Welcome to St. Shenouda Podcast! Join us for a compelling episode on the life of Saint Abaskhiron the Soldier, a revered Coptic martyr and saint. Also known as Eskhayron or Abaskhaeroun, his name "Abaskhyron" combines "Abba" (father, an honorific title despite his young age at martyrdom) and "skhyron" (the strong). Born in Qallin, Lower Egypt, in the 3rd century, Abaskhiron was a soldier under Arianus, the governor of Ansena.

His story of unwavering faith began when Emperor Diocletian issued an edict to worship idols. Abaskhiron bravely refused, exposing the emperor's infidelity and cursing his idols. He dramatically cast off his soldier's uniform in front of the governor, leading to his imprisonment in Asyut. While in prison, five other soldiers—Alfius, Armanius, Arkias, Peter, and Cranius—agreed with him  ...