Marsalius of Corfu

Holy Martyr Marsalius of Corfu was one of the seven robbers turned to Christ by the holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater in the prison on the island of Kerkyra (Corfu), where they suffered in the year 63 or after. With him died Saturninus, Iakischolus, Faustian, Januarius, Euphrasius and Mammius.

Jason was from Tarsus, Sosipater from Achaia, both disciples of the holy Apostle Paul, who called them his kinsmen (Romans 16:21). Jason was made bishop in Tarsus, Sosipater at Iconium. Arriving on Kerkyra, they built a church in the name of the First Martyr Stephen and baptized many. The governor of the island threw them in prison, where seven robbers were held, and the apostles brought them to Christ. For the confession of Christ, the seven died in a cauldron of melted pitch, sulphur and wax. The prison guard, seeing it, confessed himself a Christian and was cut down in turn: the left hand, both feet and the head.

The governor's daughter, the maiden Kerkyra, believed in Christ and gave her jewels to the poor. Her father shut her up and sent to her the robber Murinus, but a bear rushed at the robber, and the maiden drove the beast away in the Name of Christ, healed his wounds and brought him to faith, and he was killed as a martyr. The governor burned the prison and then ordered Kerkyra hung from a tree, suffocated with smoke and shot with arrows. He then ordered all the Christians of the island put to death: Zeno, Eusebius, Neon and Vitalis were burned. The governor perished in the waves, pursuing the fleeing Christians, and his successor wanted to throw Jason and Sosipater into a cauldron of pitch, but, seeing them unharmed, cried with tears to their God, received Baptism and the name Sebastian. With his help the apostles built churches on the island.

They are commemorated on 11 May, in the new style.