Jonas and Barachisius were brothers from the town of Beth-Asa in Persia. In the year 327, King Sapor of Persia raised a bloody persecution against the Christians and destroyed many churches and monasteries. When they heard that several Christians were under death sentence at Hubaham, Jonas and Barachisius went there to encourage and serve them.

“Fear not brothers, but let us combat for the name of Jesus the crucified and like our predecessors, we shall obtain the glorious crown promised to valiant soldiers of faith”, the brothers exhorted them. Encouraged by these words, nine of them bravely underwent cruel torture and gained the crown of martyrdom.

After the execution of the nine, Jonas and Barachisius were apprehended for having exhorted the martyrs to die. The judge tried to coerce the brothers to obey the King of Persia and to worship the sun, the moon, fire and water. However, they answered that it was more reasonable to obey the immortal King of heaven and earth, than a mortal prince.

Enraged by this, Saint Jonas was beaten up by the tormentors with knotty clubs and rods, until his ribs were visible. Then he was chained by one foot and dragged to a frozen pond to spend the night there.

Saint Barachisius had two red-hot iron plates and two red-hot hammers applied on each arm and melted lead dropped into his nostrils and eyes, after which he was carried to prison and hung up by one foot.

Despite these cruel tortures, the two brothers survived and remained steadfast in their faith. New and more horrible torments were then devised and finally, both of them died under a terrible press. They yielded up their heroic lives, praying for their enemies, while their pure souls winged their flight to heaven, to receive the martyr's crown which they had so faithfully won.

Other Saints of the Day

1. Saint Ludolf of Ratzeburg
2. Saint Gwynllyw
3. Saint Eustachio of Naples
4. Saint Armogastes of Africa
5. Saint Saturus of Africa

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