Mor Ahudemeh +575

Mor Ahudemeh +575

May 2nd is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Ahudemeh +575 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Ahudemeh was born to in Balad, Iran to a Nestorian family. He received theological education under Nestorian teachers & subsequently became a Nestorian bishop. However, he left the heresy of Nestorianism & embraced the Orthodox (Miaphysite) True faith. He preached to the nomadic Arab tribes of Beth Arabaye province of the Persian Empire, & countless ethnic Arabs accepted the Orthodox faith. He built a Monastery dedicated to Mor Sergius so the Arabs did not have to go to the Byzantine Empire to pray, but it was sadly destroyed by the Nestorians. The Miaphysites came under fierce persecution within the Byzantine Empire after they rejected the Council of Chalcedon. Many miaphysites took refuge in the Persian Empire. However, the Persian Sassanid Shah did not welcome them. He believed the Miaphysites to be spies who were loyal to Byzantine, as their spiritual leader (Patriarch of Antioch and all the East) was residing within Byzantine territory. The Nestorians also spread lies to deceive the Shah into believing that Orthodox could not be trusted. So the Orthodox faithful were persecuted simultaneously in Byzantine & in Persia. Shah Khosrau decided to hold a debate between the Orthodox & the Nestorians at his court to see which faith was superior. The Nestorians were represented by their leader Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Joseph who was also the physician of Shah Khosrau. The Orthodox were represented by Mor Ahudemeh. At the end of the debate, the Shah realized that the Orthodox faith was superior & therefore granted the Orthodox freedom to worship & build churches, monasteries etc. Mor Yac'ub Burd'ono seeing the greatness of Mor Ahudemeh, consecrated him Metropolitan of the East to protect, shepherd & promote the Syriac Orthodox Church in the territories of the Persian Sassanid Empire. He was counted as the first Metropolitan of the See of the East after it had been usurped by the Nestorians. With greater authority, Mor Ahudemeh began strengthening the Orthodox Church, rebuilding monasteries, evangelizing etc. The son of Shah Khosrau was baptized to Christianity by Mor Ahudemeh who sent him to Byzantine for safety, which angered the emperor. The Shah imprisoned Mor Ahudemeh. The Syriac Orthodox Arab tribes who were converted by the missions of Mor Ahudemeh offered 3 times his weight in gold to the emperor for Mor Ahudemeh's freedom. However, Mor Ahudemeh declined, deciding to remain in prison & was later executed. Thus he attained the crown of martyrdom. His mortal remains were interred in Qronta, opposite Tikrit. Mor Ahudemeh was also a philosopher, theologian & scholar known for his great intelligence. He was a staunch supporter of Orthodoxy even till his death. Oh Mor Ahudemeh! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. Biography adapted from, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' RSoH