07 works, Today, October 24th, is Martyr Arethas' day, his story illustrated #295

 Tzortzi (Zorzis) Fuka

The Martyrdom of St. Arethas the Great Martyr, and those with him, c. 1547

 Fresco

Mount Athos (Dionysios)

I could not find any information on  Tzortzi (Zorzis) Fuka

Holy Martyr Arethas, and those with him, contested for piety's sake in the year 524 in Najran, a city in present-day Yemen. 

Unknown artist

Dhu Nuwas, ruler of the Himyarite tribe 

Bronze statue 

 Sana'a National Museum

When Dhu Nuwas, ruler of the Himyarite tribe in south Yemen, and a Judaizer, took power, he sought to blot out Christianity, especially at Najran, a Christian city, he issued an edict that all followers of Christ were to be put to death.

Unknown artist (Byzantine Empire)

Saint Arethas, 10th century

Ceramic with glaze

17 × 16.8 × 0.9 cm (6.6 × 6.6 × 0.3 in)

Walters Art Museum ,  Baltimore, Maryland,

Saint Arethas was an Ethiopian soldier who was murdered in 523 because of his Christian faith. He is depicted here in Byzantine court dress, holding a cross as a sign of his martyrdom. The tile is one among three in the Walters Art Museum that have the same size and contain identical busts of male saints. This series probably formed a frieze on a church wall or altar screen. More on this Tile

Because the inhabitants of Negran remained faithful to the Lord, Dhu Nuwas came with a large army to the city. Not daring to assault the Christian city by force, Dhu Nuwas resorted to a ruse. He swore an oath that he would not force the Christians into Judaism, but would merely collect a tribute from Negran. The inhabitants of the city would not heed the advice of Saint Arethas, chief man of Najran, and putting their trust in Dhu Nuwas, they opened the city gates and the city surrendered the city.

Dhu Nuwas, immediately broke the word he had given and sought to compel the city to renounce Christ. Dhu Nuwas gave orders to light an immense fire and throw all the clergy of the city into it in order to frighten the rest of the Christians. 427 men were burned. 

Unknown artist

Holy Martyr Arethos, Constantinople. c. 985

Miniature Minology of Vasily II

Vatican Library. Rome.

Led by Saint Arethas, hundreds of martyrs, including women, children, and babes, valiantly withstood his threats, and were beheaded and burned. After the men had been slain, all the free-born Christian women of Najran were brought before the tyrant and commanded to abjure Christ or die; yet they rebuked the persecutor with such boldness that he said even the men had not insulted him so contemptuously. 

Unknown artist

St. Elesbaan, King of Ethiopia

I have no further description, at this time

Saint Elesbaan, King of Ethiopia, on the command of Emperor Justin, will wage war against the usurper Dhu Nuwas and thus free the Yemenite Christians persecuted by this ferocious beast. Historical chronicle. Nineteenth century manuscript.

So great was their faith that not one woman was found to deny Christ in all Najran, although some of them suffered torments more bitter than most of the men. In alliance with Byzantium, the Ethiopian King Elesbaan liberated Najran from Dhu Nuwas soon after and raised up churches in honour of the Martyrs. Najran became a place of pilgrimage until the rise of Islam a century later. 

Unknown artist

Saint Elesbaan. Ethiopian Abbadie Psalter, Around 1450

I have no further description, at this time

At the end of his life King Elesbaan, who was also called Caleb, retired into solitude as a hermit; he sent his crown to Jerusalem as an offering to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. More on Martyr Arethas and those with him

Unknown artist

Holy Martyr Arefah with his life

Russia, XIX century, 34.5 х 29cm

Private collection

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, and 365 Saints, also visit my Boards on Pinterest

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

I do not sell art, art prints, framed posters or reproductions. Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog and also for liking its posts and pages.

Please note that the content of this post primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online.