MARTYRDOMS OF THE SAINTS

The Martyrdom of the Holy Bishop Abda, Hormizd, Sahen, and Deacon Benjamin.

In the days of the reign of Theodosius the Younger of the Romans, and during the tyranny of the impious King of the Persians, Yazdegerd, Satan stirred up war through the lawless king against the Church of God. Abda, the bishop of the Persians, heard of this and was moved by divine zeal. He burned the pyreion (1) of the Persians with fire, which they called the temple of fire, in which the fire-worshipping priests stoked the fire. When the Magi of the Persians heard of this, they reported it to the king. He called for the holy bishop and at first, with calmness, reproached him for that act. Then he ordered him to rebuild the pyreion fire-temple which he had burned. But the holy bishop spoke in opposition before the king and said, "It is impossible for me to rebuild that which I have burned: an empty place for the ash-worshippers, and especially for you who are godless."

In that same hour, they killed the holy bishop Abda before the king, and they destroyed all the churches. For thirty years, the storm of persecution against the Christians did not cease. The king ordered the Magi to seize those who confessed piety and to cut off some by their hands and feet, others by their ears and noses, and some to blind both eyes.

(1) From the Greek Pyreion, which is a Fire-Altar.