Abdiisus of Persia

Holy Hieromartyr Abdiisus of Persia was a bishop in the Kashkar region of Babylonia and suffered in the persecution of Shapur II, together with the priest Abdelas, Saint Abdas, bishop of Kashkar, and others. The company numbers sixteen priests, nine deacons, six monks and seven virgins. The martyrdom took place around the year 375, and he is commemorated on 29 May. His name is not in the present calendar of the Russian Church.

For political reasons the Church in Persia had enjoyed some twelve years of peace. The persecution began from an unhappy occasion. Abdiisus had a nephew who was a deacon, whom he had removed from his rank for a dissolute life. The nephew went to Susa, to the king, and denounced that in the Kashkar region there lived the head of the Christians, Abdiisus, and beside him the priest Abdelas; that they did not recognise the sun, the moon, fire and water as gods, and that they had dealings with Roman spies. The malice succeeded. The king ordered Ardashir, the governor of Adiabene, to seize the supposed traitors and extract from them by torture a confession of guilt.

In an inhabited place near Beth Lapat, Abdiisus and Abdelas were questioned. They confessed that they were Christians, and that was enough. Each was bound with three ropes, one around the ribs, one around the shins and one around the feet. Stakes were put under the ropes, and the executioners tightened them slowly, so that the bones of the martyrs cracked and their sinews tore. The torments were repeated seven times. Each time they were commanded to honour the sun and to give up the secrets of the Roman emperor. The saints endured and stood unmoved in the confession of Jesus Christ. Half dead, they were carried to prison, with the order that they be given only bread and water.

For six days the martyrs stayed hungry. At last a widow lowered some better food to them through the window, and, strengthened, they thanked the Lord. The king was told that the accused did not confess, and he ordered other suspected Christians seized: Abdas, the bishop of Kashkar, with his priests and deacons. Abdas, suspecting nothing, had gone out of the city at that time and was occupied with church affairs with his clergy. Soldiers suddenly surrounded them, bound them and brought them in chains to Leda, to the king, who ordered an official and two magi to investigate the case. Those seized were twenty-⁠eight, among them seven virgins dedicated to God. They showed their loyalty to their convictions. They were ordered thrown to the ground and given a hundred blows each. But the martyrs went on refusing to recognise the pagan gods. The magi were enraged and struck Abdas in the face with their fists. Then the saints were put to death.

Meanwhile Abdiisus and Abdelas were in prison. It seemed that they had been forgotten. The king was the first to remember them and ordered their execution. The saints could no longer walk and were carried to the place of beheading. Their appearance was dreadful. They were once more asked to renounce the faith, but they refused and were beheaded on 16 May. The virgins suffered on 22 May.