Asher ben Levi Abd al-Masih | |
|---|---|
| Martyr | |
| Born | אשר בן לוי (Asher ben Levi) Sinjar (Likely) |
| Died | 390 AD Sinjar (Likely) |
| Venerated in | Oriental Orthodox Church |
| Beatified | Pre-Congregation,Syria bySyriac Orthodox Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation,Syria bySyriac Orthodox ChurchArmenian Apostolic Church |
| Feast | October 3 |
| Patronage | Barren women |
Abd al-Masih, bornAsher ben Levi (Hebrew:אשר בן לוי,Syriac:ܥܒܕܐܠܡܣܝܚ,Arabic:عبد المسيح),[1] is described as asaint andmartyr inearly Christianity. The name Abd al-Masih (عبد المسيح) means "servant/slave of the Messiah" inArabic.
Abd al-Masih was aJewish shepherd boy inSasanian Mesopotamia who was killed by his father, Levi, forconverting to Christianity. Having converted, he pierced his ear to wear an earring, probably an indication of his metaphoricalslavery toJesus.[2] He died in AD 390.[3] The story is set inSingara and is aSyriac text with later versions inArabic andArmenian.[4]
There is disagreement about the location of his martyrdom. Some sources saySingar (in modernIraq near the Syrian border), and others sayTaglibis in Arabia. He is regarded as thepatron saint of sterile women in Syria, and has his feast day observed on July 13, and July 22 or October 3.[5]
After his martyrdom, his then-elderly father grew troubled and unwell, and after being taken to the place where his son died; he ended up converting to Christianity with his family.[1]
Fiey, Jean Maurice (2004). Lawrence I. Conrad (ed.).Saints Syriaques, volume 6. Princeton, N.J.: The Darwin Press, Inc.
