Born in the 4th century in what is now Iran, Benjamin was a Deacon in a Persian Christian community. 

The Persians had been quite tolerant of the Christians and, for more than a decade, The King, Yazdegerd I, had left them alone. 

However, Abdas, the Bishop of Susa, ordered the burning of the Persian’s most treasured sanctuary, the Temple of Fire. 

In response, persecution against Christians in Persia began that would last through the reign of both Yazdegerd and his son and successor, Varanes V. 

It was during this period that the aging Benjamin was arrested and held for a year. When released he was ordered never to speak or preach about Christianity again. 

But Benjamin said he could not be silent. 

As a result, he was taken back into custody, tortured severely, and then brutally martyred, at the age of ninety-five. 

St. Benjamin, please pray for us.