Monastic Martyrs of Saint Savva Lavra

Forty-⁠four monks of the Saint Savva Lavra received the unfading crown of martyrdom about 614, during the reign of Emperor Heraclius (610 to 641). The monastery was attacked by Arabs in search of plunder. When they could not find the treasure they expected, they became angry and murdered the defenseless fathers: some were beheaded, others hacked to pieces. Saint Antiochus (24 December) preserved an account of the martyrs in his 107th Homily, and Dositheus also mentions them in his Dodekabiblos.

These saints, the Monastic Martyrs of Saint Savva Lavra, should not be confused with other martyrs of the Lavra who suffered in 796 (20 March): the two dates reflect separate attacks, since barbarians raided the Lavra on several occasions. They are commemorated on 16 May (new style; 29 May on the old calendar).