Emperor Michael Palaiologos entered into the Union of Lyon with the Pope, in order to obtain military aid from him for the struggle against the Bulgarians and the Serbs. The monks of Mount Athos called upon the Emperor to renounce the Union and return to Orthodoxy. A Latin army invaded Mount Athos, hanged the entire *Protat* (the governing council of Mount Athos), and killed many monks. When they attacked the Zographou Monastery, Abbot Thomas told the brethren that those who wished could leave the monastery, while those who desired a martyr’s death should remain. Thus, 22 monks—along with their abbot—and 4 monastery workers stayed behind. The Latins set fire to the tower in which they had taken refuge, and they all met a martyr’s death in the flames. They surrendered their holy souls to God in the year 1283. That same year, the impious Emperor Michael also met his end; he was opposed by the Serbian King Milutin.

The Holy Martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia. The Venerable Theophilus the Confessor. The Holy Martyr Theoteknos. The Venerable Basilian.