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Martyr Acindynus & Companions of Persia
Commemorated on November 2
Saint Acindynus suffered martyrdom in Persia along with Sts Pegasias,
Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, Anempodistus, and 7,000 and 7,000 other
Christians at the time of King Sapor II (310-381). These saints were
Sapor's courtiers, and were secret Christians. When the king began his
persecution against Christians, envious pagans denounced them to him.
Summoned to Sapor's presence for trial, the holy martyrs fearlessly
confessed their faith in the Holy Trinity. The king ordered them to be
beaten with whips.
Sapor told the people that Sts Acindynus, Pegasias, Anempodistus and
Elpidephorus would have their heads cut off, and that he would not
permit the Christians to bury their bodies.
A tremendous crowd accompanied these saints as they were led outside
the city walls for execution, glorifying Christ. On Sapor's orders,
soldiers massacred all the Christians in the procession (about 7,000),
including St Elpidephorus.
Acindynus, Pegasias, and Anempodistus were burned on the following day
with the mother of the emperor. Christians, came secretly by night to
the place of execution, found the bodies of the holy martyrs unharmed
by the fire, and they buried them with reverence. |
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