Feast Day: September 22nd
The Life of The Twenty-Six Monks and Martyrs of Zographou: The Emperor despised the Monks of Monut Athos for their opposition. Since he did not want to provoke the Greeks, he decided to vent his spite upon the Athonite Slavs… When Abbot Thomas of Zographou learned of the impending attack by inspiration, he told the population that those who wished to save themselves should flee, and that those who wished for Martyrdom should stay in the Monastery. The majority of the Zographou Monks left the Monastery, but the most steadfast, twenty-six in number, remained within the Monastery tower. The twenty-six men who remained and locked themselves in the Monastery tower were: Abbot Thomas, Monks Barsanuphius, Cyril, Michaeas, Cosmas, Hilarion, James, Job, Cyprian, Sabbas, James, Martinian, Cosmas, Sergius, Minas, Joasaph, Ioannikios, Paul, Anthony, Euthymios, Dometian Parthenios and four laymen. The Latins were soon outside the Monastery. Initially they motioned to the monks to have the gates opened to let them in: if they acknowledged the Primacy of the Pope they would have nothing to fear but his mercy plus a lot of gold. The Monks replied to them from the top of the tower: “And who told you that your Pope is Head of the Church? From where does this teaching of yours come? For us, Head of the Church is only Christ! It is easier for us to choose death rather than give in and defile this Holy place by your violence and tyranny; we shall not open the gates of the Monastery! Leave now!” The Latins replied with rage: “Die then!”; and gathering wood around the tower lit a large fire to burn them alive. The Holy Martyrs sang Hymns to the Mother of God while the tower burned, and gave their Souls to God…
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Prayers
The Twenty-Six Monks and Martyrs of Zographou Monastery Pray to God for us.
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