St. Euphemia the All-Praised
St. Euphemia, daughter of the Christian senator Philophronos and his wife Theodosia, was martyred at Chalcedon in 304 during the persecution of Diocletian, after she and forty-eight other Christians refused to sacrifice to the pagan god Ares.
She endured the wheel, the red-hot furnace, and a hidden pit of knives unharmed, and gave up her soul to God in the arena after receiving only a small wound from a bear. A great church was built over her grave, and there in 451 the Fourth Ecumenical Council was held, where her relics miraculously confirmed the Orthodox confession of faith against the Monophysite heresy, a wonder commemorated separately on July 11.
No recorded sayings. Read the Life to meet this saint.
Troparion
You loved your Bridegroom Christ, and your lamp was well trimmed shining with virtue, O All-praised Euphemia, and so you went in with Him to the wedding feast, receiving from Him a crown of martyrdom. Deliver us from misfortune, who revere your memory with faith.
Kontakion
In your struggle you contested well, Euphemia; even after death you make us holy by gushing forth miracles, O All-praised one. Therefore, we honor your holy repose, standing by your august relics with faith, in order to be delivered from spiritual afflictions, and that we may draw forth the grace of your miracles.
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