The Martyrdom of St . Simeon the Armenian, Bishop of the country of Persia and 150 with him .

On this day, St . Simeon the Armenian, Bishop of the country of Persia, and 150 with him, weremartyred . This Bishop lived during the reign of Sapor (Shapur), the son of Hormiz, king of Persia, whowas unjust and oppressive to the Christians .This Saint wrote a letter to king Sapor and told him: "Those whom the Lord Christ has bought withHis honorable Blood had rid themselves from the servitude of men, and it is not conceivable for themto be in servitude for those who transgress the Law ." When the king had read this letter, he becameexceedingly wrath . He brought him, bound him with chains, and cast him into the prison . In prison, hefound prisoners who worshipped the sun . The Saint rebuked them, taught them, and they believed inthe Lord Christ .They confessed their faith before the king, who brought the Saint from the prison, because he preachedthem the faith . The king ordered to cut off the heads of the Saint and the 150 persons with him, andthey received the crown of martyrdom .Their prayers be with us . Amen .