Sennis of Persia

Holy Martyr Sennis of Persia was a Persian prince, a secret Christian, and suffered in the year 251 at Rome, together with Abdon, in the time of the persecution of the emperor Decius (249-251). Their relics are kept in the church of St Mark in Rome.

Decius, after defeating the Persians and taking their country, found many Christians there and began to persecute them. Bishop Polychronius of Babylon, the priests Parmenius, Elimas and Chrysotelus and the deacons Luke and Mucus were brought to the emperor and, after Polychronius was struck on the mouth with a stone and died, Abdon and Sennis, two Persian princes secret Christians, buried his body by the city wall. Later they stole again by night the bodies of the priests and deacons beheaded at Cordula and buried them in their village; denounced, they were brought to the emperor, who shut them in prison. The saints rejoiced and glorified God.

On the way back to Rome, Decius took them with him in chains. There he called a pagan priest and commanded them to sacrifice to the gods, promising freedom and honour. They answered that they offered only themselves as a sacrifice to their God, Jesus Christ, and that he should sacrifice to his own gods himself. Decius condemned them to be eaten by beasts; two lions and four bears did not touch them and lay down at their feet. Then Abdon and Sennis were put to the sword. Their bodies stayed three days before the idol, to frighten the Christians. At night a secret Christian, Quirinus, took them and buried them in his house.

St Sennis is commemorated on 12 August, in the new style.