Vasilissa, Martyr

Infobox Saint
name=Holy Martyr Vasilissa
birth_date=300
death_date=309
feast_day=September 16
venerated_in=Russian Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church


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death_place=Nicomedia
titles=Child Saint
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prayer="Strengthened by the power of faith,/ thou didst contend for Christ our God, O glorious Vasilissa;/ thou didst endure every affliction/ and by thy courage didst shame the pagan gods./ We beseech thee to deliver us from the power of the evil one." |prayer_attrib=Troparion, Tone 4

Vasilissa (300–309) is venerated as a child martyr by the Christian Church. According to tradtion, 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.

She was also tortured with fire and before wild beasts, yet remained unscathed. Her torturer, Alexander, seeing these wonders, repented and became a Christian. Vasilissa went out into a field, fell on her knees and prayed to God, thanking Him for her endurance under torture, and, while thus praying, was killed. She died in 309.

References

* [http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/saints/vasilissa_martyr.htm Holy Martyr Vasilissa] from Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church