There is one day in July that has long been considered unlucky. This is July 16, the day of the holy martyrs Mokias and Demidos, on this day you should not start new deeds, you need to be careful in business.
On July 16, Mokias and Demidos are commemorated, the holy martyrs who lived during the time of Emperor Maximilian. Maximilian, who ruled in Rome since 286 with Diocletian, hated Christians. A few years after the beginning of the reign, mass persecutions of Christians began, they were declared enemies of the state. The books of Scripture were burned, believers were ordered to convert to the old faith, and those who refused were tortured and sent to mines, to hard labor.
Mokiy and Demidus had to live in these cruel times, they were faithful followers of the Christian faith. The servants of the state seized them and forced them to recognize the pagan faith, worship idols, and renounce Christ. However, Mokiy and Demid were firm in their faith and did not give in, despite the cruel torture.
When they were led to the altar, a small child appeared in front of the guards, hindering the procession from moving on. For this, the guards beat an innocent child, which further strengthened the martyrs in their faith. At the pagan temple they were sacrificed to idols, executed, beheaded with a sword.
Some time after the terrible persecution of Christians, at the turn of the third and fourth centuries, terrible natural disasters began in the Roman Empire. A severe drought led to widespread famine, an epidemic of plague broke out, and confusion and fear reigned in the country. Those believers who survived set an example of Christian virtue and selflessly looked after the sick, many pagans took disasters for heavenly punishment and converted to Christianity.
Emperor Diocletian abdicated the throne, and Maximilian and Galerius, the main instigators of persecution, were stricken with a terrible disease, from which they soon died. Before his death, Galerius repented of his cruelty and gave instructions to end the persecution of Christianity.
