284- The Kindness of A Heathen Captain

 

St-Takla.org Image: Saint Potamiaena the martyr. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: الشهيدة بوتامينا.

The ruler named Akela asked one of the captains in the army named Basselidis to take St. Potamina to be executed. St. Potamina was one of the most famous martyrs, at the time of Emperor Sepestinous Severous. Basselidis led Potamina to the arena of martyrdom. On their way to the arena, some heathens tried to insult her but she was defended by Basselidis who showed kindness towards her. She was touched by his kindness and asked him to be brave. She told him that she would intercede to God for him after her departure from earth so that he may receive a quick recompense for his kindness towards her.

The ruler ordered that the beautiful Potamina be raped of her clothing when she would be thrown in boiling tar but Basselidis pretended that he did not understand the command and asked her to descend into the pot with her clothes on. She considered this, a great generosity from him, for her love to the life of purity and for his desire not to disgrace her in front of the crowd.

 Short time after her martyrdom, Basselidis was asked by his friends to swear for a reason. He cried that it is not lawful to swear at all confessing that he was a Christian openly. His friends thought he was joking, as heathens used to imitate Christian words and mock at them but the way he said it gave no doubt to his friends that he is truly a faithful Christian. They told Akela, who called him down to ask if it was true after being sure that he was a Christian. He released him from his duty and put him to jail.

 The Christians, including Origen, asked him about the secret behind his changes. He said that St. Potamina appeared to him three consecutive nights to assure him that what she asked for him was going to happen. He ended his life by getting the crown of martyrdom. He was martyred by beheading on the following day.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: لطف ضابط وثني.

O Lord, what You seek is love and kindness.

When it comes from a pure heart You reveal Yourself to it.

You give it truth, and offer it Your sacraments.

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