Our Lady of Guadalupe

Date: April, 22

Saint Abdiesus (also known as Saint Abdiesus the Deacon or Hebed Jesus) was one of the Martyrs of Persia under Shapur II.

Roman Catholic Tradition states that Saint Abdiesus was a Deacon serving in Persia during the time of the persecutions of Shapur II.

He was also accompanied in his martyrdom by Abrosimus, Acepsimus, Azadanes, Azades, Bicor, Mareas, Milles, and a woman named Tarbula.

Also called Hebed Jesus, records indicate that Abdiesus was martyred with some who were Persian courtiers, others priests and bishops.

Tarbula was the sister of St. Simeon, and suffered a particularly cruel death by sawing. Saint Abdiesus has been venerated since the pre-Congregational era.

Roman Catholic Martyrology styles Saint Abdiesus as ‘Saint Abdiesus the Deacon’ as not to confuse him with another martyr of the same name ‘Abdiesus’, who served as the Bishop of Cashcar.

In Persian – Iranian, Arabic and Latin, the meaning of the name Abdiesus is ‘one who serves Jesus’. Saint Abdiesus was martyred in the year 342, and his feast day is April 22.

PRAYER:

Eternal Father, you granted to your Church the light of redemption, by wreathing blessed Abdiesus with the glorious triumph of martyrdom, graciously grant that, as he emulated the Lord’s Passion, so we may, by following his example, be worthy to obtain the grace of eternal salvation.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen