February 2, 2024 - Toba 24, 1740

Martyrdom of Anba Bisada the Priest

On this day also, St. Bisada was martyred. His father was from El-Kase and his mother, who was the daughter of one of the pagan priests, was from Ehreet. She was a believer in the Lord Christ. When the son of a pagan priest asked her to marry him, she took flight to El-Kase where she married a farmer, and God gave her a son whom she called Bisada. They brought him up in the fear of the Lord and in the keeping of His Commandments. When St. Bisada was twenty years old, his father departed and left him a great wealth. St. Bisada increased in the deeds of charity and righteousness. When Emperor Diocletian issued his decree of worshipping the idols, the saint hid himself in his home, and continued to worship God. A voice came to him from heaven saying, Why are you delaying? Immediately, he rushed to the governor and confessed his faith saying, I am a Christian. The Governor ordered him be tortured by beating with whips, hitting his head with pins, pulling out his nails, and dipping his fingers in vinegar and lime. He endured the torture for several days with great patience, and the Lord Christ healed all his wounds. St. Bisada performed several miracles, and the Governor became weary of torturing him; he chained him and sent him to the Governor of El-Fayyoum. There St. Bisadai raised a child from the dead. A large stone had fallen on the child while standing beside a wall. The bishop of the City of El-Fayyoum heard about St.Bisada, brought him and ordained him a priest. Then he went back to reappear before the Governor of El-Fayyoum who tortured him, then sent him to Alexandria where he received the crown of martyrdom. St. Julius El-Akfahsi (who wrote the biographies of saints) took his body and gave it to his mother who was present. She returned with the body to her home town, Ehreet, and all the people of the town received the body of St. Bisada with joy, and buried him with great honor. They built a church after his name, and the Lord performed many miracles through his body.May His prayers be with us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen