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Martyr Basiliscus

Having been imprisoned and interrogated with two fellow athletes of Christ, Saint Basiliscus was distraught when he was sent back to prison while his fellows received the martyr’s crown. The Lord Himself appeared in his cell to comfort the saint, telling him that his Name had surely been written in the Book of Life and that he too would would get the chance to “[fill] up what [was] lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body…the Church” (Colossians 1:24). That same night, the Lord freed him from his prison so that he could say goodbye to his family and encourage them in the Faith. Having accomplished his purpose, he showed a firm resolve and faithfulness to Christ by willfully returning to the prison where, the next morning, he was ordered to be transferred to Comana for judgment. Like a new Ignatius of Antioch, he made the trip joyfully despite having iron sandals nailed to his feet before they departed. Stopping along the way for food, they secured the holy Martyr by tying him to a dead tree, an image of the Cross of our Lord. When, by the prayers of the Saint, an earthquake occurred, his captors rushed to see if Basiliscus had escaped. They found him bound as he had been, but the tree was seen to be verdant and lush, a stream of water gushing out from its roots. All who saw the miracle were filled with fear, and a great many were converted on the spot, the Martyr ministering to them by healing the sick and casting out demons. Determined to achieve his purpose, Saint Basiliscus insisted that the journey be continued. Arriving finally at the place of judgment, the Martyr reduced the idols of the pagan temple to ash, calling down fire upon them by offering a sacrifice of praise to the True God who made the Heavens and the Earth. Realizing his utter impotence before Lord who is wondrous in His saints, the enraged governor finally ordered that the Saint be beheaded.

Hymnography
When thy feet had been shod with shoes set with nails piercing through thy flesh, thou didst walk with joy on the path of martyrdom; and with them, thou troddest underfoot the head of the evil foe, wholly crushing it to dust; and since thou hadst been well equipped, thou didst walk the way unto Heaven, O famous Basiliscus, to appear before the Master as a brave victor most glorious.
(Second Troparion of the Saint; Lord, I have cried)

Thou didst strangle Satan with the divine cords of thy words, O prizewinner; wherefore, thou wast adorned with diadems of victory, O Martyr Basiliscus.
(Ode Four, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)

Confidently walking the the path of martyrdom, thou bravest the enemy’s sharp goads, O glorious Basiliscus.
(Ode Five, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)

When thy feet were pierced with nails, O godly-minded one, they utterly crushed the head of the craft enemy.
(Ode Five, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)

The Master awardeth honors to thee, who foughtest hard, and didst destroy the enemy’s devices and didst fervently sing: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, unto the ages.
(Ode Seven, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)

Thou becamest a victor over the tyrants and the spirits of wickedness, O glorious Basiliscus, as thou didst unceasingly sing unto Him that gave thee strength: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)

As Elijah the Tishbite brought down fire from heaven in time past, so thou by thy prayer broughtest down the flame whereby the idol’s temple was burnt up, and the images of the demons were consumed, and God the Creator is magnified, O blessed Basiliscus.
(Ode Nine, Second Troparion; Orthros Canon)

Thou wast released from the body at the stroke of the sword, and the venerable powers received thy divine spirit, which by grace overcame the evil spirits of wickedness; and now thou dwellest in the realms on high wearing a crown, O wise and all-blessed Basiliscus.
(Ode Nine, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)

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