Apostle of 70 Jason of Tarsia

In 63 AD, two Christian missionaries arrived on the Greek island of Corfu. Their names – Jason and Sosipatra – can be seen today on the facade of the Byzantine temple of the XII century, where the relics of one of them are stored. It was with these people that the Christian community of the island began.

The men belonged to the circle of seventy apostles and were personally acquainted with Paul. In the text of the Epistle to the Romans, he conveys greetings from them, using the word “relatives”. A native of Tarsa, Jason headed the church in this Asia Minor city, Sosipatra in Iconia. In time, both handed over control to their successors and went west.

In Corfu, they first built the church of Stephen the First Martyr. The sermon attracted many islanders. However, the local ruler Kerkilin perceived what was happening as a threat. Both preachers were arrested. In prison, their neighbors were seven criminals. The result of communication with them was unexpected: all the robbers accepted the faith and soon died in boiling resin — they were executed first among the local Christians.

The execution from the window of the palace was watched by the daughter of the ruler. A girl named Kerkyra gave away property to the poor and openly called herself a follower of Christ. Her father at first starved her, then ordered her to burn her cell. When it was discovered that she had survived the fire, she was tied to a tree and stabbed with arrows. Researchers call her one of the first martyrs of royal blood in the history of the Church.

The repression continued: four believers were burned — Zenon, Eusebius, Neon and Vitaly. Some converts left the island. Kerkilin organized a chase on the ship, but the ship sank with him and the soldiers.

Further details diverge. According to one source, the official who replaced Kerkilin ordered the execution of Jason and Sosipatr in boiling resin, but they came out of the cauldron intact, after which the ruler himself was baptized under the name of Sebastian. Another tradition insists on the peaceful death of Jason around 60 and the martyrdom of Sosipatr later.

Today, the head of Sosipatra is in the monastery of Osios Lucas near Thebes. The remains of Kerkyra have not survived.