♱Daily Synaxarium ♱Friday, July 10, 2026translated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

On this day, the Holy Church commemorates:

*The Forty-Five Martyrs of Nicopolis. *The martyrs Pianor and Silvanus. *Martyr Apollonius Sardis. *Martyrs of Nitria. *The righteous Saints Parthanius and Icomeneus of Crete. *The martyr Youssef Al-Dimashqi. *Saint Anthony, founder of the Kyiv Caves Lavra. *What's new about the Russian martyrs, Peter Zverov. *Martyrs Felicita of Rome and her seven children.

✤ Saints Martyrs of Nitria (5th century AD) ✤

Their number is not clearly specified in the sources. Monks who were killed by Theophilus, Archbishop of Alexandria, after he unjustly accused them of heresy because they opposed him.

Source: Site: أبرشية زحلة وبعلبك · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (11) 🌐 Show original

Θεόδωρος Καραγιάννης

The monks of Nitria remind me how easily you can be called a heretic when you simply disagree with your bishop. Theophilus accused them unjustly only because they resisted him. Let us keep them in mind today.

Elizabeth Johnson

The monks of Nitria really got me thinking. It's sobering how Theophilus could slap the heresy label on them just for pushing back against him. Makes you wonder how often that still happens in any church.

Мариана Петкова

Those monks of Nitria reminded me how easily you can be accused of heresy if you simply disagree with the bishop. Theophilus slandered them because they opposed him, not because they were heretics. Let's mention them in our prayers today.

Николай Костов

Those monks from Nitria are interesting to me, because even these days it happens that you are accused of anything, just because you disagree with the superiors. Theophilus clearly did not take the criticism and used heresy as an excuse. Let's mention them in our prayers today.

Максим Лисенко

It is interesting that even in the 5th century, a bishop could call monks heretics only because they contradicted him. In Nitria they were killed not for their faith, but for disobedience to Theophilus. Let's change them today, may the Lord give us prudence.

Василь Коваль

It is interesting that you noticed exactly this, Maxim. In Nitria it really happened that Theophilus used accusations of heresy as an excuse to suppress the disobedient. Let's change them, and God grant that in such matters we always distinguish where is the truth and where is just an insult.

Степан Лисенко

Yes, Vasyl, Feofil then really fought more for power than for the purity of faith. Let's talk about these monks. And you haven't heard whether we have icons or a service dedicated to these martyrs of Nitra in Ukraine?

Румяна Петрова

Those monks from Nitria are interesting to me, because the same thing often happens today - if you don't nod to the bishop, they immediately label you a heretic. Theophilus clearly could not bear the opposition and used faith as justification. Let's mention them in our prayers today.

Павел Михайлов

Interestingly, even in the 5th century, Theophilus used the charge of heresy simply to crush those who contradicted him. Sometimes this happens to us too, when instead of talking they immediately label someone. Let us remember these Nitrian monks today.

Атанас Николов

Those from Nitria are indeed a case in point. Theophilus used his authority instead of listening to his brothers, and this is repeated today in some parishes or monasteries. To mention them in prayers as you say, especially when we see such things around us.

Мариана Петкова

I agree, Athanasius, this is exactly the saddest thing - when instead of being heard, power is used to fight. In Nitria, they were just monks who wanted to keep their faith pure, and they accused them of heresy. Even today in some parishes something similar is happening, so it is really good to mention them in our prayers.