The Church celebrates the memory of Martyr Basiliscus. It also commemorates Martyr Marcellus, who was martyred by being placed in molten lead, and Martyr Codratus, who was martyred by being dragged by horses.
Saint Basiliscus came from Amasya in the Black Sea Region and lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. He was a nephew of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore the Tyron and was brutally tortured for his faith in Christ just like his uncle.
He was deemed worthy by God to perform many miracles, one of which was the fall of the idol of Apollo through his prayer, to which he was forced to offer sacrifice. This great miracle did not make the ungodly Governor Agrippa repent, who ordered that he be beheaded.
The saint was beheaded in Comana Pontica, remaining faithful to the true God until his death. A beautiful temple was built on the site of his martyrdom, in which the exiled Saint John Chrysostom fell asleep in the Lord, and his holy relic remained in exile for a long time.
Source: Church of Cyprus
