Holy Martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia

Life

Brother and sister, from Nicomedia. During a terrible persecution of Christians by Emperor Maximian, some of the faithful from Nicomedia had fled the city and gone into hiding. The young Eulampius was sent into the city to fetch bread. Entering the city, the young man saw the imperial edict on the persecution and killing of Christians, posted on the wall; he laughed at the edict, tore it down and ripped it up. Because of this he was immediately brought before the judge. When the judge began to counsel him to renounce Christ, Eulampius began to counsel the judge to renounce his false idols and acknowledge Christ as the only living God. Then the judge ordered him to be beaten for a long time until he was drenched in blood, and tortured with other cruel torments. Hearing of the torture of her brother, the maiden Eulampia ran to him, that she too might receive torments for Christ together with her brother. She also was beaten until blood streamed from her nose and mouth. After that they were cast into boiling pitch, then into a blazing furnace, but by the power of the sign of the Cross and the name of Christ, they made the fire harmless. Finally, Saint Eulampius was beheaded, and Saint Eulampia expired before the sword reached her. In addition, two hundred Christians were put to death, who had come to believe in Christ upon seeing the power and miracles of Saint Eulampius and his sister. All were crowned with the crowns of martyrdom and passed over into their heavenly, immortal homeland.

From the Hymn of Praise

Heroes of Zographou, knights of truth,To the Orthodox faith they offered sacrifice;They shamed the proud, brazen LatinsAnd in soul were raised up to the Kingdom of God.