Mar Sarkis wa Bakhos
Saints Sergius and Bacchus were third century Roman soldiers. They were Roman citizens and high-ranking officers of the roman army. Sergius was an officer in the roman army, Bacchus an officer under him and both were serving under Maximian, the emperor, on the Syrian frontier. They died in 303 AD, Bacchus in Syria, Sergius at Resafa, Syria. They were commemorated as martyrs by the catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. They were a secret Christians. Their feast day is October 7. They were one of the most famous examples of paired Saints. The popularity of the cult of Sergius and Bacchus grew rappidly during the early 5th century, in accordance with the growth of the cult of martyrs, especially military martyrs. They were venerated as protectors of the army. A large monastery church, the little Hagia Sophia, was dedicated to them in Constantinople by Justinian I, probably in 527. Sergius was a very popular saint in Syria and Christian Arabia.
Legend
According to the greek text “The Passion of Sergius and Bacchus”, one day, Sergius and his Lieutenant Bacchus were with the emperor when he entered the temple of Jupiter to offer sacrifice. They remained outside and refused to sacrifice to Zeus. The emperor ordered them to come in and worship. After they refused and their covert Christianity was discovered, they were publicly humiliated.The emperor Maximian ordered that the officers be stripped of their arms, dressed in woman’s clothes, and paraded through the streets. Then he sent them to be tried by the governor, who had them severly beaten that Bacchus died under the lash. The next day, he appeared to Sergius and encouraged him to remain strong. Over the next days, Sergius was also brutally tortured and finally executed at Resafa, where his death was marked by miraculous happenings.
Saint Sarkis and Bacchus parishes
These two Saints are still popular in the East, where their names are common baptismal name. Some parishes in Northern Lebanon:
- Aslout
- Basloukit
- Amioun
- Kousba
- Zgharta
- Kobayat
- Kfifen
- Qnat
- Tourza
- Hadsheet
- Kafaraabida
- Miziara
- Bcharre
