Basilides (1)

Basilides (1),

saint and martyr, was an officer of the guards of Aquila, governor of Egypt, who was ordered to guard the virgin martyr Potamiaena, and to carry her to execution. On the way to the scene of her torment, when the heathen multitude pressed upon her, and polluted her chaste ears with filthy and obscene words, Basilides honorably and kindly compelled them to fall back. In return for this the holy virgin promised that, when she was gone hence, she would entreat the Lord for him. Accordingly, some time after her death, Basilides confessed himself to be a Christian, and was carried before the judge. When urged by some Christians to explain the circumstances which had led to such a determination, he declared that Potamimena, three days after her martyrdom, came and stood over him in the night, and placed a crown upon his head, saying that she had prayed for him, and that he would soon be called away. He was brought a second time before the judge, and, remaining resolute in the faith, was ordered to be executed; and accordingly he was beheaded at Alexandria. Eusebius, from whom the above is taken, declares that the virgin martyr appeared in the same manner to multitudes of others about that time, all of whom were converted (Hist. Eccles. 6:5, 8).