The earliest mention of Saint Mauritius dates back to around the 6th century. The chroniclers refer to the stories of the Roman guards, who, in turn, learned about Mauritius from the bishop of Geneva. The legend of Saint Mauritius has long been considered a reliable fact, although recently the information presented in the annals has become the subject of controversy.
The Legend of Saint Mauritius
History says that at the beginning of the 4th century, the Roman emperor Maximian Galerius was concerned about the pacification of Gaul, which rebelled against the rule of Rome. One of the cohorts of the Roman army was recruited in Upper Egypt, in the vicinity of the city of Thebes. By order of the emperor, this legion was sent to rebellious Gaul.
All the soldiers of the unit were Christians by their convictions. The commander of the cohort was Mauritius, who was from a Syrian city called Apamea.
Before the start of each battle, the soldiers and their commanders were obliged to make sacrifices to the gods worshiped in Rome. However, the warriors of Mauritius categorically refused to perform this ritual. The warlord's ill-wishers immediately drew up a denunciation to the Roman emperor, which said that Mauritius and his entourage were spreading the Christian doctrine. In addition, the Christian legion refused to take part in the persecution of fellow believers.
Christians' trial and martyrdom
Mauritius was brought to trial along with his son Photin and seventy soldiers of the cohort. But the Christian warriors and their leader did not abandon their convictions and did not bow their heads before the judgment seat, even after severe threats and persuasions. Then they were tortured. Fotin was especially resistant to physical torment. Not having achieved the desired renunciation of Christ, the executioners executed Photinus in front of Mauritius.
Even the death of his son did not break the will of Mauritius, who only rejoiced that Photin was honored with the share of a martyr in the name of Christ.
But the executioners did not stop there. They devised a more sophisticated torture for Christians. Mauritius and his warriors were led to a swampy lowland teeming with blood-sucking insects. The martyrs were tied to the trunks of trees, and their bodies were smeared with honey. Mosquitoes, gadflies and wasps stung the unfortunate for several days. The warriors patiently endured suffering, constantly praying and praising God. The suffering of the martyrs was stopped only by death.
The cruel emperor ordered to cut off the heads of the dead soldiers and leave their bodies without burial. However, under cover of night, local Christians collected the remains of the dead and secretly buried them near the place of execution, which is located on the territory of modern Switzerland.
Mauritius was soon canonized by the decision of the church. Christians celebrate the day of his memory on September 22. Today Saint Mauritius is revered as the patron saint of the infantry and orders of knighthood.
