Hieromartyr Damascene the New (+1771)

The Hieromartyr Damascene the New was born in the village of Gabrovo in the diocese of Tarnovo. When he reached maturity he left his homeland, went to Mount Athos, and was tonsured a monk in the Hilandar monastery. Afterwards the saint became hegumen of this monastery. Once the blessed father went to Bulgaria on monastery business, to the village of Svishtov. The ungodly accused him of abducting a woman and, in spite of the intercession of the village ruler, decided to kill him. When the saint had been brought to the gallows, the godless offered him to accept the religion of Mohammed, which he firmly refused, and received a martyr’s crown. This happened on 6 January 1771. The Lord’s punishment soon overtook the tormentors: while crossing the Danube they were all drowned in the river.