Gabdelas

Holy Martyr Gabdelas (Gobdelaas) was a son of the Persian king Shapur and suffered for Christ in the fourth century, in the time of Shapur II. He is commemorated on 29 September (new style) together with Dadas, Casdoe and Casdoa.

He was brought to the faith by a high official of his father, Dadas, whom the king had made governor of a province without knowing that he was a Christian. When this was discovered, Dadas was stripped of honour, brought before the judge Andromelich and condemned to be burned. Walking to the pyre, Dadas made the sign of the Cross and the fire went out. Seeing the wonder, Gabdelas believed in Christ and confessed his faith in the hearing of all. Shapur put both to torture: Dadas was cut to pieces, while Gabdelas was flayed on the head, had his limbs cut and his body pierced with reeds. Casdoe, a relative of the king, was flayed alive because he had become a Christian. Casdoa, the king's daughter and sister of Gabdelas, visited him in prison, was made a Christian by him and, when this was discovered, was tortured to death.