EDESIUS, saint, martyr. – The history of this martyr is known to us from Eusebius; born at Araxa in Lycia around the middle of the 3rd century to a noble and wealthy but pagan family, he studied philosophy together with his brother Aphinus at Berytus, where he probably embraced the Christian faith. For this faith he endured imprisonment during the persecution of Diocletian and was also condemned to the mines in Palestine. Once freed, he was in Alexandria when, in 306, Maximinus resumed the persecution. Witnessing the trials of Christians, he was righteously indignant at the judge’s cruelties and openly confronted him, reproaching him for his ferocity. He was therefore seized, subjected to bitter tortures, and then thrown into the sea. He is commemorated on 8 April.
Edesius, Saint, Martyr
BIBL.: Eusebius, De martyribus Palestinæ, s. see also ch. 4: PG 20, cols. 1478–80; Acta SS. Aprilis, I. Paris 1866, p. 743; Martyr. Romanum, p. 130.
Cite this article
“EDESIO, SANTO, MARTIRE.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. V (1950), p. 68. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/edesio-santo-martire.