By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Our Church celebrates today, June 25, the memory of Saint Febronia and the Holy Martyr Orenti and of his six siblings, who were military soldiers and suffered persecutions, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
The Holy Virgin Martyr Febronia lived in the second half of the 3rd century AD and was distinguished for her beauty.
She had been dedicated to Christ since her youth, and at the age of seventeen she lived in a famous monastery in Mesopotamia, where she was notable for her virtue and obedience. During a raid of pagans, he was arrested along with Abbess Bryaena.
She rejected the enticing promises of Lysimachus, who wanted to marry her, she was not afraid of the threats and torture that followed, she remained faithful to Jesus Christ, drawing strength and courage from the Holy Spirit.
Eventually Saint Febronia was tortured, suffered mutilation and death, reposing in the Lord of Life and Death, Jesus Christ.
The Holy Virgin Martyr Febronia represents all the brave and heroic women who are fighting in their daily lives, in the marriage, in the family and in the workplace, with faith and patience, despite all sorts of trials, obeying the will of God.
SOURCE: Church of Cyprus