A.D. 342.

SADOTH, as he is called by the Greeks and Latins, is named in the
original Persian language, Schiadustes, which signifies "friend of the
king," from _schiah_, king, and _dust_, friend. His unspotted purity of
heart, his ardent zeal, and the practice of all Christian virtues,
prepared him, from his {435} youth, for the episcopal dignity, and the
crown of martyrdom. St. Simeon, bishop of Selec, or Seleucia, and
Ctesiphon, then the two capital cities of Persia, situate on the river
Tigris, being translated to glory by martyrdom, in the beginning of the
persecution raised by Sapor II., in 341, St. Sadoth was chosen three
months after to fill his see, the most important in that empire, but the
most exposed to the storm. This grew more violent on the publication of
a new edict against the Christians, which made it capital to confess
Christ. To wait with patience the manifestation of the divine will, St.
Sadoth, with part of his clergy, lay hid for some time; which did not
however hinder him from affording his distressed flock all proper
assistance and encouragement, but rather enabled him to do it with the
greater fruit. During this retreat he had a vision which seemed to
indicate that the time was come for the holy bishop to seal his faith
with his blood. This he related to his priests and deacons, whom he
assembled for that purpose. "I saw," said he, "in my sleep, a ladder
environed with light and reaching from earth to the heavens. St. Simeon
was at the top of it, and in great glory. He beheld me at the bottom,
and said to me, with a smiling countenance: 'Mount up, Sadoth, fear not.
I mounted yesterday, and it is your turn to-day:' which means, that as
he was slain last year, so I am to follow him this." He was not wanting
on this occasion to exhort his clergy, with great zeal and fervor, to
make a provision of good works, and employ well their time, till they
should be called on in like manner, that they might be in readiness to
take possession of their inheritance. "A man that is guided by the
Spirit," says St. Maruthas, author of these acts, "fears not death; he
loves God, and goes to him with an incredible ardor; but he who lives
according to the desires of the flesh, trembles, and is in despair at
its approach: he loves the world, and it is with grief that he leaves
it."

The second year of the persecution, king Sapor coming to Seleucia,
Sadoth was apprehended, with several of his clergy, some ecclesia