Martyr Basilides of Crete

St. Basilides of Crete, from the city of Kydonia (modern-day Chania), was one of the Ten Martyrs of Crete who suffered for Christ in the 3rd century under Emperor Decius (249–251). The governor of Crete, who shared the emperor's name, harshly persecuted the Cretan Church. Ten Christians from different cities of the island were brought before him — Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, and Eunikianos of Gortyna, Zoticus of Knossos, Pompius of Lyttos, Agathopus of Panormos, Basilides of Kydonia, and Evarestus of Heraklion — who firmly confessed their faith in Christ and denounced pagan idol-worship. For thirty days they endured severe tortures, yet by God's grace bore them steadfastly. All ten were beheaded and are venerated together by the Church as a single company of martyrs.