Venerable Fathers slain at the Monastery of Saint Sabbas: John, Sergius, Patrick and others

In 796, during wars among Arab tribes in Palestine, bands of raiders plundered towns and monasteries around Jerusalem. The monks of the Great Lavra of St Sabbas in the Judaean desert chose not to flee to the safety of the city, fearing that their neighbours would burn the empty monastery.

Raiders broke in demanding treasure. When the monks said they had none, they were beaten and driven into the cave of St Sabbas, where a fire of brushwood and dung was lit at the entrance. Eighteen fathers, among them John and Patrick, died of the smoke; Sergius and others died of wounds or by the sword. The survivors buried them during Holy Week.