Simeon of Persia and those with him

Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, and the many who suffered with him under Shapur.

Simeon bar Sabbae was bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, the chief city of Persia, when King Shapur began his persecution of the Christians in the fourth century. Accused of loyalty to Rome and of refusing to worship the sun, he was arrested with many of his clergy.

Tradition relates that he was beheaded on Great Friday after watching a great multitude of his flock die before him, among them the priests Abdechalas and Ananias and the royal official Usthazanes.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Simeon of Persia and those with him is commemorated on April 17. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 30 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on April 17

• 

  Ariadne

  Holy Woman, Αριάδνη

  Holy Martyr Ariadne.

  Name days: Ariadne, Ariadni

• Adrian of Corinth

  Martyr, Αδριανός ο Νέος

  Holy Martyr Adrian of Corinth, who was burned for Christ under Decius.

• Makarios of Corinth

  Hierarch, Μακάριος Νοταράς

  Saint Makarios Notaras, Metropolitan of Corinth, Kollyvades father and co-compiler of the Philokalia.

  Name days: Makarios, Macarius

• Agapetus of Rome

  Hierarch, Αγαπητός Πάπας Ρώμης

  Saint Agapetus, Pope of Rome, who deposed the heretic Anthimus at Constantinople.

• Azat the Eunuch

  Martyr, Αζάτ ο Ευνούχος

  Holy Martyr Azat the Eunuch, official of the Persian court, with those who suffered with him.

• Zosimas of Solovki

  Venerable, Ζωσιμάς Σολόβκι

  Venerable Zosimas, abbot and co-founder of the Solovki Monastery in the White Sea.