Vasilissa (child martyr) explained

Honorific Prefix:Saint
Vasilissa
Василисса Никомидийская
Vasilissa of Nicomedia
Birth Date:300
Death Date:309
Feast Day:September 16
Venerated In:Russian Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Death Place:Nicomedia
Titles:Martyr, Child Saint

Vasilissa (300–309) is venerated as a child martyr by the Russian Orthodox Church. According to tradition, she was a small child when martyred, suffering in Nicomedia not long after the death of Anthimus. According to Russian Orthodox tradition, the torturers covered her whole body with wounds, but she remained faithful to Jesus Christ.

According to legend she was tortured with fire and wild beasts, yet remained unharmed. Her torturer, Alexander, seeing these wonders, repented and became a Christian. Vasilissa is said to have gone into a field, and fallen to her knees in prayer, thanking God for her endurance under torture, and she was killed while praying. She died in 309.

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