John Vlach, Romanian

Saint John Vlach, or Valach, lived in the 17th century in the Wallachian region of Oltenia. He was captured by the Turks when the Wallachian ruler Mihnea Voda decided to kill Turks in retaliation for their plundering. John, being a handsome and intelligent young man, fell into the hands of a cruel soldier, where he endured suffering and torture.

Being forced into sinful acts, he refused, professing his Christian faith. For this, he was captured and after long tortures was sentenced to death. On April 29/May 12, 1662, he was executed in Constantinople, where he received the martyr's crown, leaving his soul in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he loved from an early age.