The Holy Innocents, Martyrs, commemorates the young children of Bethlehem who were ordered to be executed by King Herod in his attempt to eliminate the infant Jesus, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. Though they were victims of political tyranny and too young to profess faith, Christian tradition has honored them as martyrs because they died out of hatred for Christ, viewing their sacrifice as a testimony to the hardships faced by the Savior from birth. Their feast day is celebrated annually on December 28