The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Anninas
d. c. AD 341 (martyr) · Presbyter of Seleucia-Ctesiphon · Martyr · Seleucia-Ctesiphon (Sasanian Persia)
The Nicene Age
Who Anninas was
An aged presbyter beheaded with Simeon bar Sabbae. He trembled as the executioners made ready, and the king’s chief artisan Pusai spoke to steady him — words that cost Pusai his own life within the hour. Anninas is the reason one of the most vivid scenes in the Persian persecution is recorded at all.
Named once in the sources within the horizon; no other ancient witness names him.
Also listed in martyrs.
Common questions
When did Anninas die?
Anninas is dated d. c. AD 341 (martyr) in the archive, which places Anninas in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Anninas?
Anninas is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Sozomen. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Anninas from?
The archive associates Anninas with Seleucia-Ctesiphon (Sasanian Persia).
Who were Anninas’ contemporaries?
The archive links Anninas to 3 other figures, including Simeon bar Sabbae, Pusai and Abedehalaas. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Ecclesiastical History II.11 (the persecution under Shapur II)
c. AD 445perceiving that Anannias trembled as the necessary preparations for his death were being made, he said to him, ‘O old man, close your eyes for a little while…’Sozomen · Ecclesiastical History II.11 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 272 · Aurelian awards the Antioch church, AD 272
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
- AD 320 · Silvanus tried before Zenophilus, AD 320
- AD 325 · The Council of Nicaea, AD 325
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Anninas.