Four Egyptian Martyrs

About this book

Four Egyptian Martyrs by Fr Robert Nixon OSB presents, mostly for the first time in English, ancient Coptic accounts of four Christians of Egypt who received the crown of martyrdom in the great persecution of the early fourth century.Under the emperor Diocletian, followers of Christ faced a sustained and systematic campaign of fierce persecution by the Roman authorities. Its aim was nothing less than to abolish the true Faith and destroy the Church. Much blood was shed, and many lives were given for the holy Name of Christ.The persecution reached the whole Roman Empire, but it was especially savage in Egypt. A huge number of Egyptian Christians received the crown of martyrdom, answering the cruelty of their persecutors with a courage and faithfulness that still astonish and inspire us today.This volume tells the lives of St Epime of Pancoleus, St Abanoub of Nehisa, St Apatil of Sabaru and St Lacaron of Tgeliensis. Each was a youth or young man who faced terrible and often bizarre tortures with exemplary courage and fortitude before accepting final martyrdom at the hands of the imperial authorities.For everyone who wants to be strengthened by the faith of the martyrs, for readers of Coptic history and hagiography, and for servants looking for authentic martyr stories to share with youth.