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September 21, 2024 - Tout 11, 1741

Martyrdom of St. Wasilides

On this day was martyred St. Wasilides who was a minister and provider for the kingdom of Rome, over which he acted as counsellor. He had many slaves and fellows. Emperor Numerianus married Wasilides' sister, Patricia, the mother of Theodore Bandelewos, and had another son called Yustus. Wasilides had two sons: Awsabyos (Eusebyus) and Macarius. When the Persians waged war against Rome, Emperor Numerianus sent to them his son Yustus with Awsabyos, Wasilides' son. Then he went to fight another enemy and was killed in that war. His kingdom was thus left vacant without one to administer its affairs. They had chosen among the soldiers for war a man called Agripada, a shepherd, and they set him over the royal horses stable. He was a mighty man in action, bold in his dealings. One of the Empror's daughters looked at him and took him for her husband. She made him Emperor and called him, Diocletian. In a short while, he forsook the Lord God of Heaven and worshipped idols. When Wasilides heard this, he felt very sad, and he did not return to serve the Emperor.

As to Yustus, the son of Numerianus, and Awsabyos (Eusebius), the son of Wasilides, they returned from the war with triumphant victory. When they saw that the Emperor had deviated from the true faith, they were exceedingly sorry and drew their swords and wanted to slay Diocletian, the infidel Emperor, and to appoint Yustus, Numerianus' son, Emperor, thus returning the kingdom to its owner. But Wasilides prevented them from doing this. Then he gathered his army and slaves and informed them that he wished to lay down his life for the sake of Christ's name. They all answered saying, We also will die with you. They all agreed and stood before Diocletian who feared them tremendously, for they were the owners of the kingdom. So Herminius, Victor's father, advised him to banish them to Egypt to be tortured there. He sent them each to a different city with Abadir and Irai his sister, Awsabyos (Eusebius), and Macarius, Claudius, and Victor. And Theodore Bandelewos was nailed to a tree. As to Wasilides, he was sent to Masrus, the governor of the Five Western Cities; and when Masrus saw him, he marvelled exceedingly why he had left his kingdom and his glory. Our Lord Christ sent His angel and lifted him up by the Holy Spirit to heaven, and showed him the spiritual dwellings and his soul was comforted. As to his slaves, some were set free, and some were martyred with him. St. Wasilides endured terrible tortures, on a squeezing machine with wheels at times, and at others his body was combed with iron combs. Then he was lifted onto a spiral device with a saw and thrust on an iron bed. Masrus, the governor, did not leave out any means of torturing him. when he saw that he remained steadfast in his faith, he ordered his men to cut off his holy head, and he received the crown of martyrdom in the kingdom of heaven in return for the earthly kingdom which he had forsaken. May his prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.