I found this interesting and thought I would share it. In316, Emperor Licinius decreed that any Christians of the East renounce their faith or he threatened to put them to death. Forty young Christian Roman soldiers refused to sacrifice to idols and were tried before the tribunal at Sebaste, Cappadocia. The governor tried bribery, threats, and torture to persuade them, but the soldiers stood firm. He put them in prison, where it is said that Christ appeared to them and encouraged them to persevere.
Incensed by the soldiers’ obstinacy, the governor ordered that they be stripped and left to die standing on a frozen lake. On shore, he arranged a fire and warm bath to tempt them to apostatize. All forty signed a will that expressed their faith, unity, and courage. They removed their own clothing and together prayed. After one night’s ordeal, one soldier caved in, but ended up dying of extreme heat in the bath. But, an off-duty guard prompted by the martyrs’ courage, professed himself a Christian, and took the dying man’s place, preserving their number.
After three days, the governor broke their limbs and had their bodies burned. He scattered their ashes into a river. Other Christians secured some of the ashes and they became treasured relics.
clawingmywayin 