JULY 30

Day 30: Abdon and Sinin, martyrs.

These two martyrs were brothers from Persia, from a noble birth. They were distinguished for their firm faith in Christ, and know for encouraging other Christians to persist in their faith and love to God and for burying the bodies of the martyrs killed under the persecutions led by Caesar Dakhios. They were the ones who buried Polycarp bishop of Babylon and his companions, as they were martyred by Caesar Dakhios, who had prohibited anyone from burying their bodies.

Though the king called after them, and promised them to forgive their disobedience of his royal decree, which could sentence them to death, if they would deny their Christian faith, and worship the idol gods of Persia, offering them incense. But they audaciously refused, which enraged the king, who ordered them to be chained and thrown into prison, because he feared to kill them because they were distinguished noble people.

Then, after the king turned back from a war, he summoned them before a large crowd proposing to re-establish them in their power, and even give them more of it, if they would worship the gods. But, their answer came straight: “We’d like very much to sacrifice our lives for the sake of Christ, our divine redeemer.” At that the king handed them to Valerian the governor, who dragged them before the status of the god-sun to knee before it, but they refused, shouting: “Let everyone know that we object the worship of idols, and that our God is nothing like your gods, rather He is the Creator in se.” The governor then had them flogged until their blood was dripping, while they patiently persevered in their faith. He then had them decapitated and thus they received the glorious crow of martyrdom in the year 250 in July 30. May their prayer be with us. Amen.