The Holy Martyr Basiliskos
Commemorated on May 22, March 3
The Holy Martyr
Basiliskos was a nephew of the holy Martyr Theodore of Tyre (Comm. 17
February), and he suffered together with his brothers Eutropios and Kleonikos
during the time of persecution against Christians under the emperor Maximian
Galerius (305-311). The holy Martyrs Kleonikos and Eutropios were crucified on
crosses (Comm. 3 March), but the Martyr Basiliskos was dispatched to Comana
where he was detained in prison. The governor Agrippa, having arrived in the
city of Amasia, started up there also the persecution against Christians. And
Saint Basiliskos in prison readied himself for the impending martyr's deed. The
Lord appeared to him in a dream, promising the martyr His help, and foretold
him his martyr's end at Comana. Saint Basiliskos asked the prison guards to
release him to his native village to take farewell of his kinsfolk. They sent
him off, since they respected him for his holy life and working of miracles.
Arriving home, Saint Basiliskos gathered together with his kinsfolk, and was
seen by them one last time, and he urged them to stand firmly in the faith.
When Agrippa learned,
that Saint Basiliskos had set off to his kinsfolk, he went into a rage. He
viciously chastised the prison guards, and he sent a detachment of soldiers
after the martyr, headed by a cruel magistrianum (adjutant of the governor).
Meeting up with Saint Basiliskos who at this time was actually heading on his
way back, the magistrianum slapped heavy chains on him, and shod on his feet
metal sandals with nails driven into the soles, and set off to Comana.
Having come to a
certain village, over the hot noon-day the travellers stayed at the house of a
woman named Troana. The soldiers went into the house to relax and refresh with
food, and the holy Martyr Basiliskos they tied to a dry tree. Standing in the
heavy chains beneathe the scorching sun, the saint prayed to God. Suddenly was
heard the Voice from above: "Fear not, for I am with thee". The earth
shook, and from the fissure issued forth a spring of water. The magistrianum,
together with the soldiers and Troana, frightened by the earthquake, rushed out
of the house. And shaken by the miracle which had taken place, they set free
the martyr. Sick people from the village came up to the holy martyr and
received healing through his prayer.
When the martyr
finally stood before Agrippa, he was commanded to offer sacrifice to the pagan
gods. The martyr replied: "I offer up to God a sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving every hour". They led him into a pagan-temple, where in a
instant upon Saint Basiliskos there came down from Heaven a flash of fire,
which burned the temple, and reduced the idols standing in it to dust. Then in
a blind rage Agrippa gave orders to behead Saint Basiliskos, and throw his body
into the river. The death of the martyr occurred in the year 308. Christians
quickly gathered the remains of the holy martyr and by night they secretly
buried them in a ploughed-up field. After a certain while upon this spot was
built a church in the name of the holy Martyr Basiliskos, into which they
transferred his relics. Through the prayers of the holy martyr healings began
to occur. The holy martyr appeared in a dream to Sainted John Chrysostomos
(Comm. 13 November) before his death at Comana and said to him: "Tomorrow
we shalt be together". Saint Eusignios (Comm. 5 August) was an eye-witness
to his sufferings and told the world about the exploit of the holy Martyr
Basiliskos.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.