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E02684: The Greek Martyrdom of *Babylas (bishop and martyr of Antioch), of the 5th c. or later, recounts the martyrdom by decapitation of the saint and *Three Children (S00319) in Antioch (Syria). Probably written in Antioch.
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posted on 2017-04-10, 00:00 authored by dlambertMartyrdom of Babylas (BHG 205)
Summary:
§ 1: The emperor Numerian sacrifices to demons and attempts to enter the church, but Babylas stands at the gate and prohibits his entrance. Numerian has him arrested.
§ 2: Next day, the emperor sits at the palace and summons Babylas. The latter warns him about his betrayal of God.
§ 3: Babylas continues his teaching about the true God.
§ 4: Numerian demands that Babylas offer sacrifice. They converse about the nature of god and man.
§ 5: Numerian orders the dux Viktorinos to put fetters on Babylas’ neck and legs. The saint gives thanks to God.
§ 6: Numerian calls Babylas a teacher of fools (νήπιοι/nepioi; the word is synonymous for a young child/toddler in Greek), and the bishop states that he is indeed a teacher of fools/children, and has three young children, being raised by him. They demonstrate great steadfastness in the faith.
§ 7: Numerian summons the children and their mother, Theodoule. The emperor has her flogged, but the children protest that she is of noble birth. They confirm that have been raised by Babylas. Theodoule reports that her sons are twelve, nine, and seven years old.
§ 8: Numerian threatens Babylas that he will have him decapitated unless he sacrifices. Babylas mocks the pagan gods.
§ 9: The three children are suspended for torture, while Babylas wears his heavy fetters. The children reproach Numerian for torturing Babylas.
§ 10: Numerian has Babylas closed in a cell, and talks to the children alone. They refuse to apostatise.
§ 11: Numerian interrogates Babylas about the children. He admits that they are his children in God, but not his natural children, because he has never been with a woman. Numerian demands that he apostatise and convince the children to do the same. Babylas threatens him that he will be defeated by the barbarians.
§ 12: Numerian resolves that Babylas and the children be decapitated. Babylas declares that he wishes to be buried with his fetters as a reminder of this tyrant. He is taken together with the children to his martyrdom, offering up prayers of thanks. The children are decapitated first, followed by Babylas. His head is buried with his chains.
Text: Papadopoulos-Kerameus and Latyshev 1907. Summary: E. Rizos.
Summary:
§ 1: The emperor Numerian sacrifices to demons and attempts to enter the church, but Babylas stands at the gate and prohibits his entrance. Numerian has him arrested.
§ 2: Next day, the emperor sits at the palace and summons Babylas. The latter warns him about his betrayal of God.
§ 3: Babylas continues his teaching about the true God.
§ 4: Numerian demands that Babylas offer sacrifice. They converse about the nature of god and man.
§ 5: Numerian orders the dux Viktorinos to put fetters on Babylas’ neck and legs. The saint gives thanks to God.
§ 6: Numerian calls Babylas a teacher of fools (νήπιοι/nepioi; the word is synonymous for a young child/toddler in Greek), and the bishop states that he is indeed a teacher of fools/children, and has three young children, being raised by him. They demonstrate great steadfastness in the faith.
§ 7: Numerian summons the children and their mother, Theodoule. The emperor has her flogged, but the children protest that she is of noble birth. They confirm that have been raised by Babylas. Theodoule reports that her sons are twelve, nine, and seven years old.
§ 8: Numerian threatens Babylas that he will have him decapitated unless he sacrifices. Babylas mocks the pagan gods.
§ 9: The three children are suspended for torture, while Babylas wears his heavy fetters. The children reproach Numerian for torturing Babylas.
§ 10: Numerian has Babylas closed in a cell, and talks to the children alone. They refuse to apostatise.
§ 11: Numerian interrogates Babylas about the children. He admits that they are his children in God, but not his natural children, because he has never been with a woman. Numerian demands that he apostatise and convince the children to do the same. Babylas threatens him that he will be defeated by the barbarians.
§ 12: Numerian resolves that Babylas and the children be decapitated. Babylas declares that he wishes to be buried with his fetters as a reminder of this tyrant. He is taken together with the children to his martyrdom, offering up prayers of thanks. The children are decapitated first, followed by Babylas. His head is buried with his chains.
Text: Papadopoulos-Kerameus and Latyshev 1907. Summary: E. Rizos.
History
Evidence ID
E02684Saint Name
Babylas, bishop and martyr in Antioch, and his companions, ob. late 3rd c. : S00061 Three Children, martyrs of Antioch : S00319Saint Name in Source
ΒαβυλᾶςRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Greek
