Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, WA

St Symeon was the Bishop of Seleucia in Persia, and suffered during a persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II (310-381 AD). The Saint was accused of collaborating with the Roman Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.

In the year 344 AD, the emperor issued an edict that imposed a heavy tax upon Christians. When certain of them refused to pay it, this was regarded as a rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce persecution against Christians. They brought St Symeon to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and Ananios. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered, "Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you bring me forth to renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow to you".

The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.

The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut off. Here was Symeon, and he has turned his back on me!"

The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers had reverenced. However, Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian. The emperor granted his request.

St Symeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second time, St Symeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes.

Without fear, the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Symeon's companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to the Priest Ananios, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries, St Phusikos, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananios would renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ".

St Phusikos betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St Phusikos, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Symeon was the last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the chopping block (+ April 13, 344 AD). Executions continued all during Paschal Week until April 23.

St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.



	Hieromartyr Symeon of Persia Commemorated April 17 St Symeon was the Bishop of Seleucia in Persia, and suffered during a persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II (310-381 AD). The Saint was accused of collaborating with the Roman Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor. In the year 344 AD, the emperor issued an edict that imposed a heavy tax upon Christians. When certain of them refused to pay it, this was regarded as a rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce persecution against Christians. They brought St Symeon to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and Ananios. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered, "Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you bring me forth to renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow to you". The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear of the emperor, now worshipped the sun. The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out bitterly, "Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut off. Here was Symeon, and he has turned his back on me!" The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man's sudden decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers had reverenced. However, Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian. The emperor granted his request. St Symeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second time, St Symeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the Christians in the prison before the saint's eyes. Without fear, the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. St Symeon's companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to the Priest Ananios, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries, St Phusikos, a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananios would renounce Christ, and he cried out, "Do not fear the sword, Elder, and you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ". St Phusikos betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with St Phusikos, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. St Symeon was the last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the chopping block (+ April 13, 344 AD). Executions continued all during Paschal Week until April 23. St Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received the crown of martyrdom. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion. Dismissal Hymn (Plagal of the First Tone) All the powers of Heaven were awestruck and amazed at the achievements and deeds of the holy Martyrs of Christ; for contending well in mortal bodies clothed with flesh, they overcame the fleshless foe by the power of the Cross and invisibly subdued him. And now they pray to the Lord, that He might bestow His mercy on our souls. Kontakion (Fourth Tone) O Symeon, you shined forth from Persia with your holy band of martyrs like radiant stars from the East. We praise you with them.

Hieromartyr Symeon of Persia