Holy Year OF JUBILEE

To mark the 1500th anniversary of the martyrdom of the martyrs of Najran, Pope Francis has declared a special Holy Year in memory of the Martyrs of Najran from 24 October 2023 to 23 October 2024, observed in the Apostolic Vicariates of Northern and Southern Arabia, covering the six countries of the Arab Gulf region. On the 9th of November 2023, following a solemn Mass concelebrated by bishops and over 50 priests from all the parishes of the Vicariate, some relics of the martyrs were solemnly enshrined in the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. The faithful are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to this shrine to seek the intercession of the martyrs and to carry on their legacy of faith by witnessing to Christ’s love in their daily lives.  

Find out more about a Holy Year

Saint Arethas and his companions lived in the city of Najran in ancient Yemen (present-day Saudi Arabia), a regional center of Christianity in the pre-Islamic era. They were victims of a conflict between Himyar in Yemen and Axum in Ethiopia.

As part of a revolt against his Axumite overlords, the new king of Himyar burned churches and persecuted Christians. In 523 AD, deceived by false promises of safety, the besieged city of Najran surrendered to the king.  Despite offers of freedom, status, wealth and families, many Christians refused to deny the divinity of Jesus. Over 300 important male citizens were beheaded, including an elderly Arethas (Al-Harith bin Ka’b), probably a chief or governor. More than 4000 other Christians of all ages, sexes and walks of life suffered death in gruesome ways: burned alive in churches and pits or wadis, beaten with rods, stoned, shot with arrows, buried alive, dragged by camels or donkeys or doused in boiling oil.  

Find out more about the Arabian Martyrs and their stories. 
 

To mark the Holy Year, a special image was painted by a parishioner at the cathedral of Saint Joseph for the Shrine. The image portrays several incidents from the story of the Arabian martyrs. 

Find out more about the Jubilee Image

A hymn has been specially composed for the Holy Year for use in processions, novenas, devotional and liturgical celebrations in honour of the holy martyrs. The different stanzas refer to various events in the lives of the martyrs. 

Read about the hymn and its meaning here.