Christian feast day: Charbel (martyr)

Charbel of Edessa also known as Tiphael, is an early 2nd-century Syriac saint and Christian martyr venerated by the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He was murdered during the Persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Trajan. His sister, Bebaia of Edessa, was murdered soon afterwards. The two martyrs are venerated on January 29. His story is linked to that of Barsimaeus, who was said to have converted him to Christianity from Paganism, and may be backdated from events that took place in Edessa under the emperor Decius.