Saint Barlaam of Antioch died in 304 A.D. He was an uneducated, elderly peasant living in a village near Antioch. During the persecution of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, he was arrested and detained for a long time in a dungeon. He was eventually sent before a judge who at his trial had him severely scourged, bound him on the rack and had him tortured to force him to renounce his faith in Christ as well as sacrifice to the idols. Instead, he was meek in answers and showed joy in his countenance. The judge then had an altar lit with a fire and had Barlaam’s right hand held over the hot coals. This he hoped, would force Barlaam to recoil his hand and the incense he held to fall on the pagan altar which will be an act of sacrifice to the idols. Instead of doing this, Barlaam endured the pain and held his hand steady until it burnt completely off. The judge then ordered his immediate death.
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| Image: Miniature from the Menologion of Basil II, Cod. Vat. Gr. 1613, Sheet 187, Vatican Apostolic Library |
