January 19: Saint Absadah of Egypt

January 19 marks the feast day of Saint Absadah of Egypt (dates unknown, circa 300). Absadah was born in Behnesa, Egypt at the height of the Diocletianic persecution of Christians, also known as the Great Persecution. During his rule, Emperor Diocletian, building upon the rules first implemented by Emperor Decius, actively implemented laws to dissuade Christians from preaching their faith, believing their faith, and living their faith. Christians were stripped of their possessions, discharged from the armed forces, and relocated. Christians were forced to participate in pagan sacrifices and rituals and to renounce their faith. Punishment of disobeying these laws included arrest, torture, and death. However, this was also a time of great Catholic martyrs—those individuals who lived their faith, and as a result, died for their faith. Without exception, these martyrs went to their deaths without defending themselves in a variety of manners, including burning, beheading, and being torn apart by wild animals. While the Emperor hoped their deaths would discourage the practice of Christianity, the curious calm and conviction of faith of these great martyrs only served to spread the faith throughout the Roman Empire. It is estimated that nearly 3,000 Christians were killed for their faith during this great persecution.


Saint Absadah was a priest of the Church in Egypt, where the persecution of Christians had not yet reached. He feared the unavoidable onset of persecution, however, and was generally consumed by his anxiety. When official decrees announced the laws of the Roman Empire in Egypt, Absadah barricaded himself in his home, planning to hide from persecution, and losing faith in the protection of the Lord. For him, at that moment, Christianity became an inconvenience.

Miraculously, Jesus appeared to Absadah, unhindered by the barricade and locks on the doors. His message, spoken, was quite plain: "No security can repel me, Absadah, and no persecution can truly kill me for I am the resurrection and the life."

Absadah realized that to hide was to deny Jesus, the Catholic faith, and the protection of the Resurrection. Absadah left his home and turned himself into the authorities. He was tried in court in Alexandria, found guilty of believing in an “unapproved power,” and sentenced to death. Absadah was beheaded outside the city before a crowd of onlookers who were moved by his faith, conviction, and courage.

The early martyrs of the Church faced persecution and death for their beliefs. They held firm to the convictions of their faith, namely that the Son of God, executed for our sins, would protect them in the Resurrection of the body, just as He has been resurrected. The life of Absadah reminds us that Jesus has already won victory for us over any struggle, sin, or persecution we suffer, as long as we trust Him and put our faith in the Lord. How often do we think we can solve life’s problems—both the tiny daily struggles and the larger concerns? We sweat and worry and focus on our solutions, rather than turning to the Lord. Today, we pray for the faith of Absadah—faith in the resurrection and the life.



Day 19 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Increased and consistent faith in the Lord; Those suffering in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake
Requested Intentions: Successful surgery and recovery for father (G); Interfaith dialogue (L)