(ABOUT 600.)
[Greek Menaea and Roman Martyrology. His life in the Menaea, and
fuller by Theophylact Simocatta. He is mentioned also by Evagrius,
his contemporary. A letter to him from S. Gregory the Pope, is
extant, praising his learning, prudence and zeal.]
S. Domitian was the son of pious parents, Theodore and Eudoxia by name.
He was an intimate friend, if not, as Evagrius says, "a kinsman of the
Emperor Maurice." He was married for a few years, but his wife dying, he
devoted himself to the services of the Church, and was consecrated
Bishop of Melitene, in Armenia, at the age of thirty.
On the murder of Hormisdas, the Persian King, his son Chosroës II.,
succeeded him (592), but the General Varam having revolted against him,
and being deserted by many of his soldiers, Chosroës fled with his wife,
and two newly-born children, to Circesium. Thence he sent an embassy to
the Emperor Maurice, desiring peace; for at that time war was being
waged between the Persians and the Roman emperors. At the persuasion of
S. Domitian, Maurice admitted his suit, and treated Chosroës as his
guest, instead of as an exile, welcomed him with royal gifts, and placed
the whole of his body-guards, and the entire Roman army, at his
disposal. Moreover, by way of still greater distinction, he sent
Domitian, Bishop of Melitene, to attend him. The Roman army defeated
Varam, and Chosroës was reinstated on the throne of Persia.
Domitian was liberally recompensed for his share in this transaction,
but he kept nothing for himself. Every gift made him, he offered to the
Church, or to the poor; restoring churches, and supporting hospitals. He
died at Constantinople, whither he had been summoned by the Emperor.