Holy Confessor Basilissa of Nicomedia (†309) — September 3 / September 16 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 3 according to the Julian Calendar (September 16 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Confessor Basilissa of Nicomedia.

The holy confessor Basilissa of Nicomedia suffered for Christ during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian (284–305), when she was a girl of only nine years. She boldly confessed Christ before Alexander, the governor of Nicomedia. The governor at first tried to win her over with flattery, but then, enraged by the girl’s firmness, ordered that she be tortured. The blessed one was cruelly scourged, hung over a fire, thrown into a burning furnace, and cast to wild beasts to be torn apart—yet, protected by the grace of God, she came through all these torments unharmed.

This miracle convinced Alexander of the omnipotence of the Lord: he fell at the feet of the holy child and begged her forgiveness and her intercession before the Lord. Saint Basilissa joyfully glorified God. A bishop was summoned, who instructed Alexander and enrolled him among the catechumens, and the governor spent the rest of his life in piety. Saint Basilissa peacefully gave up her soul to the Lord in the year 309.