Handwritten icon of Vasilisa of Egypt. On a two-color, olive-green background, the icon depicts a full-length figure of the Venerable Vasilisa of Egypt. The saint's gaze is fixed on the viewer. Vasilisa is dressed in liturgical vestments (monastic robes). In her right hand, Saint Vasilisa holds a cross, as a symbol of martyrdom and a reminder of the Savior’s suffering on the cross. In the left hand there is a closed scroll. Correct, harmonious facial features personify the spiritual beauty of a celestial being. A stern facial expression, without excessive sensuality and emotionality, shows detachment from the world, concentration in serving the Lord. The face is painted with delicate ocher melts. The pinkish tones of the blush and lips contrast with the olive color of the sankir, which gives the face additional volume and expressiveness, softness and warmth.
Straight and wide folds of clothing set a certain rhythm and movement of the icon, expressing the complete orderliness of spiritual forces. Their strict geometric structure reveals the elasticity of spiritual energy. All elements of the icon are painted with thin, transparent melts, which give depth, softness, and unearthly airiness to the appearance of Saint Vasilisa.
The icon of Vasilisa of Egypt is made in the canonical style, in compliance with the centuries-old traditions of icon painting. When painting the icon, a pure and natural palette of colors was used: minerals, semi-precious stones, ocher, earths manually ground with a chime and mixed with yolk. The rich color palette of natural pigments made it possible to achieve moderate saturation and softness of colors characteristic of the Moscow school of writing.
Brief life of Vasilisa of Egypt
On January 21, the church commemorates the holy martyr Vasilisa and her husband Julian. The saints were born in the Egyptian city of Antinous and came from noble and wealthy families. Their parents insisted that they become husband and wife. Since both Vasilisa and Julian were deeply religious people who decided to completely devote themselves to the Lord, after the wedding they took a vow not to enter into a close relationship with each other and to live like brother and sister. After their parents died, the couple distributed all their property to the poor, deciding to become monks and build monasteries. In the monastery of Juliana, there were up to ten thousand monks. And in the monastery founded by Vasilisa, about a thousand nuns found their place.
In the third century, during the reign of the cruel Diocletian, the time of fierce torment came for Christians. The holy spouses were captured and imprisoned. They indulged in inhuman torture, but bravely endured all the torment. Vasilisa prayed to the Lord so that not one of her nuns would deviate from the Orthodox faith, fearing cruel torment. Of course, God heard the prayer of his worthy servant and within six months he took all the nuns to himself one after another, and finally their abbess, Vasilisa. Before her death, her sisters from another world came to Saint Vasilisa in a dream. They all appeared to her bright and joyful, like angels of God, and called on their spiritual mother to come to them as soon as possible. The Julian Monastery was burned by the torturers. Before his death, he himself was able to convert Kelsius, the son of one of his tormentors, as well as his wife and several other pagans to Christianity. Soon, the holy martyrs Vasilisa and Julian were beheaded by the sword.
The noble and rich girl Vasilissa, at the behest of her parents, entered into marriage with the pious young man Julian. When, after the wedding feast, the bride and groom entered the bedchamber, the room was filled with an extraordinary fragrance. "What does it mean?" — Vasilissa asked in surprise. “Fragrance,” Julian answered her, “comes from Christ, Who loves purity. If we preserve our virginity in integrity and please the Savior, then we will become his chosen vessels and receive salvation in the coming age.” “What else is more necessary than salvation?” - Vasilissa exclaimed, and the young people knelt down and began to pray.
And suddenly an extraordinary light shone in the room and a vision appeared: the King of Glory Christ with many virgins and the Most Holy Theotokos with the faces of virgins. Four elders standing near the bed held golden bowls full of aromas in their hands. “These cups,” said one of the elders, “depict your perfection, for you are blessed for striving towards eternal life.” Julian and Vasilissa saw a large book on the bed, and in it their names were written in gold letters. “This book,” the elder continued, “lists people who are pure, sober, merciful, meek, and who have endured difficult trials. You too are now counted among their ranks.” After these words, the vision stopped, and the couple joyfully spent the rest of the night singing psalms.
Some time after the marriage of Julian and Vasilisa, their parents died, leaving them a rich inheritance. They, having received freedom for spiritual life, built two monasteries, one for men and one for women, accepted monasticism and served as abbots in these monasteries.
At that time, the persecutor of Christians, Diocletian, reigned. Julian and Vasilissa tearfully prayed to God to strengthen their brothers and sisters in the upcoming persecution. The Lord, in response to these prayers, appeared in a vision to Saint Vasilisa and said that she would soon depart from this life, but even earlier all the holy virgins who were under her care would depart, so that not one of them would fall away from the faith for fear of torment. For this, Vasilissa will live on earth for another six months. Julian and his brothers will face the feat of martyrdom.”
And so it happened. Within six months, the entire face of the virgins collected by Vasilisa went to the Lord by ordinary death. Only Vasilisa remained alive. After some time, all the holy virgins appeared to their abbess in a dream and told her: “We are waiting for you, our mother, so that together with you we can worship our Lord and King.” Waking up, the saint rejoiced that all her sisters had entered into the joy of their Lord, and also that a heavenly abode had been prepared for her. She told Saint Julian about this vision and after a few days she betrayed her spirit. The Monk Julian buried her body with due honors.
Saint Julian himself in 313 suffered cruelly for the faith of Christ and accepted the crown of martyrdom, being beheaded by the sword.
The meaning of the icon of Vasilisa of Egypt
The meaning of the icon of Saint Vasilisa lies in the indestructible strength of spirit represented in the image of the saint. She personifies the power of faith, martyrdom, and a firm determination to defend Christian ideals, even at the cost of her own life. The image of Vasilisa of Egypt, the story of her life’s journey, inspire us, encourage us to fervent prayer and pious deeds. Truly wonderful is God in His saints! Dear believers, brothers and sisters! Do not doubt the help of Saint Vasilisa! Open your heart to her in sincere prayer and she will hear us, heal spiritual and physical infirmities, and help in the successful arrangement of earthly affairs.
Do not forget that in order for a miracle to happen, we ourselves must take care: regularly, with attention, read the prayer, do deeds of faith and love. And don’t forget to give thanks: to thank all the people sent to us by the grace of God to solve our life’s troubles, who shared our joy and sorrow. To thank the Saint, whose prayerful support our hearts yearned for, because how many people pray to her for help, and she heard and helped us too. And most importantly, thank the Lord for His boundless love for mankind. He gave the world His saints and every second helps us, people who hope for His great mercies.
Everything in the world happens according to the wise providence of God. Difficulties and sorrows, success and joys. Through earthly trials the Lord strengthens us. By helping each other, praying to the heavenly saints, we are more firmly united in the One Church of Christ. And we believe that St. Vasilisa will hear all our prayers and show us the boundless mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God for everything!
