Both the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Calendars have memorials today for the Seven Maccabean Martyrs. In the West, this is the only feast of an Old Testament saint that has more than a local observance.



The gruesome and noble story is told in 2 Maccabees 7 and is probably the specific reference of Hebrews 11:35:



"Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection."



Think of their heroic perseverance and of the passsage a little further on in Hebrews 13:14: “Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”



Brief Life Is Here Our Portion