Mar Qardagh

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Saint Qardagh
Born Persia
Died 4th century
Arbil, Adiabene
Honored in Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East
Major shrine Church of Mar Qardagh, Arbil, Iraq
Feast Friday of the 14th week after the Pentecost

Mar Qardagh (Classical Syriac: ܡܪܝ ܩܪܕܐܓ), according to his legend was a Sassanid prince who was martyred for converting to Christianity.

Legend of Mar Qardagh

According to Assyrian tradition, Qardagh was born to noble family in the Sassanid empire during the 4th century. King Shapur II visited his parents’ estate and was impressed with Qardagh’s handsome appearance and athleticism. Qardagh was appointed as a governor for a large region in northern Persia, there he met the Syriac hermit Abdishu (ܥܒܕܝܫܘܥ) and converted to Christianity.[1]

Upon learning this, the king sentenced him to be stoned and Qardagh fled with his guards to the mountains where he was able to repel the Persians for months. One night Saint Stephen appeared to him and told him that it was better to give his life for his faith than to continue fighting. He surrendered to the king and it was his own father who threw the first stone.[1]

He was buried in Adiabene (Arbil) where a church holding his relics was later erected.[1]

See also

  • Mar Behnam

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mar Qardagh, St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Diocese for Chaldeans and Assyrians
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