Barsimaeus z Edessy was a bishop of Edessa, located in present-day Şanlıurfa, who is honored as a martyr. According to traditional accounts, he served as the third bishop of the region and lived during the early second century. He is said to have been executed around 114 AD during the reign of Emperor Trajan. While some historical analyses suggest his story might actually refer to a later bishop from the mid-third century, he remains a significant figure in the Christian tradition of Edessa.
Life and martyrdom
As a missionary bishop, Barsimaeus was known for his zeal in converting others to the Christian faith. Some accounts claim he was executed by a president named Lysias for his religious fervor. Other versions suggest he was a confessor who survived imprisonment and beatings under the emperor Decius, eventually dedicating his remaining years to leading his church after being released by a new imperial decree.
Veneration
He is commemorated in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental traditions. The Roman calendar observes his feast day on January 30, while the Eastern calendar celebrates him on January 29. He is listed in the Roman Martyrology and the Greek Menologion as a martyr of the early Church.