By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
Today, we are celebrating the eve of the great Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Saint Eugenia, who is celebrating today, December 24, was born in Rome around the middle of the 2nd century AD and was the daughter of Officer Philip. The appointment of her father as governor of Alexandria brought her upbringing in a Hellenistic environment and her excellence in Greek education and philosophy.
A study of the Apostle Paul’s Letters helped her find the unique truth in the face of Christ the Savior and thus her path to join the Church began.
In order to avoid the marriage to a pagan official that her parents were preparing, she departed from Alexandria and was subsequently indoctrinated, baptized, and ordained a nun. She met her relatives after many years and, with love and distinction, led them on the path of the infant Christ.
The conversion of the whole family, as expected, triggered the reaction of the pagans, who first led her father to the martyrdom and eventually Eugenia herself.
Source: Church of Cyprus
