The Five Egyptian Martyrs

On this day we celebrate the memory of the five Egyptian martyrs: Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Samuel, and Daniel.

Elias, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Samuel, and Daniel lived in the sixth year of the persecution which Diocletian started against the Christians (290 AD). They were brought to martyrdom from various places, professions and offices and they were united together in one body for Christ's faith. This is how they were arrested. When they were about to enter Caesaria, the guards of the gates asked them who they were and where they came from. The martyrs answered that they were Christians and that their country was heavenly Jerusalem. So, the officials arrested them and brought them to Firmilianus, the governor of Caesaria who had them executed.