St. Abdon, pray for us!

My patron saint for the year 2009 is Abdon, Abdo, Abdus, a Persian official. He and his brother Sennen were caught burying the remains of a martyred bishop and were dragged before the Emperor Decius, who ordered their death by ferocious beast. Two lions and four bears wouldn't kill them, so the gladiators dispatched them by sword.

O God, You endowed Your holy martyrs Abdon and Sennen with abundant gifts of Your grace that they might come to their present glory; forgive the sins of Your sevants that, with the merits of Your saints pleading on their behalf, they may deserve to be delivered from all adversity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who being God, lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen. [collect for their feast, July 30]