September 22, 286 - Thebian Legions Executed

The idea of Roman emperors beating up on Christians is nothing new and, until Constantine, almost expected. One instance occurred on September 22, 286 (the traditional date) when Co-Emperor Maximian executed over 6,000 of his own Roman soldiers because they refused to worship Roman gods and denounce Jesus Christ. Known as the Theban Legion, because they were Coptic Christians from Thebes in Egypt, they were ordered to modern day Switzerland to help Maximian fight the Gauls and didn’t get ready for battle by offering pagan sacrifices. This is a picture of the Abbey of St. Maurice named for the Theban commander who first refused to the pagan worship.