Sapor, Isaac, Mahanes, Abraham and Simeon

Sapor, Isaac, Mahanes, Abraham and Simeon were Persian martyrs, put to death in 339 in the persecution of King Shapur II. Sapor and Isaac were bishops.

According to the surviving account, in the thirtieth year of the king the magi accused the Christians of despising the sun, the air, the water and the earth. The king ordered the Christians to be sought out. Mahanes, Abraham and Simeon were seized first, then Bishop Sapor of Beth Nictor and Bishop Isaac of Beth Seleucia, accused of building churches. Brought before the king, they confessed one God. Sapor was struck on the mouth and beaten with clubs, then put in chains, and died in prison after two days; his head was cut off. Isaac was stoned to death. Mahanes was flayed, Abraham's eyes were bored out with a hot iron, and Simeon, buried to the chest, was shot with arrows. The Christians buried their bodies in secret. They are commemorated on 30 November.