Today the Church honors Acsepsimas, Joseph, and Aitillaha, Martyrs of Persia.
Orate pro nobis.
Acepsimas was the bishop of Hnaita, residing at Paka in western Persia. His flock devotedly loved their hierarch for his ascetic life and tireless pastoral work. He and several companions, including the priest Joseph of Bet-Katoba, who was then 70 years old, and the deacon Aitillaha of Bet-Nuhadra, who was then 66 years old, were arrested by Shapur II for refusing to worship according to the Zoroastrian religion. Acepsimas was taken in chains to Arbela (modern Erbil) before the governor. This judge was astonished how he could deny the divinity of the sun, which all the East adored. The martyr answered him, expressing his astonishment how men could prefer a creature to the Creator. By the orders of the governor he was laid on the ground with his feet bound, and in that posture barbarously scourged, till his whole body was covered with blood. He was then thrown into prison.
Acepsimas endured three years of prison before he was racked and whipped to death on AD October 10, 376. Joseph was taken to Hdajab where he was tortured until he was stoned to death by Christians who had become apostate rather than be martyred at Tabaha on the Friday after Pentecost, AD 377. Aitillaha was stoned to death at Destegerd on AD November 3, 377.
They were among the last martyrs of the Christian persecution of Shapur II, during which roughly 16,000 were known to have been martyred, and a multitude of those whose names were not known. The book of their acts, which has survived, is said to be genuine.
Almighty God, who gave to your servants Acsepsimas, Joseph, and Aitillaha boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
