Hieromartyr
Babylas of Antioch
Hieromartyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch, and those with him
New Calendar September 4 Old Calendar September 17
Why they are a saint
Babylas of Antioch, Bishop of Antioch, is kept among the saints. Babylas of Antioch was a Syrian patriarch of Antioch, who died in prison during the Decian persecution. A hieromartyr is honored for dying for Christ while serving as a pastor or, in some commemorations, as a named witness of that rank. Orthodox Christians remember his blood-witness together with the other hieromartyrs.
Limited historical information is available about this saint.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Babylas of Antioch as a patron when they bear the name Babylas at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on September 4. As a martyr, he is also asked for courage and faithfulness under trial.
Prayer
O holy Babylas of Antioch, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.