Manuel of Sfakia

Holy New Martyr Manuel of Sfakia in Crete, martyred on Chios.

St. Manuel was born in Sfakia in Crete and, taken captive as a child, was forced to accept Islam; escaping to the island of Mykonos, he returned to the Christian faith and lived as a married man. Tradition relates that he was later recognized and denounced on Chios, and when he refused to return to Islam he was beheaded in 1792.

He is numbered among the New Martyrs of Crete, and his memory is kept on March 15.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Manuel of Sfakia is commemorated on March 15. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 28 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on March 15

• Agapios

  Martyr, Αγάπιος

  Holy Martyr Agapios.

  Name days: Agapios, Agapius

• Aristoboulos the Apostle

  Apostle, Αριστόβουλος

  Holy Apostle Aristoboulos of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain.

  Name days: Aristovoulos, Aristoboulos, Aristobulus, Aristovulos

• Nikandros of Egypt

  Martyr, Νίκανδρος

  Holy Martyr Nikandros of Egypt, physician.

  Name days: Nikandros, Nicander

• Agapios of Kolitsou

  Venerable, Αγάπιος ο εν Κολιτσού

  Venerable Agapios of the Skete of Kolitsou on Mount Athos, with his four disciples.

• John in the Well

  Venerable, Ιωάννης ο εν τω φρέατι

  Venerable John who lived in a well.