Basilides and Potamiana

Who was Basilides and Potamiana?

Potamiana, or Potamiaena, is venerated as a Christian saint and martyr. According to her legend, she, along with her mother Marcella, had been condemned to be sunk by degrees in a cauldron of boiling pitch at Alexandria, Egypt. She was also threatened with being handed over to gladiators to be raped.

After Potamiana had been sentenced to death, Basilides, an officer of the court, led her to execution; on the way, he protected her against the insults of the mob. In return for his kindness Potamiana promised him not to forget him with her Lord when she reached her destination.

Soon after Potamiana's death Basilides was asked by his fellow-soldiers to take a certain oath; on answering that he could not do it, as he was a Christian, at first they thought he was jesting, but seeing he was in earnest they denounced him and he was condemned to be beheaded.

While waiting in jail for his sentence to be carried out some Christians visited Basilides and asked him how he happened to be converted; he answered that three days after her death, Potamiana had appeared to him by night and placed a crown on his head as a pledge that the Lord would soon receive him into his glory. Basilides was then baptized and the next day he was beheaded.