Vasilissa (child martyr) explained

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

Vasilissa (300–309) was a Roman Christian girl who 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 St. Anthimus. The torturers covered her whole body with wounds, but she remained faithful to Jesus Christ.

Life

According to Holy Tradition, 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 whilst praying, she was martyred. She died in 309.

References