Commemoration Day of
St. Demetrius the Martyr
and St. Basiliscus the Priest
St. Demetrius the Proconsul
St. Demetrius was born in Thessalonica (Salonika) into a noble family.
Raised in the Christian faith, he was a virtuous and courageous young man. He boldly preached the Gospel wherever he went and had already converted many people to Christianity.
He was eventually denounced before Emperor Maximinus, a persecutor of Christians.
When Demetrius refused to renounce his faith, he was put to death by a spear thrust in 303 AD, thus receiving the crown of martyrdom.
The Greek and Latin Churches also commemorate alongside him a martyr named Nestor.
According to tradition, Nestor was martyred after confronting a giant wrestler who was a favorite of Emperor Maximinus. This wrestler, like the biblical Goliath, was capable of killing a man with a single blow and was used to carry out death sentences against Christians.
St. Demetrius is one of the most widely revered and beloved saints in the Greek Orthodox tradition.
The Armenian Church commemorates St. Demetrius on the ninth Tuesday following the Feast of the Holy Cross.
St. Basiliscus, or Basil, the Priest
In the Armenian Church calendar, this saint is commemorated under the name Basiliscus the Priest.
The Greek and Latin Churches recognize two or three saints named Basiliscus; however, none of them is identified as a priest.
Likewise, the Armenian Yaysmawurk (Synaxarion, or collection of the lives of the saints) contains no account of a priest named Basiliscus.
Consequently, the most reasonable identification is with Basil the Presbyter, who is commemorated in the Greek and Latin traditions. This identification was also made by Patriarch Torgom.
According to this tradition, Basil was one of the presbyters of Ancyra (modern-day Ankara).
During the persecutions under Emperor Julian, he encouraged the Christians of his city and the surrounding regions to remain steadfast, endure their trials, and not weaken in their faith.
He was eventually arrested and brought before the emperor.
There, he courageously defended the Christian faith.
For his unwavering confession of Christ, he was subjected to extraordinarily severe and almost unbearable tortures.
He ultimately surrendered his soul to God while enduring these sufferings, receiving the crown of martyrdom.
The Armenian Church commemorates St. Basiliscus (Basil) the Priest on the ninth Tuesday following the Feast of the Holy Cross.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
~ Proverbs 15:33-16:7 ~
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.
The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord; be assured, they will not go unpunished. By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil. When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
~ Hosea 14:8-9 ~
What have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; your faithfulness comes from me. Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
~ Titus 3:3-8 ~
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone.
~ Holy Gospel of St. Mark 13:9-13 ~
"As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.