The Holy Martyrs Peter and Stephan of Kazan were muslim Tatars who became Christians, in 1552, during the times when Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible) conducted a siege on Kazan. Both were martyred in Kazan when Russian forces temporarily withdrew from the city in 1555 before its final conquest. The martyred saints are remembered on March 24. Local veneration of Peter and Stephan as saints began shortly after Kazan was finally taken by the Russians. They are remembered on the same date although they were not acquainted with each other. Their feat of love in Christ united them for eternity.