Vasilisa of Egypt (January 21)
The holy martyrs Julian and Vasilisa were from the Egyptian year of Antinous. They both came from noble, wealthy families, and at the insistence of their parents they soon became husband and wife.
Despite this, Julian and Vasilisa remained deeply religious people. They devoted themselves completely to the Lord, did not enter into intimate relationships with each other, and maintained their innocence. After the death of their parents, Julian and Vasilisa founded male and female monasteries and became their abbots, taking monasticism.
In the 3rd century, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, believing spouses were captured and imprisoned. They were subjected to severe torture several times, but were able to endure all the torment. Julian was even able to convert the son of his tormentor Kelsius and his wife Marionilla, as well as several other pagans, to the Christian faith. Soon Julian, Vasilisa and other martyrs died by the sword.
Vasilisa's name day is celebrated on January 21. On this day the church also remembers Julian, Kelsius, Marionilla and other martyrs who were beheaded by the sword in 313.
Buy an icon of Vasilisa of Egypt
In the Radonezh icon painting workshop you can buy or order a handwritten icon of Vasilisa of Egypt. and we will help you choose a plot, a compositional solution for the icon, its optimal size and design, or we will write an icon according to your sample.
Free delivery within Moscow. If desired, the icon can be consecrated in the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra.
The image of Saint Vasilisa made by the icon painters of the Radonezh workshop, like any handmade icon, carries within itself the living warmth of human hands and a loving heart. Each icon painted with love is unique and inimitable.
Peace and goodness to you, dear brothers and sisters, and may the holy saint of God, Venerable Vasilisa of Egypt, accompany you throughout your entire life’s journey.
The name Vasilisa is quite rare and beautiful. It has been known in Rus' since early Christian times, and is reflected in many folk tales and legends. The name is the feminine form of the name Vasily.
Short forms:
- Vasya;
- Fox;
- Vasena.
Name variations:
- Vasilina;
- Velisa.
When is Vasilisa’s name day according to the Orthodox calendar?
There are five dates in the church calendar that go like Vasilisa’s angel day. Before baptism, the one closest to the birth of the child is selected, and then the girl is named that way.
January 21 is the day of the martyr Vasilisa of Egypt (abbess). According to legend, together with their husband, Julian, they remained virgins and organized monasteries: female and male. Vasilisa became the abbess of the monastery. She lived during the difficult times of Diocletian's reign. The emperor had a negative attitude towards Christianity, and the saint was beheaded with a sword on his orders.
March 23, April 29 are the days of the martyr Vasilisa of Corinth. She is remembered on the cathedral day of the Corinthian martyrs. The woman, being a follower of Saint Kodrat, voluntarily went to torment for the teacher. All of them were killed after long torture by order of the ruler Decius.
September 16 is the day of remembrance of the youth Vasilisa, the holy martyr of Nicomedia. A nine-year-old girl was captured by the ruler of her hometown and then forced under torture to renounce her true faith. But the holy girl endured all the torment and remained alive thanks to the grace of God. Having seen this miracle, the ruler Alexander who tortured her believed in Christ and repented of his sins.
April 28 is the day of the holy martyr Vasilisa of Rome. The woman was converted to the Christian faith by the Apostle Peter. Together with another martyr, Anastasia, during the persecution of Christians, she collected the bodies of those killed by the arbitrariness of Nero’s tyranny, and then gave them burial according to Christian rites. For this, the saint was imprisoned and subjected to terrible torture by fire. Even before her death, the martyr did not renounce Christ, but accepted her with honor.
Vasilisa Rimskaya (April 28)
Two close friends, Vasilisa and Anastasia, lived in Rome in the 1st century. During one of the sermons of the apostles Peter and Paul, they accepted Christianity and did not betray their faith until their death.
From 54 to 68, Emperor Nero reigned in Rome. He carried out brutal persecution of Christians, tortured them to renounce their faith, and in case of disobedience, he executed the martyrs. Vasilisa and Anastasia buried the bodies of the dead according to Christian canons. For this, the emperor ordered them to be imprisoned. Soon Vasilisa and Anastasia were tortured for their faith. But they were able to withstand all the torment and retained their faith in Jesus Christ. For this, in 68, women were beheaded.
The Day of Remembrance of the Martyrs Vasilisa and Anastasia is celebrated on April 28. You can still venerate their relics today in the Church of Our Lady of the Pacifier, which is located in Rome.
The meaning of the name Vasilisa
The name became widespread from Greece in the Roman Empire. From there it passed into the Christian tradition, and then “settled” in Rus', becoming a common medieval name among the Eastern Slavs.
The ancient Greek word “vasilissa” has a direct analogue in meaning – the Russian adjective “royal”. This is very true for Vasilisa, because this woman is usually a noble person who knows how to present herself.
It is no coincidence that in Greece this word was used to refer to the wives of kings. Modern Vasilisa is a real first lady. Having met her man, she will be his faithful support and reliable partner for life.
Characteristics of the name Vasilisa
Women bearing this name are people with difficult characters. Perhaps this is precisely how the royalty inherent in this meaning is reflected. They often consider themselves superior to others, acting strictly and aloof.
Little Vasya is a modest child. Her shyness and high level of self-criticism make it difficult to treat herself adequately. Hard work and pedantry help Vasya do well at school. Often such a child devotes more time to lessons than to communicating with other children. Because of this, it may seem that Lisa is an unsociable girl. Often she is simply shy, and cannot find a common language with her peers, who are more interested in entertainment than knowledge.
Her strengths are exact sciences and applied crafts. Vasilisa has no equal in needlework. But problems may arise with the humanities: Vasya is accustomed to the precision and clarity of her favorite mathematics and physics.
It is better for parents and surrounding adults to support Vasya’s self-esteem, preventing her from slipping into the abyss of self-digging. Praise and support can best set your child up for achievements.
As for health, little Fox is a strong child who rarely causes problems for her parents with endless colds.
Age-related changes affect Vasilisa not only externally, but also internally. Here it is important for parents to prevent crossing the line from adequate self-esteem to excessive arrogant pride. Women with this name consistently build a career, often in the scientific field. Those who have Lisa as their supervisor will be unlucky. Her pedantry develops into exactingness: she does not forgive other people’s mistakes, because she herself always strives to do everything perfectly. Sometimes, with the best of intentions, she can begin to criticize others without asking, which inevitably leads to conflicts.
Due to her difficult character, often the first attempts to build a family life for Lisa end in fiasco. Not every man can withstand a fighting and strict attitude. It may take many years before a woman finds a partner who will be as strong and strong-willed as she is. With a strong man, their union will be strong, and Vasya herself will treat her husband with tenderness and respect. She loves children very much, so she strives to have her own. In motherhood, demandingness does not go away, but thanks to her love for her offspring, Vasilisa learns to treat them more gently.
