Bademus

Bademus (also known as Bademe) was a rich, noble citizen of Bethlapeta in Persia, who founded a monastery nearby. He and some of his disciples were arrested and Bademus was martyred in the year 376; he was subsequently recognized as a saint. In the thirty-sixth year of Shapur II's persecution, Bademus was arrested with seven of his monks. For months, he lay in chains in a dungeon. At the same time, a Christian lord named Nersan, Prince of Aria, was also imprisoned because he refused to convert to Zoroastrianism. At first, he appeared resolved to keep the faith, but at the sight of tortures he gave in, and promised to conform. In order to test Nersan's sincerity, King Shapur ordered that Bademus be moved into Nersan's cell, which was...