The Four Martyrs of Megara

The Four Martyrs of Megara, Adrianos, Polyeuktos, Platon and George, are martyrs whose relics were found in 1754 at Megara in Attica. The Ecumenical Patriarchate numbered them among the saints in 1998, and the Church commemorates them on 1 February. Together with the six martyrs of the same city they are honoured as the Ten Martyrs of Megara.

The year and manner of their martyrdom are not known. What is known is how their relics were found. In 1754 a cleric holding the office of oikonomos, who may have been the steward of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, wanted to build a house. While workmen were digging the foundations, one of them said he felt an intense heat at his feet and could not go on. The oikonomos put his own hand in the spot and felt the same heat. The others kept digging until they struck a marble slab with the inscription: "Relics of the Martyrs Adrianos, Polyeuktos, Platon, George". When he lifted the slab the oikonomos found the holy relics and glorified God for the blessing and consolation given to him.

Further excavation at the place uncovered a large early Christian basilica from the second half of the fifth century or the sixth, built in honour of the four martyrs. The joy of the people of Megara was followed by a trial: during one night someone stole most of the relics and fled to the Peloponnese. Only smaller pieces remained, and the oikonomos took the marble slab to Constantinople to show the Patriarch what had happened. Further excavations in 1998 brought more of the relics to light, and they were placed in a reliquary and are honoured by the faithful. Their feast is kept on 1 February.