26 Martyrs of Zographou

The twenty-six monastic martyrs of Zographou, burned in their tower for refusing the Union of Lyons.

In the years after the Council of Lyons, when the emperor Michael VIII sought to impose union with Rome on the Church, Latin-minded troops came to Mount Athos. The abbot Thomas and twenty-five monks of Zographou, warned according to tradition by a voice from an icon of the Theotokos, refused to accept the union and shut themselves in the monastery tower, where they were burned alive in 1275.

They are commemorated on September 22 and again on October 10.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, 26 Martyrs of Zographou is commemorated on September 22. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 5 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on September 22

• 

  Phokas the Gardener (2nd)

  Martyr, Φωκάς ο Κηπουρός

  Holy Martyr Phocas the Gardener.

  Name days: Fokas, Phokas

• 

  Phokas of Sinope

  Hierarch, Φωκάς Σινώπης

  Hieromartyr Phokas, bishop of Sinope and wonderworker.

  Name days: Phokas, Fokas

• Isaac and Martin the Martyrs

  Martyr, Ισαάκ και Μαρτίνος

  Holy Martyrs Isaac and Martin.

• Kosmas of Zographou

  Venerable, Κοσμάς ο Ζωγραφίτης

  Venerable Kosmas the Bulgarian, hermit of Zographou on Mount Athos.

• Paraskeva of Sarov and Diveyevo

  Holy Woman, Παρασκευή του Σάρωφ

  Blessed Paraskeva, called Pasha of Sarov, fool for Christ of Diveyevo.