St. Mina and St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church

The Twenty-Eighth Day of the Blessed Month of Tute
Tute 28

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Martyrdom of Saints Abadir and Irai, His Sister

      On this day was the martyrdom of Saints Abadir and Irai, his sister, the children of Wasilides, the minister of Antioch. Abadir was appointed Esfehselar in his father's position. He had a room wherein he prayed and the Lord Christ appeared to him in the middle of the night and told him: "Rise up and take your sister Irai and go to Egypt to receive the crown of martyrdom and I will instruct a man whose name is Samuel to take of your bodies and prepare them for burial, " and He gave him His benediction and went up into heaven. This vision was seen by his sister also and she heard a voice saying, "Hearken to your brother and do not transgress his command." When she woke up, she trembled and she went to her brother and told him about the vision, declaring that she would not disobey him. They swore to each other to go to shed their blood in the name of the Lord Christ. When his mother knew that, she rent her garments, she and her handmaidens and they came to St. Abadir. His mother adjured him not to become a martyr and he promised her that he would not go forward to Diocletian seeking martyrdom. Her heart was soothed, not knowing his intention of going to another place to become a martyr. Every night he used to change his apparel and go disguised to give water to the prisoners all night, and he asked the door-keeper not to tell anyone.
       After this he saw a vision to remind him of travelling. he took his sister and went to Alexandria, then they came to Cairo and they found Saint Abekragon who recognized them and blessed them. From there they came to Tomwah where they entered the church and prayed; then, they went to El-Eshmunin and had a meeting with Samuel the deacon. On the following day he went with them to Ansena, and they confessed our Lord Christ before Arianus the governor, who tortured them severely. Meanwhile, Saint Abadir prayed and entreated God to strengthen his faith and the faith of his sister Irai. The Lord took their souls and carried them up to the heavenly Jerusalem and they saw the eminent ranks and the luminous habitations of the righteous; then he brought them back to their bodies. The governor wrote their decree and then adjured Abadir by his God to tell him his name and who he was. The saint replied, "Swear to me that you shall not change what you have decreed, " and when the governor swore to him, he said, "I am Abadir El-Esfehselar." The governor cried out saying, "Woe to me, O my Lord why did you not let me know that you are my Lord and let me go so far as to condemn you tpo all these severe tortures?" The saint replied, "Fear not, for you are about to receive a crown of martyrdom. The emperor will seek for me and will not find me, and he will hear that you have killed me. Then he will call you and torture you and you will die in the Name of our Lord Christ. And now make speed to finish." And straightaway the governor ordered their heads be cut off. The believers wrapped up their bodies in fine apparels and Samuel the deacon took them to his blessed house until the days of persecution were ended and a great church was built for them.

May their prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.