Saint Abdias of Babylon

Biography

Saint Abdias of Babylon, also known as Obadiah of Babylon, was one of the 72 disciples chosen by Jesus and mentioned in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 10:1). These disciples were sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the towns for his arrival and spread the message of the Gospel. According to some sources, Saint Abdias was consecrated as the first bishop of Babylon by his fellow disciples, Saint Simon the Zealot and Saint Jude Thaddeus. Not much is known about the life and early years of Saint Abdias. It is believed that he was a native of Babylon, an ancient city located in present-day Iraq. The exact dates of his birth and death are uncertain, though his feast day is celebrated on October 28th. As one of the disciples, Saint Abdias played a crucial role in the early spread of Christianity. He was entrusted with the task of preaching the Gospel and establishing Christian communities in the places he visited. Babylon, known for its diverse population and cultural significance, was an important center for early Christian evangelization. Saint Abdias is often associated with the biblical figure Obadiah, as the name "Obadiah" means "servant of God" in Hebrew. However, it is important to note that the identification of Saint Abdias as Obadiah is not universally accepted and is often subject to debate among scholars. Though there is little documentation about his specific accomplishments or writings, Saint Abdias' faith and dedication to the mission entrusted to him by Jesus were undoubtedly exemplary. He labored tirelessly to spread the teachings of Christ and to establish a solid foundation for the Church in Babylon and its surrounding regions. Saint Abdias was venerated as a saint even before the formal establishment of the canonization process by the Catholic Church. Therefore, he is considered a saint of the Pre-Congregation era, meaning he was recognized as a saint before the official canonization procedures were put in place. While specific representations or depictions of Saint Abdias are not widely known or recognized, it is believed that he may have been depicted in Christian art alongside the other disciples. However, due to the limited information and lack of distinct attributes associated with him, there is no widely recognized or standardized representation of Saint Abdias in Christian iconography. Today, Saint Abdias of Babylon is celebrated and honored as a model of faith, evangelization, and dedication to the mission of spreading the Gospel. His life serves as an inspiration for Christians to continue the work of Jesus by proclaiming his message and establishing vibrant Christian communities in all corners of the world.