22 September - Maurice d'Agaune or Saint Maurice and his Coptic companions from Thebes (Theban soldiers), martyrs of the Valais, are Christians who died for their faith under Emperor Diocletian at the beginning of the 4th century (around 303).

According to Eucher's account, there was at that time a legion of soldiers, numbering 6,500 men, known as the Thebans. These warriors, valiant in battle, but even more valiant in their faith, had come from the eastern provinces to help Maximian. Like many other soldiers, they were ordered to arrest Christians. However, they were the only ones who dared to refuse to obey. When this was reported to Maximian, who was then in the region of Octodurum (today's Martigny), he became terribly angry. He ordered one man in ten of the legion to pass over the edge of the sword, in order to inculcate in the others the respect of his orders.

The survivors, forced to continue the persecution of the Christians, persisted in their refusal. Maximian became even more angry and had one man in ten executed again. Those who remained had yet to do the odious work of persecution. But the soldiers encouraged each other to remain inflexible. The one who most encouraged them to remain faithful to their faith was St. Maurice, who, according to tradition, commanded the legion. Assisted by two officers, Exuperus and Candide, he encouraged each of his exhortations. Maximien understood that their hearts would remain firmly attached to the faith of Christ, and he gave up all hope of changing their minds. He then gave the order to execute them all. Thus they were all put to the sword together. They laid down their arms without discussion or resistance, surrendered themselves to the persecutors and gave their necks to the executioners.