The Holy Martyr Barbarus.

Commemorated May 6 in the Orthodox Christian Menaion

From the Prologue

Barbarus was a soldier in the time of Julian the Apostate. When the imperial commander Bacchus led the Roman army against the Franks, Barbarus was in that army, a secret Christian. In this battle there appeared a hero on the Frankish side, like the earlier Goliath, and he challenged the Romans to send one of their number out to single combat. The commander told Barbarus to go. Barbarus prayed in his heart to the living Lord, went out and conquered this giant. As a result, the Frankish army was confused and overcome. Then the commander made a great Triumph, and ordered that sacrifice be made to idols. But, at this sacrificing, he noticed that Barbarus was standing to one side. When he asked him why, Barbarus revealed that he was a Christian. The commander informed the Emperor, and the Emperor commanded that Barbarus be put to the harshest torture, which Barbarus endured with rare courage and composure. At the time of his martyrdom, many marvels were seen and many soldiers, seeing them, embraced the Christian faith. Among these was the commander Bacchus himself, with Callimachus and Dionysius. All three of them were beheaded for the name of Christ and, after them, Barbarus, in 362. Their souls went to the Kingdom of Christ the immortal King.

From The Prologue From Ochrid by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich
©1985 Lazarica Press, Birmingham UK