Life and Martyrdom
The Bulgarian Orthodox accounts relate that John was born in the town of Osman Pazar (modern Omurtag) in the latter part of the 18th century, into a propertied and pious family. His father, a merchant named Dimo, went bankrupt around 1812 and died; his mother, Maria, died soon afterward, leaving John an orphan without inheritance.
He made his way to Trnovo, where he found work as an apprentice to a maker of bricks and tiles. According to the tradition, he became involved with a band acting against Ottoman rule; when the group was broken up, his companions were executed. Arrested and facing death, John — overcome by fear — renounced his Christian faith and accepted Islam, taking the name Mehmed. He remained an apostate for about eight months.
Stricken in conscience, John sought to return to Christ. The accounts relate that a hieromonk from the Karakallou Monastery on Mount Athos counselled him toward repentance and the public confession of his faith. On July 16, 1822 he openly confessed his sin and renounced Islam. He was tortured and imprisoned on the order of the local Ottoman official, and, refusing to recant, was sentenced to death.
He was executed by hanging outside the city of Trnovo. The tradition relates that faithful Christians buried his body that same night.