March 9th Name Day: Who is celebrating today?

Today, Monday, March 9th, the church commemorates the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. Names celebrated today include: Aetius, Aetis, Aetos, Vivianos, Viviana, Iliani, Lysimachos, Xanthos, Severianos, Smaragda, Filoktimon, Sarantis.

The Holy Forty Martyrs were soldiers of Licinius who were martyred for their faith. They refused to renounce Christ and were subjected to horrific tortures, including being left in a frozen lake. A guard, Aglaios, was moved by their faith and joined them in martyrdom.