ST. MAR ZAIA OF PERSIA (SEPT. 22ND/OCT. 21ST/FEB. 10TH)

Saint Mar Zaia of Persia 

Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

Mar Zaia, or “St. Haralambros the Bishop of Magnesia” in Greek, is a revered saint in the Syriac tradition who lived in the 5th century during a time of great transformation and persecution for the Christian Church in the Persian Empire. His name, “Zaia” means “Thunder” in Syriac, and reflects his famous preaching, which thundered throughout the whole East. He is esteemed along with St. Anthony of Egypt as a founder of monasticism in the East, and is recorded as one of the oldest evangelists in Christian history, walking over vast territories to preach the Gospel until his 113th birthday. Born into a noble family in Sassanid Persia, Mar Zaia embraced the Christian faith despite the political and religious pressures surrounding him. Becoming a bishop in the middle of his life, he served until his elder years, when he resigned and undertook the life of a traveling evangelist, concerned with the conversion of the Persians. The land of Persia, influenced by Zoroastrianism, was a hostile environment for Christians. Yet Mar Zaia’s unwavering devotion to Christ and his old age made him a beacon of light for those who heard him preach, and his life became a testimony to the enduring faith of the early Church in the face of oppression.

From an early age, Mar Zaia was drawn to the monastic life, seeking solitude in the desert to commune with God. His ascetic practices, rooted in deep humility and prayer, earned him a reputation for holiness, and soon, disciples gathered around him, eager to learn from his wisdom. Mar Zaia taught that the path to God required total submission of one’s will, self-denial, and an unceasing commitment to prayer. His emphasis on “nepsis” - vigilance of the heart - would influence generations of monastics who followed in his footsteps in all Christian Traditions. It is believed that St. Isaac the Assyrian was especially influenced by Mar Zaia’s tradition of prayer and meditation, and this contribution has deeply impacted all of Christendom through the Wisdom of the Desert Fathers. 

As a missionary, Mar Zaia traveled extensively, spreading the Gospel to regions of Roman Syria and Persia where Christianity had not yet taken root. His fearless proclamation of the Good News led many to convert, but it also attracted the attention of the authorities. Arrested under the orders of the Zoroastrian rulers, Mar Zaia was tortured and martyred for his faith in his extreme old age, refusing to offer incense to the fire gods of Persia. His death, like so many other martyrs, became a seed of faith, as “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church,” inspiring others to hold fast to the Christian way, even unto death.

Stories of miracles surrounded Mar Zaia both during his life and after his martyrdom. It was said that through his prayers, the sick were healed, demons were cast out, and even the dead were raised. One of the most famous stories tells of Mar Zaia saving a village from a drought by striking a rock, from which water miraculously flowed - an image that recalls the miracles of the Old Testament prophets. He was, after his death, considered a “New Moses” by the Christians in Persia, due to how many people he led out of the wilderness of Zoroastrianism into the Promised Land of Christian Faith. After his martyrdom, many Christians made pilgrimage to his tomb, where numerous miracles were reported for centuries, cementing his legacy as a saint beloved by God and Man. 

St. Mar Zaia is venerated not only in the East Syriac Churches but also amongst all the other ancient Christian communities - the Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Marionite Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and within our Western Rite jurisdiction. His life serves as a bridge between East and West, embodying the universal call to holiness and witness to the truth of Christ in the midst of hardship.

COLLECT 

O Almighty God, who didst strengthen Thy servant Mar Zaia to witness boldly to the truth of Thy Holy Gospel, to guide Thy people as a New Moses, and to endure martyrdom with unwavering faith; Grant that we, following his example, may renounce the idols of this world and apostate generation, and with steadfast hearts serve Thee alone, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.