Persian Saints In The Catholic and Orthodox Christian Churches

Here is a list of notable Persian saints recognized in the Catholic and/or Eastern Orthodox Churches, many of whom were martyrs under the Sassanid Persian Empire for refusing to renounce their Christian faith. While some are more known in the Eastern traditions, others are honored in the Roman Martyrology as well.

1. Saint Abda of Edessa (also Abdas of Susa)

• Date: Died c. 420 AD

• Feast: May 16 (Catholic), March 31 (Orthodox)

• Role: Bishop of Susa who was martyred after burning a Zoroastrian fire temple. Sparked a large persecution under Yazdegerd I.

2. Saint Abdisho (also known as Hebdisho or Abda of Arbela)

• Date: Died c. 376 AD

• Feast: July 15

• Role: Bishop martyred during the persecution of Christians under Shapur II.

3. Saint Anastasius the Persian

• Date: Died c. 628 AD

• Feast: January 22

• Role: A Zoroastrian soldier who converted to Christianity and became a monk. Martyred in Persia.

4. Saint James Intercisus (James the Mutilated)

• Date: Died 421 AD

• Feast: November 27

• Role: A Persian Christian noble and court official who apostatized, later repented, and was brutally martyred under Bahram V.

5. Saint Maruthas of Martyropolis

• Date: Died c. 420 AD

• Feast: December 4

• Role: Syrian bishop and diplomat who worked with Persian Christians and compiled the Acts of the Persian Martyrs.

6. Saint Golinduch (Maria)

• Date: Died 591 AD

• Feast: July 13 (Orthodox)

• Role: Noble Persian woman who converted from Zoroastrianism to Christianity and suffered imprisonment and persecution.

7. Saint Simon of Bet-Titta

• Date: Martyred in the 5th century

• Feast: August 25 (with companions)

• Role: One of many Persian martyrs during Sassanid persecution.

8. Saint Benjamin the Deacon

• Date: Martyred 424 AD

• Feast: March 31

• Role: Tortured and killed under Bahram V for refusing to stop preaching.

9. Saints Jonas and Barachisius

• Date: Died 327 AD

• Feast: March 29

• Role: Persian monks martyred during persecution under Shapur II.

10. Saint Shapur (Sapor)

• Date: 4th century

• Feast: Various local commemorations

• Role: Persian martyr during Shapur II’s reign.

11. Saint Acepsimas of Hnaita

• Date: Died 376 AD

• Feast: November 3

• Role: Bishop martyred under Shapur II with priests Joseph and Aithalla.

12. Saint Christina of Persia

• Date: 6th century

• Feast: March 13

• Role: Virgin-martyr from Persia honored by both Roman and Eastern Churches.