By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Our Church celebrates today the memory of Saint Cyprian, who practiced near the village of Alektora, and of the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised, who was from Chalcedon and lived during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. Her parents loved the Holy Orthodox Church and had many virtues, namely charity, prayer, and reverence.
When the persecutions began, everyone went to the mountain and the cave in order to hide. So did Euphemia. The governor of Chalcedon, Priscus, had made a decree that all of the inhabitants of the city take part in sacrifices to the deity Ares. All Christians remained brave and steadfast in the Orthodox faith, despite threats, hardship and deprivations. The young maiden Euphemia was also among those Christians.
After the tortures, all Christians were sent to prison, all but Euphemia, because the governor wanted to seduce and threaten her because of her personality and beauty. However, he tried in vain to threaten her thanks to her bravery and unwavering devotion to the Jesus Christ.
She endured torture and humiliation. Saint Euphemia never wavered in their faith nor consented to offer sacrifice to the idol. Many of those who witnessed her martyrdom believed and confessed their faith in Christ. The Lord deemed her worthy to die a violent death. She was placed in the arena, where lions were sent out to kill her.
