Babylas of Antioch

About Babylas of Antioch

Babylas was Bishop of Antioch who died a martyr during the Decian persecution around 251 AD. One account tells how Babylas courageously barred Emperor Philip the Arab from entering church at Easter until he did penance for a grievous sin, demonstrating episcopal authority even over emperors. Babylas was arrested during persecution under Decius and died in chains, either from harsh imprisonment or execution. He requested to be buried in his chains. His relics were later moved to a church near Daphne, where a pagan oracle of Apollo reportedly fell silent. When Emperor Julian the Apostate tried to revive the oracle and learned Babylas's relics were the cause, he had them removed, but the oracle remained silent. Babylas's courage in confronting imperial power and his martyrdom made him highly venerated in the East.