Kingdom Parables

M. M. NINAN
Cyril, bishop of Gortyna, walked cheerfully to the place of execution,
and underwent his martyrdom with great fortitude.
The persecution raged in no place more than the Island of Crete; for the
governor, being exceedingly active in executing the imperial decrees, that
place streamed with pious blood.
Babylas, a Christian of a liberal education, became bishop of Antioch, A.
D. 237, on the demise of Zebinus. He acted with inimitable zeal, and
governed the Church with admirable prudence during the most
tempestuous times. The first misfortune that happened to Antioch
during his mission, was the siege of it by Sapor, king of Persia; who,
having overrun all Syria, took and plundered this city among others, and
used the Christian inhabitants with greater severity than the rest, but was
soon totally defeated by Gordian.
After Gordian's death, in the reign of Decius, that emperor came to
Antioch, where, having a desire to visit an assembly of Christians,
Babylas opposed him, and absolutely refused to let him come in. The
emperor dissembled his anger at that time; but soon sending for the
bishop, he sharply reproved him for his insolence, and then ordered him
to sacrifice to the pagan deities as an expiation for his offense. This
being refused, he was committed to prison, loaded with chains, treated
with great severities, and then beheaded, together with three young men
who had been his pupils. A. D. 251.
Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem, about this time was cast into prison on
account of his religion, where he died through the severity of his
confinement.
Origen, the celebrated presbyter and catchiest of Alexandria, at the age
of sixty-four, was seized, thrown into a loathsome prison, laden with
fetters, his feet placed in the stocks, and his legs extended to the utmost
for several successive days. He was threatened with fire, and tormented
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