Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, Priests Abdechalas and Ananias, and Martyrs Usthazanes, Phusicus, Askitrea, Azades, and others

Simeon was a bishop in Persia in the time of King Shapur II. When Christians grew numerous, the Persian priests of the old religion and the Jews stirred up a persecution; Shapur taxed the Christians heavily, destroyed churches and put clergy to death. Simeon was brought before him in chains with the priests Abdechalas and Ananias, and would not bow to him or worship the sun.

The old court eunuch Usthazanes, who had raised Shapur, wept at the sight and was beheaded as a Christian. On Good Friday, in 344, Simeon, the two priests and about a hundred others were put to the sword in his presence. Among those killed after them were Phusicus, the official, and his daughter Askitrea; a year later the king's favourite Azades and many others died.