The Priestmartyrs Auda, Bishop of Persia, and the Deacon Benjamin:

Commemorated on March 31

The Priestmartyrs Auda, Bishop of Persia, and the Deacon Benjamin: Saint Auda was bishop in Persia, and for the destruction of a temple of the fire-worshippers he was brought to trial before the Persian emperor Izdegerd I (401-402), who gave orders to re-construct the temple. When bishop Auda refused, the emperor ordered soldiers to destroy all the Christian temples, persecute the christians and subject them to torture. Saint Auda became the first martyr, and after lengthy torturing was beheaded. After thirty days other martyrs also were executed. Among them was the deacon Benjamin, undergoing particularly cruel torments: they put sharp needles under his nails and impaled him upon a spear.
The priestmartyrs died in the old Persian city of Suza.