Babylas, succeeded Zebennus as bishop of Antioch around AD237. There are a number of rather fun legends about him. Eusebius (EH 6.34) recounts how the emperor Philip (believed to be a Christian) attempted to join the Paschal celebrations one year during Babylas’ reign – but was prevented until he had first confessed his sins; the emperor complied “gladly”. The emperor Gallus (AD 351-354) built a church dedicated to Babylas’ in a suburb of Antioch in order to bring an end to the oracles of a local Pagan shrine in the temple of Apollo. Chrysostom tells of how, in AD 362, Julian the Apostate sought the insights of the Oracle. After being silent for a long while – the oracle finally spoke – complaining that “the dead prevent me from speaking”; and instructing Julian to move the bones of Babylas. Julian ordered that the relics be moved – this was done by the local community with great celebration. As soon as Babylas had been safely away – a thunderbolt destroyed the oracle, and its shrine.
“The martyr then was moved, but the demon not even then enjoyed freedom from fear, but straightway learned that it is possible to move the bones of a martyr, but not to escape his hands. For as soon as the coffin was drawn into the city, a thunderbolt came from above upon the head of his image, and burnt it all up. And yet, if not before, then at least there was likelihood that the impious emperor would be angry, and that he would send forth his anger against the testimony of the martyr. But not even then did he dare, so great fear possessed him. But although he saw that the burning was intolerable, and knew the cause accurately; he kept quiet. And this is not only wonderful that he did not destroy the testimony, but that he not even dared to put the roof on to thetemple again. For he knew, he knew, that the stroke was divinely sent, and he feared lest by forming any further plan, he should call down that fire upon his own head. On this account he endured to see the shrine of Apollo brought to so great desolation; For there was no other cause, on account of which he did not rectify that which had happened, but fear alone.”
– Chrysostom On Babylas 3
Julian retaliated by closing the Cathedral in Antioch while an investigation was underway – he suspected that outraged Christians set fire to the temple of Apollo. Ammianus Marcellus (22.13) records a “rumour” that the fire actually started the previous night due to a careless worshipper’s use of candles.
Babylas was martyred by Numerian the local governor of Antioch in AD 253. He despised Christians and was known for his regular persecution of the community there. One day, intent upon vandalism, he attempted to force his way into one of the local churches, but was prevented by Babylas. Outraged, he had the bishop seized and imprisoned, along with three orphan boys living with him. Babylas was presented to Numerian and ordered to apologise for refusing him entry, but Babylas refused, but instead exhorted Numerian to give up his sinful ways. The governor was outraged and had Babylas and the three boys so brutally tortured that they died in prison.
It is said that in accordance with is own wishes Babylas was buried in the chains that he bore in prison.
It would seem that Babylas’ “thing” was standing up to power when it was clearly in the wrong. From an indie stand point this is a great theme – one that is very much a part of the spirit of our foundation. Döllinger stood up to Pius IX, Loisy stood up to Leo XIII and Pius X, Mar St. Alvarez stood up to the Padroado. They are “only” individuals standing up to overwhelming, “institutional” authority. Today we find across the indie movement that individuals and small communities are speaking out against social inequality, and other wrongs perpetuated by institutions and authority figures. To be sure, sometimes it is but a voice crying out in the desert, but one voice, linked to many other single voices, can make a pretty loud noise.
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