Habakkuk of Persia

Holy Martyr Habakkuk of Persia was the son of Marinus and Martha and the brother of Abdiphaxes. The family came from Persia to Rome in the time of Emperor Claudius II (268-270), to venerate the tombs of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and stayed there to serve the persecuted. Habakkuk was beheaded with the sword in the year 269. He is commemorated on 19 July.

Marinus, with his wife and sons, served the Christians in the prisons and buried the bodies of the slain martyrs, hiding among the Christians of Rome, led by Bishop Callistus. For their works of mercy they were found worthy to receive a martyr's death. The priest Valentine and the official Asterius, whom he had brought to the faith, were beheaded, and the ascetics from Persia who lived with them were arrested and tormented. By the emperor's command Marinus, Abdiphaxes and Habakkuk were beheaded, and Martha was drowned in the river. The relics of the martyrs are in Rome, in the church of Saint John the Hut-⁠dweller, and those of Saint Valentine in the church of the Holy Martyr Praxedes.