Azat of Persia

Holy Martyr Azat of Persia was a eunuch at the court of the Persian king Shapur II, of high standing among the officials and of particular love and honour from the king. For his bold confession of faith in Christ, he was put to death in the year 344, together with a thousand martyrs. King Shapur was greatly grieved by the death of Azat. After his death he issued an edict forbidding the killing of Christians, and the edict held for a time. The saint is commemorated on 27 and 30 April.

The persecution of 344 began when the king laid a heavy levy on the Christians, and some refused to pay it. Bishop Simeon of Seleucia-⁠Ctesiphon was brought to trial in chains, together with the priests Abdelas and Ananias, and refused to bow to the sun. A eunuch, the former tutor of the king, Usthazanes, repented of having bowed to the sun, confessed Christ and died. Through Easter week, until 23 April, the executions continued; Simeon was beheaded on 13 April 344. Other martyrs also suffered, among them virgins and officials; the sources speak of a thousand martyrs, then a hundred more and a hundred and fifty more. Among them Azat, the eunuch close to the king, also received the crown of martyrdom.