Holy Ten Martyrs who were martyred in Crete
Date of celebration: 23/12
The holy Ten Martyrs were martyred in the 3rd century AD, when Decius was emperor. Of these, Theodoulos, Saturninos, Euporos, Gelasios and Eunikianos, were from Gortynia in Crete. Zotikos, from Knossos. Agathopous from the port of Panourmos. Vasiliadis (or Vasileides) from Kydonia. Evarestos and Mobius (or Pobius, or Pontius) from Heraklion.
All ten worked very zealously for the spread of the Gospel on the island. They were reported to the prefect of Crete, who was synonymous with the emperor, that is, he was also called Decius. The prefect, when he saw their blooming youth and their virile appearance, tried to lure them away with many promises of worldly pleasures and pleasures. But when he saw that nothing succeeded, he ordered them to be scourged, and then they were stoned.
The brave martyrs of Christ heroically endured the tortures, remembering the words of the psalmist: “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm L’ v. 25). That is, be of a brave and valiant mind, and let your heart be strong and fearless, all you who hope in the Lord. Then, by order of the prefect, the soldiers cut off the honest heads of the ten Christian Saints with their swords.