Arethas

Who was Arethas?

St. Arethas or Aretas, leader of the Christian community of Najran in the early 6th century, was executed during the persecution of Christians by the Jewish king Dhu Nuwas in 523. He is known from the Acta S. Arethae which exists in two recensions: the earlier and more authentic, which was found by Michel Le Quien and was subsequently dated as no later than the 7th century; the later, revised by Simeon Metaphrastes, dates from the 10th century.

Feastday: 27 July In Eastern Orthodox Church his feastday is 24 October.