The Pancretan Association of America Fraternity of Detroit "Pseloretes," the Cretan Ladies Society "Kriti," and the "Levendoyenna" Youth of Detroit invite you to commemorate two significant events in Cretan history on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM:
- The Heroes of the Holocaust of Arkadi (November 8, 1866)
- The Four New Martyrs of Rethymno (October 28, 1824)
An icon of the Four New Martyrs of Rethymno will be available at the church for veneration.
We will also honor the memory of all deceased past members and loved ones. We encourage all Cretans to submit the names of their loved ones to be included in the memorial service. Please send your list of names to
Brief History:
The Four New Martyrs of Rethymno — Aggelis, Manouil, Georgios, and Nikolaos — were farmers and married men with children who lived as Crypto-Christians, outwardly adopting Turkish identity while secretly remaining faithful to the Orthodox Church. During the Greek War of Independence (1821–1824), they were captured and beheaded on October 28, 1824, for their resistance to Ottoman rule. They were buried at the Monastery of Saint Constantine, Arkadi.
The Holocaust of Arkadi (November 1866) occurred during the Cretan revolt against Ottoman rule. The Arkadi Monastery, serving as the rebel headquarters, was besieged by a large Ottoman force. Over 700 women and children, along with 259 defenders, took refuge there. When the Ottomans broke through, rebel Kostis Giaboudakis ignited the monastery's gunpowder storage, resulting in the death of most inside. This act of resistance shocked Europe and North America, further undermining Ottoman legitimacy.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
707 E Lafayette St, Detroit, MI 48226
We look forward to seeing you there as we honor the heroes of our past and the memories of our departed loved ones.