Saint Simeon bishop of Persia and those who witnessed with him

Saint Simeon bishop of Persia and those who witnessed with him Audelas the elder, Gothazat, Fusik and others 1150

Celebration date: 17/04

In Persia there was a Christian community, whose people had a blameless life and great self-denial, ready to sacrifice themselves for the name and glory of Christ. The heart of this community was bishop Simeon, an example of Christian life. The Holy Hieromartyr Simeon lived during the time of the Persian king Savorius and was head of the Churches of Ktesiphon and Salik (in Seleucia). The Persians saw the Christians as a thorn in their side. That is why they were handed over to King Sapor II, under the pretext that they had revolutionary intentions. Immediately Sapor ordered the bishop to be brought bound before him.

Simeon assured the king that the Christian religion makes law-abiding citizens and not foolish rebels. The king, however, was so prejudiced against him, that he ordered him to be imprisoned. In prison Simeon met Gothazat (or Guzthadat), a deserted Christian, who converted to save his head. Then Simeon, in a fitting way, again moved the heart of Gothazat for Christ. When Sapor learned this, enraged, he beheaded Simeon and Gothazat, and in addition 1150 other Christians from the Church there, together with the elder Avdela.

Thus, they all gave themselves, “offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smell” (1. To Ephesians 5). That is, offering and sacrifice to God, to be before Him a fragrant smell. At the last moment, the king’s curate, named Fusik, was added to the camp of martyrs. He was a crypto-Christian, and when he saw one of the 1150 showing some agitation, he approached and urged him to remain faithful to the end. When Sapor learned of this, he ordered him to be killed in the most cruel way. So they cut out his tongue and then flayed him alive.