Martyr4th century

1 003 Martyrs of Nicomedia

Martyred 303

Also known as Bassos · Eusebius · Eutychius · Basilides

One thousand and three men, women, and children, the households of the dignitaries Bassos, Eusebius, Eutychius, and Basilides, who confessed Christ and were cut down by soldiers at Nicomedia in 303 under Diocletian.

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Commemorated as

The Holy One Thousand and Three Martyrs of Nicomedia

Life

The 1,003 Martyrs of Nicomedia were a body of men, women, and children who confessed Christ and were put to death together at Nicomedia in 303, during the persecution under the emperor Diocletian. They are commemorated collectively by the Orthodox Church on February 7.

According to the synaxarion, they were the servants of four dignitaries of Nicomedia named Bassos, Eusebius, Eutychius, and Basilides. After their masters were martyred for Christ, the servants resolved to follow their example, openly professed their faith, and shared in the same death.

Troparion1 hymnReadHide

TroparionTone 4

Your holy martyrs O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Contributions & Legacy

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Persecution at Nicomedia

Nicomedia, in Bithynia in Asia Minor (modern Izmit, Turkey), was an imperial residence and a principal stage of the persecution that began in 303 under Diocletian, the campaign historians call the Great Persecution. Its opening acts included the destruction of the city's chief Christian church and the burning of the Scriptures.

The synaxarion places the death of the four dignitaries Bassos, Eusebius, Eutychius, and Basilides, together with their wives, in this setting in 303; their households followed them in confession and martyrdom.

Martyrdom

Moved by the witness of their masters, the servants declared themselves Christians before Diocletian and could not be turned aside by persuasion, promises, or rewards. The synaxarion relates that 1,003 men, women, and small children were cut down by soldiers who closed in a tight circle around them, so that none was left alive.

The four masters, with their wives, are commemorated on January 5, while the company of their households is commemorated together on February 7.

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The four dignitaries of Nicomedia, martyred with their wives in 303, whose servants make up the 1,003; commemorated January 5.

Martyrs BassusEusebius, Eutychius and Basilides

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Feb 7