Saints Barlaam the monk and Prince Ioasaph of India

These Christian monks are mentioned in The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph (November 19), by Saint John of Damascus (December 4). They suffered in the IV century when King Abenner ruled India. He hated Christians because they were converting his people to Christ, and some of them even became monks. The King issued a decree ordering all Christians to renounce their Faith at once, threatening to torture and kill them if they did not comply. He had a special hatred for the monks, and persecuted them without mercy. Some Christians, unable to endure the torments, submitted to the King's decree, but the monks rebuked him for his wickedness. Some of them fled into the deserts and mountains, while others chose martyrdom.

When his son Ioasaph was born, King Abenner rejoiced and prepared a feast for his people. Among the guests were fifty-five astrologers, who were asked to predict the child's future. They spoke in general terms of great riches and power, saying that he would surpass all who had ruled before him. One of them, the wisest of all, said that the child would not succeed Abenner, but instead he would enter a better and greater kingdom. Moreover, the astrologer said that Ioasaph would become a Christian.

When the King heard this he was angry and sorrowful, and took steps to prevent this from happening. He built a huge palace, and kept his son there. He would not permit anyone to approach the child, except for a few carefully chosen instructors. He charged them not to speak to the Prince about unpleasant topics such as death, old age, sickness, poverty, etc. He wanted them to speak to Ioasaph only about pleasant things. Above all, he did not want his son to hear anything about Christ or His doctrines.

When the King learned that there were still some monks left, he commanded heralds to go into the city and throughout the countryside and to proclaim that after three days, no monk would be allowed to live there. If any monks were discovered after that time, they would be executed.

Hieromonk Barlaam, an experienced monk who was filled with every divine virtue, was led by a revelation from God to visit Prince Ioasaph. To conceal his monastic garb, he disguised himself as a merchant. When he arrived in the city where the Prince's palace was he remained for several days asking about the Prince and who had access to him. Learning that the Prince's tutor was also his closest friend, he approached him and said that he had a precious gem, which he had never shown to anyone. He said, "Now I will reveal this secret to you, seeing that you are wise and prudent, so that you may bring me before the king's son, and I will present it to him."

The tutor asked Barlaam to show him the gem before he would consent to go to the Prince with such a dubious tale. Barlaam told him that the gem could not be seen, except by one whose eyesight was strong and sound, and his body undefiled. If anyone who lacked these qualities were to gaze upon this precious treasure, he would lose his sight and also his mind.

He mentioned to the tutor that he had studied medicine, and he could tell that the tutor's eyes were not healthy, and that he did not wish to be the cause of the tutor losing his sight. He went on to say that he had heard that the Prince's were healthy, and that he led a life of sobriety. Therefore, Barlaam said that he would show the treasure to the Prince.

At the palace, the tutor went to the Prince and told him about the merchant and his gem. When the Prince heard these words, he was filled with joy and gladness. He told the tutor to bring the merchant to him. Barlaam spoke to him of many things, preparing him with parables before revealing that his Master was Christ, the Son of God. He also proved to him the futility of idolatry. Then he told the Prince how God had created the world and everything in it, and how Adam and Eve had disobeyed God, but God promised to send a Redeemer to save people from their sins. He also spoke of Moses, and how God led His people into the Promised land. Then he proceeded to tell Ioasaph about Christ's Incarnation, His Crucifixion, His Death and Resurrection, and His glorious Ascension.

Prince Ioasaph came to realize that Barlaam was not describing a marvelous gem, but rather Christ, the Priceless Pearl. Barlaam continued his instructions for many days in preparation for the Prince's Baptism. Then he baptized the Prince in a garden pool, according to his wish. Afterward, they went into the palace, where Barlaam offered the Bloodless Sacrifice and Ioasaph partook of the Holy Mysteries.

Some years later, the King sent his chief counsellor Araches into the wilderness to search for Saint Barlaam, who had baptized Ioasaph. They searched the deserts and remote places without finding him. They did happen to encounter seventeen monks, however, walking at the foot of a mountain. They were seized by the soldiers, and Araches questioned them about Barlaam, but the monks refused to tell him where he was. Araches said that if they did not bring Barlaam to him, they would die.

The monks replied that they did not fear death, so he tortured them. When he saw that nothing would make them talk, he decided to bring them to the King. Several days afterward, they appeared before the King, who subjected them to further torments.

Seeing that nothing would induce them to betray Barlaam, the King had their eyes gouged out, and then cut off their arms and legs. All the while, the monks exhorted one another to accept death for the sake of Christ, and so they received their crowns of glory from the Lord. Saint John of Damascus compares the seventeen monastic martyrs to the seven holy Maccabees of the Old Testament (August 1).