11/02/2026 – Життя Святих / Lives of the Saints
Свв. мчч. Акиндина, Пигасія, Афтонія, Єлпидифора й Анемподиста
Martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, Anempodistus, and 7,000 with them, of Persia
The Synaxarion (Lives of the Saints):
Saint Acindynus suffered martyrdom in Persia during the reign of King Sapor II (310–381), together with Saints Pegasias, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, Anempodistus, and approximately 7,000 other Christians. The first five saints served at the royal court and secretly professed the Christian faith. When the king launched a persecution against Christians, their pagan opponents, driven by envy, reported them to the ruler.
Brought before Sapor for questioning, the holy martyrs courageously proclaimed their belief in the Holy Trinity. Enraged by their confession, the king ordered them to be scourged. He then announced that Acindynus, Pegasias, Anempodistus, and Elpidephorus would be executed and forbade anyone from burying their bodies.
A great multitude of Christians followed the condemned saints beyond the city walls, openly glorifying Christ as they went. At the king’s command, the soldiers attacked the procession and killed approximately 7,000 Christians, including Saint Elpidephorus.
The following day, Saints Acindynus, Pegasias, and Anempodistus were sentenced to be burned alive alongside the emperor’s mother, who had also embraced the Christian faith. During the night, Christians secretly visited the execution site and discovered that the holy martyrs’ bodies had remained unharmed by the flames. With deep reverence, they gathered and buried their remains.