(5TH CENT.)
[Greek Menæa and Menologium of the Emperor Basil Porphyrogenitus, and
the Modern Roman Martyrology. Authority:--Theodoret, Hist. Eccl. 46
v., c. 38.]
Abdas, a bishop in Persia, with highly intemperate zeal, set fire to
a heathen temple and consumed it to the ground. This injudicious act
aroused a persecution against the Christians, the King Isdegerdes
being greatly incensed against the bishop. Abdas suffered, and is
commemorated by the Greeks on the same day, or on May 16th. Benjamin,
his deacon, suffered inhuman tortures, some of indescribable horror.
Sharp splinters of reed were driven up the quick of his nails in hands
and feet, and he was impaled upon a knotted stick.