John of Serres

Saint John of Serres, new martyr, lived in the fifteenth century and was burned at the stake at Serres in Macedonia around 1480. He is commemorated on 12 May.

He was born in the second half of the fifteenth century, in the city of Serres, into a rich family. While still young he behaved in public places as an equal of the Muslims and dressed splendidly. For this reason, around 1480, the Turks slandered him to the authorities, saying that he had insulted their faith, having promised to become a Muslim and then refused.

John was arrested and tried. The judges tried to make him change his faith in exchange for money, but without success. They then tried various tortures. After his firm refusal he was sentenced to death and burned at the stake at Serres.

The service of Saint John of Serres was written by the great rhetor of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Manuel the Peloponnesian, probably between 1491 and 1497.