Over six thousand men formed the Theban Legion, a group primarily conscripted from profoundly Christian regions surrounding Thebes, Egypt, which explains the origin of their name. Their dedication and loyalty were evident as they journeyed from the East to Gaul, simultaneously upholding their commitment to the Roman Emperor and their faith in God.

While encamped near Lake Geneva under Emperor Maximian, a pivotal test of their faith occurred. They received orders to both offer sacrifices to the Roman deities and to turn their weapons against fellow Christians. Bound by their unwavering faith, the legion chose to defy this command.

Maximian, incensed by their defiance, decreed their “decimation.” In this brutal order, every tenth soldier would be executed as a chilling lesson. Despite witnessing their comrades fall, the legion remained resilient, not even attempting to defend themselves against this grim fate. Their leader, St. Maurice, became a beacon of hope and encouragement. He declared to Maximian, “We remain your loyal soldiers, yet we are also the faithful servants of the true God. While we will obey in all that’s just, we cannot bear the guilt of shedding innocent blood. We’ve witnessed our brethren’s sacrifice and honor their martyrdom. We bear arms, yet we won’t resist. We’d rather meet an honorable death than live in sin.” In a display of steadfast faith, the soldiers laid down their weapons, awaiting their fate with quiet dignity. The Emperor’s wrath, however, knew no bounds, and he continued the massacres until none remained.

Today, the memory of St. Maurice and the Theban Legion lives on, notably in the town of Saint-Moritz, Switzerland.

Among those remembered from the Theban Legion are:

Saint Alexander of Bergamo
Saint Candidus the Theban
Saint Exuperius
Saint Innocent the Theban
Saint Maurice
Saint Secundus the Theban
Saint Ursus the Theban
Saint Victor of Agaunum
Saint Victor of Xanten
Saint Victor the Theban
Saint Vitalis of Agaunum.

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23 COMMENTS

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  1. Decimation was a terrible punishment. As it claimed the lives of the innocent as well as the guilty. Wasn’t just a Roman thing either. Apparently decimation has been used as recently as 1941.

  2. I too can only say WOW. What a witness to their faith. I pray I am never tested in such a manner, but if I am please Lord, let me have just a bit of their strength and courage!

  3. This story is valuable. I would NOT go to gay glory, for Roma, but given a chance, I’d change my name, to MOHAMED. This vanity did not establish civilization. You need constitutional rule, or get a code, better than the Americans do it. This offers a clue, like the Armenian outcome, as to what is in store, for North America.

  4. please interced for my family and give us the courage to stand with the all the angels and saints and especially st maurice and the legions and give our lives for GOd our creator and redeemer. work miracles in the life of my grandson that he too may choose to serve and obey God,s words and to give honor and glory and praise every day to our heavenly father and mama mary.st maurice pray for us.and grant us the peace which comes from God.

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  5. Dear Saint Maurice and all the Theban legion: Please pray for all our military men to stand for their faith and not cave into the pressure to conform to this culture’s standards. Also, please pray for us, the Church Militant, that we may also stand for Christ and our faith in HIM and not bow to the forces of compromise and “going along to get along” just to survive. Help us by yur great intercession to be BRAVE and to TRUST IN GOD!

    AMEN

  6. Dear St. Maurice, please intercede to Jesus for us to be strong in our faith. Please ask Jesus to always give us good health and forgive us of our transgressions. Let His Spirit Flow through me and my family – Amen.

  7. Anima Christi: Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, protect me. Blood of Christ, fill me. Water from the side of Christ, purify me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Your wounds hide me; never permit me to leave Thee. From the evil one defend me. In my last hour, call me. And bid me come to Thee, and with your saints and angels praise Thee, throughout eternity. Amen.

    Guardian Angels direct our minds and hearts and hands to do only Our Father’s divine will. Saint Maurice, pray for us. Amen.

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