Maruthas of Martyropolis

The Holy Maruthas († 422) was a physician, and bishop of Sophene and Tagrith. He participated in the second Ecumenical Council 381 and at the Council of Antioch 390. 399 he was sent as an envoy of Emperor Arcadius to the court of the Persian king Jezdegerd to attend his coronation. He had a very good relationship with the king, and may have contributed to its increasingly tolerant attitude towards the Christians. He also drove a daughter Jezdegerds from an evil spirit. He took part in the Council of Seleucia / Ctesiphon. In the year 410 he left for the martyrs of Martyropolis who had been killed under Shapur II, built a basilica, to which the city's name was changed to Martyropolis. He also led bones of martyrs from Persia in his office.

Works

Maruthas wrote numerous works in Syriac, including a collection of hymns, a history of the Council of Nicaea. Preserved are:

  • A treatise on heresies
  • Parts of Prayer
  • A sermon

His feast day is February 18.

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