Abda and Abdjesus

Abda and Abdjesus
Bishops, Martyrs
Died	16 May, 366 or 375
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Syrian Church
Feast	16 May

Abda and Abdjesus were two Christian bishops who were martyred at Kashkar under Shapur II^{[note 1]} on 16 May, in either 366 AD or 375 AD.^[1] They were first placed between heavy boards to crush their bones, and later beheaded.

Their feast day is commemorated on 16 May according to the Martyrologium Romanum, the Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, and in the Syrian Church as well. The biographical text Ausgewählte Akten Persischer Märtyrer by Oskar Braun also mentions the names of several of the other martyrs, including:

• 16 priests - Abdallah, Simeon, Abraham, Abda of Kashkar, Ajabel, Joseph, Han, Ebedjesu, Abdallah, John, Ebedjesu, Maris, Berhadbesciaba, Rozichaeus, Abdallah, and Ebedjesu
• 9 deacons - Eliab, Ebedjesu, Marjab, Maris, Abdias, Berhadbesciaba, Han, Simeon, and Maris
• 6 monks - Papa, Evolesus, Ebedjesu and others, and
• 7 unnamed virgins.

Notes

1. The Greek text states that they suffered under the brother of King Ardashir II (i.e.: "ἀπεστάλη στὸ Μβεὴτ Λαβάτ, πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸ τοῦ βασιλέως Ἀρσήθ").^[1] It is well known that under the reign of Shapur, Ardashir II had served as governor-King of Adiabene, where he had reportedly persecuted Christians.

References

1. (Greek) Οἱ Ἅγιοι Αὐδᾶς, Αὐδιησοῦς, Βενιαμὶν καὶ ἄλλοι τριάντα ὀκτὼ Μάρτυρες. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

Sources

• Holweck, F. G. A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints. St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co., 1924.