Hieromartyr
Hieromartyr Acepsimas the Bishop
† 378
Hieromartyr Acepsimas, a bishop, together with the priest Joseph and the deacon Aeithalas — Persian martyrs, seized near Arbela in the final years of the 40-year persecution of Christians by Shah Shapur II; after three years' imprisonment in chains, Acepsimas (about 80 years old) was beheaded in 378, Joseph was stoned, and Aeithalas was executed similarly in 379 in the region of Beth Nuhadra.
Hieromartyr Acepsimas, a bishop from Henaita in the region of Adiabene (Persia), was seized at about 80 years of age together with the priest Joseph and the deacon Aeithalas near the city of Arbela, in the final years of a persecution of Christians lasting about 40 years under the Persian Shah Shapur II.
After three years of imprisonment in chains, enduring wounds, hunger, and thirst, he was brought to trial before Adurshapor, the chief Zoroastrian magus, in Media. Acepsimas was beheaded in October 378. Joseph was stoned at Arbela — together with a Christian woman who refused to take part in the execution and shared his fate. Aeithalas was executed similarly in 379 in the region of Beth Nuhadra.
An extensive Life was translated into Slavonic already by the late 11th century; numerous miracles are reported at their relics and burial sites.
The feast is kept on November 3/16.
IMPORTANT CORRECTION: category martyr→hieromartyr (Acepsimas was a bishop). The previously empty feast_days field has been filled in.