Slowness is observed in relationships with other people. Due to his character traits, of course, Vasya takes a long time to become close to those around him. Only a few can consider a noble soul full of kindness and altruism. Such women have few friends, but all of them are tested by both time and deeds. She is a caring friend who you can always rely on.
As in childhood, Lisa prefers solitary evenings to noisy companies. You shouldn’t try to mold her into an extrovert, because she likes calmness and confidential one-on-one conversations. Due to her internal conservatism, naturally, Vasilisa will take all attempts to remake her with hostility.
The secret of the name Vasilisa
Like any woman, Vasya is fraught with many mysteries. Not everyone can understand how this woman manages to reach the top. She does not give in to difficulties, overcoming every obstacle on the way to her goal with honor. Composure and self-discipline are the components of her success. Vasilisa rarely gives up when faced with problems. She can only hide for a while, waiting for the right moment and gathering her strength for a victorious breakthrough.
Don't let the coldness and calm deceive you. Vasya has the habits of an explosive choleric person, so conflicts with her are fraught. She can pretend that she has forgiven you, and then, with all her cunning, strike and remember all the grievances. Patience, which so often came in handy for Vasilisa in her work, will come in handy when she plans her revenge plan. It is better to be friends with such people rather than be enemies.
Despite the difficulties in his behavior, Vasya is a selfless person who knows how to both sympathize and help. You can always turn to her in times of adversity, and true friends know about this trait of a woman.
They are read 8 times a year.
- 21.01 – Venerable Martyr Abbess Basilissa of Egypt;
- 18.02 and 04.04 – martyr Vasilissa;
- 23.03 and 29.04 – martyr Vasilissa of Corinth;
- 28.04 – martyr Vasilissa of Rome;
- 04.07 – Venerable Vasilissa;
- 16.09 – Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia.
Secular and church names differ from each other by one letter “s”. According to Orthodox traditions - Vasilisa.
It is interpreted as “royal”, “queen” and here’s why. The name appeared back in the days of Ancient Greece, when it sounded like Basilisa, a derivative of Basileus. This is what the ancient Greeks called emperors and kings. The name also has a male version with the same meaning - . Both female and male names began to spread in Russia with the advent of the Christian faith.
Little Vasilisa is a shy, modest and obedient girl. Parents should praise her more often, as she is very self-critical and often blames herself for all troubles. Even as a child, Vasilisa is distinguished by her high efficiency and hard work. She loves to do handicrafts, and she is especially good at embroidery. He always helps his mother with household chores. Vasilisa is an excellent student and completes all assignments efficiently, carefully and thoughtfully. She has a mathematical mind and the exact sciences are easier for her than the humanities. Tender and reverent, she does not tolerate betrayal and falsehood, and tries to fight injustice.
Growing up, he changes his character and his vision of the world, trying to adapt to it. And she copes with this task perfectly. She turns into a confident and sometimes arrogant girl who does not tolerate the mistakes of others. Defending his rightness, he often gets involved in a scandal, but will be able to smooth it out thanks to his self-irony. Despite her newfound power, she is still kind, sympathetic and generous. Like any woman, she wants love, passion, sensitivity and mutual understanding. Vasilisa always knows what she wants, sensibly assessing her knowledge and abilities. As in childhood, she is characterized by perseverance, hard work and scrupulousness.
The adult Vasilisa is no longer that modest and shy girl. She is already a powerful and confident woman with a strong and firm character. In any difficult situation, she acts firmly and decisively. Her craving for justice has not gone away. She still fights for her, not being afraid of conflicts and scandals.
Treats others with kindness and courtesy, even if it is just a stranger. She is not characterized by indifference. She has a developed creativity. Vasilisa always tries to be unique and stand out from the crowd. She is quite inquisitive and open, so she has a sufficient number of fans, acquaintances and friends.
Vasilisa has a dangerous combination of leadership qualities, altruism and selfishness. Not everyone can bear this character. She sometimes suffers from it herself. It is especially important for her to be useful and necessary to someone.
Martyr Vasilisa: Orthodox name day September 16
During the reign of Emperor Diocletian in Rome, terrible persecution of Christians was carried out. But most of all innocent blood was shed in the ancient city of Nicomedia (Nicomedea). In just one month, over 17 thousand Christians were beheaded here by the sword. The torturer had no mercy on either adults or children.
Nine-year-old Vasilisa was also injured in Nicomedia. She was brought to trial before Hegemon Alexander, who ruled the city at that time. He suggested that Vasilisa renounce her faith in the Lord, but the girl remained adamant. She even got into an argument with Alexander and spoke about Jesus Christ as if she were not a child, but an adult.
Vasilisa was subjected to martyrdom several times. First they beat her in the face, then with rods all over her body, and when it was completely covered with ulcers, the girl was hung upside down by her legs and a fire was lit under her body. But neither fire nor fierce animals could kill Vasilisa. Then the ruler of Nicomedia fell at her feet and began to repent. After this, he believed in the Lord and was baptized.
Soon hegemon Alexander died, and Vasilisa left the city. One day she felt thirsty, stood on a stone and asked the Lord for water. At that very moment a fountain began to gush out of the stone. Vasilisa drank the water and immediately passed away. Near this stone she was buried by the bishop who found her body.
The name day of Vasilisa of Nicomedia is celebrated on September 16th. On this day, the martyr gave her innocent soul to God.
Vasilissa of Rome
Vasilissa of Rome was converted to Christianity along with Anastasia of Rome. The apostles converted them. After this fateful event, the virgins devoted themselves to serving God. At that time, Emperor Nero fought against Christianity and ordered his troops to persecute Christians and execute them. Vasilisa secretly took the bodies of the dead and buried them according to all Christian canons. When they themselves were caught and tortured, they did not renounce their faith and endured all the severe suffering for their beliefs. Afterwards they were executed.
Vasilissa of Egypt
The Venerable Martyr Vasilissa lived in the city of Antinous with her husband Saint Julian. But they lived as brother and sister, and not as spouses. After the death of their parents, each of them founded a monastery where they served as abbots. During the time of persecution, Christians were executed.
In our store there is an icon of Basilissa the Martyr.
