The One Hundred and Twenty Martyrs of Adiabene

A wealthy and virtuous woman, named J azdundocte, Jazdundocte A wealthy and virtuous woman who assisted the martyrs during their captivity and ensured their burial. took it upon herself alone to care for their nourishment, not wishing to share this good work with anyone. The holy prisoners were often subjected to cruel tortures, but they always generously confessed Jesus Christ. "Never," they said, "shall we worship the su n, which is but a s adorerons le soleil Religious practice imposed by Persian authorities and refused by Christian martyrs. imple creature; we shall only yearn for the moment which, by ending our life, will begin our happiness."

Jazdundocte, having learned the day they were to be executed, went to the prison the day before, gave each of them a white robe, then had a great supper prepared for them and served them herself at the table; at the same time, she exhorted them to constancy through the promises that the Gospel makes to the true disciples of Jesus Christ. Such conduct greatly surprised the confessors, and they asked her the reason for it in vain.

The next day Jazdundocte went to see them again, but it was to tell them that the day would not pass before they sought the crown of martyrdom. She urged them earnestly to solicit from God the forgiveness of her sins, so that she might have the happiness of being reunited with them in the heavenly kingdom.

Shortly after, the king sent orders for the confessors to be executed without delay. They were therefore brought out of the prison. Jazdundocte was waiting for them at the door; she threw herself at their feet and kissed their hands one by one. The guards hastened to lead them to the place of execution. The officer presiding over this tragic scene asked if any of them wished to save their life by worshipping the sun.

They replied unanimously that death held no fear for them, and that they preferred it to a criminal apostasy. The officer, despairing of seducing them after such a firm response, condemned them to be beheaded, which was carried out immediately. At the onset of night, Jazdundocte had thei r bodies bu Jazdundocte A wealthy and virtuous woman who assisted the martyrs during their captivity and ensured their burial. ried, which were interred five by five at a fairly great distance from the city; she had taken all these precautions so as not to be discovered by the Magi.

Our holy Martyrs were from Adiabene. They suffered at Seleucia, on the 6th of the moon of April, which was the 21st of that month, in the year 344 of Jesus Christ, the sixth of the great persecution, and the thirty-sixt h of Sapor King of Persia and persecutor of Christians. the reign of Shapur. They are named on this day in the Roman Martyrology.

Taken from their sincere acts, written in Syriac , and publi M. Assemani Scholar and librarian who published the acts of the martyrs in Syriac. shed by M. Assemani, Act. Martyr., vol. IV, p. 185.