Martyrs The 45 Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia

During the persecution of Emperor Licinius (co-ruler of the East under Constantine the Great), more than 40 believers of Nicopolis in Armenia voluntarily presented themselves to the authorities rather than wait to be denounced or arrested. Led by the educated and virtuous Leontius, Mauricius, Daniel, Anthony, and Alexander, they openly declared themselves Christians before the regional governor Lysias. In debate, Leontius reportedly challenged the moral legitimacy of pagan worship, citing Zeus's adultery and violence as disqualifying him from divinity — enraging Lysias, who had them beaten with stones and imprisoned.

In their cell they sang psalms; at midnight an angel appeared, announcing their approaching victory and that their names were written in heaven. Two prison guards, Meneas and Virilus, witnessed this and converted to Christ on the spot. Lysias condemned all of them (accounts give totals of 45 or occasionally 47) to death: their limbs were severed with axes, and — after Sisinius prayed for water and a spring miraculously issued from a rock — they were burned, their remains cast into the Lycus River, around 318–319.

Their feast is kept on July 10/23.