Heliodorus of Bet Zabdai

Heliodorus of Bet Zabdai (died 344) was a Syrian bishop of Bet Zabdai in Mesopotamia and a martyr.

Around 337 Shapur II invaded Roman Mesopotamia, commencing a drawn out war. Under his reign, Christians were persecuted as a reaction to the encouragement of Christianity by Constantine the Great. Shapur besieged and captured Bet Zabdai. Heliodorus was taken to Persia as a prisoner of war. The prisoners were set on a long march to Bet Huzaje. Along the way, Heliodorus fell ill and named the priest Dausa as his successor.^[1] He died as a result of ill treatment and fatigue at Daskarata on the Great Zab, in 344. He is commemorated with a feast day on August 20.

References

^ The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 226-363, (Michael H. Dodgeon and Samuel N. C., eds.) Routledge, 2002, p. 215 ISBN 9781134961139

Sources

Holweck, F. G. A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints. St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co., 1924.

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[1] The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 226-363, (Michael H. Dodgeon and Samuel N. C., eds.) Routledge, 2002, p. 215 ISBN 9781134961139

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