Their bodies were thrown into the Bosporus, but were later recovered by Christian fishermen and secretly brought back to Bucharest, where they now rest at the Church of Saint George the New . The Ballad and its Meaning
: Historical legends tell of the youngest, Matei (only 12), momentarily faltering in fear. His father steadied him, saying it was better to die a thousand times than to leave the ancient faith. Matei then bowed his head to the executioner. Their bodies were thrown into the Bosporus, but
They were taken to the infamous Yedikule (Seven Towers) fortress in Istanbul, where they endured months of interrogation and torture. On the prince's 60th birthday and the Feast of the Dormition—they were brought before the Sultan and European ambassadors. Matei then bowed his head to the executioner
In the spring of 1714, after decades of maintaining a delicate diplomatic balance between the Ottoman Empire and European powers, Brâncoveanu was deposed by Sultan Ahmed III. Accused of treason and hiding a legendary fortune, he was arrested along with his four sons——and his faithful treasurer, Ianache Văcărescu . The Martyrdom in Istanbul In the spring of 1714, after decades of
: One by one, the four sons were beheaded before their father's eyes so he would witness their deaths.
