January 9 + Saints Julian and Basilissa

Julian and Basilissa, though married, lived by mutual consent in perpetual chastity. They sanctified themselves by the most perfect exercises of an ascetic life, and employed their revenues in relieving the poor and the sick. For this purpose they converted their house into a kind of hospital, in which they sheltered up to a thousand poor people.

Basilissa cared for the women in separate lodgings, and Julian, who for his charity is known as the Hospitaler, cared for the men. Others gathered, monks and sisters to work with Julian and Basilissa.

The sisters and monks provided daily food and care to the ill, poor, and dying, and accepted no money in return. As their hospital was located in Egypt, and many were introduced to the faith through their work, conversions were numerous. As word spread of their heroic and Christian work, they attracted the attention of those who were actively persecuting Christianity.

Egypt was in those days blessed with people who devoted themselves to the most perfect exercises of charity, penance, and mortification. Conversions were numerous, and persecutions by furious pagans followed as the numbers of Christians increased. Basilissa, after having survived seven persecutions, died in peace, foretelling to her husband that he would die a martyr. Julian lived afterwards for a number of years, but eventually received the crown of martyrdom in 313. His interrogation and his tortures were accompanied by astonishing prodigies and numerous conversions.

When Julian died, thirty-one others, died with him. Spared by fire and wild beasts, Julian finally was decapitated. His tomb became illustrious by many great miracles, including the cure of ten lepers on the same day.