Sts. Abadir & His Sister Iraii’s Glorification | تمجيد الشهيدين أبادير و إبرائي أخته

As the believers chant praises to the Lord, they ask the martyrs Abadir and his sister Irai to intercede with the Lord for the forgiveness of their sins, and the Church celebrates their martyrdom on the 28th of Thout.
Their origin: They were the children of the sister of Basilios, the minister of Antioch. Abadir was appointed as an Esphilhar (“great commander”) in the army of Diocletian. The Lord Jesus appeared to him in a vision at night and asked him to go with his sister Irai to Egypt to receive the crown of martyrdom. His sister was granted the same vision, and they both knew it was from God, so they set out joyfully to obtain the gift prepared for them.
Here we may ask: Why did God allow, even command, them to go to martyrdom, when He said, “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another” (Matthew 10:23)? Many saints such as St. Cyril the Great, Pope Peter the Seal of the Martyrs, and St. Pachomius warned against rushing into martyrdom or provoking governors to persecute us.
The Christian, in his holy zeal, offers his life every day as a sacrifice of love to God (Romans 12:1). Yet, in humility, he does not seek persecution himself, but if it comes, he accepts it joyfully—as did Pope Peter the Seal of the Martyrs. God, however, allowed certain people to be called to go willingly to martyrdom for a divine purpose. The mission of Abadir the Commander and his sister Irai was divinely ordained, for hundreds of thousands of Copts suffered martyrdom, and even whole cities such as Esna and Akhmim joyfully offered themselves to be martyred by Arianus, the governor of Ansena (near Mallawi). The presence of Abadir encouraged the simple believers, showing that princes also sought this honor, while the presence of Irai strengthened the young women, showing that a noble girl from the palace accepted suffering joyfully. Thus, those who were called to go to martyrdom of their own accord had a special mission amid great tribulation!

Their Martyrdom:
Their mother perceived what was in their hearts, so she tore her clothes along with her maidservants and pleaded with them not to deliver themselves to Diocletian for martyrdom. Her son Abadir promised her that they would not speak to Diocletian about it, but she did not realize that they had decided to go to Egypt to be martyred there. Abadir used to change his clothes and serve those in prison, instructing his guard not to tell anyone.
When Abadir and his sister delayed a little, the vision was repeated, so they set out for Alexandria, and from there to Egypt, where they met St. Apakragon, who recognized them and blessed them. From there they entered the church in Tamouh, then went to Ashmunein, where they met a deacon named Samuel, who accompanied them to Ansena. There, Abadir and his sister met Arianus, the governor of Ansena (near Mallawi in Upper Egypt), who subjected them to severe torture, but the Lord Jesus strengthened them.
Amid the intense sufferings, the Lord took their souls for a brief moment to behold Paradise, filling them with strength and zeal to endure joyfully.
The governor wrote their case and sentenced them to be beheaded. When Arianus adjured Abadir to reveal his identity, Abadir asked him to promise not to retract his sentence. When he did, Abadir told him he was Abadir the Commander. Arianus regretted what he had done, but Abadir reminded him of his oath, telling him that he too would receive the crown of martyrdom.
After the two saints were martyred, some believers wrapped their bodies, and the deacon Samuel carried them to his house until the end of the persecution, when a great church was built in their name.
Today, there is a church named after the two martyrs in Assiut, and another in Dashlout in the Diocese of Assiut.
May their holy prayers be with us. Amen.