Holy Martyr Babylas of Nicomedia and with Him the Eighty-Four Youths (†305–311) — September 4 / September 17 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 4 according to the Julian Calendar (September 17 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Martyr Babylas of Nicomedia.

The Holy Martyr Babylas of Nicomedia and with him the eighty-four youths suffered martyrdom for the confession of Christ in the city of Nicomedia during the reign of the lawless Maximian (284–305; 307–310). When the emperor, having arrived in Nicomedia, began a persecution of the Orthodox, the teacher Babylas, who was raising children in the love of the Savior and in piety, was denounced along with other Christians. Saint Babylas courageously confessed the true faith before the impious authorities, for which cruel tortures were inflicted upon him. During his torments the martyr ceaselessly cried out to God: “I thank You, O Lord, for You have made me, who am aged and feeble, young and strong.” The God-haters stoned the Lord’s chosen one and then threw him into prison.

After this the saint’s pupils too were brought before the emperor, but neither gentle persuasion nor the promise of gifts could shake the children’s faith. Two of them, Ammonius and Donatus, firmly declared: “We are Christians, and we will not offer sacrifice to demons!” Enraged by the unexpected answer from the children, the autocrat ordered that all of them be beheaded together with their teacher. On his final journey Babylas gave thanks to the Lord in song.