New Martyr Constantine of Hydra

Constantine of Hydra was a Greek New Martyr of the early nineteenth century who was born and raised on the island of Hydra during Ottoman rule, the son of pious Orthodox parents named Michael and Marina. Poverty and a lack of work on the island led him, at the age of eighteen and over his mother's objections, to leave for Rhodes in search of employment.

On Rhodes he entered the service of Hassan Kapitan, the Turkish governor, caring for the governor's horse and performing household tasks. At a large public gathering he was made drunk, and Hassan Kapitan then had him circumcised by the Hodjas and given a white turban and the Muslim name Hassan. When he returned home, his mother refused to open her door, declaring that she had no son named Hassan. For roughly three years he lived outwardly as a Muslim while inwardly grieving his apostasy, giving generous alms to Orthodox believers and weeping in private.

After confessing his sin to an elder living as an ascetic in a cave at Rodini near Rhodes, he traveled to Constantinople, where Patriarch Gregory V directed him to Mount Athos. He took monastic vows at the Monastery of Iveron, then returned to Rhodes and openly confessed Christ before the governor. Imprisoned and tortured for five months, he was martyred by hanging on November 14, 1800, at the age of thirty. He is commemorated on November 14.