Holy Martyr Basiliscus (c. 308)
The holy Martyr Basiliscus (+308) was a nephew of the holy Great Martyr Theodore the Tyro (commemorated 17 February), and in the time of the Emperor Maximian Galerius met his end for Christ together with his brothers Eutropius and Cleonicus. The holy Martyrs Cleonicus and Eutropius were crucified (commemorated 3 March), while the Martyr Basiliscus was exiled to Comana (western Georgia). The Lord promised His help to Saint Basiliscus in prison and told him that he would meet a martyr’s end in Comana. The saint asked the prison guards to let him go to his native village to say farewell to his family. The guards, who honoured the saint for the miracles he worked and for his God-pleasing life, granted his request.
When Agrippa heard of this, he flew into a rage and severely punished the guards. He sent a detachment of soldiers under a magistros to fetch the saint. When Basiliscus returned to prison, heavy fetters were put on him and iron boots studded with nails on his feet, and he was sent to Comana.
Troubled by the heat, the travellers went into a house to rest, while the hungry and thirsty holy martyr was tied to a tree under the scorching sun. Laden with heavy fetters, the saint fervently besought the Lord. Suddenly a voice was heard from heaven: “Fear not, I am with thee.” The earth shook, a rock split open and a spring gushed out. Frightened by the earthquake, the magistros, the soldiers and the mistress of the house, Troiana, ran outside, and, amazed by the miracle, set the holy martyr free. The people of the village came to the saint and received healing.
At last the martyr was brought before the governor Agrippa. He demanded that Saint Basiliscus worship the idols. The martyr answered: “At every hour I offer the Lord a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.” The saint was brought to the altar. Suddenly fire came down from heaven, burned the altar, and turned the idols to dust. By Agrippa’s order the saint was beheaded and his body thrown into the river. Saint Basiliscus met his end in 308. The Christians ransomed his holy relics and buried them with honour. Soon a church dedicated to Saint Basiliscus was built there. To Saint John Chrysostom (commemorated 13 November), exiled to Comana, Saint Basiliscus appeared before his death and told him: “Tomorrow thou shalt be with me.” The labours of the holy Martyr Basiliscus were made known to the people by Saint Eusignius (commemorated 5 August), an eyewitness of his martyrdom.
