Crescens

Holy Martyr Crescens was from Myra in Lycia, of noble family, advanced in age, and died in fire for Christ. The Greek Synaxarion calls him a disciple of the holy Apostle Paul.

Seeing that paganism was growing arrogant and many worshipped lifeless things, Crescens went into their midst and urged them to leave vanity and turn to the God honoured by Christians, Maker of all and Giver of life. The governor called him wretched for choosing his own torments, and the Saint answered that it is greater happiness and honour to suffer for Christ. Asked about his fate, his homeland and his name, to all he replied that he was a Christian. He would not give honour to the idols even in form, saying that the body can do nothing but what the soul that governs it wills. So he was subjected to tortures, during which he gave up his soul into the hand of God. According to the verses of the Synaxarion he died in fire on 15 April. He is commemorated on 15 April.