The Martyrdom of St . Abaskhiroun the Soldier

The Martyrdom of St . Abaskhiroun the Soldier

On this day, the honorable St . Abaskhiroun, who was from the city of Qalin, was martyred . He wasone of the soldiers of Arianus, governor of Ansena (Antinoe) . When the Edict of Diocletian to worshipthe idols was issued, this Saint arose in the middle of the people present, exposed the infidelity of theEmperor, and cursed his idols . They seized him and shut him up in the prison, which was in the palaceof the Governor, in Asyut . Five other soldiers agreed with him to shed their blood in the Name ofChrist . Their names were: Alfius, Armanius, Arkias, Peter, and Cranius . When they came before theGovernor, he cut off their girdles, tortured them, crucified some and cut off the heads of the others .As for St . Abaskhiroun, the Governor tortured him with different kinds of tortures, but the Lordcomforted him, strengthened him, and healed his wounds . The Governor brought a sorcerer, whosename was Alexander . He gave the Saint some deadly poison, saying; "O master of the powers ofdarkness, manifest in this Christian your powers ." The Saint took the poison, made the sign of the crossover it, and drank it, but no harm came upon him . The sorcerer marvelled, and he believed in the Godof St . Abaskhiroun . The Governor cut off the head of the sorcerer, and he received the crown ofmartyrdom . The Governor became more enraged with the Saint . He tortured him extensively, then heordered to cut off his head, and he received the crown of martyrdom .May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever . Amen .