We are nearing the end of the month. I am searching my sources for a few last Saints that you should meet. Today, we have a whole group.
Denise (Dionysia, Dionisia), Dativa, Leontia, Tertius, Emalianus, Boniface, Majoricus, and Servus are venerated as martyrs. They were killed in the late 5th century by the Arian Vandals. They were killed during the reign of the Arian king Hunneric.
Denise was a beautiful, widowed noblewoman who was killed at the stake with her son, Majoricus, and her sister, Dativa. Also killed were Leontia, daughter of Bishop Germanus of Perada; A doctor named Emalianus (Emilius), brother-in-law of Dativa; a monk named Tertius; and Boniface, who has been identified as bishop of Sicilibba. Emalianus and Tertius were flayed alive.
Two other martyrs killed in the same persecution were venerated on the same feast day: Servus and Victoria (or Victrix). Servus was hung and dropped from ropes and then dragged through the streets. Victoria was hung by the wrists above a fire. Her husband begged her to abjure her faith - to think of her children, but she refused.
The cult of this group of martyrs was mentioned in the martyrologies of various ancient churches. The Roman martyrology commemorates their feast day on December 6, although Servus is mentioned on December 7 and Victoria's name is left out. They are patrons of persecuted Christians.
Saints Denise, Dativa, Leontia, Tertius, Emalianus, Boniface, Majoricus, Servus and Victoria, pray for us.
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