Aithalas of Arbela

Saint Aithalas of Arbela was a deacon of the Church of Arbela in Persia and suffered with Saint Acepsius. They are commemorated on 24 December.

Acepsius had at first been a pagan priest in the city of Arbela. Hearing of the faith of Christ, he resolved to go to a Christian bishop, hoping to be cured of an illness that had struck him. The bishop taught him the Christian faith and way of life and healed him by his prayers. After that Acepsius returned to Arbela, became among his fellow citizens a preacher and teacher of piety and was ordained presbyter. The governor of the region learned of it and summoned the new herald of Christ, ordered his ear cut off and had him shut in prison.

Aithalas was a deacon at the church of Arbela. Seized for confessing Christ, he was cruelly beaten and sent by the chief of the priests to Acepsius, in prison. Then both saints were brought again before the ruler of the country and confessed once more their faith in Christ, and for this were sentenced to be beheaded.