Dionysius of Thrace

Holy Martyr Dionysius of Thrace was a soldier and received a martyr's death by beheading, in the fourth century, in the army of Julian the Apostate, together with Barbarus the soldier, with Bacchus and with Callimachus. They are commemorated on 19 May.

Saint Barbarus was a secret Christian. In the war with the Franks he defeated in single combat a giant warrior of the enemy and gained great honour in the army and the favour of the emperor, receiving the title of comes, that is, a bodyguard of the emperor. After the victory over the Franks, the commander Bacchus wished to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods and proposed to Barbarus, as the victor, the honour of the first sacrifice. Then Saint Barbarus openly confessed himself a Christian and refused to sacrifice. For this, by order of Julian the Apostate, he was subjected to many torments: they hung him up and cut his body until his entrails fell out. Saint Barbarus called the Lord to his help; then an angel of God came and healed his wounds, so that no trace remained. Seeing the wonder, the commander Bacchus and two soldiers, Callimachus and Dionysius, believed in Christ and renounced the pagan gods. For this they were beheaded at once. Saint Barbarus they continued to torment: they tied him to a wheel, under which they lit a great fire, and poured oil over his body. But here too the power of God kept the holy martyr unharmed, and the fire turned on the tormentors, burned many and killed two. After this the holy martyr was tormented seven days more. But by wondrous help from above he remained unharmed. Then many pagans, seeing in this the power of God, turned to faith in the true God. At last Saint Barbarus ended his glorious struggle and in the year 362 was beheaded with the sword. The martyr's body was buried in the city of Methone in the Peloponnese by the pious bishop Philicius.