Captain St. Sargis is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation. Together with his 14 soldiers/companions, he was martyred for the sake of the Christian faith. During the reign of King Kostandianos the Great (285-337) St. Sargis, being very courageous, was appointed the Prince and General in Chief of the region of Cappadocia bordering Armenia. When, during the period of reign of the king Julianos the Betrayer (360-363) ,the persecutions against Christians started by God’s will, St. Sargis and his only son, Martyros, came to live in Armenia. The Armenian king Tiran, grandson of Tiridates, received them very well.
From Armenia, St. Sargis and his son went to Persia and started serving in the army of the Persian king Shapouh as the captain of regiments. Become aware of the fact that Sargis was Christian, the king Shapouh ordered him to worship fire and offer sacrifice to the heathen gods. But the captain immediately refused to obey the order saying, “We should worship one God – the Holy Trinity – which has created the earth and the heaven. Whereas fire or idols are not gods and the human being may destroy them.” After these words the saint destroyed the temple. The annoyed crowd fell on the saint and his son. First the son of the saint was martyred. The saint was put into prison and, remaining unshaken in his faith, was beheaded after the martyrdom of the saint light appeared over his body. 14 soldiers/companions of the saint also were martyred for the sake of the Christian faith. Later, St. Mesrop Mashtots brought the relics of the saint to the village Ushi and the Church of St. Sargis was built over his relics.
Captain St. Sargis is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation.
According to one of the folk stories, upon return of their victorious battle Captain St. Sarkis and his 39 soldiers/companions celebrated their victory in the royal palace. When all of them were drunk and went to sleep, the king ordered 40 young women to kill the brave soldiers. 39 of the women obeyed the order and killed the soldiers, whereas one of them seeing the handsome and peaceful face of sleeping Sargis fell in love with him and instead of killing, kissed him. Getting up and seeing what had happened St. Sargis straddled his white horse and, taking the young woman with him, smashed the gates of the city, brought up a violent snow-storm and left the city. It is because of this folk story that people in love started to consider St. Sargis their intercessor and protector. St. Sargis always helps and supports all young people asking his help and support.