|
Commemorated on April 13
The Holy Martyr
Criscentios was descended from an illustrious family and lived in Lycian
Myra. One time, when a throng of city inhabitants were on the way to the pagan
temple, he began to urge them to forsake paganism and come to Christ. This
incident became known to the city governor.
When the governor
asked the saint about his parentage, the saint – not wishing to bring
unpleasantness to his parents – said nothing except that he was a christian.
The governor knew the father of Saint Criscentios and wanting to do him a
favour, he suggested to Saint Criscentios to offer sacrifice to idols only in
appearance, while in soul remaining a christian.
To this the holy
martyr boldly answered: "It would be impossible for the body not to do
that which the soul thinks, since the soul governs and moves the body".
They beat the holy martyr Criscentios and gnashed at him with iron, and then
burnt him in a flaming bon-fire.
Sainted Andrew of
Crete (+ 740, Comm. 4 July) mentions about the Martyr Criscentios in his Sermon
on the day of memory of Sainted Nicholas the Wonderworker – 6 December – also
of Lycian Myra.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
|
Close window |