Acacius of Sebaste

Saint Acacius, hieromartyr, was a priest in Sebaste in Armenia, in the fourth century, killed in the persecution of Diocletian, around the year 304. He is venerated in the Orthodox Church and commemorated on 27 November.

Under the governor Maximus (284 to 305), seven women and two children were brought to trial at Sebaste. The women were accused of having enticed their husbands to become Christians. They did not lose their dignity even under the harshest torments. One of the executioners, Irenarchus, was so impressed by their conduct in the faith that he joined them. It was the priest Acacius who baptized Irenarchus. All were tormented and were put to death by the sword or at the stake. A Bulgarian source says that Acacius was arrested and killed together with the seven women and with Irenarchus, who, impressed by their steadfastness, became a Christian and had the same fate.

This Acacius must not be confused with the soldier Acacius, one of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste.