Abibus

Saint Abibus of Samosata, Martyr, suffered at Samosata in Syria, on the Euphrates, in the time of the persecution of Diocletian, in the year 297. He was arrested for refusing to take part in a pagan ceremony celebrating the victory of the emperor Maximian over the Persians. He was thrown into prison, his body was scratched with iron and heavy shackles were put on his neck. In 297 he was sentenced to crucifixion. After living two days on the cross he was taken down, and his head was pierced with nails. He was crucified together with other martyrs: James, Romanus, Lollius, Philotheus and Paregrus. All these martyrs are commemorated on 29 January in the Byzantine Church and in October in the Armenian Church. The commemoration of Abibus is on 9 December.