Benjamin (saint)

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Saint Benjamin
Deacon and Martyr
Born	Persia
Died	c. 424 AD, Persia
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Church
Feast	March 31
Attributes	Deacon; Martyr
Saints Portal

Saint Benjamin was a deacon martyred circa 424 AD in Persia. St. Benjamin was executed during a period of persecution of Christians that lasted forty years and through the reign of two Persian kings: Isdegerd I, who died in 421 AD, and his son and successor, Varanes V. King Varanes carried on the persecution with such great fury, that Christians were submitted to the most cruel tortures.

Benjamin was imprisoned a year for his Christian Faith, and later released with the condition that he abandon preaching or speaking of his religion. His release was obtained by the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II through an ambassador. However, St. Benjamin declared that it was his duty to preach Christ and that he could not be silent. As a consequence, St. Benjamin was tortured mercilessly until his death in the year 424.

Saint Benjamin's feast day is commemorated on March 31 in the Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, and Roman Catholic Churches.^[1]