The Church commemorates Saint Eustathius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who lived in the early 11th century AD, Holy Martyrs Eusebius, Charalambis, and Christina, who were martyred in the fire, and Holy Martyr Ermias.
Saint Hermias, who was a virtuous soldier, served in Komana, Cappadocia, around the middle of the 2nd century AD.
His courage, bravery, and honesty were recognized by his fellow citizens, as well as his great services to the Roman army.
However, when the local ruler Sebastian informed Emperor Marcus Aurelius that Ermias was a Christian, he tried to make him renounce his faith.
In order to make him renounce his faith, the emperor told him to offer sacrifices to idols. Saint Ermias denied the suggestion while responding that it would be foolish to let go of the light and follow voluntarily the darkness.
The torture he had gone through could not break his faith in God. Not even the fire in which he had been thrown left him intact. Eventually, he was beheaded, worthy of the wreath of martyrdom and the honor of the Saints of God.
Saint Ermias is an example for all those who martyred for their faith, by word and deed.
Source: Church of Cyprus
