Today, the Church remembers St. Domninus, Martyr.
Ora pro nobis.
Saint Domnίnus was from Thessaloniki, Greece, and lived at the end of the 3rd c. AD.
When Emperor Maximian Galerius (258-311 AD) was building royal palaces in that city, the Saint was arrested as a Christian and for preaching the Word of God, which was an illegal activity and considered as sedition against the empire.
He was brought before Emperor Maximian, who demanded to know how Domnίnus dared to confess any God, other than those the Emperor worshipped, and to thereby teach sedition against the empire. He commanded him to sacrifice to the idols, if he wished to live. Saint Domnίnus refused, and so the Emperor ordered that his body be mutilated. As he was being tortured, Domnίnus mocked the tyrant.
This was reported to Galerius who, enraged, then ordered that he be driven out of the city and have his legs cut off at the knee and be left to die. The holy martyr was taken in by other Christians and remained alive for seven whole days without eating anything. Then, after giving thanks, he surrendered his holy soul to God, c. 300 AD.
Almighty God, who gave to your servant Domninus boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
