On Sunday 26 June 2011 at the Metropolis Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Naousa, the 1241 New Martyrs of Naousa who were brutally massacred in the region of Kioski in 1822 were officially canonized. Representatives of the Patriarchal and Autocephalous Churches were in attendance and officiated, joining Metropolitan Panteleimon of Beroia, Naousa and Kampania.
These men, women and children were massacred by the Ottoman Turks from Thursday of Bright Week to the Sunday of Thomas in 1822. It began with the martyrdom of five priests from the Church of Saint George and the destruction of the church with those in it. The people of Naousa had sought to defend the church from destruction, but were killed in return.
