Vasilissa

Who was Vasilissa?

Vasilissa is venerated as a child martyr by the Christian Church. According to tradition, 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.