On this day, June 17 according to the Julian Calendar (June 30 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabael, and Ishmael.
The Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabael, and Ishmael suffered martyrdom in the year 362 AD. They were Persian nobles of royal lineage sent as ambassadors by the Persian king to Emperor Julian the Apostate in Constantinople.
When Julian ordered a pagan sacrifice during negotiations, the three Persian envoys refused to participate, openly confessing their Christian faith. Julian, enraged by their refusal, had them arrested and ordered their torture.
Despite prolonged and severe torments — they were beaten with rods, had iron needles driven under their fingernails, and endured other terrible sufferings — Manuel, Sabael, and Ishmael refused to renounce Christ. They were finally beheaded for their faith.
Their martyrdom is remarkable: though they came as ambassadors under the protection of diplomatic law, Julian violated all custom and justice to kill them for their Christian confession. The Church venerates them as holy martyrs who preferred death to apostasy, and whose blood cried out against the apostate emperor who slew them.
May the intercessions of Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabael, and Ishmael be with us all.