The martyrs answered that the Lord had commanded them to endure torments for His Holy Name.

For several days torments and interrogations went on without pause from morning till evening. At last the death sentence was given to the martyrs, and they were led under guard to their village, where they were beheaded († 286).

Saint Quintilian is commemorated on 11 May, in the new style. Their passion is also found in the Lives of the Saints by Saint Dimitry of Rostov.