According to tradition, Donatus was born in Nicomedia (in modern-day Turkey) sometime in the late third century. He was raised in a Christian family during a time of severe persecution. His parents, possibly fleeing the Diocletianic persecution, settled in Arezzo, a town in Tuscany, Italy.

Ecclesiastical Role and Martyrdom

In Arezzo, Donatus was known for his learning, piety, and virtuous life. Under the tutelage of Bishop Satyrus, he became a deacon and subsequently was ordained as a priest. Upon the death of Satyrus, Donatus succeeded him as Bishop of Arezzo around 362 AD. His episcopacy was marked by eloquent preaching, charitable works, and reports of miraculous healings.

The context of Donatus’s martyrdom is traditionally linked to the persecutions under Emperor Julian the Apostate (r. 361–363 AD), who attempted to restore pagan traditions and suppress Christianity. Donatus is said to have defied imperial edicts by steadfastly maintaining Christian worship and refusing to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods.

His courage in the face of adversity inspired his flock, and many accounts tell of his unwavering resolve when summoned before the imperial authorities. Confronted by threats and promises alike, Donatus refused to renounce his faith or betray his community. According to hagiographical sources, his trial was marked by both fortitude and a serene dignity, qualities that moved even some of his persecutors.

It is said that upon refusing to perform a pagan sacrifice, Donatus was subjected to a series of cruel tortures. These included scourging, imprisonment, and ultimately, beheading outside the city gates of Arezzo. Local tradition holds that the earth trembled at the moment of his death, and that a spring of clear water burst forth where his blood touched the ground—a sign interpreted by the faithful as divine favor.

Veneration and Legacy

The cult of St Donatus quickly spread beyond the confines of Arezzo. His relics became objects of great veneration, attracting pilgrims from distant lands. Churches and altars were erected in his honor, not only in Tuscany but also across Greece and parts of central Europe. The earliest written lives of St Donatus, compiled in the centuries following his martyrdom, helped cement his reputation as a protector against storms, hail, and lightning—a patronage that persists to this day in rural communities that look to his intercession for safety and fruitful harvests.

Feast Day and Iconography

St Donatus’s feast is celebrated on August 7th in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. He is frequently depicted in ecclesiastical art wearing episcopal vestments and holding a chalice, sometimes accompanied by a dragon—a reference to the legend in which he slew a serpent that had poisoned the Eucharistic wine. This miracle, among others, contributed to his enduring popularity and the affectionate regard in which he is held by the faithful.

Saint Donatus Pray for us!