EUGENIYA
According to the Life attributed to St. Simeon Metaphrastus, E. b. in the family of a noble Roman. Philip's nobles, who were under the emperor. Commode (180-192) was appointed governor of Egypt and moved to Alexandria with his wife Claudia, sons Avitus, Sergius and daughter. E. studied philosophy and spoke Latin. and Greek languages, was distinguished by her kind disposition and beauty. Mn. noble young men wooed her, but E. did not want to marry. After E. accidentally read the Epistles of St. Paul, she believed in Christ, but, fearing the wrath of her parents, she hid her faith. Under the pretext of a walk, she ran away from home and disguised herself as her husband. suit, came to the monastery along with her eunuch servants Protus and Iakinthos. Bishop who was in this monastery. Eliy, to whom it was revealed in a dream that E. was a maiden, baptized them and tonsured them as monks.
Martyrdom of the Primts. Evgenia and those who suffered with her. Miniature from Greco-cargo. manuscripts. XV century (RNB. OI58.L. 91 vol.) Martyrdom of the Primts. Evgenia and those who suffered with her. Miniature from Greco-cargo. manuscripts. XV century (RNB. OI58.L. 91 vol.)
E. led an ascetic lifestyle and through several. years, she was honored with the gift of miracles. After the death of the abbot, the brethren unanimously elected E. in his place. A certain woman named Melanthia, healed by E., was inflamed with passion for the young abbot and, not achieving reciprocity, slandered him before the ruler of Egypt in an attempt of violence. During the trial, which Philip carried out not only on E., but also on all the monks of the monastery, E. had to reveal that she was a girl. The ruler, recognizing his daughter, freed her along with her brethren and was baptized. Emperors Septimius Severus (193-211) and Antoninus Pius (138-161), in response to Philip's request, allowed Christians to build temples in cities. E. gathered virgins around her, and they served God together; her mother Claudia built a hospice house.
Having learned that Philip had converted to Christianity, the emperors appointed a new ruler in his place. Philip was elected bishop of Alexandria. Soon, by order of the new ruler, he was killed. Claudia moved to Rome with her children, her sons received high positions, and E. continued to instruct virgins in Christ. faith.
Under the emperors Valerian (253-260) and Gallienus (260-268), the persecution of Christians resumed. Vasilla, one of the virgins who believed in Christ and were baptized thanks to E., Protus and Jakinthos, was executed by order of the emperor. Gallienus for refusing to marry. 2 eunuchs were also beheaded. E. was captured and taken to the temple of Artemis (Diana) to make a sacrifice, but the temple collapsed even before she entered it. Then they tied a stone around E.’s neck and threw it into the Tiber, but the stone fell into the water, and the maiden walked on the water as if on dry land. E. emerged from the oven, which had suddenly cooled down, unharmed. After this, the martyr was thrown into a ditch and several. She was starved for days, but food was sent to her from heaven. The Savior appeared to E. and revealed the day of her martyrdom: she was executed on the feast of the Nativity of Christ. The saint was buried on the Latin road near Rome. After her death, E. appeared to her mother and predicted her imminent death.
The text of Martyrdom is replete with anachronisms. In Alexandria the events took place during the reign of Commodus, in Rome - under the emperors Valerian and Gallienus, i.e. almost a century later. Over time, in the legend about E. the names of Pope Soter (162 or 168-170 or 177) and Cornelius (251-253) appeared.
Eunuchs Prot, Iakinthos and MC. The Wasillas appear to be historical figures, but they have no connection with E., other than the proximity of their burials. Father E. is most likely a fictional character: ancient sources do not contain information about the Bishop of Alexandria or the martyr with the name Philip. Nevertheless, Adon and Uzuard (9th century) place Philip's memorial day under September 13. (as in the Roman Martyrology), perhaps due to the proximity to the day of memory of Protus and Jacinthos (Sept. 11).
The name of Claudia, E.'s mother, is mentioned only in the Roman itinerary Notitia portarum, where it is said that it is written on E.'s grave.
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Venerable Martyr Eugenia, a Roman by birth. In the seventh year of the reign of the Roman Emperor Commodus (180 - 192), who inherited the throne after his father Marcus Aurelius, a certain famous nobleman named Philip was appointed ruler of all Egypt. Having received this appointment, Philip moved with his wife Claudia and their children from Rome to Alexandria. He had two sons, Avit and Sergius, and an only daughter, Evgenia. Evgenia received an excellent education and was distinguished by her kind disposition and beauty. Many noble young men sought her hand, but she did not want to marry. Her favorite pastime was reading books about the distant past of the Roman Empire. One day, during an evening walk outside the city, she heard Christians singing, which made a strong impression on her. From this evening, Eugenia’s secret walks to Christians began. And the more she learned about Christ, the more love her heart burned for Him. Having become acquainted with the Epistles of the Apostle Paul, she rushed to Christianity with all her soul and, secretly from her parents, accompanied by her two slaves, Protus and Jacinthos, dressed in men's clothing, she retired to a monastery. There she, with her slaves and companions, received holy Baptism from Bishop Eli, to whom it was revealed about her in a vision, and he blessed her to labor in the monastery in the guise of the monk Eugene. Evgenia overcame all the difficulties of monastic life, and after the death of the abbot of the monastery, by the will of all the monks, she became the abbot of this monastery. God honored her with the gift of miracles, and she became a well-known healer throughout the area.