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, a huge amount of blood was shed. In a month there were more than 17 thousand killed for faith in Christ and twenty thousand burned in the church on the day of the Nativity of Christ. Believers were killed for a long time. Saint Vasilisa was one of the martyrs who suffered. At the age of 9, she was brought to trial before the hegemon, that is, the ruler of Nicomedia, Alexander, and Vasilissa confessed Christ very boldly for her age. All those present were surprised by the free conversation with the hegemon. The ruler tried, with the help of affection and various promises, to persuade her to worship his gods. But Vasilisa was adamant. Then the hegemon began to hit her in the face, for which she thanked the Lord God. They took off her clothes and began to beat her with rods, and this time she thanked God. The emperor became angry at such words and ordered Vasilisa to be beaten even harder. When the body of the martyr Vasilisa looked like a complete ulcer, she cried out: “God, I thank you for all this!”
Ruler Alexander gave the order to build a fire and throw tin, resin, oil, sulfur into it and hang Vasilisa upside down, in the hope that the martyr would quickly give up the ghost after such stench and smoke. But Vasilissa, even during such torment, was as if in the coolness of heaven, while constantly chanting and thanking the Lord God. The emperor, seeing Vasilisa’s disdain for torture, ordered the martyr to be thrown into a lit oven. Having entered the oven, the holy martyr Vasilisa remained there for a long time without any harm. Those present looked at this miracle in bewilderment. Vasilisa was taken out of the oven and two angry lions were released, which were supposed to eat Vasilisa, but even here she remained unharmed. Emperor Alexander was shocked by what was happening and exclaimed: “These are the fates of God!” He fell at Vasilisa’s feet and began to ask her for mercy and forgiveness. He asked the martyr to pray to her God so that he would not destroy him, for he now believes in the Lord God. Vasilisa, having glorified the true God, took Emperor Alexander to Bishop Anthony so that he could teach and explain the true faith.
Alexander was baptized and repented of his previous wickedness and inflicting cruel torment on all Christians. He asked Saint Vasilisa to ask the Lord God for forgiveness. Thanks to the prayers of the holy martyr Vasilisa, ruler Alexander soon reposed and was buried with Christian honors, not far from the city. Feeling thirsty, Vasilisa stood on a stone and prayed to the Lord God, and water flowed from the stone. Having quenched her thirst, she moved away from this place, and after praying, she gave her spirit to God. Bishop Anthony buried the Great Martyr near the stone where the water flowed.
Many believers pray to the martyr Vasilisa the martyr, whose icon is in every church, to receive the Lord's grace.
The icon of the Holy Martyr Vasilisa of Nicomedia (Memory Day established by the Orthodox Church on September 3/16) - the patroness of women named Vasilisa - helps in gaining strength in faith. Icon of St. Basilisa of Nicomedia It helps in almost all cases of life when serious prayer support is required for the person praying. If one of your relatives or you bears the name Vasilisa, this martyr, a young witness of Christ, will become your heavenly patroness.
The martyr Vasilisa of Nicomedia is an amazing example of the fact that martyrdom as a testimony to God was granted not only to adults, but also to children, because at the time of her feat, Vasilisa was only 9 years old. The example of young Vasilisa, who went through impossible torture and remained unharmed, is evidence of God’s love for those who are ready to neglect their temporary physical life in order to gain eternal life. The very example of the holy martyr, the awareness of his greatness, is already protection from delusions and doubts. We are not required to do this
exploits, and perhaps it is precisely this lack of testing that allows the spirit of a believer, as they say, to become discouraged. Then the prayer to the first martyrs becomes a saving defense against this lukewarm state, which will become even more sincere if we know the history of their feat.
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, a huge amount of blood was shed. In a month there were more than 17 thousand killed for faith in Christ and twenty thousand burned in the church on the day of the Nativity of Christ. Believers were killed for a long time. Saint Vasilisa was one of the martyrs who suffered. At the age of 9, she was brought to trial before the hegemon, that is, the ruler of Nicomedia, Alexander, and Vasilisa confessed Christ very boldly for her age. All those present were surprised by the free conversation with the hegemon. The ruler tried, with the help of affection and various promises, to persuade her to worship his gods. But Vasilisa was adamant. Then the hegemon began to hit her in the face, for which she thanked the Lord God. They took off her clothes and began to beat her with rods, and this time she thanked God. The emperor became angry at such words and ordered Vasilisa to be beaten even harder. When the body of the martyr Vasilisa looked like a complete ulcer, she cried out: “God, I thank you for all this!” Ruler Alexander gave the order to build a fire and throw tin, resin, oil, sulfur into it and hang Vasilisa upside down, in the hope that the martyr would quickly give up the ghost after such stench and smoke. But Vasilisa, even during such torment, was as if in the coolness of heaven, while constantly chanting and thanking the Lord God. The emperor, seeing Vasilisa's disdain for torture, ordered the martyr to be thrown into a lit oven. Having entered the oven, the holy martyr Vasilisa remained there for a long time without any harm. Those present looked at this miracle in bewilderment. Vasilisa was taken out of the oven and two angry lions were released, which were supposed to eat Vasilisa, but even here she remained unharmed. Emperor Alexander was shocked by what was happening and exclaimed: “These are the fates of God!” He fell at Vasilisa’s feet and began to ask her for mercy and forgiveness. He asked the martyr to pray to her God so that he would not destroy him, for he now believes in the Lord God. Vasilisa, having glorified the true God, took Emperor Alexander to Bishop Anthony so that he could teach and explain the true faith. Alexander was baptized and repented of his previous wickedness and inflicting cruel torment on all Christians. He asked Saint Vasilisa to ask the Lord God for forgiveness. Thanks to the prayers of the holy martyr Vasilisa, ruler Alexander soon reposed and was buried with Christian honors, not far from the city. Feeling thirsty, Vasilisa stood on a stone and prayed to the Lord God, and water flowed from the stone. Having quenched her thirst, she moved away from this place, and after praying, she gave her spirit to God. Bishop Anthony buried the great martyr close to the stone where the water flowed.
The life and suffering of the holy martyrs Julian and Basilissa and others with them
Memory January 8
Saint Julian was born in the Egyptian city of Antinoe310, from noble and wealthy parents. Having loved the purity of virginity from his youth, he wanted to preserve it until the very end of his life. Having placed this purity as the foundation of all other virtues, he remained in the fear of God, diligently reading and studying Divine books. Julian studied both Hellenic wisdom and Christian teaching, went through secular philosophy, and at the same time studied well all Divine Scripture. When he turned eighteen, his parents began to force him to marry, since he was their only son, and they wanted their family to continue. Julian refused the marriage in every possible way. When his parents and relatives began to extremely pester him with their advice and requests, forcing him to marry, the chaste young man asked himself one week to think about it. He spent this entire week in fasting, prayer and tears, day and night, begging God to preserve the virginity that he, Julian, promised Him. On the seventh day, when night fell, Julian, his body exhausted from fasting and prayer, lay down and fell asleep; and then in a dream the Lord appeared to him, who consoled him, encouraged him and said:
- Do not be afraid to fulfill the will and advice of your parents, for you will take yourself a wife who will not violate your virginity and will not separate you from Me. Moreover, for your sake, she will preserve her virginity, and after this I will accept both you and her, as virgins, into My heavenly abodes, for, following your example, many young men and maidens will become virgins and heirs of the heavenly Kingdom. I will always be with you, dwelling in you and conquering all your bodily lusts and carnal warfare. The girl who will be paired with you in marriage, I will make her whatever I want. I will do what she will want to follow your good intention, and you will both see Me in the palace prepared for you, with angelic faces and countless virgins of both sexes, whom nature has divided, but faith in Me has united, and of whom you will appear as an imitator.
