The 3,628 Holy Martyrs of Nicomedia—men, women and children—suffered for Jesus Christ during the persecutions associated with the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian. According to the traditional account, these Christians came from Alexandria after being moved by the courageous witness and martyrdom of St. Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria. His willingness to surrender his life rather than deny Christ inspired them to embrace the Christian Faith completely. Taking their wives and children with them, they traveled to Nicomedia and boldly presented themselves before the imperial authorities. Together they publicly declared: “We are Christians!” Diocletian initially attempted to persuade them to renounce Jesus Christ and return to the worship of the pagan gods. The martyrs, however, remained united and immovable in their confession of the Faith. Seeing that they could not be intimidated or persuaded to abandon Christ, the emperor ordered all 3,628 Christians to be beheaded. Their bodies were then cast into a fiery pit in an attempt to destroy every physical trace of their sacrifice. Many years later, however, the relics of the holy martyrs were discovered through miraculous manifestations of divine grace. The rulers of this world had attempted to erase their memory, but God revealed and glorified those who had remained faithful unto death. Their extraordinary witness reminds us that Christianity is not merely a private belief or inherited cultural identity. To confess, “I am a Christian,” is to declare that Jesus Christ possesses our highest loyalty—even above comfort, security and earthly life. These martyrs also present a remarkable image of the Christian family. Husbands, wives and children stood together in their confession of Christ. They entered eternity not as isolated individuals, but as families united by the same Faith, hope and sacrificial love. May their prayers strengthen Christians suffering persecution throughout the world and give all believers the courage to confess Christ without fear or compromise. Holy 3,628 Martyrs of Nicomedia, pray for us! 00:00 The 3,628 Martyrs of Nicomedia 00:27 Persecution Under Diocletian and Maximian 00:36 Inspired by St. Peter of Alexandria 00:44 Christian Families Arrive in Nicomedia 00:48 “We Are Christians” 00:53 Condemned to Beheading 00:58 Their Bodies Cast into a Fiery Pit 01:01 Miraculous Discovery of Their Relics #OrthodoxSaints #ChristianMartyrs #OrthodoxFaith #LivesOfTheSaints #Nicomedia #HolyMartyrs #OrthodoxChurchHistory #FaithAndCourage #OrthodoxFeasts #SaintsOfTheChurch https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