Anempodistus of Persia

Holy Martyr Anempodistus of Persia is commemorated together with the martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus and others, who suffered in the time of the Persian king Shapur II (310 to 381). They are commemorated on 15 November.

Acindynus, Pegasius and Anempodistus, courtiers of King Shapur, were secret Christians. When the king raised a persecution, the envious denounced them. Summoned to the king's judgment, the holy martyrs fearlessly confessed their faith in the Holy Trinity. The king ordered them beaten with whips. Twice the weary executioners were replaced, and the martyrs uttered neither cry nor groan. Even the king could not bear the strain and fainted. All thought him dead, but the saints called on God, and the king recovered. Awakened, Shapur accused the saints of sorcery and ordered them hung above a fire to be smothered with smoke. By the prayers of the saints the fire went out, and the ropes with which they were bound came undone. When the king asked them how this had happened, the saints told him of Christ, who works such wonders.

Blinded with rage, the king began to blaspheme the Name of the Lord. Then the saints said: "May your mouth be dumb", and the king became mute. Mad with fear and fury, he tried to command by signs that the saints be taken to prison; those around him did not understand and he began to rave: he tore off his mantle, tore his hair, struck his face. Saint Acindynus took pity on him and, in the Name of the Lord, freed him from his muteness. But even then the king explained everything by sorcery and continued to torment the saints. They were laid on an iron grate and a fire was lit beneath. The saints prayed. Suddenly rain fell and put out the fire. Seeing the wonders wrought by the prayers of the holy martyrs, many believed in Christ and confessed their faith. The saints glorified God and called those who had believed to receive Baptism by the rain sent on them.

One of the executioners, Aphthonius, asked the holy martyrs' forgiveness before all for the torments he had caused and went courageously to death for Christ. The official Elpidephorus and the king's mother also confessed faith in the One true God. The king, seeing how the number of Christians grew and how the sufferings of Acindynus, Pegasius and Anempodistus strengthened the Christian faith, announced to the people that the holy martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Anempodistus and with them Elpidephorus would be beheaded, but that their bodies might be taken by Christians for burial. When the saints were led beyond the city walls to the place of execution, a great crowd accompanied them, glorifying Christ. By the king's order the soldiers killed all the Christians, up to seven thousand, who were walking in the procession. With the others Elpidephorus was also killed. Acindynus, Pegasius and Anempodistus, together with the king's mother, were burned the next day. Christians, coming secretly at night to the place of execution, found the bodies of the holy martyrs unharmed by the fire and buried them with honour.