EDESIUS, Saint, Martyr. — The story of this martyr is known to us from Eusebius; he was born at Araxa in Lycia about the middle of the 3rd century, of a noble and wealthy but pagan family. He studied philosophy together with his brother Aphthonius at Beirut, where he probably embraced the Christian faith. For this he was imprisoned during the persecution of Diocletian and was also condemned to the mines in Palestine. After his release, he was in Alexandria when in 306 Maximian resumed the persecution. Witnessing the trials of Christians, he was righteously indignant at the judge’s cruelty and openly reproached him for his ferocity. For this he was seized, subjected to harsh torments, and then cast into the sea. He is commemorated on April 8.
EDESIO, SANTO, MARTIRE
BIBL.: Eusebius, De martyribus Palaestinae, 5; cf. also ch. 4. PG 20, cols. 1478–80; Acta SS. Aprilis. I. Pavini 1866, p. 743; Martyrologium Romanum, p. 130.