Barbarus of Lucania

Holy Martyr Barbarus of Lucania, a former robber, lived in Greece and for a long time committed robbery, plunder and murder. But the Lord, who does not desire the death of a sinner, brought him too to repentance. One day, as he sat in a cave and looked at the many stolen goods, the grace of God touched his heart. He thought of unavoidable death and the dread judgment, and, crushed at the thought of his evil deeds, resolved to begin repentance, saying that the Lord had not despised the prayer of the robber crucified beside Him and would spare him too. He left all his treasures in the cave and came to the nearby church. He did not hide his evil deeds from the priest and begged him to receive his repentance. The priest gave him a place in his house, and Barbarus followed him moving on his knees and elbows, like a four-⁠footed animal, since he thought himself unworthy of the name of man. In the priest's house he lived with the cattle, ate with them and counted himself lower than any creature. After receiving absolution of his sins from the priest, he went into the forest and lived there twelve years naked, bearing cold and heat, so that his whole body turned black.

At last he received word from above that his sins were forgiven and that he would die a martyr. One day some merchants passed through those places. Something moved in the thick grass, and, thinking it a beast, they shot several arrows. Drawing near, they saw with horror that they had mortally wounded a man. Saint Barbarus asked them not to grieve, told them about himself and asked them to report the event to the priest in whose house he had lived. After this he gave up his spirit to God. The priest who had received the repentance of the former robber found his body lit with heavenly light and buried it on the spot where he was killed. Later healing myrrh began to flow from the saint's tomb, which cured various diseases. His relics are in the Kellia monastery in Thessaly, near the city of Larissa.

Saint Barbarus is commemorated on 19 May, in the new style.