Crescens of Myra

Saint Crescens, martyr, was a Christian of Myra in Lycia, who suffered at the stake for faith in Christ, in the third or fourth century. He is commemorated on 13 April. On icons he is shown on the pyre, together with his tormentor. It is supposed that he was a disciple of the great Nicholas the Wonderworker.

According to his life, Crescens came of a distinguished family and lived at Myra in Lycia. On his way to a pagan temple he saw a crowd and began urging them to abandon paganism and come to Christ. Learning of it, the governor of the city was furious. At the trial Crescens was asked about his family and origin, but the saint, so as not to bring trouble on his family, said nothing except that he was a Christian and believed in one Christian God.

The governor knew Crescens' father and, wishing to please him, advised the saint to offer sacrifice to the idols and in his soul to remain a Christian and believe in the God of the Christians. The holy martyr refused, saying that it is not possible for the body to do anything other than what the soul thinks, for the soul rules and moves the body.

The sources show that Crescens, with God's help, endured the cruelest torments. He was beaten with many large stones and often torn with iron teeth, to make him renounce Christ. After the torturers were convinced that he would not yield, they burned him.