The Church commemorates two new martyrs, Priest Christos from Andravida and Demogeron Panagos from Gastouni, Ilia.
The two were martyred during the Ottoman rule in Greece. While their parents had converted to Islam due to persecution and pressure, they were virtuous, living according to the Gospel.
Thanks to the appreciation of their compatriots, Panagos became one of the rulers of Gastouni, while Christos was ordained a priest in Patras.
In 1715, the Turks looted and slaughtered those who refused to convert to Islam. Panagos was called by the governor of the region “to renounced Christianity.”
The saint replied that he was raised a Christian and Christ was his breath, pride and rejoicing. That is why he could not obey his demand.
Although the pasha, who loved him, advised him to flee to Corfu. However, he did not flee but remained under pressure to convert to Islam, otherwise, he would lose his property and be executed by sword.
The martyrdom took place on March 1, 1716. After four days, the faithful received the relic and buried it in the Church of Saint Nikolaos in Gastouni.
The second new martyr, “the wonderful Christos,” was arrested and publicly confessed his faith in Christ before the executioners, telling them: “I am a Christian and I respect Christ along with the Father and the Holy Spirit.”
His words “disturbed the disbelievers” and ordered his beheading.
The priest was killed by sword and remained unburied for four days. He was also buried in the Church of Saint Nikolaos in Gastouni.
He was martyred on March 9, 1716, the same year as the martyrdom of St. Panagos.
Source: Church of Cyprus