St. Sarabamon, Bishop of Niku (Nakiyos), was born in
Jerusalem. His father's name was Abraham, the son of Levi, the son of Joseph,
Simon's brother and uncle of Stephen, the Archdeacon and the first martyr.
He was from the tribe of Judah. At birth, he was called Simon after his grandfather.
When his father died, Simon longed to become a Christian. The angel of the
Lord appeared to him and commanded him to go to Abba John, Bishop of Jerusalem,
who taught him the mystery of the incarnation of the Lord Christ. However,
he did not dare to baptize him in Jerusalem, for his fear of Jews, and he
was pondering what he should do. The Virgin St. Mary, appeared to Simon and
told him to go to the city of Alexandria, to St.Theonas, 16th Pope of Alexandria.
He departed and the angel of the Lord, in the form of a man, accompanied him
on his journey to the city of Alexandria. He went to Pope Theonas, who rejoiced
on seeing him, preached to him and baptized him. He then became a monk in
El-Zogag monastery, (the monastery of Abba Severus, outside Alexandria). When
Pope Theonas departed and Abba Peter, the seal of the martyrs, succeeded him,
Abba Peter summoned Simon so that he could assist him in the works of the
patriarchate. When the chair of the city of Niku (Nakiyos) became vacant,
Abba Peter ordained Simon Bishop over it. His flock rejoiced greatly in him
and the Lord performed many signs and wonders at his hands. There were pagan
temples close to his city, and he pleaded to the Lord Christ until they were
destroyed and were covered with water and Paganism was eradicated from his
diocese. The heresy of Sabilius of Upper Egypt, who taught that the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit are one person, was also eradicated. When
Diocletian denied Christ, they told him that Sarabamon the Bishop had hindered
the worship of idols with his teachings. Diocletian ordered Anba Sarabamon
to be brought to him. When Anba Sarabamon arrived in Alexandria with the messengers,
he spent the night in prison. Pope Peter, accompanied by some clergy, came
to see him. When they embraced him, they saw his face as though it was that
of an angel. When Anba Sarabamon came before the Emperor, he tortured him
with all kinds of torture, but the Lord Christ raised him up every time without
suffering. When the Emperor saw that many people believed because of him,
he sent him to Arianus, Governor of Ansena, who tortured him and threatened
to cut off his head if he did not change his mind. It happened that Arianus
was in Alexandria, so he took St. Sarabamon with him in the ship. When the
ship reached Niku (Nakiyos), his home town, the ship stopped and no one was
able to move it. They took the saint off the ship and led him to the northern
part of the city, where they cut off his head and he received the crown of
martyrdom. The people of his diocese carried his body to the church with
great honor.
May his prayers be with us and glory be to God forever. Amen.
