- 22 September, 2026
September 22, 2026: Saint Maurice and his companions are remembered as Christian soldiers who remained faithful to Christ even when obedience to their military commander conflicted with their Christian faith. Their story is traditionally connected with the Theban Legion, a group of soldiers who were martyred at Agaunum, in present-day Switzerland, during the Roman persecution of Christians. Their feast is celebrated on September 22.
Feast Day: September 22
Title: Soldiers and Martyrs
Known As: Saint Maurice and Companions, Theban Martyrs
Period: 3rd century
Place of Martyrdom: Agaunum, present-day Saint-Maurice, Switzerland
Known For: Refusing to compromise their Christian faith
Patron: Soldiers and military communities
According to the ancient Christian tradition, Saint Maurice was the leader of the Theban Legion, a unit of Roman soldiers traditionally said to have been recruited from Christian communities in Egypt.
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The soldiers served under Emperor Maximian. When they were ordered to participate in pagan religious sacrifices, Maurice and his companions refused because they were Christians. According to the tradition, they also refused to take part in violence against fellow Christians.
Their refusal eventually led to their execution at Agaunum, around the late third century.
The story of Saint Maurice is remembered because the soldiers faced a difficult choice between obeying an imperial command and remaining faithful to their religious convictions.
The traditional account says that the soldiers accepted death rather than deny Christ.
Maurice encouraged his companions to remain faithful, even after some of their fellow soldiers had already been killed. Their courage became a lasting example of Christian martyrdom.
Their witness illustrates the Christian belief that faithfulness to God can require great sacrifice.
The earliest surviving account of the martyrdom is associated with Saint Eucherius, Bishop of Lyon, writing around the fifth century. The account describes the martyrdom of Maurice and his companions at Agaunum.
There are uncertainties surrounding some details of the traditional story, including the exact size and identity of the legion and the precise circumstances of the massacre. However, archaeological evidence points to an early Christian shrine at Agaunum, and the memory of martyrs there became established at an early date.
Devotion to Saint Maurice spread widely throughout Europe. Churches, towns and military communities came to honour him, particularly in Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy. He is traditionally represented as a soldier or knight carrying a banner and palm of martyrdom.
His name also became closely associated with soldiers and those serving in military professions.
Saint Maurice and his companions remind Christians that courage is not simply the absence of fear. Their story represents the courage to remain faithful to one's conscience and religious convictions during times of pressure.
Their witness also encourages believers to consider how faith should influence decisions, especially when personal beliefs come into conflict with powerful demands.
For Catholics today, Saint Maurice and his companions remain symbols of faith, courage, loyalty and sacrifice. Their feast invites Christians to remember those who remained faithful to Christ even when the cost was their own lives.
To know about more saints and Catholic feast days, please visit the spiritual section.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
Relevant Keywords: Saint Maurice, Saint Maurice and companions, Theban Legion, Saint Maurice feast day, September 22 saints, Catholic martyrs, Christian soldiers, Theban martyrs, Agaunum martyrs, Catholic feast days
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