Saint Urpasian is a 4th-century
saint
In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of Q-D-Š, holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term ''saint'' depends on the context and Christian denomination, denominat ...
and martyr. He was a dignitary of
Roman Emperor Galerius
Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus (; 258 – May 311) was Roman emperor from 305 to 311. During his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sasanian Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. He also campaigned across the D ...
(293–311).
Urpasian suffered martyrdom in the city of Nicomedia. The emperor Galerius persecuted Christians serving in his army and at his court. Urpasian was a member of the imperial household at
Nicomedia
Nicomedia (; el, Νικομήδεια, ''Nikomedeia''; modern İzmit) was an ancient Greek city located in what is now Turkey. In 286, Nicomedia became the eastern and most senior capital city of the Roman Empire (chosen by the emperor Diocletia ...
. Some of the timid of soul began to waver and began to worship the pagan gods, but the strong of soul held out firmly until the very end. Urpasian renounced his position as a servant of the emperor stating, "Henceforth I am a warrior of the
Heavenly King, the Lord
Jesus
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
Christ
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, names and titles), was ...
. Take back the insignia that was given to me." He was arrested for his Christian beliefs, and was burned alive.
[
In the Orthodox Church, he is commemorated on March 9.][ In Roman Catholicism, his feast day is celebrated on March 13.][
]
See also
* Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste or the Holy Forty (Ancient/Katharevousa Greek ''Ἅγιοι Τεσσεράκοντα''; Demotic: ''Άγιοι Σαράντα'') were a group of Roman soldiers in the Legio XII ''Fulminata'' (Armed with Lightning) w ...
, also commemorated on March 9
References