Holy Martyr Arethas

Life

This holy martyr suffered for the faith of Christ together with more than four thousand Christians — priests, monks and nuns, citizens, women and children. Arethas was the governor of the city of Negran in the land of the Homerites (southern Arabia), and he was ninety-five years old when he suffered. The land of the Homerites was at that time ruled by a certain Jew, Dunaan, a cruel persecutor of Christians. Resolved to completely exterminate Christians from his land, he surrounded the Christian city of Negran and first sent word to the citizens that if they did not renounce Christ, he would put them all to death. The citizens closed the gates, and Dunaan long and unsuccessfully attacked the city walls. Then the lawless prince swore to the citizens that he would do them no harm if only they would open the city gates and let him enter to take the tribute they owed him, and that he would then immediately depart. The Christians believed him and opened the gates. Then the perjured Jew summoned the elder Arethas together with all the clergy and other prominent citizens to himself and put them all to the sword. And he then carried out a terrible massacre throughout the city. Hearing of this, the Byzantine Emperor Justin was greatly grieved and wrote a letter to the Ethiopian Emperor Elesbaan to march against Dunaan with an army and avenge the innocent Christian blood. Elesbaan obeyed Justin, attacked the Homerite prince with his army, defeated him, destroyed his entire army, and put him to the sword. As prince of the Homerites, by God's revelation, a certain pious man Abraham was appointed, and as Archbishop of the Homerites, again by God's revelation, Saint Gregory (see December 19). In Negran the Christians rebuilt the church of the Holy Trinity, which Dunaan had burned, and erected a church to the Holy Martyr Arethas and the other martyrs of Negran. They suffered and received the crown of martyrdom from the Lord in the year 523.

From the Hymn of Praise

O Most Holy Mother of God,Joy of all who sorrow,Grant also to us sinnersOf thy mercy.