Donatus

This is Part six in a series on Daniel Farlati’s Illyricum Sacrum: Volume 1.

The acts of Donatus are found in a manuscript in the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana collection¹. A latin translation was made by Daniel Cardonus and published in the Acta Sanctorum². No other mentions of this Donatus are found, and the historical accuracy of events is highly questionable. The manuscript seems to have been composed in Dalmatia, it’s prologue making direct mention of Salona. Farlati includes them in Illyricum Sacrum as they mention Donatus traveling to Salona and living on the nearby mountain.

Donatus was said to have been born in Dalmatia, in an Istrian city bordering Pannonia. He became a priest in Aquila. His defense of the virgin birth brings 300 men to Christ. The Jews question him on if Christ was any better than Elisha, whose bones also raised a man from the dead³. Donatus counters that Elisha’s bones could not raise himself, while Christ raised himself in 3 days. The Jews seemingly need no more convincing and are converted. Donatus’ fame spreads and his deads are heard of even by emperor Maximian. Eventually Christians become persecuted in the empire and many armed men were sent to Aquila to capture him. Donatus flees to Dalmatia, and takes up residence on a mountain near Salona.

After some time, Diocletian comes to the same mountain to offer sacrifices. Not receiving words from the oracles as usual, he is told the presence of a Christian on the mountain seems to be interfering with their ability to respond. He orders the mountain to be searched. Donatus is found and gives a defense of the Christian faith. Two of Diocletians officials: Marcarius and Theodore, have visions that night. They return to Donatus in the morning and are converted.

The three of them are ordered to be fed to wild beasts in an arena, but the beasts refuse to harm them. Each takes a turn at preaching a message to the crowd. Many are converted. An earthquake happens, and the three receive divine revelation to travel to Egypt. They reach the city of Thmuis where the bishop Phileas⁴ is presiding. The persecution of Christians increased in Egypt and the three were martyred there.