Saint Abaskhaeroun

"You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles."
(Matthew 10:18)

Icon of St. Abaskhaeroun Painted at St. Mary & St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church

The Story In A Minute

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Saint Abaskhaeroun the Brave Soldier

The honourable Saint Abaskhaeroun was born in the 3rd century in the city of Qalin in Lower Egypt, hence the title of Saint Abaskhaeroun of Qalin.

He was one of the soldiers of the Attribes regiment during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.

When Diocletian issued his edict to worship idols, this brave saint arose in the middle of the people, exposed the infidelity of the Emperor, and cursed his idols. He threw away his military girdle before the governor, announced his refusal to follow the emperor's orders and made clear his fellowship to Christ, The Eternal King. This was a practical application to the words of our Lord Jesus:

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26)

Map of Egypt

The governor of Attribes imprisoned Saint Abaskheroun for his refusal to forsake his faith in Christ. While in prison, Saint Abaskhaeroun prayed to the Lord who sent His angel to comfort and strengthen him. Then they sent him by boat to Arianus the governor of Ansena in Upper Egypt, who was known for his severe methods of torture. Five other soldiers who were imprisoned with him decided to confess their Christian faith before the governor, even if it meant shedding their blood for the sake of the faith. When they came before the governor, Arianus cut off their girdles, tortured them, crucified some and cut off the heads of the others.

As for Saint Abaskhaeroun, the governor tortured him with different kinds of tortures. However, the Lord comforted him, strengthened him, and healed his wounds each time. The governor then brought a sorcerer whose name was Alexander to work his magic on the saint. Alexander gave the Saint some deadly poison, saying; "O master of the powers of darkness, manifest in this Christian your powers." The Saint took the poison, made the sign of the cross over it, and drank it, but no harm came upon him. He trusted the promise of Lord Jesus: "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them." (Mark 16:17-18)

The sorcerer marvelled, and he too then believed in the God of Saint Abaskhaeroun. The governor cut off the head of the sorcerer, and Alexander received the crown of martyrdom. By the mercy and power of God, Saint Abaskhaeroun was used by God to bring the sorcerer to Christianity. The incredible bravery and strength of Saint Abaskhaeroun infuriated the governor and he ordered that the saint be tortured extensively. After all the tortures were completed, the governor ordered that the saint be beheaded and thus he received the crown of martyrdom.

A Great Miracle

A Church was built after the name of Saint Abaskhaeroun in Qalin, his hometown in Lower Egypt. For many years the people in this town used to assign a special day for a big wedding ceremony for many couples on the same day. On one of those days, in the time of persecution of the Christians, the church was attacked by the persecutors and there were about 100 people inside. They started to pray and ask for the intercession of Saint Abaskhaeroun, the patron of the church.

What happened was beyond their imagination. Through the grace of God and His care for His children who cry out for Him, and through the intercession of Saint Abaskaeroun, the whole church with all the people inside it was moved from the city of Qalin in Lower Egypt to a city called Al-Biho in Upper Egypt.

The people got out of the church to find themselves in a different city in a different region of Egypt.

Saint Abaskhaeroun appeared to them but they didn't recognize him. He led them to the Nile river, where they took a boat to go back to their city. The journey took only one day, although it normally takes three days. They were all amazed and glorified God, who does wonders through His saints..

The church that was moved is still present in its new place until now. There is a pond in the old location of the original church called the Pond of Qalini.

Until today, many miracles and wonders are still performed through the prayers of this great saint for many of those who visit both locations.

His Feast

The church celebrates the commemoration of the martyrdom of Saint Abaskhaeroun on June 14th - the 7th day of the Coptic month of Paone.

References

Synaxarium - Coptic Reader App

The Martyrdom of St. Abaskhiroun the Soldier - CopticChurch.net

The Martyrdom of St. Abaskhiroun the Soldier - St Takla.Org