Sts. Julian and Basilissa were a married couple living in Egypt during the third and fourth centuries. They lived very simply and dedicated their lives to caring for the poor and sick. They converted their home to a hospital, which was said to serve nearly 1,000 people at a time.

After Basilissa died, Julian continued in his good works. During a persecution of Christians by the Roman empire, he sheltered priests from being captured and tortured. He himself was caught and tortured before being beheaded. Many others, including priests in hiding, were arrested with him and also martyred, including seven brothers; a recent convert to Christianity named Anastasius; as well as a boy, Celsus, and his mother.

The relics of Sts. Anastasius, Celsus, and Julian rest in the Basilica reliquary chapel.

Sts. Julian and Basilissa, you were the married couple who gave everything to care for the poor and sick—pray for us!