Barhadbesciabas of Arbela

20 July

Barhadbesciabas (sometimes called Barhadbesaba), deacon and martyr of Arbela in Persia, killed by beheading, in 355. He was caught up in the persecution conducted by Sassanid King Shapur II and was tortured by the governor of the Persian region of Adiaban in modern Iran. Aggai, an apostate Christian, was ordered to behead Barhadbesciabas. He used the ax with such clumsiness that he had to strike the martyr again to slay him.