The Holy Forty Martyrs
The Holy Forty Martyrs
March 9
Spiritual Significance
The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste were Christian soldiers in the Roman army who gave their lives for Christ during the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Licinius.
They were serving near the city of Sebaste, in present-day Turkey. When the governor Agricolaus ordered them to offer sacrifices to pagan gods, the soldiers refused and openly confessed their faith in Jesus Christ.
As punishment, they were stripped of their clothing and forced to remain in a freezing lake throughout a bitterly cold winter night. A warm bathhouse was prepared beside the lake to tempt them to abandon Christ and save their lives.
During the night, one of the soldiers lost courage and left the lake. A guard named Aglaius then saw a heavenly light and crowns appearing above the faithful martyrs. He declared that he too was a Christian, removed his clothing and entered the lake so that their number remained forty.
The following morning, the martyrs were taken from the lake and their legs were broken. Their bodies were then burned, but Christians later gathered their holy remains and treated them with honour.
The Greek Orthodox Church honours the Holy Forty Martyrs as examples of courage, unity and perseverance. They encouraged one another throughout their suffering and remained faithful to Christ until the end. The hymns of the Church praise them for passing through fire and water and receiving crowns of glory from Heaven.
Iconography
In icons, the Holy Forty Martyrs are usually shown standing closely together in the frozen Lake of Sebaste. They are often clothed only in simple cloths, reminding us that they were stripped of their military clothing before being sent into the freezing water.
Christ may be shown above the martyrs, blessing them from Heaven. Heavenly crowns are often shown descending towards them, representing the victory and eternal life they received through their faithfulness.
A bathhouse may be shown beside the lake, with one soldier leaving the group. The guard Aglaius may also be shown removing his clothing and preparing to join the other martyrs.
The martyrs’ golden haloes show that, although they suffered and died, they were united with Christ and received the crown of martyrdom.
These details remind us that the Forty Martyrs left the service of an earthly ruler and became faithful soldiers of Christ.
Did You Know?
In ecclesiastical Greek, they are called Οἱ Ἅγιοι Τεσσαράκοντα Μάρτυρες οἱ ἐν Σεβαστείᾳ—“The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste.”
The Church has preserved the individual names of the martyrs, but it honours them together as one united company of Christian witnesses.
Saint Basil the Great preached a celebrated homily in their honour. Their story was already widely known and loved by Christians during the early centuries of the Church.