Venerable Martyr Eugenia and Others with Her

Life

Eugenia was the daughter of Philip, eparch of all Egypt. Eugenia was born in Rome. At that time the Christians were exiled from Alexandria and lived outside the city. The virgin Eugenia visited the Christians and with her whole heart received their faith. Eugenia fled from her parents with her two faithful eunuchs, was baptized by Bishop Elias and disguised in male clothing entered a male monastery, where Eugenia received the monastic rank. Eugenia so purified her heart by voluntary asceticism that Eugenia received from God the grace of healing the sick. Thus Eugenia also healed a certain wealthy woman Melantia. But afterward this woman wished to draw Eugenia into bodily sin, not suspecting that Eugenia was female. And when Melantia was firmly rejected by Eugenia, this evil woman out of revenge went to the eparch and slandered Eugenia just as once Potiphar's wife slandered chaste Joseph. The eparch commanded that all the monks be chained and cast into prison together with Eugenia. But when Eugenia was brought to trial, Saint Eugenia revealed herself to her father as his daughter. The joyful Philip then was baptized with his whole household. And Philip was chosen as Bishop of Alexandria. Hearing of this, the Roman emperor sent a certain wicked general Terentius who, coming to Alexandria, secretly killed Philip. Then Saint Eugenia moved to Rome with her mother and brothers. In Rome Eugenia fearlessly and zealously converted pagans to the true faith, especially maidens. Thus Eugenia converted to the faith a certain beautiful maiden Basilia. Soon Basilia was beheaded for Christ, as Eugenia foretold to her. Then were beheaded also both those eunuchs, Protus and Hyacinthus. Finally the martyric end came also for Saint Eugenia. From her proximity the temple of Diana fell and was destroyed. The torturers cast her first into water, then into fire, but God saved her. The Lord Jesus Himself appeared to her in prison and told her that Eugenia would suffer on the very day of His Nativity. So it was. Eugenia was beheaded with a sword on December 25, 262 in Rome. After her death Eugenia appeared to her mother in great glory and comforted her.

From the Hymn of Praise

Eugenia the glorious virginCame to know God,To the service of her God she gave herself entirely,Temporal life sacrificed for the eternal and enduring.