Deacon
Bishop Akepsem led the Christian Church in the Persian city of Naessone. Throughout his ascetic life and tireless pastoral efforts, he was beloved by his flock. King Sapor ordered the Christian clergy to be sought out, and Bishop Akepsem was captured. He was brought to the city of Arbela, where he stood before the court of the priest Ardakh. The holy elder refused to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods, for which he was brutally beaten and imprisoned. Along with him in chains were Presbyter Joseph and Deacon Aifal. For three years, the saints were tormented by hunger and thirst. King Sapor, wishing to see the martyrs, brought them to the temple of the god of fire. Despite their exhaustion, they firmly confessed their faith in Christ. Bishop Akepsem was executed, while Presbyter Joseph and Deacon Aifal were stoned to death. The execution of Joseph lasted several hours, and on the fourth night, his body disappeared after a hurricane. Deacon Aifal was stoned in the village of Patrias, and the Christians secretly buried his body, on the grave of which a healing tree grew.
The holy martyr Aifal was stoned to death for confessing the Name of Christ in the year 380.
