Abraham of Arbela
Abraham of Arbela was a bishop in Sassanid Persia who served as a deputy to Bishop Ioannis of Arbela. He is remembered for his martyrdom under Shapur II after refusing to worship the sun. His veneration is observed on multiple feast days in different traditions.
- Feast Day
- February 5
- Century
- 4th century
- Country Or Region
- Persia
Key Facts
- ›Abraham of Arbela was a bishop of Arbela in Sassanid Persia.
- ›He was appointed as deputy to Bishop Ioannis of Arbela by the local religious community.
- ›The church historian Sozomen mentions him in his account of persecutions in the Persian Empire.
- ›He was tortured and beheaded under Shapur II.
- ›His refusal to worship the sun led to his martyrdom.
- ›He is venerated on February 5, with additional feast days on February 4 and January 31 in the Catholic Church.
Abramius
About Abraham of Arbela
Abraham of Arbela, also known by the name Abramius, was a bishop of Arbela in Sassanid Persia. His life and martyrdom are documented by church historians, particularly Sozomen, who described the severe persecutions of Christians under Shapur II in the Persian Empire.
Life and Martyrdom
During the imprisonment of Bishop Ioannis of Arbela, Abraham was appointed as his deputy by the local religious community. This indicates his standing and importance within the church leadership of Arbela. The historical period in which he lived was marked by intense religious conflict. Abraham ultimately met his end as a martyr under Shapur II (died 379). He was tortured and subsequently beheaded because he refused to participate in the worship of the sun in Telman, a practice enforced during the reign of Shapur II. This refusal solidified his status as a confessor of the Christian faith.
Veneration
Abraham of Arbela is venerated as a saint, with his feast day primarily observed on February 5. He is also remembered on February 4, and specifically within the Catholic Church, his feast is celebrated on January 31. His martyrdom serves as a testament to the faith and resilience of Christians in the Sassanid Empire during a time of significant religious persecution.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Abraham of Arbela?
Abraham of Arbela, also known as Abramius, was a bishop in the city of Arbela in Sassanid Persia. He served as a deputy for Bishop Ioannis of Arbela and is recognized as a Christian martyr.
Why is Abraham of Arbela considered a martyr?
Abraham of Arbela was martyred under the reign of Shapur II because he refused to worship the sun, a practice enforced during the persecutions of Christians in the Persian Empire. He was tortured and subsequently beheaded for his faith.
When is Abraham of Arbela's feast day?
Saint Abraham of Arbela is venerated on February 5. He has two feast days, February 4 and 5, in some traditions, and January 31 in the Catholic Church.
What historical accounts mention Abraham of Arbela?
The church historian Sozomen, who died around 450 AD, mentioned Bishop Abraham of Arbela among the many martyrs during the persecutions under Shapur II. Sozomen detailed these events in his work 'Christian Church'.
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