The Living Church

From the Coptic Synaxarium

Volume III Baramhat, Baramoudah, Bashans

The Seventeenth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat

4. On  this day also, the church commemorates the martyrdom of Sedhom Bishay in Domiat, on the 17th. of Baramhat year 1565 An. (March 25th., 1844 An.). He endured the torture for the Name 6f the Lord Christ and his martyrdom made the rising of the Cross during the Christian funeral processions openly, for it was forbidden before.

This martyr was a clerical employee in the government of the port of Domiat during the days of Mohammed Ali Basha, the Governor of Egypt.  A revolt of mobs in the port arose. They seized Sedhom Bishay and accused him falsely that he cursed Islam and witnessed against him before the religious judge a low uncivilized person and a donkey driver. The judge decided either he would forsake his faith or he killed. He whipped him and then sent him to the Governor of the city. After the Governor had examined his case, he issued the same judgement against him as the judge did.

 Sedhom was steadfast in his Christian faith, not caring to be killed. They whipped him, dragged him on his face down the stairs in the Governor palace. then put him on a buffalo facing the tail, and went round with him in the streets of the city insulting and degrading him. The Christians in the city became afraid and locked themselves in their homes.

The mob continued to insult him and tortured him in different ways until he was about to deliver his soul; so they brought him to the door of his home and left him there. His family went out and brought him inside, and five days later, he departed to heaven. His departure was a great martyrdom, and the Christians counted him among the holy martyrs. They gathered regardless of their denomination and joined in his funeral in a unique and unprecedented celebration.

The prominent people of the Christian community in Domiat delib­erated as how to avoid these incidents in the future. They decided to ask the consuls of the foreign countries to mediate with the ruler of the country and the Pope the Patriarch of the Copts, and sent to them detailed reports. Mr Michail Sorour, the official representative of seven countries in Domiat, was in charge of this mediation.

The ruler of Egypt was concerned about this incident and sent two official representatives to examine the case. They reopened the inquiry and realized the injustice and ill-treatment that befell the great martyr and convicted the judge and governor for their wrong doing. stripped-them from their honor and exiled them. They asked, as a good will to comfort the people, to allow the raising of the Cross publicly before the Christian funerals. The ruler allowed that in Domiat.  This was allowed later on all Over the country during the Papacy of Pope Kyrellos IV.

The blessings of this great martyr be with us and glory be to God forever. Amen.