Paisius

Holy New Martyr Paisius was abbot of the Annunciation Monastery at Trnava near Čačak in Serbia, and he received martyrdom by impalement on 17 December 1814.

After the collapse of Karageorge's revolt in 1813, the Turks began a reign of terror against the Serbs, and disease spread because of the many unburied bodies. The people attempted another revolt under Hadji Prodan Gligorijević, and the monks of Trnava became involved in it. The rebellion broke out on the Feast of the Cross (14 September) but was crushed. Many were captured, some executed on the spot as a warning. Some of the prisoners were sent to Suleiman Pasha at Belgrade, among them Paisius and the deacon Avakum. In the cell Avakum sang "God is with us" (from Compline) while Paisius prayed. The Turks offered freedom to anyone who converted to Islam. Some agreed, but most refused to deny Christ and were put to death.

Paisius was taken from the prison and made to carry a stake to the place of execution. He was impaled, and the stake was set in the ground. The martyr exclaimed: "Glory to God." Then the vizier clapped his hands as a signal for the soldiers to draw their swords and kill the other prisoners. Forty-⁠eight people were killed and their bodies raised on posts. After suffering for some time, Paisius gave up his soul to God and received the crown of martyrdom on 17 December 1814.

He is commemorated on 17 December.