Following in the footsteps of Christ, they bravely bore the cross of spiritual struggle and persecution, to move from Golgotha to resurrection and prove themselves worthy of the Christian name. Men and women, vibrant youth and white-haired elderly, clergy and laity, kings and soldiers, lords and servants, wise and unlearned, some with the blood of martyrdom, others with the sweat of struggle and asceticism, and others with the tears of repentance, opened the gates of heaven and entered triumphantly into eternity.