Saint Euphrasia of Nicomedia

Saint Euphrasia is a Christian saint and martyr. She was born in Nicomedia during the reign of Emperor Maximian. According to tradition, she was very beautiful, kind-natured, and a faithful Christian. During the persecution of Christians, she was captured and pressured to offer sacrifice to pagan idols. After she refused and confessed her Christian faith, she was imprisoned and tortured. Having endured everything stoically, she was handed over to a cruel man to be dishonored. The saint prayed to the Lord with tears to preserve her virginity, and the Lord heard her prayer. Saint Euphrasia suggested to the man that if he did not defile her, she would give him a special herb that would protect him from enemy weapons and death. She explained that this plant only held its power when received from a virgin, not a woman. The soldier believed Saint Euphrasia and went with her into a garden. The saint picked the herb and then offered to demonstrate its power. She placed the plant on her neck and told the man to strike her with his sword. With a powerful blow, he severed her head. Thus, her prayer was answered, and in this way, she offered her soul to God, preserving her bodily purity. Saint Euphrasia suffered in 303. The Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Euphrasia on January 19.