One netfriend:

The person who told me of their lives also said that as they were beheaded by the soldiers’ swords that a man nearby had a vision of hands from heaven placing martyr’s crowns on their heads. I haven’t been able to confirm if that really happened.

Another:

This is a common vision at the time of true Christian martyrdom. The Orthodox Churches have very many examples of the exact same thing.

“In the baptism of water is received the remission of sins, in the baptism of blood the crown of virtues.” St. Cyprian of Carthage, Exhortation to Martyrdom, A.D. 252 or 257

“If any man receive not Baptism, he hath not salvation; except only Martyrs, who even without the water receive the kingdom. For when the Saviour, in redeeming the world by His Cross, was pierced in the side, He shed forth blood and water; that men, living in times of peace, might be baptized in water, and, in times of persecution, in their own blood. For martyrdom also the Saviour is wont to call a baptism, saying, Can ye drink rite cup which I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with[1]? And the Martyrs confess, by being made a spectacle unto the world, and to Angels, and to men.”[2] Catechetical Lectures Of Our Holy Father, Cyril, Archbishop Of Jerusalem – Lecture 3. On Baptism

Peace and grace

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