Two Brothers, Donotian and Rogatian, in the Year 360

There were two brothers, Donotian and Rogatian, natives of Italy. The one, Donotian, had accepted the true Christian faith and been baptized upon it; but the other, Rogatian, had not yet received baptism. He was, however, a neophyte, or catechumen, brought to the knowledge of the Christian truth through his brother. [n287-1] Both were arrested. Then Rogatian greatly wished that he had been baptized, for he knew that he would have to die; but that could not be, as there was no opportunity. His brother Donotian therefore prayed to God that his blood might be counted to him for the sacrament of baptism. The next day both were beheaded, in the year 360. P. J. Twisck, Chronicle, 4th book, folio 106, column 2, from the tract, Grondig Bewijs van den Heyligen Doop, letter B. Also, Leonh., in the tract, book 2. These authors must be compared with each other. [n287-2]

The persecution that took place under Julian the Apostate did not destroy the bodies so much as the souls. For since he was a very crafty man, and had an eloquent but deceitful tongue, he did more harm to the church of God by his flattery than by tyranny. Nevertheless, several of the true Christians were martyred under his reign; they would rather enter eternal life through the way of death, than, through the way of temporal life, fall by flattery into eternal death and damnation; as will presently be shown.