Martyr

The Venerable Martyrs Patermuthius and Copres

July 9 Old CalendarJuly 22 New Calendar

Life

Both were Egyptians. They were tortured by Emperor Julian the Apostate. The first was seventy-five years old and the second forty-five. The emperor succeeded in turning Copres from the faith of Christ and persuading him to worship idols. The perverted Copres cried out: "I am Julian's and not Christ's." But when the elder Patermuthius rebuked him and reminded him of the eternal torments, Copres came to his senses and cried out before the emperor: "I am Christ's and not Julian's." Both were beheaded by the sword. Along with them suffered Alexander, one of the emperor's soldiers, who, seeing their courage in suffering, himself became a Christian. They honorably suffered for Christ and departed to Christ in the year 361.

From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, July 9. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Also commemorated on July 9

The Hieromartyr Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina Martyr The Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna on Crete Martyr The Venerable Patermuthius and Copres Venerable Saint Theodore, Bishop of Edessa, and Others with Him Hierarch

The full reading for July 9 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.

Open July 9 in the reader