Martyr 3rd century

Martyr Crescens of Myra

3rd century

Also known as Crescens of Myra in Lycia

A man of illustrious family in Myra of Lycia who openly preached against paganism and urged his fellow citizens to turn to Christ. Brought before the prefect, he confessed his faith and was put to death by fire.

Feast Day

April 13

Also Apr 15

Draft

Draft — pending review. Not yet verified for publication.

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Crescens of Myra in Lycia

Life

Crescens was a man of illustrious family in Myra of Lycia, in Asia Minor, who openly preached against the worship of idols and urged his fellow citizens to turn to Christ. Brought before the city's prefect, he confessed his faith, refused to offer even a feigned sacrifice, and was put to death by fire. He is numbered among the pre-Nicene martyrs and is commemorated on April 13 in Slavic usage and April 15 in Greek usage.

The account preserved in the synaxarion centers on his refusal of a compromise offered him on account of his rank: though the prefect, who knew his father, proposed that he merely pretend to sacrifice while remaining a Christian inwardly, Crescens answered that the body must accord with the soul, and chose death rather than dissemble.

Timeline 3 moments Read Hide

3rd century Public confession in Myra Crescens, of an illustrious family in Myra of Lycia, met his fellow citizens on their way to a pagan temple and urged them to forsake idolatry and come to Christ.
3rd century Trial before the prefect The city prefect, learning of his preaching and knowing his father, questioned him and offered him release if he would merely feign a sacrifice to the idols. Crescens refused, declaring that the body must agree with the soul, which governs and moves it.
3rd century Martyrdom by fire For his refusal Crescens was tortured — beaten and raked with iron claws — and then cast into the fire, where he gave up his soul to Christ.

Contributions & Legacy

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Life and Martyrdom

Crescens belonged to an illustrious family of Myra, a city of Lycia on the southern coast of Asia Minor. When he saw his fellow citizens going to a pagan temple, he confronted them openly, urging them to abandon the idols and turn to Christ. His preaching was reported to the prefect of the city.

Called to account, Crescens confessed himself simply a Christian. The prefect, who had known his father, sought to spare him and proposed that he sacrifice to the idols only in appearance while keeping his Christian faith in his heart. Crescens refused the compromise, answering that the body must be in accord with the soul, since the soul governs and moves the body. For this he was beaten and torn with iron claws, and finally cast into a fire, where, according to the tradition, he surrendered his soul while his body was unharmed by the flames.

Veneration

Crescens is honored as an ante-Nicene martyr. He is commemorated on April 13 in the Slavic tradition and on April 15 in the Greek. The tradition notes his connection to Myra of Lycia, the same city associated with Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker; Saint Andrew of Crete is said to have recalled Crescens when speaking of Saint Nicholas, both having come from Myra.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints