St. Otranto Martyrs
813 inhabitants of Otranto in Apulia (d. 14 August 1480), beheaded en masse on the hill of Minerva by the Ottoman invasion force of Mehmed II's general Gedik Ahmed Pasha for refusing to apostatize after the city's fall (28 July 1480). The Ottoman withdrawal a year later was attributed to their intercession. Canonized 2013 by Francis as "Antonio Primaldo and his Companions."
Life & Times
Born: various · Died: 1480 · From: Otranto / Italy.
Patronage
St. Otranto Martyrs is invoked as the patron of otranto, persecuted christians, steadfast faith. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Otranto Martyrs, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.