Having said this, the Lord touched Julian and said:
– Take courage and may your heart be strong!
Being thus strengthened and comforted by this divine vision, the noble youth arose from his sleep and said:
“I thank you, Lord God, who tests our hearts, because you drive far away from me the sweets and consolations of this world and promise to be the guardian of my purity and my helper.” I firmly hope that You will give me what “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man” (1 Cor. 2:9), what You have prepared for those who love You. And since You make me worthy to follow Your path, I pray to You that You Yourself may be a good path for me, as well as a path for all who love purity. You know, Lord, that from the very day of my birth until this hour at which You deigned to call me, I did not love or desire anything other than You. Therefore, confirm the promises that have come out of my mouth and bring them to fruition.
Coming out of his bedroom, the young man told his parents that he agreed to fulfill their wishes and did not refuse marriage. They, filled with joy, immediately began to choose a girl who would match their son in terms of nobility and wealth. Finally, they found one in the person of Vasilisa, who was the only daughter of her parents and was distinguished by her beauty and virtues. And she was married to Julian. When, after the wedding feast, the bride and groom were led into the bedchamber and the door was closed behind them, the bride felt an extraordinary fragrance, such as occurs in the garden from lilies and roses and other fragrant flowers. With surprise, she said to the groom:
-What does this mean, my lord? Now it’s winter, and yet I smell the fragrance of fragrant flowers as if in spring, and I enjoy this fragrance so much that I don’t want to think about anything else.
Then her groom, blessed Julian, said:
“The fragrance you smell is not ordinary, but comes from Christ, who loves purity and gives eternal life to those who keep their virginity immaculate.” So, if you want to keep the commandments of Christ with me and please Christ, then let us love Him with all our soul and let us keep our virginity for Him in chastity. We will become His chosen vessels in the present age, so that we may reign with Him in the future, and we will never be separated from each other.
To these words the blessed bride Vasilissa answered:
– What else is more necessary than salvation, which, by observing virginity, we will receive along with eternal life? I believe your words and, together with you, I wish to remain in virginity until my death, in order to receive reward from Christ, my Lord.
When she said this, blessed Julian threw himself to the ground, worshiping God, and lay prostrated and crying out to Him:
– Confirm, Lord, what You have begun to do in us!
The maiden Vasilissa, seeing her groom praying, began to pray herself. And then suddenly the foundations of the wedding bedchamber shook, and such an extraordinary light shone in it that the very candles that were burning in the bedchamber dimmed before the rays of heaven. And a great divine vision appeared: on one side the King of Glory, Christ, with countless virgins was visible, and on the other side our Most Pure Lady Theotokos with the faces of virgins; and on both sides were heard heavenly songs filled with indescribable sweetness, which the human ear had never heard before.
At this time, two shining men in golden belts approached Julian and Vasilisa, lifted them up and showed them a large and beautiful-looking book placed on their bed; near the bed stood four venerable and handsome elders, with golden bowls in their hands, and from these bowls, full of aromas, came a wonderful fragrance that filled the room. And one of the elders said:
“These cups depict your perfection, for you are blessed in that, having conquered the temporary pleasures of this life, you have rushed towards eternal life, which cannot yet be comprehended by the human mind. Read, Julian, what is written in this book of life!
Then Julian looked at the book and saw his and his wife’s names written there. The following was written there in gold letters:
- Julian, who rejected the world for the sake of love for Me, will be counted among those “who did not defile themselves with women” (Apoc. 14:4); Vasilissa, for her purity and immaculate virginity, will be counted among the virgins accompanying the true Virgin Mary, My Most Pure Mother!
When Julian read this, the book closed, and the luminous men and maidens standing on both sides unanimously exclaimed:
- Amen!
Then the elder again turned to Julian and Vasilisa and said:
- This book that you see lists people who are pure, sober, truthful in their words, merciful, humble, meek, loving unfeignedly, who have endured all kinds of difficult trials, sorrows and disasters - people who so loved Christ that, for the sake of love for They left him his father, his mother, his wife, his children, his estates, his wealth, and, moreover, they were not afraid to give their very life for Christ; to their face and you are united now.
After these words of the venerable elder, the divine vision ceased, and the blessed spouses, filled with extraordinary joy, spent the rest of the night in psalmody. When the day came, their parents and relatives, as well as other guests invited to the marriage, were still feasting, celebrating the carnal union of the bride and groom, unaware of their wonderful spiritual union. And thus Julian and Vasilissa lived with each other in perfect purity and chastity, preserving the intact color of their immaculate virginity. At the same time, they hid this secret from people, so that none of the people, even parents and relatives, knew about their virgin life, until the Lord Himself revealed it for the benefit of many.
A short time after the marriage of Julian and Vasilisa, their parents died, leaving them a rich inheritance; They, having received freedom for their spiritual life, decided to serve the salvation of other people, and not just take care of their own. For this purpose, they built two monasteries for men and women and, having separated, took monastic vows - he in the men's monastery, and she in the women's monastery. Gathering the faces of the monastics around them there, they assumed authority over them.
In the monastery of St. Julian lived up to ten thousand brothers who diligently served God; for the Lord gave him such grace that those who wanted to save their souls flocked to him from all sides. Leaving their homes, wives, parents, relatives, property and all the pleasures of the world, they entrusted their souls to him so that he would lead them to the Kingdom of Heaven. Saint Vasilisa also gathered in her monastery and made up to a thousand pure virgins and, in addition, many wives, brides of Christ. And in both monasteries, as if in two gardens of paradise, angelic purity flourished, and virginity triumphed over the voluptuous demon of impurity.
