Holy Martyr Basiliscus

Life

A kinsman of Saint Theodore the Recruit. He was tortured together with Eutropius and Cleonicus. When these latter two were crucified and breathed their last on March 3, Basiliscus was returned to prison again. During that time there was a change of imperial governors, so Basiliscus remained languishing in prison for a long time. With tears Basiliscus prayed to God not to deny him a martyr's death. And after long prayer the Lord Jesus Himself appeared to him, promised to fulfill his desire, and sent him to his village to bid farewell to his mother and brothers. Then a new governor, Agrippa, arrived, and in the city of Amasea the Lord wrought great miracles through His martyr, on account of which many of the people believed in Christ. Agrippa commanded the martyr to offer sacrifice to Apollo. "Apollo means the destroyer!" said Basiliscus, and by fervent prayer he crushed the idol to dust and burned the temple with heavenly fire. The frightened Agrippa attributed it all to magic and ordered Basiliscus beheaded with a sword. Then Agrippa went mad, and in his madness went to the place of execution, found a little of the martyr's blood in the dust, and tied it beneath his belt, from which he became well. Having come to his senses, he was baptized. Later a certain Marinus, a citizen of Comana (Comana being the name of the place where Basiliscus was executed), built a church over the relics of the martyr, in which many who were sick found healing.

From the Hymn of Praise

Melchizedek, King of Salem —Had he anyone of his own?He was king and he was priestOf the Most High King — God.