Holy Martyrs Gobdelaha, Dada, Kasdios and Kasdoa of Persia

Sts. Gobdelaha, Dada, Kasdios and Kasdoa (Feast Day - September 29)

Verses

To Gobdelaha

Gobdelaha is pierced by reeds and dies,

Honoring my Christ, who was struck by a reed.

To Dada

Your entire body was hacked in pieces by a sword,

Saving your spirit, Martyr Dada of the Highest.

To Kasdios and Kasdoa

Kasdios and Kasdoa contested as one,

He slain by a blade, while she struck by wood.

Dada was a high officer at the Persian court during the reign of King Shapur II (310-79), and he was also a Christian and relative of the King. When he was sent to govern some provincial Persian cities, he did not conceal his Christian faith, but worshiped Christ openly. This was made known to the King, for which he sent his highest man of rank named Adramelech to inquire into the matter. When he found Dada indeed having reverence towards Christ, he wrote to the King, who replied that Adramelech was given authority to punish any Christian he found. The King sent this letter through the hands of his son named Gobdelaha.

Holy Martyr Anastasios the Persian (+ 628)

St. Anastasios the Persian (Feast Day - January 22)

Verses

Anastasios is strangled by the throat,

The cord becoming beautified with brilliance.

On the twenty-second Anastasios underwent strangling.

Anastasios, the glorious Martyr of Christ, was from Persia, and lived at the time when the Persian King was Chosroes II (590-628), and the Roman Emperor was Heraclius (610-641). Anastasios' Persian name before Baptism was Magundat, the son of a magi named Vav, and from him he thoroughly learned the magical arts. He then entered into military service at the time when the Persians invaded Palestine, where they sacked the holy city of Jerusalem, and took many of its inhabitants as slaves. Among those held in bondage was the Honorable and Life-Giving Cross, on which our Lord endured His Passion, and they took it to Persia. While in the hands of the Persians, the Honorable Cross worked many miracles, causing many to say that the God of the Christians had come to Persia.

Saint Mamelchtha the Persian as a Model for our Lives

St. Mamelchtha (Feast Day - October 5)

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas

Saint Mamelchtha came from Persia. Exactly when she lived is not recorded in the synxaria. She was a fanatical pagan and priestess of idols, who strongly reacted when she heard her sister had become a Christian, and did not want to associate with her. Later, however, her soul softened, after witnessing her sister literally transform, becoming a different person. Because she was sensitive and had spiritual pursuits, she wanted to learn more about the Christian faith. Thus, she was catechized and baptized. The pagans were openly offended over the fact that a priestess of idols became a Christian, and full of bigotry and fanaticism they arrested her and tortured her cruelly and inhumanly. Lastly, they threw her into a dry well and began to stone her until she died. Pious Christians pulled the victorious and martyric body from the well with reverence and respect, while her soul was received by the angels of God who transferred her to the heavenly chambers, where" she was celebrated with a pure sound."