Denise, Dativa, Leontia, Tertius, Emilianus, Boniface, Majoricus, and Servus
Denise, Dativa, Leontia, Tertius, Emilianus, Boniface, Majoricus, and Servus are venerated as martyrs by the Catholic Church. They were killed in the late 5th century during the persecution of Trinitarian Christians in Proconsular Africa by the Arian Vandals, according to Victor of Vita. These martyrs were killed during the reign of Arian king Hunneric.
According to Victor, Denise was a beautiful and widowed noblewoman, who was killed during this persecution. Denise's son Majoricus was killed during the same persecution, as well as Denise's sister Dativa. Denise was brutally whipped by the authorities. and then died at the stake with her little child, Majoricus, and her sister Dativa.
Also killed were Leontia, daughter of Bishop Germanus of Perada (Paradana); a doctor named Emilius or Emelius ("Emilianus" according to Usuard), brother-in-law of Dativa; Tertius, a monk of Byzacena; and Boniface, surnamed Sibidense, who has been identified as Boniface, bishop of Sicilibba in Proconsular Africa. Emilius and Tertius were flayed alive.
Patron saint of Persecuted Christians
In the Martyrology
- December 6 Saints Denise, Majoricus and companions, martyrs in Africa