(3RD CENT.)
[Latin Martyrologies Jan. 24; Greek Menaea Sept. 4. Authorities:
Eusebius, Sozomen, Philostorgius; and his Acts, written by
Leontius, patriarch of Antioch, A.D. 348, which exist only in a
fragmentary condition; also S. Chrysostom: Contra Gentiles de S.
Babyla, and Hom. de S. Babyla; the latter written in 387.]
On the death of Zebinus, patriarch of Antioch, in the year 237, S.
Babylus was elected to the patriarchal throne. The Emperor Philip,
passing through Antioch in 244, and being, as is supposed, a catechumen,
desired to visit the church. Babylus, informed of his approach, went to
meet him at the gate, and forbade his ingress, because he was stained
with the blood of his predecessor, Gordian, who had associated him in
the empire, and whom he had basely murdered.
According to S. Chrysostom, who relates this anecdote, the Emperor
withdrew in confusion. But according to the Acts it was not the Emperor
Philip, but the governor, Numerian, who attempted to enter the church,
but was repulsed as being an idolator and stained with murder, by the
dauntless Bishop; and Nicephorus Callistus, and Philostorgius say the
same. Certain it is that S. Babylus suffered under this governor
Numerian, son of Carus, who was afterwards, for eight months, emperor,
conjointly with his brother Carinus. Babylus, and three little boys,
aged respectively twelve, nine, and seven, orphans, whom he brought up
in his house, were so cruelly handled by the torturers before the
governor, that the boys died, and Babylus expired shortly after in
prison. In order to put a stop to the abominations of the famous temple
and oracle of Daphne, the zealous Emperor Gallus, brother of Julian,
buried the body of S. Babylus opposite the temple gate. From that day
the oracle ceased to speak. The apostate Emperor Julian ordered its
removal, in hopes of restoring liberty to the demon who uttered the
oracles, and the Christians translated the sacred relics to the city,
"singing psalms along the road," says Sozomen. "The best singers went
first, and the multitude chanted in chorus, and this was the burden of
their song: _Confounded are all they that worship carved images, and
delight in vain gods._"[121]