Persian nobles converted to Christianity, Maximus and Olympias were martyred under Emperor Decius in 251. After enduring various torments in Corduene, they were put to death by blows from levers. Their bodies, miraculously protected by wild animals, were recovered by Abdon and Sennen.
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SAINTS MAXIMUS AND OLYMPIAS, MARTYRS (251).
Arrest and initial tortures
Under the Emperor Decius, Maximus and Olympias, noble Persian Christians, are arrested in Corduene and beaten for their faith.
The Emperor Decius, having made himself master of various provinces of Persia, persecuted the Christians there; Sain t Olympias a saint Maxime 4th-century martyr bishop, brother of Saint Venerandus. nd Saint Maximus, Persians by birth, highly regarded for their nobility and their virtues, were among them. Having been arrested and brought before this prince in the city of Cordoène City where the martyrs were led before the emperor. Corduene, he ordered, without further inquiry, solely because they were Christians, that they be beaten with sticks until they renounced Christianity. But this torture only increased the constancy of the holy Martyrs.
Interrogation regarding riches
Questioned about their possessions, the martyrs affirm that their only treasure is the love of Christ and offer their bodies to torture.
The emperor wished to see if they would not be shaken by the loss of their goods: he therefore commanded them to tell him where their riches were, and what they consisted of; they gave him this admirable answer:
"All our goods, Decius, and all our treasures consisted solely in the love of Jesus Christ, our Savior: as for the goods of this world, we have none, except for our own bodies, which we deliver to you willingly for you to dispose of at your will; do with them what you please; break them, shatter them, hack them, cut them, and burn them, if you wish, you will not prevent our souls from going to enjoy the sweet and pleasant presence of their Creator."
Escalation of violence
The martyrs undergo redoubled tortures, including the rack and beds of red-hot iron, while encouraging their executioners.
These words embittered the emperor even more; he ordered that the torments be repeated: these poor innocents were beaten with sticks and leaded rods, more furiously than before; as the executioners lacked strength, they were forced to cease tormenting them and led them to prison.
Shortly after, they were placed on the rack; then they were laid down, stretched out, and rolled on beds of red-hot iron; but the holy Martyrs, fortified by divine grace, encouraged the executioners:
"Continue," they said, "what you have begun: do not grow weary, your torments erase in us what is impure and disagreeable in the eyes of our divine Master."
Final Execution
The emperor delegates the execution to Vitellius Anisius; the saints die under the blows of levers on April 15, 251.
The emperor, confused and ashamed of his own cruelty, sent them before Vi tellius Anisius, Vitellius Anisius Lieutenant of Emperor Decius in charge of the execution. his lieutenant, so that the latter might finish what he himself blushed to do. By the order of this lieutenant, our Saints were struck on the head with levers until they had rendered their spirits on April 15 of the year 251.
Miracles and relics
Their bodies, protected by animals, were buried by Abdon and Sennen before their relics were transferred to Europe.
The rage of their enemy not stopping there, he wished to deprive them of burial, and had their bodies exposed in the fields to be torn and devoured by dogs and other beasts; but these animals had more respect for them than the tyrants: they kept good watch around the holy bodies, barking as if to defend them, and moaning as if to mourn them. These holy remains, after having been exposed for five days, without receiving any damage, were collected by two noble Christians, Abdon and Sennen, who buried them honor Abdon 3rd-century Persian martyr. ably in th Sennen Persian martyr, companion of Saint Abdon. eir house. In the course of time, they were brought to France, and deposited in different churches, mainly in those of Saint-Malo Saint-Malo City in Brittany where some of the relics are kept. , in Brittany, and of Liège Liège Episcopal see of the saint. , in Belgium.
Hagiographic source
The account is based on the Acta Sanctorum Orientalium.
Acta Sanctorum Orientalium Acta Sanctorum Orientalium Hagiographic source of the narrative. .
Annexes & related entities
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