Martyr Dasius of Durostorum

Dasius was a Roman soldier stationed at Durostorum (modern Silistra, Bulgaria) in the province of Lower Moesia. By pagan custom, thirty days before the feast of Saturnalia a soldier was chosen by lot to play the "king" of the festival — granted royal honors and license for the duration — only to be ritually sacrificed to Saturn at the festival's end.

The lot fell to Dasius, said to be the most handsome youth in the garrison; but as a Christian he refused to take part in the licentious revelries and openly professed his faith, overturning the pagan trappings of the role.

Brought before the legate Bassus, he refused to sacrifice to the gods or to the emperor's image, and after severe torture was beheaded on November 20. Dasius was the first of twelve martyrs to suffer at Durostorum during the Diocletianic persecution.

His martyrdom is recorded in the ancient Greek "Acta Dasii," dated to between the 4th and 6th centuries.

His feast is kept on November 20/December 3.

NOTE: a competing identification was considered and set aside — Dasius, companion of Martyrs Gaius and Zoticus of Nicomedia (different date, October 21/November 3, different story — false accusation of arson and drowning) — this Durostorum tradition is far more thoroughly attested (Acta Dasii). The entry's former sole image turned out to be an icon of St. Nicholas of Myra — entirely unrelated, removed.