The 45 Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia

The 45 Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia suffered in Lesser Armenia in the time of the emperor Licinius (311 to 324), when he, ruler of the East, ordered that any Christian who would not return to paganism be put to death. When the persecution began at Nicopolis, more than forty Christians decided to appear voluntarily before their persecutors and openly confess the Son of God. Their leaders were Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, Anthony and Alexander, known for their virtuous life.

The procurator of the district, Lycius, tried to persuade them to offer sacrifice to the gods, but they remained firm. He had them scourged and thrown into prison without food or drink; a Christian woman, Vlassina, gave them water through the prison window. In prison they sang the Psalms of David, and Leontius strengthened them for the further torments. At midnight an angel of the Lord appeared to them and announced that their contest was near its end and their names were written in the Book of Life. Two guards, Meneus and Virilad, saw this and believed, bringing the number to forty-⁠five.

In the morning the governor ordered them put to death: their hands and feet were cut off with an axe, they were cast into a furnace of fire, and their bones thrown into the river. The faithful gathered the relics, and when the Church had been given freedom a church was built on that spot in the name of the forty-⁠five martyrs. They are commemorated on 10 July.