The Martyrs of Akhmim
The relics of the Christians, including clergy and laity, who were martyred in Akhmim in 304 AD.
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Category
Background
Akhmim is an ancient city in Upper Egypt. On the eve of the Nativity Feast of the year 304 AD, the Christians of Akhmim gathered at a Church called Souteer (which means "Saviour" in Coptic) to celebrate.
Arianus, the governor of Ansena, came to Akhmim accompanied by Anba Abadion, bishop of Ansena, who had earlier been arrested by Arianus. His arrival coincided with the celebration of the glorious Nativity Feast.
When the Christians of Akhmim learned of the arrival of the bishop, they invited him to pray the divine liturgy of the feast for them, since their bishop, Anba Odagious, had passed away about a month earlier. Anba Abadion accepted their invitation and went secretly to the church. He prayed with them all night long and the church was filled with a multitude of Christians from the city and all the surrounding villages.
As they went to celebrate the birth of the True Lamb who shed His holy Blood to save the world, they were prepared to shed their blood for their faith and love for Him.
The news reached Arianus, the governor, that Anba Abadion was praying with the people at their church. Arianus took a large number of soldiers and went to the church, and asked them about the reason for this gathering. They told him that it was the feast of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He got very angry, and called all the Christians to come and bow and worship the idols. All the people refused, and confessed their faith in the One God, Jesus Christ, and said that they were ready to die for Him.
They followed the words of the Holy Bible:
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. — Philippians 1:21
So Arianus ordered to kill all the priests, then the deacons followed them, and many of the people. When Arianus saw their faith and bravery, he put torturing instruments in the street to torture them until death. That massacre continued for three whole days and the number of martyrs at that time from the city of Akhmeem reached 8,140 martyrs.
