The Monk Martyr Vadim of Persia

A native of an aristocratic family who lived in Bethlapata in Mesopotamia, at the beginning of his life he became acquainted with the basics of Christianity. Having disposed of his share of the inheritance, he refused material benefits for the sake of hermitage, built a monastery on his own savings and led a strict ascetic life there. For a quiet conversation with God, the abbot often withdrew to a high place, where once before him appeared a vision of Heavenly Greatness.

This happened during the period of aggravation of hostility to the heterodox at the court of the ruler Sapor. Authorities seized the archimandrite and seven of his followers, placing them in custody. For four months the prisoners were subjected to physical tortures day after day in the hope of inducing them to worship the flames and the sun worship. The prisoners showed inflexibility, and their mentor all this time supported and strengthened the spirit of secret co-religionists throughout the country.

The outcome of the case was decided by the cowardice of a prince named Nirsan. This nobleman had previously been imprisoned for his own convictions, but with a new threat he could not resist, announced a break with faith and promised to fulfill any royal order. He was told to take the life of his former brother, promising in return freedom and gifts. Driven by animal fear, the official set foot on the path of Jewish sin.

When the martyr was brought to the place of execution, the executioner hesitated: his limbs were poured with lead, and his mind was constrained by sudden muteness. The convict pronounced a bitter rebuke, regretting not his own death, but the spiritual catastrophe that befell the murderer. The priest stated that he did not hesitate to die in the name of the Creator, but grieved at the one who would become the instrument of execution. Then came the unsteady, poorly targeted flaps of the blade. The execution was long and clumsy, causing ridicule of the Zoroastrians, who watched the weakness of the new performer. The victim silently carried the cutting wounds until the blow reached the target.