But it’s time to talk about the death of the saints, about how they and their children, gathered in God, moved to the heavenly abodes, crying out to Christ God: “Here we are, the children whom the Lord gave us.”311
At that time, two wicked kings reigned - Diocletian and Maximian312 and a strong persecution was erected against Christians313, which, moving from one country to another and disturbing the Church of Christ, approached the borders of the country where the saints lived. Julian and Vasilissa. Many of the believers fell into confusion and fear, and Blessed Julian and Vasilisa, remaining in fasting and prayer, prayed with tears to God to strengthen those who believe in Him and the monks of the monastics gathered by them and to save every single one from fall and destruction, so that all they could enter the Heavenly Fatherland. The Lord heard this prayer and appeared to Saint Vasilisa in a special vision and said that she would soon depart from this life into eternal rest, but that even earlier all the holy virgins who were under her care would depart from this life, so that none of these virgins would remain after it, she did not fall away from the faith for fear of torment and was not expelled from the holy face; for this purpose, Vasilisa will live on earth for another six months, until the holy virgins who lived under her care pass to God; after the death of Vasilisa, her spiritual brother, Julian, with many brothers, will accomplish the feat of martyrdom and, having defeated the enemy with his courage, will depart from this life in order to receive the double crown of virginity and martyrdom “for the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). And so it happened. Within six months, the entire face of virgins, gathered by Saint Vasilisa, passed by ordinary death to the heavenly palace of their immortal Bridegroom, and of them only Vasilisa remained alive. After a short time, all those holy virgins appeared to her in a dream, dressed in royal bright clothes, and said to her:
“We are waiting for you, our mother, so that together with you we can worship our Lord and King.” Go and hand us over to Christ, whose brides you have made us!
Rising from sleep, the Monk Vasilisa was very happy, partly because the entire face of the virgins she had gathered entered “into the joy of your master,” partly because, as it turned out, a heavenly abode had been prepared for her there. She told all this to her spiritual brother, Saint Julian, and then a few days later, during fervent prayer, she gave up her spirit into the hands of her immortal Bridegroom - God, and Saint Julian buried her holy body with due honors.
Soon after this, the ruler Marcian appeared in those places with his wife and son, and began to furiously persecute Christians, handing them over to torture and death. Having learned about Julian that he was a man of noble birth and believed in Christ, and also heard about the many brothers who lived with him and professed the same faith with him, he sent prominent citizens to him so that they would convince Julian to offer sacrifices to idols, as the emperor demanded. At that time, at the monastery of St. Julian, many priests, deacons and other clergy, along with bishops, gathered from the surrounding cities, and all of them, flaming with love for their Lord, were ready to willingly accept martyrdom for Him. When the messengers from the ruler came to them, all those gathered answered them that they had one King - the Lord Jesus Christ who was in heaven, and He commanded them not to worship idols and the demons hiding in them, but to worship only the one True God; and so they obey Christ and are ready to immediately die for Him. The messengers returned to the governor and reported to him what they had heard, and the governor, angry, sent a detachment of troops to take Julian alone, and to burn the monastery with everyone in it. So, blessed Julian was taken and, tied up, taken to prison, and his brethren who were in the monastery, numbering up to 10 thousand, together with the bishops and clergy who were there, were burned, along with the monastery, as a fragrant sacrifice to God. And for a long time after this, the sweet singing of a large choir of singers could be heard in that place precisely at those hours when the divine service was usually performed - at the first, third, sixth and ninth. In the same place, many healings were performed from various diseases - on those sick people who were honored to hear the mentioned singing.
The next morning Saint Julian was presented to the governor's court. For a long time they tried to convince the saint with cunning words and caresses, then they frightened him with fear of punishment, but he did not listen to either threats or persuasion. Then they began to beat him without mercy with gnarled sticks. During this torture, one stick, due to the force of the blow, broke and a piece of it fell into the eyes of one of the ruler’s relatives, damaging them, causing the ruler to become even more furious. The holy sufferer said to the ruler:
- Listen, Markian! Order all your most skilled priests to gather and let them call on the names of their gods and goddesses, begging them to grant healing to your relative. If they cannot do this, then I, calling on the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, will not only return to him his lost bodily eye, but also make the eyes of his mind such that they will see the truth.
The ruler accepted the proposal and, having gathered all the priests, ordered them to go to the nearest idol temple to make sacrifices there and beg the gods and goddesses to heal the wounded man’s eye. The priests went and did what they were ordered, but after making many sacrifices they heard the following words from their gods:
“Leave us, for we are consigned to eternal fire and remain in darkness.” How can we give sight to the blind when we ourselves see nothing? And Julian’s prayer to the Most High God is so strong that from the time they began to torture him, our torment in Gehenna became a hundred times more severe.
When these demonic words were heard in the temple, all the idols, of which there were up to fifty, immediately fell and were crushed to dust.
The governor shouted at Saint Julian:
- Wizard! Your charms are so strong that you have crushed even our gods! But we will see if you will give the blinded man his former sight, as you promised.
And the ruler ordered to pour sewage on the naked martyr so that, as the ruler said, his magical miraculous power would recede from him. But the stench of those unclean things suddenly turned into an amazing fragrance that filled the whole air, so that everyone was amazed. Saint Julian, having made the sign of the cross over the wounded man’s eye, called on the name of the Lord; and immediately the sick man was healed, and his eye began to see as before. The ruler, blinded by malice, attributed this healing to magic, and not to the power of Christ, and the healed man cried out loudly:
– Indeed, Jesus Christ is the True God, and He alone must be revered and worshiped!
Then the governor ordered to cut off the head of the healed man and, thus, having received his sight physically and spiritually, having received baptism in his own blood, he went to the spiritual contemplation of the invisible God.
The wicked Marcian ordered Saint Julian to be shackled with heavy shackles on his hands and feet, and in this form he ordered to be led around the city to be publicly desecrated and, during stops on the streets, to be tortured with various tortures. During this torture and desecration, the herald exclaimed:
“This is what those who do not bow to the gods and despise the royal commands are subjected to!”
When the tormentors came together with the saint to the house where the ruler’s only son, named Kelsius, was studying science, the youth, who also looked at the saint, told his comrades that he was seeing something amazing. They began to ask him what he saw, and Kelsius said:
“I see that the condemned Christian, who is led by the soldiers chained, is surrounded by many radiant youths; - of which some provide him with services and help, while others place such a brilliant crown on his head that its radiance surpasses the light of the sun. It seems to me that it is good to believe in such a God and serve him, who so protects His servants and adorns him with such glory; Believe me, my friends, that I also want to become such a minister, if the God of this Christian deigns to be my God!
With these words, Kelsius threw away his books and beautiful clothes, leaving to the world what belonged to him, and hurried after the saint. Falling at the feet of the martyr, he exclaimed:
- I want to have you as my second father; I completely renounce my wicked parent according to the flesh, the enemy of the righteous, the torturer. I join you, I wish, just like you, to suffer for Christ my Lord and Savior, Whom I have never known before!
