ST POLYCHRONIUS, BISHOP OF BABYLON, MARTYR

ST POLYCHRONIUS, BISHOP OF BABYLON, MARTYR - 17 FEBRUARY

SAINT POLYCHRONIUS, BISHOP OF BABYLON, MARTYR

Saint Polychronius, bishop and martyr appears under very different names in the martyrologies. Besides the name Polychronius there are also: Polochronius, Polocronius and Pologronius.

DECIUS CONQUERED PERSIA

He was bishop of Babylon. The story of his torture is distorted by later additions. The following has been established beyond doubt: When the emperor Decius (in power since 249) defeated the Persians, he occupied many cities and killed many Christians.

"BEFORE DEMONS... WE DO NOT BOW OUR HEADS"

In the city of Babylon he met the bishop Polychronius with the priests Parmenius, Elymas, Chrysotelus (Chysotelus) and the deacons Lucas and Mucius. He had them captured and ordered them to sacrifice to the gods. The holy bishop Polychronius said: "We offer ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ; but before demons, these images made by human hands, we do not bow our heads."

HE DID NOT SAY A WORD

The bishop was then put in prison with his clergy. In the interrogation that followed, the saint did not speak a word, which is why he was hit repeatedly on the mouth with stones, with great force and for a long period of time - until he gave up the ghost with his hands and eyes raised to heaven. His martyrdom occurred in A.D. 251.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, pp. 957-58)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Polychronius may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

FROM THE ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

Here the corresponding entry in the Roman Martyrology on this day:

"In Persia, during the persecution of Decius, the birthday of blessed Polychronius, bishop of Babylon, who, being struck in the mouth with stones, stretched out his hands, lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and expired."

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