Donatian and Rogatian
Encyclopedia
Donatien and Rogatian were two brothers, martyr
ed in Nantes
during the reign of Roman Emperor
Maximian
, around 288-290, for refusing to deny their faith
. They are also known as les enfants nantais. Their feast day is May 24.
. Rogatian wished to be baptised as well, but could not due to the absence of the bishop. Emperor Maximian ordered the prefect Rictius Varus
to put them to death. Varus imprisoned them, where they spent their last night praying together. The next day, May 24, they were tortured on the rack
and decapitated. They were buried nearby, on the spot where the Basilica of Saints Donatian and Rogatian now stands.
The spot traditionally considered to be their place of execution is located on Rue Dufour, the route of which corresponds to the old road leading to Paris, near the Lycée Eugène-Livet, and not far from the Basilica dedicated to them. Two stone crosses mark the spot where they were martyred.).
Their cult spread throughout the Loire Valley
, as far as Orléans
, where their relics were located at the time of the Norman invasions. Their relics were transferred to Ostia
in 1145. The two martyrs each have a statue on either side of the Portal
of Nantes Cathedral
.
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
ed in Nantes
Nantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
during the reign of Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Maximian
Maximian
Maximian was Roman Emperor from 286 to 305. He was Caesar from 285 to 286, then Augustus from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, Diocletian, whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent...
, around 288-290, for refusing to deny their faith
Apostasy
Apostasy , 'a defection or revolt', from ἀπό, apo, 'away, apart', στάσις, stasis, 'stand, 'standing') is the formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person. One who commits apostasy is known as an apostate. These terms have a pejorative implication in everyday...
. They are also known as les enfants nantais. Their feast day is May 24.
Life
It seems that they were the sons of the first magistrate of Nantes, who resided in a Gallo-Roman villa outside the city. Donatian, the younger brother, was baptised, probably by St. Similian (the third Bishop of Nantes), while Rogatian, the elder brother, was a catechumenCatechumen
In ecclesiology, a catechumen , “‘down’” + ἠχή , “‘sound’”) is one receiving instruction from a catechist in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism...
. Rogatian wished to be baptised as well, but could not due to the absence of the bishop. Emperor Maximian ordered the prefect Rictius Varus
Rictius Varus
Rictius Varus was reportedly a prefect in Roman Gaul at the end of the third century. He was appointed by the Emperor Maximian, and severely persecuted Christians. He is mentioned in Christian martyrologies...
to put them to death. Varus imprisoned them, where they spent their last night praying together. The next day, May 24, they were tortured on the rack
Rack (torture)
The rack is a torture device consisting of a rectangular, usually wooden frame, slightly raised from the ground, with a roller at one, or both, ends, having at one end a fixed bar to which the legs were fastened, and at the other a movable bar to which the hands were tied...
and decapitated. They were buried nearby, on the spot where the Basilica of Saints Donatian and Rogatian now stands.
The spot traditionally considered to be their place of execution is located on Rue Dufour, the route of which corresponds to the old road leading to Paris, near the Lycée Eugène-Livet, and not far from the Basilica dedicated to them. Two stone crosses mark the spot where they were martyred.).
Their cult spread throughout the Loire Valley
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley , spanning , is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises approximately . It is referred to as the Cradle of the French Language, and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, and artichoke, asparagus, and...
, as far as Orléans
Orléans
-Prehistory and Roman:Cenabum was a Gallic stronghold, one of the principal towns of the Carnutes tribe where the Druids held their annual assembly. It was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, then rebuilt under the Roman Empire...
, where their relics were located at the time of the Norman invasions. Their relics were transferred to Ostia
Ostia
Ostia may refer to:*Ostia , a municipio of Rome on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast*Ostia Antica, a township and port of ancient Rome*Ostia Antica , a district of the commune of Rome...
in 1145. The two martyrs each have a statue on either side of the Portal
Portal (architecture)
Portal is a general term describing an opening in the walls of a building, gate or fortification, and especially a grand entrance to an important structure. Doors, metal gates or portcullis in the opening can be used to control entry or exit. The surface surrounding the opening may be made of...
of Nantes Cathedral
Nantes Cathedral
Nantes Cathedral or the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, Nantes , is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Nantes, Pays de la Loire, France...
.