The Venerable Martyr Archimandrite Bademus (Vadim) of Persia suffered on this day around 374–376. Shapur II (“the Great”) was a Sasanid king and reformer of the Perisan Empire. As a counterpoint to the Christianization of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great, Shapur (r. 309–379) promoted Zoroastrianism as the official religion of Iran. Apostasy from Zoroastrianism was punishable by death (Christianity was seen as the faith of the Romans). Archimandrite Bademus suffered under Shapur II the Great along with seven of his disciples in the city of Bet Lapat, Mesopotamia. Bademus became a Christian at a young age. He left his rich and noble parents, sold his inheritance, and went into the desert, where he founded a monastery and led an ascetic life. The Persian Shahanshah (“King of Kings”) Shapur II ordered Bademus to be imprisoned along with seven monks. They were subjected to torture, but Bademus and his disciples firmly adhered to the Christian faith. One of Shapur’s close associates, Nersan (Narses), the ruler of the city of Arnun, was kept in the same prison in the region of Beth-Garmei. Being a Christian, he did not want to worship the sun, but he could not stand the trial and renounced Christ. Promising him release, Shapur demanded that Nersan cut off Bademus’ head with his own hands. The saint’s exhortations confused the executioner, but he endeavored to carry out the order. It took four blows in all until the frightened Nersan was able to execute the monk, who stood motionless until the last. After his martyrdom, Nersan, tormented by remorse, threw himself onto the sword. Venerable Bademus’ relics were buried with reverence by the Christians. Seven of his students remained in prison for another four years and were released only after the death of Shapur. According to Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite, they were beheaded by the sword along with Bademus. I would kindly ask you to say a prayer for the repose of the soul of my father Vadim, who passed away in Moscow in 2005. Source: M.V.Vasil’eva, M.A.Bugaevskaia, Vadim, Pravoslavanaia Entsiklopedia. | 
