Abibas of Gothia

Holy Martyr Abibas of Gothia was a layman and was among the Gothic martyrs killed around the year 375, in the time of King Ungerich, who persecuted the Christians. Of him it is said only that he was one of the faithful who perished in the same fire. He is commemorated on 8 April.

The king ordered the church set on fire during the service. In the flames three hundred and eight people died, of whom twenty-⁠one names are known: the priests Vafusius and Verk, the monk Arpila, the laymen Aviv, Agn, Reas, Igathrax, Iskoes, Sila, Sigetz, Sonirilas, Suimbal, Ferm, Fill and Constans, the prince Agathon, and the martyr women Anna, Alla, Larissa, Moiko, Mamika, Uirko, Animaisa, Gaafa, queen of the Goths, and the princess Duklida. The widow of a Gothic king, Alla, gathered with Duklida the remains of the martyrs and took them to Syria. Returning to her country, she died stoned to death, as a martyr, together with her son Agathon. The relics remained with Duklida, who gave a part of them at Cyzicus for the consecration of a church and ended her life in peace. The Goths lived mostly along the Danube, in present-⁠day Romania.