4th century (d. c. 376)
Born to a wealthy family in the Persian city of Bithlapata, Bademus renounced his possessions, founded a monastery, and lived as its archimandrite; imprisoned under Sapor II, he was slain for refusing to deny Christ.
The Holy Venerable-Martyr Bademus the Archimandrite of Persia
Bademus, also known as Vadim, was a fourth-century monastic martyr of Persia. Born to a rich and illustrious family in the Persian city of Bithlapata, he gave away his wealth to the poor, withdrew into the wilderness, and founded a monastery, which he led as its archimandrite.
During the persecution of Christians under the Persian emperor Shapur II, Bademus was arrested with seven of his disciples and imprisoned. After enduring months of torture, he was put to death for refusing to deny Christ. He is commemorated in the Orthodox Church on April 9.
Bademus, also called Vadim, was born in the fourth century in the Persian city of Bithlapata, descended from a rich and illustrious family. Having received a Christian upbringing, he chose to give away all his wealth to the poor and to withdraw from the world.
Going out into the wilderness, he founded a monastery and led it as its archimandrite. By the accounts he would go up on a mountain for solitary prayer, and was once permitted to behold the Glory of God.
During the long persecution of Christians under the Persian emperor Shapur II, Bademus was arrested along with seven of his disciples. They were cast into prison and tortured, their persecutors hoping that they would renounce Christ and worship the sun and fire as the Persian religion required.
The confessors endured some four months in chains. Throughout their imprisonment Bademus and his disciples remained steadfast in their confession of Christ.
Shapur demanded that an apostate Christian named Nirsanes personally cut off the head of Bademus, promising him a reprieve and great rewards if he complied. Bademus rebuked him, warning him of the day when he would stand before the Dread Judgment Seat.
The holy martyr stood motionless, enduring many terrible blows, for the hands of his executioner trembled; at last Nirsanes succeeded in cutting off his head. By the accounts Nirsanes, tormented by his conscience, soon afterward took his own life. The seven disciples of Bademus were released from prison after the death of the emperor Shapur. Bademus is commemorated on April 9.