Abercius and Helena
Encyclopedia
Abercius and Helena are saint
s of the Catholic church
. They are said to have been the children of Alphaeus
the Apostle, although this has been challenged by some parties. Both of them are known to have been martyr
s: Abercius by being exposed naked to bees, and Helena by stoning
. They are commemorated with a feast day on May 20.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s of the Catholic church
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
. They are said to have been the children of Alphaeus
Alphaeus
Alphaeus is mentioned in the New Testament as the father of two of the Twelve Apostles, namely:*Matthew Levi the Apostle*James, son of AlphaeusThere may have been two separate men named Alphaeus...
the Apostle, although this has been challenged by some parties. Both of them are known to have been martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s: Abercius by being exposed naked to bees, and Helena by stoning
Stoning
Stoning, or lapidation, is a form of capital punishment whereby a group throws stones at a person until the person dies. No individual among the group can be identified as the one who kills the subject, yet everyone involved plainly bears some degree of moral culpability. This is in contrast to the...
. They are commemorated with a feast day on May 20.
See also
- Saint AberciusSaint AberciusSaint Abercius is a martyr of the Christian church. The story of his martyrdom has been lost. His feast day is December 5. He is referenced in the Menaea Graeca and the Menologium der Orthodox-Katholischen Kirche des Morgenlandes.-See also:...
, martyr, feast day 5 December - Abercius (martyr)Abercius (martyr)Abercius is a martyr of the Christian church. He was killed by the sword. His feast day is February 28. He is included in the Menaea Graeca and the Menologium der Orthodox-Katholischen Kirche des Morgenlandes.-See also:...
, feast day 28 February