(A.D. 327.)
[Greek Menology of the emperor Basil the younger, and Roman
Martyrology. Authority:--The Acts written by an eye-witness, Esaias,
an Armenian knight in the troops of king Sapor, pub. in Chaldaic by
Asseman. The Greek version in Metaphrastes has gone through much
amplification.]
King Shapoor, or Sapor, of Persia, raised a savage persecution against
the Christians in his realm, believing them to be in league with the
Roman emperor. Amongst those who suffered were Jonas and Barachisius,
because they refused to adore the sun and fire. Melted lead was poured
down the nostrils of Jonas, and red-hot plates were placed under his
arms, and he was hung up by one foot in his dungeon till he fainted.
His hands and feet were cut off, his tongue torn out, and he was
pressed to death in a grape-crusher. Barachisius was treated with equal
barbarity. Sharp splinters of reed were thrust into his flesh, all over
his body, so that he resembled a porcupine, and he was then rolled on
the ground to drive the spikes in.