After the martyr's death of the holy great martyr Theodore Tyron in the city of Amasea, his companions, Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus, who were imprisoned for Christ, remained. The new ruler Asclepiodotus, cruel and godless, began to persecute Christians. He summoned the holy martyrs to himself and, seeing their joy, tried to force them to offer sacrifices to idols, promising wealth and honors.
The holy Eutropius, responding to the ruler, rejected his offers, asserting that to suffer for Christ was his first desire. The ruler, enraged, ordered the holy ones to be cruelly tortured, but they bravely endured the sufferings, praying to God. In response to their prayers, an earthquake occurred, and the Lord appeared to them with angels.
After this, the ruler again tried to force the saints to worship idols, but they remained steadfast. They were subjected to new tortures, including crucifixion. The holy Eutropius and Cleonicus, having surrendered their souls to the Lord, were crucified, while Basiliscus, who remained in prison, later also met a martyr's end.
The bodies of the saints were buried with honor, and healings occurred at their graves. The memory of the saints Eutropius and Cleonicus is celebrated on March 3, and that of Saint Basiliscus on May 22.
