Demetrius of Tripoli

Holy Martyr Demetrius of Tripoli, also called Mitros, received the crown of martyrdom at Tripolitsa, by beheading, on 28 May 1794. He is commemorated on 10 June.

He was born in the Peloponnese, in a pious family. He was made a Muslim by the Turks, together with other youths, perhaps after the suppression of the Peloponnese revolt of 1770, and received the Muslim name Mustafa. Soon, thanks to his mind and ability, he received a good post and grew rich. But glory and wealth could not satisfy the hunger of his soul. He resolved to return to Christianity and went to Tripolitsa, where he repented with tears of his apostasy and received a blessing to be a secret Christian. His Christian life was soon noticed by the Turks, who denounced him to the pasha of Tripolitsa. Demetrius was arrested at Mistra and taken to the pasha, before whom he bravely confessed his faith. The pasha's exhortations, promises and threats did not shake his resolve. After a few days, on 28 May 1794, the Turks beheaded him at Tripolitsa, and the Christians buried him in the local church of the Great Martyr Demetrius. His life was written by Venerable Macarius of Corinth.