The 62 Priests and 300 Laymen, Martyrs

The 62 Priests and 300 Laymen, Martyrs, suffered in the time of the emperor Zeno (474-491). Hunneric, ruler of the Vandal kingdom in North Africa, raised, with the help of the Arian bishops, a fierce persecution of the Orthodox. The faithful gathered in a church and were secretly celebrating the Divine Liturgy when the armies of the barbarians burst into the church. Part of those praying fled, and three hundred people, the firmest in the true faith, gave themselves up willingly to torments and were beheaded. Of the 62 priests, two were burned, and the others had their tongues cut out. But by the wonder-⁠working power of God they went on preaching and refuting the false teaching of Arianism. They are commemorated on 21 December, in the new style.