Hieromartyr Zenobius and His Sister Zenobia

Life

From the city of Aegeae in Cilicia. From their parents they inherited the true faith and great material wealth. Zealous for the faith, with great love they distributed their wealth to the poor. And because their hands were merciful, the hand of God covered them from every evil design of men or demons. The merciful hands of Zenobius, which bestowed gifts upon the poor, were endowed by God with the gift of wonderworking, so that Zenobius healed the sick of every disease by the mere touch of his hands. And Zenobius was appointed Bishop of Aegeae. During the time of persecution the judge Lysias seized him and said: "I set before you two things — life and death; life if you bow down to the gods, death if you do not." Holy Zenobius answered: "Life without Christ is not life but death, and death for Christ's sake is not death but life." When Zenobius was subjected to cruel torments, his sister the martyr appeared before the judge and said: "I too wish to drink that cup of suffering and be crowned with that crown." After torments in fire and in boiling pitch, both were beheaded by the sword, around the year 285. And so this brother and sister passed over into the immortal kingdom of Christ the King.

From the Hymn of Praise

A saintly man of God, King Milutin, valiant,Had a task both great and difficult:To defend the faith from wicked schismatics,And the people from many fierce oppressors.