Saint Benjamin the Deacon

Benjamin was a deacon in Persia in the early 5th century. After a period of peace for the Church, persecution broke out again around 420, following the burning of a Zoroastrian fire temple by a Christian bishop. Many churches were destroyed and Christians were arrested, among them Benjamin, who was imprisoned for about a year for spreading the faith.

At the request of a Roman ambassador, the Persian king agreed to release him on condition that he stop speaking about Christ. Benjamin refused to make such a promise, saying he could not hide the light he had received, and once freed he went on preaching. He was arrested again and brought before the king, who had him cruelly tortured, with sharp reeds driven under his nails, before putting him to death around 424. Bishop Theodoret of Cyrrhus, who lived at the time, recorded his witness.

Benjamin is honored in both the Roman Martyrology and the Eastern Churches. Boys and men named Benjamin or Benjamín often celebrate their name day on March 31, and deacons look to him as a model of fearless preaching.