The Ten Martyrs of Crete

The Ten Martyrs of Crete suffered for faith in Christ in the persecution of Decius, around the year 250. Their names are Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunicianus, Zoticus, Pompeius, Agathopus, Basilides and Evaristus. The Church commemorates them on 23 December by the old calendar.

They were distinguished and honourable citizens. The governor of Crete, also named Decius, cruelly persecuted them. After thirty days of torments they were taken to the place of execution. They went very joyfully and argued over which of them should be beheaded first, each wishing to be the first. Before the execution they all prayed together: "Forgive Your servants, Lord, and receive our blood shed for us, for our relatives and friends and for the whole fatherland, that all may be freed from the darkness of ignorance and know You, the true light, eternal King." After various tortures, all were beheaded. After the executioners left, Christians buried them.

When the persecution ceased, Paul, bishop of Gortyna, travelled from Crete to Constantinople and received permission to move the martyrs' bodies from the place Alonium, where they had been buried, to Gortyna. When their relics were moved, those present saw that they had remained unchanged.