Martyrs James the Presbyter and Azadanes and Abdiesus the Deacons, of Persia
4th century (martyred in Persia under Shapur II, about 380)
Also known as Jacob the Presbyter · Azadanes · Abdicius · Abdiesus
A priest and two deacons of the Church in Persia who were arrested with Bishop Akepsimas and endured severe tortures for confessing Christ during the persecution under Shapur II, around the year 380.
Feast Day
April 10
Draft
Draft — pending review. Not yet verified for publication.
The Holy Martyrs James the Presbyter, and Azadanes and Abdiesus the Deacons, of Persia
Life
James was a priest and Azadanes and Abdiesus deacons of the Church in Persia who were arrested and put to severe torture for confessing Christ during the persecution of the Sasanian king Shapur II (Sapor). The synaxarion places their suffering in Persia about the year 380.
They were seized together with Bishop Akepsimas, whose principal commemoration, with the martyrs Joseph and Aithalas, falls on November 3. The three are remembered on April 10.
Timeline 2 moments
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c. 380Arrest under Shapur IIAccording to the synaxarion, James the priest and the deacons Azadanes and Abdiesus were arrested in Persia together with Bishop Akepsimas during the persecution of King Shapur II, who pressed the Christians of his realm to abandon their faith.
c. 380Torture and martyrdomThe account relates that the confessors were worn down by hunger and cruelly tormented; among the torments recorded, mustard and vinegar were forced into their nostrils. They held to their confession of Christ and died as martyrs.
Contributions & Legacy
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Life and Martyrdom
The martyrs belonged to the Church in the Sasanian Persian Empire during the long reign of Shapur II, under whom Christians suffered repeated and severe persecution. The synaxarion records that James, a presbyter, and the two deacons Azadanes and Abdiesus were taken with Bishop Akepsimas about the year 380.
The account describes their endurance under harsh treatment, including being weakened by hunger and tortured, with mustard and vinegar inserted into their nostrils, before they were put to death for refusing to renounce the faith. They number among the many martyrs of the Persian Church recorded in this period.
Veneration
James, Azadanes and Abdiesus are commemorated on April 10. Bishop Akepsimas, with whom they were arrested, is principally commemorated on November 3 together with the martyrs Joseph and Aithalas.
