The Orthodox Church is filled with accounts of courageous Christians who, throughout the ages, have witnessed their faith—not only in word but, most memorably, in deed.   For it was they who outwardly expressed their faith and, in some cases, joyfully accepted their fates at the hands of brutal murderers who condemned the True Christian Faith and sought to erase it from the face of the earth.

It can be difficult for those of us who live in the comforts of the 21st century to comprehend such stories and many people may erroneously dismiss them as fables.  Living in the age of security provided by material things, many have adopted a watered-down faith that greatly contrasts that faith which looks solely to Jesus Christ as Comforter, Salvation, Refuge and Protection.  We know that this is how the Christian saints and martyrs lived throughout the ages, even to this day.  They looked past the pain and suffering of this world and kept their eyes permanently fixed upon their salvation.  They were willing to endure trials, persecutions, alienation and even death if necessary.

The stories of the saints are awe-inspiring and well-up in us deep admiration.  They bring us face to face with the humbling conviction of how we are to live our lives.  They are a huge part of the Holy Tradition of Orthodoxy and we reverence the many icons which depict these shining lights—these examples who have gone before us.  They fought the fight, they won the race and they stand at the right hand of the Father with hope and joy, cheering on those of us who are still in that fight—still in that race.

Perhaps the most breathtaking accounts are those of the martyrs.  For, as mentioned above, it is difficult for us to imagine a belief in anything that is so strong that we would lay down our lives for it.  In today’s society, we are consumed with #1—and this number one is no longer Christ, but our foolish selves whom we place before anything and everything.  Few are those who would willingly give up their homes and worldly possessions, much less their pain and suffering through horrendous tortures and beatings, which they know would undoubtedly lead to their death.

To take this category one step further, there are the accounts of the “Child Martyrs” who take our breath away.  We are humbled by these tiny ones who possessed more courage and conviction than most of us are able to relate to.  It is true that mankind is inherently good and strives to do good things.  However, the corruption of life and society oftentimes takes that from us and robs us of the virtues necessary for our salvation.  Adults and children who are nurtured and given proper instruction of the Orthodox way of life can, even today, find their way through the difficult maze of this world.  One of the best ways that one can learn this way of life is through jumping into the history of the saints and martyrs who, simply by their example, have corrected the paths of countless people.

For the sake of space, on this website we will focus strictly on the lives of child saints and martyrs.  Even still, there is not enough room for all of them—for they are countless.  We have chosen a few to get you started and familiar with the topic.  Enter bravely and know that the true stories of Christian martyrdom are not fluffy little ditties, but rather they are gruesome accounts of genuine actions—not for the faint of heart.  True Christian faith is neither painless nor easy, neither safe nor secure.  The one true faith requires bravery, vigilance and work, for we all share in our Christ’s resurrection in whatever way he sees fit to bestow upon us.  We pray that these stories richly inspire and, by the Grace of God, that they benefit you greatly.