Armenian Church commemorates Sts. Bishop Akipsimos, Priest Hovsep, Deacon Ayitala and Martyr Platon

Today, the Armenian Church commemorates Sts. Bishop Akipsimos, Priest Hovsep, Deacon Ayitala and Martyr Platon.

Bishop Akipsimos (Aquiphsimeus), Priest Hovsep (Joseph) and Deacon Ayitala (Ayethalus) have been martyred in the fourth century. Akipsimos was Persian. Together with the Priest Hovsep (Joseph) and the Deacon Ayitala, he has been imprisoned during the persecutions against Christians realized by King Shapouh II. Bishop Akipsimos, Priest Hovsep (Joseph) and Deacon Ayitala are taken to the town of Arbela to stand trial by the heathen supreme priest of the sun, Ardakh. However, they refuse to worship the sun and the fire. They are thrown into a deep and dark dungeon, where they remain for three years. Later, the saints are sent to Media to stand trial by King Shapouh II, where they are martyred. According to the hagiographers, St. Akipsimos is beheaded, Priest Hovsep (Joseph) and Deacon Ayitala are stoned.

St. Platon (Plato the Martyr) was born in Ankuria, in the family of a Christian pious priest. Since childhood, he was brought up and educated in the Christian spirit. After his parents’ deaths, Platon sells all his property, distributes the sum to the poor, and dedicates himself to converting the heathens to Christianity and spreading the Word of God. Because of being Christian, he is imprisoned and subjected to severe torments. The judge does not manage to force Platon to renounce Christianity and to offer sacrifice to the idols; therefore, he orders to behead the saint. St. Platon has been martyred in the first quarter of the fourth century.