Martyr
Martyr Dada, Gabdelas, and Kazdoa of Persia
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Martyr Dada of Persia — a noble courtier of the Persian shah Sapor (Shapur) II (r. 309-379) and a close relative of the shah; the saints Gabdelas and Kazdoa were the shah's own children. When it was discovered that Dada was secretly a Christian, he was stripped of his honors and sentenced to be burned, but the fire miraculously went out; the prince Gabdelas and his sister Kazdoa, believing this miracle, were themselves subjected to torment for confessing Christ.
St. Dada was the chief courtier of the Persian shah Sapor (Shapur) II, a persecutor of Christians, and his close relative. When it was discovered that Dada was secretly a Christian, he was stripped of all honors, brought before the cruel torturer Andromelich, and sentenced to be burned. After the saint made the sign of the cross, the fire miraculously went out, and water flowed in its place. Witnessing this miracle was the prince Gabdelas, son of Sapor, who came to believe in Christ and, despite his father's exhortations, was subjected to cruel torment — St. Gabdelas was beaten with ox-hide straps by order of the judge-persecutor Gargal appointed by Sapor. Gabdelas's sister, princess Kazdoa, also openly confessed herself a Christian and, by her father's order, was cruelly beaten and thrown into the prison where her brother languished. All three suffered for Christ in Persia in the 4th century. Their memory is kept on April 29/May 12.