The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sabasta

The Icon

The Icon depicts the martyrdom of forty Romans soldiers in Sabasta Armenia. In the Icon we see the forty soldiers naked on the lake of ice and the martyrs crown descending from heaven being sent by Jesus Christ. Also the fortieth martyr is shown on the right being welcomed by the thirty nine. This is the story of the Icon of the forty Martyrs of Sabasta.

During the third hour of the night, the Lord sent consolation to the martyrs. Suddenly there was light, the ice melted away, and the water in the lake became warm. All the guards were asleep, except for Aglaius, who was keeping watch. Looking at the lake he saw that a radiant crown had appeared over the head of each martyr. Aglaius counted thirty-nine crowns and realized that the soldier who fled had lost his crown. Aggias then woke up the other guards, took off his uniform and said to them, "I too am a Christian," and he joined the martyrs. Standing in the water he prayed, "Lord God, I believe in You, in Whom these soldiers believe. Add me to their number, and make me worthy to suffer from Your servants." Then a fortieth crown appeared over his head.

Feast Day - March 9th

Troparion in tone 1

Together let us honor the holy company united by faith,
Those noble warriors of the Master of all.
They were divinely enlisted for Christ,
And passed through fire and water.
Then they entered into refreshment praying for those who cry:
Glory to him who has strengthened you!
Glory to him who has crowned you!
Glory to him who has made you wonderful, O holy Forty Martyrs!

Kontakion in tone 6

You abandoned all earthly armies,
cleaving to the heavenly Master, O Forty Martyrs of the Lord.
Having passed through fire and water, O Blessed Ones,
you have fittingly received heavenly glory and many crowns.

To view the Story of The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sabasta, please click here