Saint Donatian was a fifth-century northern African bishop martyred under King Hunneric of the Vandals around 484 AD for opposing the forced closure of churches. He and other African bishops were tortured and abandoned in the desert to die from exposure, with one account noting his death occurred in 484. His feast day is September 6, and his feast is observed alongside other bishops, including Fusculus, Germanus, Laetus, Mansuetus, and Praesidius.
Life and Martyrdom
Background: St. Donatian was a bishop in northern Africa during the fifth century.
Persecution by Hunneric: He was persecuted by King Hunneric of the Vandals, a non-Christian ruler, who ordered the closure of churches.
Death: In protest of this decree, Donatian and other African bishops were tortured. After their suffering, they were left to die in the desert, where they succumbed to exposure.
Year: His death is recorded around the year 484 AD.
Feast Day
His feast day is observed on September 6.
Context
Donatian was one of several northern African bishops who resisted the Vandal king’s policies, becoming martyrs for their faith.
Other bishops martyred alongside him include Fusculus, Germanus, Laetus, Mansuetus, and Praesidius.