Through her exploits, Saint Eugenia acquired the gift of healing. One day, a rich young widow, Melania, turned to her for help. Seeing the young monk, this woman was inflamed with unclean passion, but being rejected, she invented slander about attempted violence. Saint Eugenia appeared in court before the ruler of Egypt, that is, before her father, and was forced to reveal her secret. Her family was delighted to find the one they had been mourning for a long time. After some time, they all accepted holy Baptism. But Philip, following the denunciation of the pagans, was removed from his post as ruler. The Christians of Alexandria elected him as their bishop. The new ruler, fearing popular anger, did not openly execute Philip, but sent assassins. During the bishop's solitary prayer, he was inflicted with wounds, from which he died a martyr three days later. Having been widowed, Claudia, with her daughter and servants, left for her estate, located in the outskirts of Rome. There Evgenia continued her monastic life. She brought many virgins to Christ, and Claudia set up a home for strangers and served widows. After several quiet years, Emperor Gallienus (260-268) again began the persecution of Christians, and many of them found refuge with Saints Claudius and Eugenia. At that time, an orphaned young Roman woman from the royal family, Vasilla, having heard about Christians and about Saint Eugenia, wanted to meet the saint and wrote her a letter. In response, Saint Eugenia sent her friends and associates, Protus and Iakinthos, who enlightened Vasilla, and she accepted holy Baptism. Basilla's maid told her fiancé Pompey that his bride had become a Christian, and Pompey complained to the emperor about Christians preaching celibacy. Brought to account, Vasilla refused to marry Pompey, and for this she was stabbed with a sword. Saints Protus and Jacinthos were dragged into the Roman temple to make a sacrifice, but as soon as they entered there, the idol fell and broke. The holy martyrs Protus and Iakinthos were beheaded.
Saint Eugenia was also forcibly brought to the temple of Diana, but before she had time to enter it, the entire temple
along with the idol
collapsed.
The holy martyr was thrown into the Tiber with a stone around her neck, but the stone fell off and she remained unharmed. She remained unharmed in the fire. Then they threw her into a ditch, where she remained for 10 days. At this time, the Savior Himself appeared to her and announced that she would enter the Kingdom of Heaven on the day of the Nativity of Christ. When this bright holiday came in 262, the executioner killed the holy martyr with a sword. Soon Saint Claudia also accepted the crown of martyrdom. The Venerable Martyr Eugenia warned her about the day of her death. In Orthodoxy, the day of remembrance of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia is January 6th according to the New Style, in the Roman Catholic Church it is December 25th. Since the 5th century. The legend of Eugene, thanks to storylines borrowed from folklore, became widespread throughout the Christian world. In the Martyrology of Bl. Jerome (1st half of the 5th century) noted that Eugenia was buried “in Rome, on the Latin road, in the Apronian cemetery.” Rome. itineraria of the 7th century It is reported that a basilica was built over the grave, it was rebuilt by Popes John VII (705-707), Adrian I (772-795) and Leo III (795-816), and then disappeared. The place where the Apronian cemetery was located and the saint’s grave was located could not be determined.
Currently
relics of Eugenia
reside in the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome. Particles of Eugenia’s relics are available in the VMC monastery. Barbarians (Cyprus island) and on the territory of Greece, in the monasteries of the Life-Giving Spring on the island of Andros and the Holy Trinity in Koropi (Meinardus. 1970. P. 176) Images of Eugenia on mosaics in Greece, Italy (Ravenna, Naples) and Croatia (Porec) indicate the spread of her veneration outside Rome.
The cult of the saint strengthened during the time of Bishop. Avita of Vienne (ca. 450 - ca. 518 or 525). Hymns in honor of Eugenia were written by Venantius Fortunatus (VI century), Adelman (? century), Flodoard (X century). The largest of the poetic texts in the Greek verse synaxarion (the so-called hundred-verse), which later became famous, is dedicated to Eugenia. poetic Prologue. One of the most famous European literary adaptations of the life of the Prmc. Eugenia is considered to be Gottfried Keller's short story “Eugenia” from the collection “Seven Legends” (1872). Prayer to the Holy Martyr Eugenia of Rome
, to the glorious patroness of our icon, Eugenia of Rome, praise to the Virgins and glory to the martyrs, Venerable Eugenia!
We fall to you with tender hearts and ask the Lord for your intercession! For you, most glorious martyr, have gained great boldness towards the Master of all, for you have glorified Him in your pure soul and body through your suffering, before, having despised all the seductions of the enemy and the rebuke of the tormentor, you have endured everything and cried out: “Christ is my wealth and praise! » Moreover, from that wealth and our poverty, grant us spiritual gifts and protect us from immeasurable sins through your intercession, instruct us in obedience and brotherly love to each other, and always lift up the eyes of our hearts to the Lord, so that we may always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and the power your warm intercession forever and ever. Amen. Troparion, tone 4
Your Lamb, Jesus, Eugenia calls with a great voice: I love You, my Bridegroom, and seeking You, I suffer and am crucified and buried in Your baptism, and I suffer for Your sake, for I reign in You, and I die for You, that I may live with You, but accept me as an immaculate sacrifice, sacrificed to You with love.
