A rich and noble citizen of Bethlapeta in Persia, Bademus, desiring to devote himself to the service of God, founded a monastery near that city which he governed with great sanctity. God permitted him, with seven of his monks to be apprehended by the king Sapor in 376. He lay four months in a dungeon loaded with chains during which lingering martyrdom he was every day called out to receive a certain number of stripes. At the same time a Christian lord of the Persian court named Nersan was cast into prison because he refused to adore the sun. At the sight of tortures his constancy failed and he promised to conform. The king, to try his sincerity, ordered Nersan to kill Bademus. Nersan had neither courage to repent nor heart to accomplish his crime. He strove to harden himself and with a trembling hand, aimed his sword at the sides of the martyr. Fear, shame, remorse and respect for the martyr made his strokes unsteady and so great was the number of the martyr’s wounds that they stood in admiration at his invincible patience. Finally, aiming at his neck, after four strokes, he severed his neck. After a short time, Nersan fell into public disgrace and was killed by the people.