Macarius of Melitene

Holy Martyr Macarius of Melitene was the steward and friend of Saint Eudoxius and Zeno and suffered with them in the years 311-312, under Maximian Galerius, the successor of Diocletian. Eudoxius was a high commander in the imperial army. When the edict appeared ordering the death of those who would not sacrifice to idols, he left his post and property and hid with his wife, Basilissa, and his family in the region of Melitene in Armenia.

Eudoxius' confession

The soldiers sent to look for him did not recognize him in poor clothes, and he received them into his house and lodged them, taking the meeting as a call to martyrdom. The next morning he revealed himself, refused the soldiers' offer to hide it, put his house in order, told his wife not to mourn him but to celebrate the day of his death, and, dressed in a soldier's garments, went to the governor, followed by Basilissa, Zeno and Macarius. The governor urged him to sacrifice and keep his rank and property, but he threw down his belt before him, and more than a thousand soldiers, secret Christians, did the same. The emperor ordered the officers tormented and the rest set free. After long torments Eudoxius was led to death, asking Basilissa to bury him at Amimna and telling Zeno that they would stand at the same time in the Kingdom of heaven. Zeno at once confessed his faith and was killed.

Basilissa and Macarius

Basilissa took her husband's body and buried it, then was brought to the governor, whom she rebuked without fear; he drove her away without torment, and she told him that God accepts the wish to suffer as an accomplished struggle. After seven days Eudoxius appeared to her in a vision and told her to tell Macarius that he and Zeno awaited him. Macarius went at once to the governor, confessed himself a Christian and was beheaded. At that time many other Christians died as martyrs too.

They are commemorated on 19 September, in the new style.