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Thursday, November 12
Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite
Sinaxarion

Holy Martyrs

Sarbelus and Bebaia

Martyrs of Edessa

Sarbelus, a pagan high priest of Edessa, and his sister Bebaia came to Christ and were martyred in the 2nd century.

Feast
October 15old style October 28
Reposed
1012nd century
Place
Edessa
Order
Martyrs

Life

The Holy Martyrs Sarbelus and Bebaia suffered in the city of Edessa in Mesopotamia, in the second century. They are commemorated on 29 January and on 15 October.

According to tradition, Sarbelus was a pagan high priest at Edessa, and Bebaia was his sister. After they became Christians, they were tortured and put to death, in the time of the Roman emperor Trajan.

Their life is very similar to the life of Saints Pithyl and Thebea, also commemorated in the Orthodox Church, so it is possible that they are the same people. The sources we have do not say more.

Commemorated the same day October 15