John of Crete

Holy New Martyr John of Crete was a Cretan, from Sphakia, and worked as a farmer at New Ephesus (Kusadasi) in Asia Minor. He was a young man, engaged to be married. On 29 August 1811, at the festival of Saint John the Baptist, he went with two Cretan friends to a feast outside the town. The aga's men demanded the head tax, but the Cretans refused and scuffled with them; one Turk was killed and others wounded. John, who had not taken part, went back to his farm, but the dead man's brother wanted revenge, knowing John had been present, and had him arrested. John was thrown into prison, beaten, and denied visitors.

He remained in prison sixteen days. He was then given the choice of saving his life by converting to Islam, or remaining a Christian and dying. He answered: "I was born an Orthodox Christian, and I shall die an Orthodox Christian." The kadi's daughter became interested in him, and if he converted he could marry her and enjoy wealth and rank, but not even this made him deny Christ. At last, weary, the Turks sentenced him to death by hanging. On the way to the place of execution he kept saying, "Most Holy Theotokos, help me," and asked forgiveness of the Christians he met. He suffered on 15 September 1811 and received the incorruptible crown of martyrdom.