Abda and Abdjesus

Abda and Abdjesus were two Christian bishops who were martyred at Kashkar under Shapur II[note 1] on May 16, in either 366 AD or 375 AD.[1] They were first placed between heavy boards to crush their bones, and later beheaded.

Their feast day is commemorated on May 16 according to the Martyrologium Romanum, the Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, and in the Syrian Church as well. The biographical text Ausgewählte Akten Persischer Märtyrer by Oskar Braun also mentions the names of several of the other martyrs, including:

  • 16 priests - Abdallah, Simeon, Abraham, Abda of Kashkar, Ajabel, Joseph, Han, Ebedjesu, Abdallah, John, Ebedjesu, Maris, Berhadbesciaba, Rozichaeus, Abdallah, and Ebedjesu
  • 9 deacons - Eliab, Ebedjesu, Marjab, Maris, Abdias, Berhadbesciaba, Han, Simeon, and Maris
  • 6 monks - Papa, Evolesus, Ebedjesu and others, and
  • 7 unnamed virgins.

Notes

  1. ^ The Greek text states that they suffered under the brother of King Ardashir II (i.e.: "ἀπεστάλη στὸ Μβεὴτ Λαβάτ, πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸ τοῦ βασιλέως Ἀρσήθ").[1] It is well-known that under the reign of Shapur, Ardashir II had served as governor-King of Adiabene, where he had reportedly persecuted Christians.

References

  1. ^ a b (Greek) Οἱ Ἅγιοι Αὐδᾶς, Αὐδιησοῦς, Βενιαμὶν καὶ ἄλλοι τριάντα ὀκτὼ Μάρτυρες. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

Sources