Martyrs of Alexandria under Decius

The Martyrs of Alexandria under Decius were a number of Christians (Julian, Eunos [Chronion], Beza, Justus, Macarius etc.)

According to the Great Synaxaristes, the martyrs were Coïntas (Quintus), Mitras, Nemesion, Ptolemy, Theophilos, Igenis, Isidoros, Claudius, Epimachus, Eutropios, Zenon, Heron, Ammon, Atir, Besas, Dioskouros, Alexander, Cronion, Julian, Macarius and 13 other martyrs.

On October 30 the Roman Martryology notes a special festival, kept in honour of the thirteen Martyrs who suffered (it would seem) at Alexandria, together with a Saint Macarius, under the Emperor Decius (A.D. 250).

Besas, a soldier in guard over them, was condemned and executed merely for having sought to shield them from the insults and outrages of the heathen mob.

SAINT DIONYSIUS, bishop of Alexandria, in a letter describing the sufferings of his church during the persecutions of Decius, after having lamented the apostacy of some, adds: "But others remained firm and blessed pillars of the Lord, confirmed by the Lord himself, and receiving of Him strength suited to their measure of faith, proved admirable witnesses of His kingdom.

Of these, the one immediately denied his faith, but the other, named Chronion, surnamed Eunus, and the aged Julian himself, having confessed the Lord, were carried on camels through the whole city, a very large one, as you know, and were scourged, and finally consumed in an immense fire, in the midst of a crowd of spectators.

[6]The hagiographer Alban Butler (1710–1773) wrote in his Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints under February 27, SS.

WHEN the persecution of Decius filled the city of Alexandria with dread and terror, many, especially among the nobles, the rich, and those who held any places in the state, sacrificed to idols, but pale and trembling, so as to show they had neither courage to die, nor heart to sacrifice.

Julian who was grievously afflicted with the gout, and one of his servants, called Chronion, were set on the backs of camels, and cruelly scourged through the whole city, and at length were consumed by fire.