The soldiers who tortured Julian were surprised, and the whole city came running to the unusual sight and were amazed to see how the ruler’s son hugged the martyr and kissed his wounds. And the boy said to the people:
- Know that I am the son of a ruler; Together with my wicked father, I have hitherto persecuted the innocent saints. But I acted this way out of ignorance, but now, having come to know God, and being myself known by Him, I reject false gods, renounce my father and mother and despise my wealth; I confess Christ and believe in Him and declare that I am a follower of Blessed Julian. Why should you hesitate, servants and warriors? Go and tell my parents that I have come to know the true God and want to be with His faithful servant.
When this was reported to Kelsia's father and mother, they, having heard this unexpected news, were deeply saddened and immediately sent for the boy to take him from Julian and bring him home, but God, who protects babies, made it so that no one could touch him , for whoever touched him immediately felt severe pain in his arm and shoulder; and therefore no one dared to take him and separate him from the martyr. Having learned about this, the ruler ordered both of them to be brought to him together, and said to Blessed Julian:
“You are trying to take away all my hope from me with your cunning, and you are seducing the young heart with bad speeches, eradicating love for parents in it!”
While the ruler was speaking, Kelsiev’s mother came running with a crowd of relatives of both sexes. She tore her hair, tore her clothes on her chest, and her screams were so terrible that the ruler himself tore his clothes and said to the martyr:
- Cruel Julian! look at the torment of the father and mother and the sobs of all relatives and free the innocent boy from the action of your magical power! Give us your only son, and give our house the gates of an heir and master. Then I will ask the kings for you, so that your guilt may be forgiven, and you will be released unharmed.
Saint Julian answered this:
“I do not need your help and do not seek forgiveness from your kings, but I only beg my Lord Jesus Christ for this, so that He, together with the lamb who was born in a wolf’s womb314, and with all the believers, may be numbered among those who were burned when I I will complete my martyrdom. Before you is one who was born of you in the flesh, and has now been reborn in spirit, believing with me in Christ. He himself is already of age - let him answer you himself, let him take pity on his mother’s tears and take pity on the breast that fed him.
To this the noble and prudent youth said:
- The thorn grows from the thorn, but neither does it lose its fragrance because it came from the thorn, nor does the thorn that produces the thorn lose its sharp thorns. So, my parents, you, according to your custom, continue, like thorns, to torment the innocent, and leave me, like a thorn, to produce a fragrance for the believers; let those who stand on the path of destruction obey you, and let those who strive to move from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light follow me. For the sake of my Lord Jesus Christ, I renounce your parents, but you, out of respect for your gods, torture your son, for through temporary death I want to achieve eternal life. I cannot be good for you and evil for myself, and I will not put love for you above eternal joys. Why hesitate, father? Do with me as Abraham did with his son! Take the sword and offer me, your son, as a sacrifice to Christ. If natural parental love prevents you from doing this, then send me to the most cruel tormentors so that I can suffer for my Lord, Jesus Christ. Your sobs and tears are in vain, for they cannot force me to change my confession.
Hearing this, the governor ordered that Julian and Kelsius be taken to a stinking and gloomy prison, but when they entered there, the darkness in the prison turned into light; and stench into fragrance. Twenty soldiers who were present believed in Christ, but since Blessed Julian was not a presbyter and could not baptize those who believed, this plunged him into sadness. However, God, who fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, sent them an elder.
In that city there was one man of very noble origin, whom the kings Diocletian and Maximian greatly respected, as a relative of one of the former emperors Carinus. This man and his entire family professed the Christian faith. He and his wife died in faith and piety, leaving behind seven sons who, although young in years, were mature in mind. Out of respect for their parents, the kings allowed them to profess their father’s faith and fearlessly glorify their Christ. Therefore, they had their own presbyter, named Anthony, from whose hands they received the Holy Sacraments. It was to them that God, in a special revelation, commanded them to go together with their presbyter to prison and visit Julian and Kelsia who were there. When they went there at night, an angel walked before them, at one touch of which the prison doors opened, and they, entering the prison, kissed the holy prisoners and began to pray to God with them. The presbyter baptized the blessed youth Kelsius, the son of the ruler, and twenty soldiers, and seven of those brothers were inflamed with jealousy for their common suffering for Christ and did not want to leave prison. Having learned about this, the hegemon was amazed that those who were allowed by the kings to freely profess the Christian faith themselves went into prison and torment, and, calling the brothers to him, he exhorted them for a long time to go home and glorify their Christ as they please, since they were given such permission from the kings. But they longed for bonds and prison, and did not want freedom.
“The gold that has not been previously melted down and purified in a crucible is not suitable for a royal crown,” they said. Likewise, we will not be worthy of our Christ if our faith in Him is not tested like gold. There is little value in a tree that is decorated only with leaves, but does not bear fruit. Likewise, we will not be pleasing to our Christ if we do not bring Him the beautiful fruits of our faith.
Then the ruler ordered their wishes to be fulfilled, and he himself promised to report them to the king.
So, the blessed youths returned from the ruler not home, but to prison, to Saints Julian and Kelsius and twenty soldiers, and Presbyter Anthony went with them. The governor sent a report to the kings about Julian, about his son Kelsia, about the soldiers and about those seven brothers. After a little time, a command came from the kings to burn everyone who showed invincible persistence; If, thanks to their charms, they save themselves from the effects of fire, then let the ruler himself kill them as he finds convenient. Having received such a command from the kings, the governor ordered that a trial seat be set up in the middle of the city and, sitting down before the people, he ordered that Saint Julian be brought before him with all his retinue, with Kelsius, seven brothers, presbyter Anthony and twenty soldiers. He began to exhort them to worship idols, pointing out to them the royal command that demanded their execution if they did not repent. But they boldly stood in the right faith, claiming that the Heavenly King had determined eternal destruction for idolaters unless they repented; and so a long time passed in mutual bickering.
At this time, one dead man was being carried past the court for burial, and the ruler, seeing this dead man, ordered him to be brought to him and laid before him. The people were at a loss, not knowing what the ruler intended to do with that dead man.
And the governor said to Saint Julian:
“They say about your teacher, Christ, that before He was crucified He raised the dead. Raise this dead man, as your Teacher did, and then it will be clear whether He really is God.
Saint Julian responded:
“What good is it for a blind man to be told that the sun rises?”
“Leave your sayings,” said the ruler, “and if you and your God have the power, then raise this dead man, as I told you.”
And Saint Julian said in response:
- Although your unbelief is unworthy to see such a miracle from the Lord, however, you will see it now, since the time has already come for His Divine power to appear, and for you to know that God can do it. I hope that the Lord will send me everything that I ask of Him with faith and will not disgrace me before you.
Having said this, Saint Julian raised his eyes and heart to heaven and prayed loudly, while his face shone with light.
