but she chose to remain with Isaiah's family, where she was also eventually murdered by the Boxers. Eight-year-old Ioann or John was attacked brutally on June 10, 1900 by the Boxers who—by some reports—chopped off his nose, ears, and toes and hacked away at his shoulders. Maria concealed the little boy in the outhouse, where he survived the attack. The next day, according to the reports of followers, he was seen sitting naked on the steps outside the house, begging for water, which his neighbors refused him. Their children mocked him and called him a follower of devils. John reportedly replied, "I am a believer in God, and not a follower of devils." Others asked him if his wounds hurt and the child reportedly replied, "It does not hurt to suffer for Christ." He was later taken away again by a crowd of Boxers to be murdered, but seemed to show no fear. One old man protested as he was led away, "What is the boy's fault? Blame the parents for his becoming a devil's disciple." Others in the crowd jeered at him. Canonizations Hundreds of other Chinese Orthodox Christians were also murdered during the Boxer Rebellion and are also considered martyrs by their church and remembered with their bishop. Roman Catholic and Protestant Chinese and foreign missionaries were killed as well. Though the communist government in China criticized the Roman Catholic Church for canonizing 120 Chinese and foreign martyrs in October 2000, similar criticism had not occurred two months earlier during the Orthodox canonizations. The smaller size of the Eastern Orthodox Church, its lower profile in China, and/or the better relations between the Orthodox Church and the Chinese government may account for the disparity. References External links Akathist to the Chinese Martyrs Saints of the Boxer Rebellion Stars of the Orient: New Martyrs of China 1855 births 1900 deaths 19th-century Eastern Orthodox martyrs 19th-century Christian saints Chinese saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church Qing dynasty translators Translators from Russian Translators to Chinese Deaths by stabbing in China People murdered in China Chinese murder victims Chinese people of the Boxer Rebellion 19th-century translators China–Russian Empire relations