In 18th century Romania, King Constantin Brancoveanu and his entire household were arrested by the Turkish sultan's men. After being taken to Constantinople and thrown into prison, the king and his four sons were sentenced to death.
"I will pardon you, if you tell me where the wealth of your country is and if you deny the Christian faith and convert to Islam," the sultan promised the king.
But the king stood firm.
"I will never abandon the Christian faith. I was born in it, have lived in it, and will die in it. I have filled my country with churches, monasteries, and hospitals. I will not worship in your mosques, neither I nor my children." He then turned to his sons and said, "My beloved, be strong in the faith. We have lost all things. Let us not lose our souls as well."
The sultan ordered the sons to be killed first.
After the first three were beheaded, the king's fourth son, 16 year old Matthew, wavered at the sight of the blood and hid near his mother. Seeing his fear, the king told him, "Follow your brothers. Do not deny Christ."
Gaining strength from his father's words, Matthew put his head on the block and said, "Strike."
History is filled with stories of families, including children, who have suffered heroically for their Christian witness. Parents, as we consider the little ones that God has entrusted into our care, may we never take for granted or dismiss the high calling of parenting. Likewise, may our lives daily demonstrate to them the cost of picking up our cross and following Christ while assuring them that our trust lies fully and solely in Him.
(Excerpted from Voice of the Martyrs newsletter, February 2013)
May God strengthen our families.
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