The Holy Martyr Barbarus the Soldier and Those with Him, in the Morea
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Military Service
Life
Saint Barbarus the Soldier and his companions were Christian soldiers of the fourth century who served in the Roman army during the reign of the emperor Julian the Apostate. Barbarus, who held his faith secretly, distinguished himself in battle against the Franks before openly confessing Christ and refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods.
His steadfastness under torture moved his commander, Bacchus, and two fellow soldiers, Callimachus and Dionysius, to confess Christ as well. All four were put to death by beheading in the year 362. They are commemorated together on May 6, and Barbarus is remembered in the Morea, where his relics were laid to rest at Methone in the Peloponnesus.
Timeline 4 moments
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Fourth centuryService under Julian the ApostateBarbarus served in the army of the emperor Julian the Apostate, holding, according to tradition, the rank of comitus. Though a soldier of the empire, he was secretly a Christian.
During the war with the FranksVictory in single combatIn a campaign against the Franks, Barbarus met a mighty enemy warrior in single combat. By tradition he prayed inwardly to the Lord, went out, and defeated the giant, causing the Frankish forces to retreat and earning military honor.
After the victoryConfession of ChristWhen the commander Bacchus called for sacrifice to the pagan gods and deferred to the victor for the first offering, Barbarus openly confessed himself a Christian and refused to sacrifice. Bacchus reported him to the emperor, who ordered him severely tortured.
362Martyrdom of the fourWitnessing the miracles worked during Barbarus's torments, Bacchus, Callimachus, and Dionysius confessed Christ and were beheaded. After further torture, Barbarus too was beheaded by the sword in the year 362.
Contributions & Legacy
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Confession and Martyrdom
Barbarus's confession came at the height of his standing in the army. Having won single combat against a formidable Frankish warrior, he was honored as the victor and invited to make the first offering at a sacrifice to the pagan gods. Instead of accepting the honor, he declared himself a Christian and refused to sacrifice. His commander Bacchus reported this to Julian the Apostate, who ordered him subjected to severe tortures.
The accounts relate that he was suspended and his flesh torn, and that he was bound to a wheel over a fire and treated with oil. By tradition the torments were attended by miracles: an angel is said to have healed him, and the fire turned upon the torturers. Seeing these things, the commander Bacchus and the soldiers Callimachus and Dionysius believed in Christ and were immediately beheaded. After several more days of torture, Barbarus was beheaded by the sword in the year 362.
Relics & Shrines
According to the synaxarion, the relics of Saint Barbarus were buried in the city of Methone (Methona) in the Peloponnesus, and he is commemorated in the Morea.
A Note on the Name
Barbarus the Soldier is distinct from another Saint Barbarus, a former robber and myrrh-gusher, who is also commemorated on May 6. The two are separate persons remembered on the same day.
His companions & kin
Fellow soldiers martyred with Barbarus, beheaded after confessing Christ at his witness.
