Saints This Month – 4 December St. Maruthas

St. Maruthas was the Bishop of Tagrit or Maypherkat in Mesopotamia (modern Tikrit, in Iraq), a city on the border of Persia and the Byzantine Empire, The Church in this area was in disarray due to the constant persecution from the Persian Emperor Sapor. Maruthas  was a man of holiness and wisdom. He brought into his episcopal city the relics of so many martyrs of the period that it received the surname Martyropolis. He was one of the leading figures of the Church and took part in both the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople, convened against the heresy of Macedonius and in 383 he attended the Council of Antioch against the Messalians. In 403 he returned to Constantinople to appeal on behalf of the Persian Church for protection against persecution. Alas the Emperor Arcadius was too busy with the affairs of state to hear the appeals of this noble bishop. During his time in Constantinople he became good friends with St. John Chrysostom.

Maruthas returned to Tagrit and concentrated on rebuilding his Church. He proved to be a great organiser and he was one of the first to give a regular structure to his church. He also produced some important works in the Syrian language, among which the most famous are his Commentary on the Gospel, The Verses of Maruthas, The Liturgy of Maruthas, and The 73 Canons of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea. In his later life the Emperor Theodosius the Younger sent him to the Persian Court. His affability, saintly life, and his knowledge of medicine impressed the Persian Shah. He persuaded the Shah to a favorable disposition towards Christians, which assisted greatly in the freedom of Christians in Persia. On his return to his See he began to rebuild Christian churches razed during the persecution. He died in 422 leaving the Persian Church stronger and more secure.

As our brothers and sister in Iraq suffer insecurity, persecution, and martyrdom, let us pray that the intercession of St. Maruthas may bring peace, strength, and security.