The Martyrdom of Saints Abadir (Apater) and Eraee (Herai), His Sister
Abadir
was appointed Esfeh-selar (a high rmiaing governmental position) in his
father's position. He had a room wherein he prayed. The Lord Christ
appeared to him in the middle of the night and told him: "Rise up and take your
sister Eraee, and go to Egypt to receive the crown of martyrdom and I will
instruct a man whose name is Samuel to take care of your bodies and prepare
them for burial." He bid him peace then wcntup into heaven. This vision was
seen by his sister also, in which she was told, "Hearken to your brother and do
not transgress his command." When she woke up, she trembled, and she went to
her brother and told him about the vision, declaring that she would not disobey
him. They vowed to each other to go and shed their blood in the Name of the
Lord Christ.
When his mother knew that, she and her
handmaidens rent their garments, and came to St. Abadir. His mother pleaded
with him not to become a martyr. He promised her that he would Dot go forward
to Diocletian seeking martyrdom. Her heart was soothed, not knowing his
intention of going somewhere else to become a martyr.
Every
night he used to change his apparel and go disguised to give water to the
prisoners and minister to them all night and he asked the doorkeeper not to
tell anyone.
Later
on, he saw a vision to remind him of travelling. He took his sister and went to
Alexandria, then they came to Cairo. They met St. Abekragon who recognized them
and blessed them. From there they came to Tomwah where they entered the church
and prayed in it. Then, they went to El-Ashmunin where they met with Samuel the
deacon. The following day Samuel went with them to Ansena, and they confessed
our Lord Christ before Arianus the governor, who tortured them severely.
Meanwhile, Saint Abadir prayed and entreated God to strengthen his faith and
the faith of his sister Eraee. The Lord took their souls and carried them up to
the heavenly Jerusalem and they saw the eminent ranks and the luminous
habitations of the righteous; then he brought them back to their bodies.
The
governor wrote their decree and then adjured Abadir by his God to tell him his
name and who he was. The saint replied, "Swear to me that you shall not change
what you have decreed," and when the governor swore to him, he said, "I am
Abadir El -Esfeh-selar." The governor cried out, saying, "Woe to me, 0 my Lord
why did you not let me know that you are my Lord and let me go so far as to
condemn you to all these severe tortures?" The saint replied, "Fear not, for
you are about to receive the crown of martyrdom. The emperor will seek me and
will not find me, and he will hear that you have killed me. Then he will call
you, torture you and you will die in the Name of our Lord Christ. And now
hasten to finish us." Straightaway the governor ordered that their heads be cut
off. The believers wrapped up their bodies in fine apparels and Samuel the
deacon took them to his house until the days of persecution were ended and a
great church was built for them.
Their
intercession be for us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.
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