Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion
Most martyrs died alone. Some died in small groups. But this story is different—Maurice stood with more than 6,600 Christian soldiers, all ready to die with him.
This legion was known as the Theban Legion—because they came from Thebes in Egypt. It was one of the strongest units of the Roman army. Around 285 AD, Emperor Maximian sent them to Gaul, in what is now Switzerland.
The emperor gave them two commands:
• join in sacrifices to the Roman gods
• attack fellow Christians in the area
Maurice and his men refused. They declared: We will serve Rome faithfully as soldiers—but we cannot betray Christ.
The emperor was furious. First he ordered “decimation”—every tenth soldier executed. Still, the legion stood firm. A second decimation followed, yet not one gave in. At last, the emperor commanded the execution of them all. More than 6,600 trained warriors chose death together rather than deny their faith.
This was not the ordinary story of a single martyr—it was an entire army laying down their swords. Maurice and the Theban Legion show us that true courage is not counted in victories won, but in the strength to stand together for what is right—even when the world’s sword is raised against you.
Maurice was honored with the name Saint Maurice—and his Theban Legion is remembered as an army of martyrs whose witness still burns like fire.
ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ
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