Holy Martyrs Julian, Celsus, Antony, Anastasius, Basilissa and Marionilla, Seven Children and Twenty Soldiers (+313)

The holy Martyr Julian was born in the Egyptian city of Antinoë. At his parents’ wish he married a noble and wealthy maiden, Basilissa, but the couple preserved their virginity in marriage. After their parents’ death they took the monastic habit and founded two monasteries, for men and for women, which they themselves led. During Diocletian’s persecution, in 313, Julian was cruelly tortured for confessing Christ. The firmness he showed under torture converted Marionilla and Celsus to the true faith, and a pagan who had just died, whom Saint Julian miraculously raised, was converted to Christianity and baptised. The presbyter Antony named the newly baptised man Anastasius. The confessors were first shut up in a dungeon, and then beheaded. Together with them twenty soldiers and seven children met a martyr’s end.