St. Maurice, St. Verena and the Theban Legion

(From the publications of The Coptic Orthodox Diocese Of the Southern USA)

 A traveler on the highway that leads from Geneva to Rome will notice a small and a very old Swiss town called "Saint Maurice". This town was known in the Roman times as "Aguanum"; an important communication center. It was there that a Coptic officer named Maurice and 6600 of his fellow soldiers died for the sake of Christ at the hands of the impious Emperor Maximian (285-305 AD).

I. St. Maurice and the Theban Legion

The story of these martyrs, commonly known as the Theban Legion (Alkateeba al Teebia or Alkateeba al-sa’eedia) has been preserved for us by Saint Eucher, the bishop of Lyons, who died in 494 AD.  Bishop Eucher started the account of the martyrdom of these valiant soldiers by the following introduction: "Here is the story of the passion of the holy Martyrs who have made Aguanum illustrious with their blood. It is in honor of this heroic martyrdom that we narrate with our pen the order of events as it came to our ears. We often hear, do we not, a particular locality or city is held in high honor because of one single martyr who died there, and quite rightly, because in each case the saint gave his precious soul to the most high God. How much more should this sacred place, Aguanum, be reverenced, where so many thousands of martyrs have been slain, with the sword, for the sake of Christ."?

Under "Maximian", who was an Emperor of the Roman Commonwealth (Empire) with Diocletian as his colleague, an uprising of the Gauls known as "Bagaude" forced Maximian to march against them with an army of which one unit was the Theban Legion composed of 6600 men. This unit had been recruited from Upper Egypt and consisted entirely of Christians. They were good men and soldiers who, even under arms, did not forget to render to God the things of God, and to Caesar the things of Caesar.

After the revolt was quelled, the Emperor Maximian issued the surprising order; that the whole army must join offering sacrifices for the Roman gods for the success of their mission. The order included killing Christians (probably as a sacrifice to the Roman gods). Only the Theban Legion dared to refuse to comply with the orders. The legion withdrew itself, encamped near Aguanum and refused to take part in these rites.

Maximian was then resting in a near-by place called Octudurum. When these news came to him, he repeatedly commanded them to obey his rules and orders, and upon their constant and unanimous refusal, he ordered that the legion should be "decimated".

Accordingly, every tenth man was put to death. A second "decimation" was ordered unless the men obeyed the order given but there was a great shout through the legion camp: they all declared that they would never allow themselves to carry out such a sacrilegious order. They always had the horror of idolatry; they had been brought up as Christians and were instructed in the One Eternal God and were ready to suffer extreme penalties rather than do any thing contrary to their religion.

When Maximian heard this news, he got more angry than ever. Like a savage beast, he ordered the second decimation to be carried out, intending that the remainder should be compelled to do what they hitherto refused. Yet they still maintained their resolve. After the second decimation, Maximian warned the remainder of the Theban legion that it was of no use for them to trust in their number, for if they persisted in their disobedience, not a man among them would be able to escape death.

The greatest mainstay of their faith in this crisis was undoubtedly their captain Maurice, with his lieutenants Candid, the first commanding officer, and "Exuperius" the "Compidoctor" fired the hearts of the soldiers with the fervor by his encouragement.

Maurice, calling attention to the example of their faithful fellow soldiers, already martyrs, persuaded them all to be ready to die in their turn for the sake of their baptismal vow (The promise one makes at his baptismal to renounce Satan and his abominable service and to worship only God). He reminded them of their comrades who had gone to heaven before them. At his words, a glorious eagerness for martyrdom burned in the hearts of those most blessed men.

Fired thus by the lead of their officers, the Theban legion sent a loyal and brave reply to Maximian (who was still enraged).

"Emperor, we are your soldiers but also the soldiers of the true God. We owe you military service and obedience, but we cannot renounce Him who is our Creator and Master, and also yours even though you reject Him. In all things that are not against His law, we most willingly obey you, as we have done hitherto. We readily oppose your enemies whoever they are, but we cannot stain our hands with the blood of innocent people (Christians). We have taken an oath to God before we took one to you. You cannot place any confidence in our second oath if we violate the first. You commanded us to execute Christians, behold we are such. We confess God the Father the creator of all things and His Son Jesus Christ, God. We have seen our comrades being slain with the sword, we do not weep for them but rather rejoice at their honor. Neither this, nor any other provocation will tempt us to revolt. Behold, we have arms in our hands, but we do not resist, because we would rather die innocent than live by any sin.’’

When Maximian heard this, he realized that these men were obstinately determined to remain in their Christian faith, and he despaired of being able to turn them from their constancy. He therefore decreed, in a final sentence, that they should be rounded up, and the slaughter completed. The troops sent to execute this order came to the blessed legion and drew their swords upon those holy men who, for love of life, did not refuse to die. They were all slain with the sword. They never resisted in any way. Putting aside their weapons, they offered their necks to the executioners. Neither their numbers nor the strength of arms tempted them to uphold the justice of their cause by force.

They kept just one thing in their minds, that they were bearing witness to Him who was led to death without protest, and who, like a lamb, opened not his mouth; but that now, they themselves, sheep in the Lord’s flock, were to be massacred as it by ravaging wolves. Thus, by the savage cruelty of this tyrant, that fellowship of the saints was perfected, for they despised things present in hope of things to come. So the truly angelic legion of men was slain. Those who, we trust, now praise the Lord God of Hosts, together with the legions of Angels, in heaven forever.

