For Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire, a great danger from the East began to take shape in
the seventh century by the appearance and actions of Muhammad, an energetic political and religious
leader who united the separated Arab tribes under the umbrella of Islamic theocratic state.
For Eastern Christians, the Franks were a greater danger, because, before Islam, many of them
have fi rmly confessed their faith, while the threat of cultural assimilation by Western Christianity
was much higher. The article brings into focus the Eastern Fathers who fought against Islam and
presents cases of new martyrs who have professed their faith in the face of Islam.
Keywords: Islam, Muhammad, Franks, Turks, lives of the new Martyrs, fi ghting Islam

TEODOROS ZISIS