Basilides of Crete

Holy Martyr Basilides of Crete is numbered among the ten martyrs of Crete: Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunician, Zoticus, Pompius, Agathopus, Basilides and Evaristus. They suffered for Christ in the third century, under the emperor Decius (249-251). The governor of Crete, who bore the same name as the emperor, Decius, cruelly persecuted the Church of Crete.

One day ten Christians from various cities of Crete stood before him, and firmly confessed their faith in Christ and denounced the worship of idols. For thirty days they were subjected to cruel torments, but with God's help they bore them all, glorifying the Lord. Before their death they prayed that the Lord would enlighten their tormentors with the light of the true faith. All the saints were beheaded. Saint Basilides is commemorated on 5 January, in the new style.