St. Johann Esch and St. Heinrich Voes, Martyrs

All praise for John and Henry
Whose witness to Your truth,
In fire and smoke foreshortened
Their brave and faithful youth.
But now, their pain is over;
They dwell with You above.
Lord, give us all such courage
To witness to your love!

On this date in 1523 two young Augustinian monks from Antwerp, Johann Esch and Heinrich Voes were burned at the stake at Brussels Belgium for embracing the teachings of Martin Luther.

Here is an article by Matthew Block of "The Canadian Lutheran" about the incident.

Esch and Voes were the very first martyrs of the Reformation and the subject of what is thought to be  Luther's very first hymn: