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Martyrs Florus and Laurus of Illyria

August 17, 2026 · 1 min read

Orthodox Calendar, August 18 Martyrs Florus and Laurus of Illyria The Martyrs Florus and Laurus were brothers by birth not only in flesh but in spirit. They lived in the second century at Byzantium, and afterwards they settled in Illyria [now Yugoslavia]. By occupation they were stone-masons (their teachers in this craft were the Christians Proclus and Maximus, from whom also the brothers learned about life pleasing to God).

The prefect of Illyria, Likaion, sent the brothers to a nearby district for work on the construction of a pagan temple. The saints toiled at the structure, distributing to the poor the money they earned, while they kept strict fast and prayed without ceasing.

Once, the son of the local pagan-priest Mamertin carelessly approached the structure, and a chip of stone hit him in the eye, severely injuring him. Saints Florus and Laurus assured the upset father, that his son would be healed.

They brought the youth to consciousness and told him to have faith in Christ. After this, as the youth confessed Jesus Christ as the true God, the brothers prayed for him, and the eye was healed. In view of such a miracle, even the father of the youth believed in…

Source: Basilica News Agency (English) · Read the full story →

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Sarah Moore

I always notice how these two started out learning stone-masonry from Proclus and Maximus and ended up using the same trade to help build a pagan temple, yet still found ways to fast, pray, and give their wages to the poor. The part about the stone chip hitting the priest’s son in the eye and the instant healing after he confessed Christ really stuck with me. Makes you think twice about what our daily work can turn into when it’s offered to God.

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მაია ჯავახიშვილი

I remember how they were apprenticed to Proclus and Maximus, but when they were building the church, they distributed money to the poor and fasted. I also liked the place where a piece of stone hit Mamertine's son in the eye and then they told him to believe in Christ. It is a simple and powerful story.