During their martyrdom, numerous miracles happened, which undoubtedly largely contributed to the massive conversion of the inhabitants of these regions to Christianity. In Zurich for instance, the three beheaded saints Felix, Regula and Exuperantius miraculously rose, carried their heads on their own hands, walked to the top of a hill, where they knelt, prayed and at last lay down. On the same spot, a large cathedral was later erected. The three saints carrying their heads on their hands appear on the coat of arms and seal of Zurich until today.

Other saints like Victor, Orsus, and their comrades were barbarously tortured by Hirtacus, the Roman governor of Solothurn. During this torture, several miracles occurred, e.g. the shackles suddenly broke open, the fire was instantaneously extinguished, etc. The lookers-on were thus filled with wonder and began to admire the Theban legionnaires, upon which the furious Hirtacus ordered their immediate beheading. Without the slightest resistance they offered the executors their necks. The bodies of the beheaded Saints shone in glaring brightness. The bodies of the Saints which were thrown in the river Aar, advanced the bank, stepped out, walked heads on hands, then knelt and prayed at the spot where the Basilica of St. Peter later arose.

The bodies of the martyrs of Aguanum were discovered and identified by Saint Theodore the Bishop of Octudurm, who was in office at 350 AD. He built a Basilica in their honor at Aguanum, the remains of which are visible until now. This later became the center of a monastery built about the year 515 AD on the land donated by King Sigismund of Burgundy.

Saint Eucher mentions that in his time (he died 494 AD), many came diverse provinces of the empire devoutly to honor these Saints, and to offer presents of gold, silver and other things. He mentions that many miracles were performed at their shrine such as casting out of devils and other kinds of healing "which the might of the Lord works there everyday through the intercession of His saints."

In the middle ages Saint Maurice was the patron saint of several of the Roman dynasties of Europe, and later on of the Holy Roman emperors. In 926, Henry I (919-936 AD) even ceded the present Swiss Canton (province) of Aargua in return of the lance of the saints. Some emperors were also anointed before the Altar of Saint Maurice in saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome. The sword of Saint Maurice was last used in the coronation of the Austrian Emperor Charles as King of Hungary in 1916. Kings, noblemen, and church leaders vied to obtain small portions of the relics of the saints in order to build churches in their honor. The famous King Charlemangne offered the monastery one of the treasured thorns that came from the crown of thorns of our Savior in return for a small portion of the sacred relics. He later built a church in honor of the martyrs inside the court of his palace.

Saint Maurice has always been one of the most popular saints in Western Europe, with over 650 foundations in his name in France alone. Five cathedrals, innumerable churches, chapels and altars are consecrated in his name all over Europe. Aguanum (Saint Maurice en Valais) has always remained the main focus of veneration of the Thebans and a significant pilgrimage resort. In the monastery that bears his name there, the monks perform a special devotion to the saints every day, and celebrate their feast on September 22 of each year. Nearly 1000 people attend an all night vigil, on the night before the feast. On the feast day, they carry in procession the relics of the martyrs in the ancient silver caskets. Over seventy towns bear the name of Saint Maurice.

In the Monastery carrying his name in Switzerland, the vigil "Tasbeha" has been chanted continuously (24 hours a day) without stopping for more than 500 years now.

II. Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion in the Coptic Tradition

There is no mentioning in the Coptic Synxarium of these saints, however, there is a number of new churches and altars that are erected in the 20th century and beyond. For example, there is a church of St. Maurice and St. Verena in the Diocese of Public Services in Egypt. There is also an altar consecrated in the name of saint Maurice in the Church of the Virgin Mary and Saint Athanasius in Mississauga, Canada. There is an icon depicting the martyrdom of Saint Maurice in Saint Mary’s Coptic Orthodox church in Cambridge, Canada. And in California there is a church consecrated to St. Verena.

In 1991, The Christian world celebrated the seventeenth centennial of the martyrdom of these saints. H.H. Pope Shenouda delegated His Grace Bishop Serapion to represent the Coptic Church in these celebrations. On that occasion parts of the relics of Saint Maurice, St. Cassius, and St. Florentius were returned to the Coptic Church.

III. St. Verena

Saint Verena was brought up in the Theban region (Luxor) in a noble Christian family, who handed her over to Bishop Sherimon, Bishop of Beni Sweif, who in turn taught her and baptized her. Saint Verena joined the Theban legion in its mission to Switzerland. The Soldiers were allowed to accompany their relatives in order to look after them and take care of their wounds. When Saint Maurice and members of the legion were martyred, Saint Verena led a lonely and hermit’s life. She used to fast and pray continuously. Moreover, God performed several miracles through her . This Saint was particularly concerned over young girls and used to look after them spiritually and physically, because of her expertise as a nurse. As a result of her fame, the ruler arrested her and sent her to jail, where Saint Maurice appeared to her to console and strengthen her. After her release from jail, she moved into several regions, and God made several miracles through her prayers. Because of her, many converted to Christianity, and many others became witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ. Saint Verena was interested in serving the poor and used to offer them food. Moreover, she enjoyed serving the sick, especially those suffering from leprosy. She used to wash their wounds and put ointments on them, not fearing contagion.

At the time of passing away, Virgin Mary appeared to her to console and strengthen her. On the 4th of the Coptic month Tute, Saint Verena departed in peace. In 1986, a delegation from Saint Verena’s Church in Switzerland, brought to Egypt a part of Saint Verena’s relics. In 1989, Saint Verena’s

Group of the Bishopric of Public Services started its ministry to provide integral, spiritual, social and health services in the popular poor areas. On the 22nd of February 1994, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III consecrated Saint Maurice and Saint Verena’s Church in the Building of the Bishopric of Public Services, at Anba Rewiss Basilica, Cairo.

May the intercession of Saint Verena and the Theban Legion be with all of us, Amen.