Sts. Mark Križin, Melchior Grodziecki, and Stephen Pongrácz
Martyrs of Košice
Feast Day: September 7
Biography
The Martyrs of Košice died during the religious wars that followed the Protestant Reformation in the Kingdom of Hungary. In 1619 the city of Košice, in present-day Slovakia, was largely Protestant, and its few Catholics were served by three priests. St. Mark Križin (c. 1589–1619), born in Križevci, Croatia, had studied in Vienna, Graz, and Rome and was a canon of Esztergom. St. Stephen Pongrácz (1582–1619), from a Hungarian noble family in Transylvania, and St. Melchior Grodziecki (c. 1584–1619), from Cieszyn in Silesia, were Jesuit priests. In September 1619, during the revolt of Gabriel Bethlen, Prince of Transylvania, troops under George Rákóczi occupied Košice, and the three priests were arrested. They were pressed to renounce the Catholic faith and were promised their freedom if they did so. All three refused. They were cruelly mistreated through the night, and on September 7, 1619, they were killed. Their relics were later taken to Trnava, where they are venerated. Pope St. Pius X beatified them in 1905, and Pope St. John Paul II canonized them at Košice on July 2, 1995.
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Symbols
Prayer
Holy martyrs of Košice, you stood together and would not deny the faith, even at the cost of your lives. Pray for priests who serve small and struggling communities, and for Christians who still suffer for their faith. Help me to be steadfast in trial and to work for the unity of all who believe in Christ. Amen.
Asking for Intercession
Catholics ask saints to pray with us and for us, as we ask friends on earth. Sts. Mark Križin, Melchior Grodziecki, and Stephen Pongrácz, who lives in God's presence, intercedes before His throne. Speak from your heart: “Sts. Mark Križin, Melchior Grodziecki, and Stephen Pongrácz, please pray for me…” You may also pray the prayer above or include this intention in your Rosary.