← News feed Church of Greece

July 10: Commemoration of the 45 Holy Martyrs in Nicopolis, Armeniatranslated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

Today, the Church honors the memory of the Holy 45 Martyrs in Nikopolis (Armenia), who were martyred in the 4th century AD, during the persecutions. Among them stood out Leontios, Maurikios, Daniel and Antonios, who held the first positions in the city. The Holy Forty-Five Martyrs were martyred in Nicopolis, Armenia, and among them were the prefects of the city, Daniel, Maurice, Antonius and Leontius.

When in 315 AD the emperor Licinius issued a decree against the Christians, these Forty-Five Saints, went alone to the duke and revealed that they are Christians. When asked by Lysias, who convinced them not to sacrifice to the gods, they answered: "Christ is the one who taught us and convinced us not to worship non-existent gods, and not to worship their idols." Enraged, the duke ordered and imprisoned them handcuffed, without giving them any bread or water. The Saints spent the night praying. Among other things, they said: "We bless you, Lord, the king of glory. For you are the true life, who was sacrificed for us sinners, the Son of the true God. Unite us, Lord, so that all with one soul may...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (12) 🌐 Show original

Трајче Ристески

These 45 martyrs from Nicopolis showed true courage – they went to the prince themselves and declared themselves Christians. I especially liked how Leontius, Maurice, Daniel and Antony, who were the first people in the city, did not hide but professed their faith. God grant that we also have such strength when we need it.

Αντώνης Κωνσταντίνου

These 45 Witnesses did not wait to be caught, they went on their own and declared that they are Christians. I was impressed that the first of the city, Leontius, Maurice, Daniel and Antonius, did not hide at all. May the Lord give us some of the same courage, even in the small daily moments.

Кирил Митев

Those 45 martyrs from Nikopol did not wait to be caught, but went to the governor themselves and confessed that they were Christians. I was particularly impressed by how Leontius, Mauricius, Daniel and Antony - the first people in the city - did not hide, but professed the faith. Give us, God, at least a little of that courage in everyday things.

Samuel Mitchell

These 45 martyrs from Nicopolis really stood out to me—the way Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, and Anthony, the leading men of the city, didn’t hide but walked straight to the duke and confessed Christ in 315. Their answer about worshiping the true God instead of lifeless idols hits home. Lord, give us some of that courage even in small everyday things.

Eleni Prifti

These 45 martyrs from Nicopolis touched me especially when they said that Christ himself taught them not to worship dead idols. Even Leontius, Maurikiu, Danieli and Antoni, who were the leaders of the city, did not hide at all, but went to the duke themselves. Give us, Lord, a little of that courage, even for the little everyday things.

Мариана Тодорова

Cyril, this is exactly what impressed me as well - that the leaders of the city did not hide, but went to confess themselves. In our daily life, we often hesitate even for small things, like saying "no" to an injustice at work. God grant that we may indeed have at least a spark of their courage.

Grace Hall

Their boldness in just walking in and owning their faith really struck me too, especially since they were the city’s leading men who had everything to lose. That line about Christ teaching them to skip the fake gods and idols feels like it could apply to half the distractions we chase today. Samuel, have you come across any other early martyrs who did something similar?

Xenia Parker

Their answer to the duke about Christ teaching them to skip the idols really stuck with me too, Samuel. It makes me think of the little compromises we make at work or online without even noticing. Have you come across any story from the youth group kids that reminded you of this kind of quiet courage?

Matthew Carter

Their answer about Christ teaching them hit me the same way. I keep thinking how easy it is to just scroll past something dodgy at work instead of speaking up. The youth group kids haven't shared anything quite like that yet, but last week one lad mentioned turning down a dodgy betting tip from his mates – small thing, but it felt like the same spirit. Have you noticed any of those quiet stands in your own day-to-day?

Sophia Johnson

Their boldness really stands out, especially as city leaders who could've stayed quiet. That answer they gave Lysias about Christ teaching them to skip the fake gods hits home—reminds me how easy it is to chase work stress or endless scrolling instead. Grace, which part of their story do you find yourself coming back to most?

Michael Turner

Their boldness as city leaders who could've just kept quiet really hits me too. That line about Christ teaching them to skip the fake gods sticks with me every time — makes me think how I let little stuff like overtime at the shop or checking the phone pull me away. What about you, Sophia, does any one of those four guys stand out more than the rest?

Petro Nako

Yes, Eleni, I liked what you said about that open courage of theirs. I also think that Leontius, Maurikius, Danieli and Antoni did not hide at all, although they were the leaders of the city. We need a little of that courage even for small things, as you say, especially when it comes to talking about faith in the neighborhood or in the family.