Saint Antiochus
| Saint Antiochus | |
 | |
| Full name | Antiochus |
|---|---|
| AKA | Saint Antiochus |
| Physical information | |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Hair color and style | Black |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Skin color | White |
| Biographical information | |
| Date of birth | c. 1544 AN |
| Place of birth | The Green |
| Date of death | c. 1617 AN |
| Place of death | Sareez, modern day Zareda, Aerla |
| Nationality | None |
| Allegiance(s) | Nazarene |
| Occupation | Nazarene Missionary |
Saint Antiochus was a Nazarene missionary and martyr who is widely credited with introducing the Nazarene faith to modern-day Aerla.
Early Life
Antiochus' birthname has been long since lost to time. He was believed to be raised by Nazarene converts in the Green. He spent most of his early life as a caravan trader with his parents, travelling the vast stretches of the Central Keltian Green, exchanging goods with the tribal peoples in the many small cities that dotted the area.
When Antiochus was 17, his family's caravan was ambushed by bandits on the road to Mola Ram. His family and many companions along on the journey were killed by these bandits. However, according to legend, Antiochus was spirited away by angels to a safe location. It was said how he was at first angered by these angels, as with him gone the fate of his caravan was sealed. However he soon came to the realization that this was some sort of divine intervention. He began to revere these angels and, in return, began spreading the word of his story to those in the Central Keltian valleys.
Missionary Work
Antiochus began travelling between many of the cities within modern-day Aerla. He wrote of his travels within the Codex Antiochus, describing the many places he travelled to. One of the cities he described, the quaint lakeside village of Salah-ad Nor, being noted among his greatest successes (as it is said he cured many of the terminally ill within the village). Due to his preaching, the Nazarene faith within Central Keltia began to spread like wildfire. Many local rulers in the area converted and encouraged their subjects to do so as well. His sermons and preachings became very popular among the peasantry in these areas, with many of them forming churches
Death
In early 1617 AN, Antiochus was preaching a sermon in the city of Saarez (modern day Zareda, in southern Aerla) when he was attacked by armed thugs. Despite the best efforts of those around him, he was stabbed to death. His death was said to be ordered by the ruler of Saarez and, after Antiochus' death, was deposed in a peasants rebellion in retribution.
Legacy
Antiochus was canonized by the wider Aerlan Nazarene Church in its early days. Today, he is recognized as the patron saint of Aerla.