And he said this prayer:
- Lord Jesus Christ, True Son of God, - You, Who was born of the Father before the ages, and after the appointed time was fulfilled, received human flesh without seed, from the Most Pure Virgin Mary! Look down now from heavenly heights, so that Your enemies may be ashamed and those who believe in You may be strengthened! Hear me now from Your heavenly throne and raise this dead man, so that the living do not die in spirit, and the dead in spirit come to life, seeing Your omnipotence.
He prayed like this for some time, and then, turning to the deceased, he said:
“I say to you, dry earth, in the name of the One who raised four-day-old Lazarus: rise up and stand on your feet.”
As soon as the Saint said this, the dead man immediately came to life and stood up and all the people were horrified. The resurrected One loudly proclaimed:
– Oh, how omnipotent are the prayers of the servant of God and his immaculate virginity! For where were they taking me and where was I brought back from?
Ruler Markian looked attentively at what was happening and was surprised, but since he was blinded by a demon, he did not see the action of the power of Christ here, but attributed everything to magic. Then, wanting to laugh at the resurrected man, he asked him:
-Where did you come from?
But he began to answer him in detail with these words:
“I was led by unknown Ethiopians of gigantic stature, terrible in appearance and with fiery eyes, with teeth like a lion, with claws like an eagle, from whom, apparently, no mercy could be expected. Rejoicing, they dragged me to hell, but when I found myself at the very entrance to the abyss, those Ethiopians began to expect the burial of my body, which was taken from the earth. But suddenly all hell fell into confusion and a voice was heard from the throne of God:
- For the sake of My beloved Julian, let this soul return to its body!
And immediately two people in white robes came and, taking me from the hands of the unclean, returned me to this world, so that through the One who raised me, I could know after death the True God, Whom I denied during life.
Hearing this, the ruler was confused and did not know what to do; but then, fearing confusion in the crowd of people, he ordered the resurrected man, along with Saint Julian and other saints, to be taken to prison and to seal the doors of the prison with his personal ring. There in the dungeon, St. Julian ordered Blessed Anthony the presbyter to baptize the resurrected one, and in holy baptism this latter received the name Anastasius, which means, translated from Greek, “resurrected.”
The next morning, Governor Marcian ordered to prepare thirty-one tar barrels, according to the number of holy martyrs, and fill them halfway with tar and sulfur, while preparing a large supply of firewood and brushwood for burning the saints. When everything was prepared, the bound passion-bearers of Christ were brought out of prison, and Julian and Kelsius were tied together. Many of the people could not help but cry, regretting that such young and beautiful youths were going to their deaths, innocent of anything. Saint Julian told them:
– Do not prevent gold from passing through fire so that it is even purer!
The ruler did not want to look at the burning of his son, about which he was tormented in his heart, and, leaving his governor to carry out the royal order, he left in sorrow. Then they put each saint in a barrel of tar prepared for him and then, having lined all the barrels with firewood, rubbish and brushwood, they lit them. The flames from these barrels rose up to thirty cubits in height, but the saints stood in the middle of the fire, sang and praised God. When the barrels burned down, and the whole fire, it turned out that the saints remained alive, safe and sound, and that their faces shone with joy. All the people, seeing this, were struck with surprise, and when this was reported to the ruler, he hastened to see it with his own eyes and, having convinced himself, came to complete bewilderment. However, he again ordered the saints to be taken to prison, where his wife, mother Kelsia, hastened to come, having learned that her son remained alive and unharmed. Seeing her son, she believed in Christ and was baptized in prison by Presbyter Anthony. Her name was Marionilla. The ruler, soon learning that his wife had accepted Christian baptism, imprisoned her too.
Then, sitting down at the trial seat, he ordered twenty soldiers and seven brothers to be executed with the sword of the saints, and the youths Julian and Kelsius, as well as the presbyter Anthony, Anastasius and his wife Marionilla, decided to judge again, and therefore left them in bonds.
When the day of judgment arrived, the saints pretended that they were obeying the will of the king and the advice of the ruler and wanted to worship idols. For this reason, they were joyfully led to the idol temple, but when the procession approached the temple, Saint Julian turned to God with prayer - immediately the temple fell and crushed all the priests who were in it and up to a thousand other people. The very ground on which the temple stood split apart, and the fire coming out of the clefts devoured the pagans approaching them. After this, the saints were again taken to prison, where, during prayer, a great multitude of martyrs who had suffered before them appeared in radiance, dressed in white robes and singing heavenly hymns. Among them were twenty warriors and seven brothers who had recently been beheaded by the sword. Saint Basilissa also appeared with all her face of holy virgins and announced to Saint Julian that he and his retinue would soon accomplish a feat, end his life and triumphantly enter the heavenly villages.
“It is open to you,” she said, “the Kingdom of Heaven and our Lord Jesus Christ will take you to Himself, as well as those with you; The faces of patriarchs, prophets, apostles and martyrs will come out to meet you in triumph, and you will remain with them forever.
Having said this, she became invisible, and with her all the saints who had appeared left, leaving the prisoners in indescribable joy and spiritual joy.
After this, the tormentor again sat down at the judgment seat and, bringing out the saints, gave them over to various torments. First, he ordered to wrap yarn dipped in oil around their fingers and toes and set the yarn on fire; but the yarn on the hands and feet of the saints burned away without causing them any harm. Then he ordered the skin to be torn off the heads of Saint Julian and Kelsius, and the eyes of the blessed presbyter Anthony and Anastasius to be gouged out. When they wanted to torture Saint Marionilla, the executioners’ hands became dead and they did not touch her. After this, the saints were given over to be devoured by beasts, but they were also preserved from the beasts by the power of God, which stopped the mouths of the beasts. Finally, the ruler ordered that criminals condemned to death be collected from all prisons in order to execute the holy martyrs along with them. And when this command was fulfilled, he ordered everyone to be taken to execution, and together with the martyrs, without sparing his son and wife. Thus the saints died, being beheaded with the sword along with the criminals. Immediately after the execution carried out on them, an earthquake began, which destroyed a whole third of the city buildings, and not a single place where any idol stood survived. At the same time, lightning flashed, thunder rumbled and hail fell, and many pagans died from the thunderstorm. Ruler Marcian at first almost died of fear, and then soon fell ill and actually died: he was eaten by worms that had formed in his body.
The next night, after the execution of the saints, priests and pious men came to collect the bodies of the martyrs. But since these holy bodies were in the midst of many corpses, they could not recognize them and, kneeling down, began to pray. And so the souls of the saints appeared to them in the form of virgins, each soul being with its own body. Having recognized through this the holy bodies of the martyrs, those who came collected them and buried them in the temple, under the altar. God, who glorifies His saints, commanded a source of living and healing water to open in the place where the bodies of the holy martyrs were buried, and all diseases were healed by that water and the prayers of the saints, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
