The PriestMartyr Sadok, Bishop of Persia, and with 128 Martyrs

Commemorated on February 20

      The PriestMartyr Sadok, Bishop of Persia, and with 128 Martyrs – suffered in Persia under the emperor Sapor II. Saint Sadok was successor of the PriestMartyr Simeon (Comm. 17 April). One time he had a dream, in which Saint Simeon foretold him of his own impending martyr's death. Standing in great glory atop a ladder reaching up to Heaven, Saint Simeon said: "Ascend up to me, Sadok, and be not afraid – I yesterday ascended, and thou today wilt ascend". Soon the emperor Sapor, renewing the persecution against Christians, gave orders to arrest Saint Sadok, together with his clergy and flock. In all there were 128 arrested, including 9 virgins. They were thrown into prison, where over a duration of five months they were cruelly tortured, amidst demands that they renounce the Christian faith and instead worship the sun and fire. The holy martyrs bravely answered: "We are Christians and give worship to the One God". They were sentenced to beheading by the sword.

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.