31ST MARCH 2003
ST BENJAMIN
MARTYAR (---424)
LIFE:
It was the fifth century and Yezdegerd, son of Sapor III, was ruling Persia.
There was little persecution of Christians during this time, however, a Christian
Bishop named Abdas changed that. Abdas, in his zeal and out of righteous anger toward
idolatry, burned the Temple of Fire, the sacred sanctuary of the Persians. This act
infuriated King Yezdegerd and he declared that Bishop Abdas would either rebuild the
Persian Temple or the king would burn all the Christian churches.
When Abdas refused to obey the Kings command, he carried out his order and had all
the Christian churches utterly destroyed. Abdas was put to death and a great
persecution of Christians in Persia began which lasted for the next forty years. Even
though Yezdegerd died in 421, his son, Varanes continued the persecution. Under the
reign of this ruler, Christians were subject to heinous and cruel torture.
One Christian who was living during this time was Benjamin. Benjamin was a Deacon who
was serving time in prison for openly declaring his Christian faith. He had been in
prison for a year when an ambassador of the Emperor of Constantinople was able to
secure his release. The condition of his release, however, was that he would not speak
about his faith. Apparently the ambassador consented to this condition on Benjamins
behalf in order to obtain his release, but Benjamin was not about to be silenced. He
said it was his duty to evangelize and tell others about Christ and there was no way
he would be quiet. Therefore, he continued his preaching and was again arrested and
brought before King Varanes. This evil King ordered that reeds be pushed under his
fingernails and in other areas of his body to inflict great pain and then pulled out.
This cruel procedure was repeated many times. He was then impaled by thrusting a long
stake into his bowels up through his body, ripping throu!
gh vital organs.
Thus, Benjamin became a martyr for his Christian faith in the year 424.
REFLECTION:
**When the Church keeps the memorials of martyrs and other saints during the annual
cycle, she proclaims the Paschal mystery in those "who have suffered and have been
glorified with Christ. She proposes them to the faithful as examples who draw all men
to the Father through Christ, and through their merits she begs for God's favors."
(1173-catechism of catholic church)
**O Jesus ! Who for love of me,
Didst bear Thy Cross to Calvary ;
In Thy sweet mercy grant to me
To suffer & die with Thee...**
S.THOMAS
NOTTINGHAM
ENGLAND
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