Angelis

Saint Angelis the New Martyr is commemorated on 28 October (new style, the Greek calendar) together with Manuel, George and Nicholas, all from the village of Melambes near Rethymno in Crete. He died in 1824.

The four belonged to one family, were wealthy and renowned for their bravery, and were married with children. They pretended to be Turks and enjoyed the privileges of Muslims. Angelis and Manuel were brothers, sons of John Retzepis; George was the son of Constantine Retzepis, and Nicholas of another John Retzepis. In 1821 they joined the Christians and fought bravely for the freedom of their homeland. When they returned home and went to pay their taxes, they were denounced to Mehmet Pasha of Rethymno as apostates from Islam. They were seized, taken bound to the city and, since they did not yield to flattery and remained firm in the faith, were tortured dreadfully. On 28 October 1824 they were beheaded before the Great Gate of Rethymno. Three of their skulls are kept in the church of the four martyrs at Rethymno.