Holy Martyr Myropia

Life

Myropia was born in Ephesus to Christian parents. After the death of her father she moved with her mother to the island of Chios, where she also suffered for Christ. The suffering of this holy virgin occurred soon after the suffering and death of the glorious martyr Isidore the soldier (see May 14). When the torturers beheaded Isidore, the brave Myropia secretly took his body, censed it, and honorably buried it in a certain special place. The wicked prince Numerian heard that the martyr's body had been stolen, and he wanted to execute the guards. Learning that innocent people would suffer because of her deed, the blessed Myropia presented herself to the authorities and confessed that she had taken and buried the martyr's body. By order of the prince the holy virgin of Christ was fiercely beaten over her whole body, and finally, all wounded, she was cast into a dungeon. But the Lord did not leave His martyr without consolation. At midnight a heavenly light illumined the dungeon, and many angels appeared, with Saint Isidore in their midst. Peace be to thee, Myropia, said Saint Isidore to her, thy prayer hath come to God, and soon thou shalt be with us, and shalt receive the crown which hath been prepared for thee. The holy sufferer rejoiced, and in that hour she gave up her spirit to God. From her body came a fragrant smell which filled the whole dungeon. One of the guards, seeing and sensing all this, believed in Christ, was baptized, and soon himself received a martyr's death. Holy Myropia departed into eternity in the year 251.