The Armenian Apostolic Church pays today tribute to St. Aret and his companions, Holy Martyrs Artemeos, Sts. Christopher and the two women – Kalinike and Akyouline, Qahana.am reports.
St. Aret and his companions (Sts. Kharityans) had Habesh nationality and lived in the town Nehran of Ethiopia. In the sixth century BC the Jews had become very powerful in Ethiopia. The king of the town Eudemona, Du Novas attacks the town Nehran with the purpose of converting the population to Judaism. Occupying the city by means of fraud, he orders to burn the clergy, the monks and the nuns over the fire and to put the governor of the city – Aret and the rich and influential citizens into prison. During the interrogation Du Novas demands them to renounce Christ. However, the citizens and their 95-year-old governor refuse saying, “We won’t renounce Christ, as He is life for us, and death for the sake of Christ is gain,” and are subjected to torments.
After a few years the Christian King Yelesbovam wins Du Novas and proclaims Christianity as the state religion of Ethiopia.
During the period of reign of the King Julianus the Betrayer Artemeos served in the royal army since childhood and was elevated to the degree of legate. He continued to serve as the general commander of the army of Egypt also during the period of reign of the next king. Later, when Julianus the Betrayer judged the two priests – Yevgenius and Macarius, Artemeos dared to blame the king openly for cruelty for he was subjected to torments and is beheaded.
Christopher and the two women – Kalinike and Akyouline lived in Lycia still in the period of reign of the king Dekos. During the period of reign of the king Julianus Christopher had been taken prison...
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