Description

Oil Dedicated to Vasilissa Child Martyr

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.

When Alexander was governor of Nicomedia, there was a persecution against the Christians. At that time Saint Vasilissa was accused of being a Christian. And Stood before Alexander. She was therefore questioned by him concerning this and then boldly responded that she was a pious Christian. For which she was struck in the face.

Having been struck she thanked God. For which she was stripped naked and beat with rods. Because the Saint thanked the Lorde even more, the governor grew angry. So he ordered that the Martyr be laid out on the ground and beaten.