Abu Dhabi – Rediscovering the roots of the Church in Arabia and renewing the witness of the Christian faith in the Gulf: these are the hopes expressed by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia , and Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia , following the Holy See’s approval of the proper liturgical texts for the celebration of Saint Arethas and his Companions, the Martyrs of Najran, in both Apostolic Vicariates.
A joint statement released by the two Vicariates and sent to Fides highlights the significance of the approval for the Christian presence in the Arabian Peninsula. The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments communicated the approval to both Apostolic Vicars on July 16, 2026.
“We hope that these proper texts will contribute to the further development of the liturgical life in both Vicariates, as well as to deepening devotion towards such an important group of martyr saints,” reads the letter from the Holy See.
The approval of the proper liturgical texts follows the approval of the particular calendar in June 2025. The texts include the Collect prayer for the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, including the Second Reading for the Office of Readings, as well as the proper hymns and antiphons for the Benedictus and the Magnificat.
“We have welcomed these liturgical texts with joy. The Arabian Peninsula has rediscovered its roots and a long tradition of venerating the martyrs,” said Bishop Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of AVONA. “We wish to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors in the faith and bear courageous witness to the Cross of Jesus and His Resurrection. May the glory of God always be proclaimed in our lives, in our communities and in our churches. May our prayers continue to resound, prolonging the prayer of the Saints.”
Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, added: “The Holy See’s approval of the liturgical texts for the celebration of Saint Arethas and his Companions helps our faithful rediscover the roots of the Church in Arabia through the luminous witness of the Martyrs of Najran. May the memory of these saints strengthen the unity of the People of God and renew the witness of the Christian faith throughout this region.”
The liturgical texts recall the history and spiritual witness of the martyrs, with references to the crown and palm of martyrdom, the Church pruned like a vine to bear abundant fruit, and the central mystery of the Cross. The Second Reading for the Office of Readings is taken from a letter of Jacob of Serugh to the Himyarite Church, reflecting on persecution and on the mystery of the Cross, which advances amid suffering and reveals, in the endurance of the martyrs, the victory of Christ. Three hymns, originally composed as a single hymn for the feast of the martyrs, have also been approved for use in the Office of Readings, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. They draw on the accounts of the martyrdom and echo ancient liturgical texts in honour of the Martyrs of Najran.
The memorial of Saint Arethas and his Companions, Martyrs of Najran, is celebrated on October 24 according to the particular calendar approved last year for both Vicariates.
With this approval, the two Apostolic Vicariates are encouraged to deepen devotion to Saint Arethas and his Companions and to continue honouring the legacy of these martyrs, whose witness remains fundamental to the Christian presence in the Arabian Peninsula.
On October 24, 2023, the Catholic Church in the Arabian Peninsula celebrated the liturgical feast of the martyrdom of Saint Arethas and his Companions with the opening of the Jubilee marking the 1500th anniversary of the Martyrs of Arabia in all parishes. The commemoration was observed jointly by AVONA and AVOSA .
Saint Arethas and his Companions are venerated by both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. According to historical sources, they were Arab Christians from the ancient city of Najran, in southern Arabia , who were martyred in AD 523. Arethas, whose Arabic name was Al-Harith bin Ka’b, was born in AD 427 and served as governor of the predominantly Christian city until his martyrdom at the age of ninety-five.
In the VI century, Dhu Nuwas, king of Himyar , launched a systematic persecution of Christians in southern Arabia, burning churches, forcing conversions and executing those who refused to renounce their Christian faith. After capturing Najran, he ordered priests, deacons, nuns and laymen to be burned alive before extending the same fate to men, women and children. Saint Arethas, together with around one hundred of his followers, was beheaded. It is believed that more than 4,000 Christians were martyred during the persecution.
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