Saint
Infants
Martyred 14,000 Holy Infants, slain by Herod in Bethlehem
New Calendar December 29 Old Calendar January 11
Why they are a saint
Having learned from the Magi about the birth of the King of the Jews, our Lord Jesus Christ, and being afraid that this King would deprive him of his throne, Herod commanded that all children of the male gender two years old and younger be killed in Bethlehem and its vicinity. The Orthodox Church commemorates Infants on December 29.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Infants as a patron when they bear the name Infants at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 29. As a martyr, he is also asked for courage and faithfulness under trial.
Prayer
O holy Infants, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.