Saint Abraham Kidunaia

Life story

The sources say Abraham came from the region of Edessa (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey) and was born around the end of the third century to a wealthy family. When his parents wanted him to marry, he told his bride that he would give his life to God, and he withdrew to a walled-up cell near the city. After his parents died, he gave his inheritance to the poor.

The bishop of Edessa ordained him a priest and sent him to a pagan village called Beth-Kidunaa (Chidan in the Orthodox account). According to his Life he tore down the idol temple, built a church and baptised the villagers, though at first he was driven out several times. He then returned to his cell near Edessa and lived in prayer and penance for about fifty years. His biography is said to have been written by his friend Ephrem; the Orthodox account says only that Ephrem later wrote about him. He died around 360 to 366, and sources differ on the year.

The Life also tells of an orphan niece named Mary whom he raised; deceived as a young woman, she fell into a sinful life in another city, and two years later he disguised himself as a soldier to find her and bring her to repentance. This is a traditional story with no independent historical evidence. The churches keep his feast on different dates: 16 March in the Roman Martyrology, 29 October in Orthodox lists, and 14 December among Syriac Catholics.

Works and witness

• Lived as a recluse in a walled cell near Edessa
• Ordained a priest and sent to a pagan village
• According to his Life, destroyed the temple and baptised the villagers
• About fifty years of prayer and penance after his return
• The story of his niece Mary is a legend in his Life

Saints from the same country

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Saint John of Damascus, Saints Cosmas and Damian, Saint Simeon Stylites

References

• Orthodox Church in America, Lives of the Saints: Venerable Abramius the Recluse and his niece Blessed Mary (29 October)
• Wikipedia article on Abraham Kidunaia (read in full; feast dates, c. 360-366 death, legend flagged)
• Britannica, 'Saint Ephraem Syrus' (search summary, for Ephrem's background)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.