Hieromartyr Avdas Bishop of Persia, and Martyr Benjamin the Deacon
5th century (Avdas martyred c. 418)
Also known as Abdas of Persia · Avda · Benjamin the Deacon
Avdas, a bishop in Persia, was executed for refusing to rebuild a Zoroastrian fire-temple, sparking a persecution of Christians. The deacon Benjamin suffered martyrdom with him for the faith.
Feast Day
March 31
Draft
Draft — pending review. Not yet verified for publication.
The Holy Hieromartyr Avdas, Bishop of Persia, and the Martyr Benjamin the Deacon
Life
Avdas was a bishop in Persia who was put to death for refusing to rebuild a Zoroastrian fire-temple, an act that touched off a prolonged persecution of Christians under the Sasanian crown. The deacon Benjamin suffered martyrdom in the same persecution, enduring severe torments for the faith. They are commemorated together on March 31, Avdas as a hieromartyr and Benjamin as a martyr.
According to the synaxarion, Avdas destroyed a temple of the fire-worshippers and was brought before the Persian emperor, who ordered him to rebuild it. When the bishop refused, the emperor commanded that the Christian churches be destroyed and the Christians persecuted and tortured.
Timeline 3 moments
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c. 418Destruction of the fire-temple and refusal to rebuildAvdas, a bishop in Persia, destroyed a temple of the Zoroastrian fire-worshippers. Summoned before the Persian emperor and ordered to rebuild it, he refused. In response the emperor ordered the destruction of the Christian churches and a persecution of the Christians.
c. 418Martyrdom of AvdasAfter lengthy tortures, Avdas was the first to be martyred, being beheaded. His refusal to rebuild the temple is recorded as the occasion of the wider persecution that followed.
during the persecutionMartyrdom of Benjamin the DeaconThe deacon Benjamin suffered particularly cruel torments; the account relates that sharp needles were driven under his nails and that he was impaled upon a spear.
Contributions & Legacy
3 contributions
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The Persecution in Persia
Avdas was a bishop of the Christians in Persia, located by the sources at Bethchasar and associated with the region of Susa. The synaxarion records that he destroyed a temple of the fire-worshippers, and that when he was brought before the Persian emperor and ordered to restore it, he would not.
His refusal occasioned a broad persecution: the emperor ordered the Christian churches torn down and the Christians seized and tortured. The sources record that this persecution of the Church in Persia continued for a long period after the bishop's death.
The Martyrs
After enduring lengthy tortures, Avdas was beheaded and was the first of the company to die. The deacon Benjamin underwent especially cruel torments, the account relating that needles were thrust beneath his nails and that he was impaled on a spear.
The synaxarion places their deaths in the old Persian city of Susa. Avdas is venerated as a hieromartyr, a bishop who died for Christ, and Benjamin as a martyr.
A Note on Identity
The synaxarion's March 31 commemoration of Avdas is recorded as a distinct entry. He may be the same Persian bishop commemorated on another date, and the question of identity is noted for review; the present profile follows the March 31 account as preserved.
His companions & kin
Martyred together with Avdas in the Persian persecution; commemorated March 31.
Benjamin the Deacon
Notes
Grouped cluster: Avdas (bishop) and Benjamin (deacon) listed as one commemoration; both names in Also Known As. Possibly the same Persian bishop as the Sep 5 commemoration (OS-0229, Abdas of Persia); kept separate as a distinct synaxarion entry — flag for review.
Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints
