4th century
Saint Barlaam of Antioch
An elderly martyr of Antioch who, according to tradition, thrust his own hand into the fire rather than deny Christ, in 304.
Biography
The elderly Barlaam, praised in encomiums by Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, was brought despite his advanced age before the governor of Antioch in 304. He was scourged with ox-hide whips and had his nails torn out, yet none of it could shake his faith.
Seeing that he would not yield, his tormentors made ready to press his hand onto burning coals, but he forestalled them and thrust his own right hand into the fire. As his flesh burned, Barlaam went on praising God until he breathed his last.