Martyr
Martyr Dada of Dorostolum (Ozovo)
†286
Martyr Dada of Dorostolum (Ozovo) — one of three martyr brothers (Dada, Maximus, and Quintilian) who suffered in the village of Ozovia near Dorostolum (present-day Silistra, Bulgaria) under emperors Diocletian and Maximian; refusing to offer sacrifice to pagan gods, the brothers confessed themselves Christians before the rulers Tarquinius and Gabinius and were beheaded on April 28, 286.
During the persecution of Christians under emperors Diocletian and Maximian (who reigned from 284), a decree was issued requiring sacrifices to pagan gods at festive celebrations, on pain of death. Three brothers — Dada, Maximus, and Quintilian — refused to obey this order and withdrew to their native village of Ozovia near the city of Dorostolum on the Danube (present-day Silistra, Bulgaria). Sought out and brought to trial before the rulers Tarquinius and Gabinius, the brothers openly confessed themselves Christians; the ruler Tarquinius offered St. Maximus the office of priest of Zeus, but was firmly refused. After torture, all three were beheaded on April 28, 286. Their memory is kept on April 28/May 11 together with the martyrs Maximus and Quintilian.