Basilides of Nicomedia

Holy Martyr Basilides of Nicomedia is remembered together with Bassus, Eusebius and Eutychius. All four were courtiers of the emperor Diocletian. They witnessed the sufferings of Bishop Theopemptus of Nicomedia for faith in Christ (commemorated on 5 January), believed and received Holy Baptism. For this they were tortured and put to death.

Bassus was buried in the ground to the waist and cut down, Eusebius was hung head downward and split in two, Eutychius was bound by hands and feet to posts and torn apart, and Basilides had his belly cut open with a knife. The holy martyrs suffered in the year 303. Saint Basilides is commemorated on 2 February, in the new style.