Through prayers, as the Merciful, save our souls. Kontakion, tone 2
The deified Lord, having honestly adorned you with a noble disposition, has united us in the servant's image from the Virgin, Who has placed you in the face of the virgins as candle-bearers and united you with the martyrs, Eugene, for truly the nobility of the Divine glory has received the crown.
Laughter.
Venerable Martyr Eugenia. Unfeminine romance with cross-dressing
In the life of the Holy Martyr Eugenia there are many common patterns: beauty and book learning, an attempt to hide under the guise of a monk in a monastery, an unbelieving father-ruler who was converted to Christianity by his daughter, slander and slander, an abandoned groom and defeated idols.
However, there is nothing superfluous here, the whole story of the saint’s life flows smoothly and evenly, even with the most incredible coincidences, reminiscent not of an Indian movie, but of a story about entrusting oneself to God, without Whose will not a single hair will fall from a person’s head.
***
At the end of the 2nd century, a certain Roman nobleman named Philip received an appointment as ruler of Egypt from Emperor Commodus. He took his wife Claudia, his sons Avita and Sergius, and his only daughter Eugenia - and moved with the entire family to rule wisely and calmly in Egypt. This meant that Philip, himself an agnostic rather than a follower of any particular faith, “ruled Egypt according to Roman laws and according to the customs of his ancestors,” that is, he respected all existing cults.
However, at the same time, the ruler sharply denied all kinds of wizards and sorcerers, even to the point of persecution under the law. Philip really did not like Jews, and on some animal level, but he did not allow this personal hostility to go beyond the law. “Most mercifully,” says the life of Saint Eugenia, “he treated Christians and although he expelled them from Alexandria itself, in accordance with the royal command, he allowed them to settle peacefully and serve their God on the outskirts of the city. Philip respected Christians for the purity of their lives and wisdom."
In such conditions, the ruler himself and his entire family professed Greek philosophy, that is, first of all, they occupied the mind with the sciences and the love of wisdom. However, the time was already approaching when Philip, Claudia, and all their children would think about the soul and its salvation.
It all started with what is commonly called a simple accident, but which was obviously God's providence. Eugenia, who by nature had a phenomenal photographic memory and a passionate love of reading, came across the book of messages of the Holy Apostle Paul. After reading it from cover to cover, the girl realized that the Truth had been revealed to her. She could not share her new knowledge and her joy with her parents because she feared their anger.
She did not have a groom - many noble, rich and handsome young men wooed Eugenia, who was not only smart, but also very beautiful, but the girl refused everyone, and Philip and Claudia did not want to force their daughter into a loveless marriage.
Life is silent about her friends - and only two people, the eunuch servants Protus and Iakinthos, turn out to be those with whom Evgenia shares the new things that have entered her life. The girl asks her parents for permission to go to one of the country estates, intending to visit the Christians exiled to the outskirts of Alexandria there in order to learn as much as possible about the teaching that she has already accepted with all her soul, but about which she still knows so little.
She takes with her not only Protus and Jacinthos, but also many servants, as befits the only daughter of a ruler. A solemn cavalcade rides past one of the monasteries - and Evgenia hears the monastic singing of words from the 35th Psalm: “All pagan gods are demons, but the Lord created the heavens.” Seeing this as a sign and God’s instruction, Eugenia calls on Protus and Jacinthos.
She tells them her plan to escape from home, saying this: “You have studied enough science with me, together we comprehended the teachings of philosophers. You, of course, understand that all these are fables that have nothing behind them except perhaps a deceptive semblance of truth for many. I read the words of the Apostle Paul, and he showed me the way to salvation, and you, if you wish, can follow his instructions. I will no longer be called your mistress, but sister and co-servant, for we have a common Lord and Father: God. Let us be unanimous and like-minded, like brothers, and together we will decide to turn to Christ. I heard that the Christian bishop Elius built a monastery here, where the monks constantly glorify God with hymns day and night.
Women are not allowed to enter this monastery under any circumstances. So cut my hair, give me men's clothes and take me there. We will schedule our return to the city late in the evening, let all the slaves go in front of the chariot, and you two behind. I will quietly get off the chariot, and we will hide secretly from everyone. The chariot will return home empty, and we will go to the servants of God.”
Everything was done exactly as Evgenia had imagined. She, along with Protus and Iakinthos, ended up in the monastery, trying to get to Abbot Elius, so that he would bless them to stay in the monastery. They introduced themselves as siblings who had converted from the pagan faith to Christianity, and the abbot appointed a day for them to receive them. The day before, Elijah had a dream: he saw that some men were carrying in their arms and worshiping as a goddess a certain woman who looked like a statue of pagan goddesses.
Elijah addressed the woman with the following words: “Is it right for you, a creature of God, to be revered by people as a deity and to accept such worship from them?” The goddess immediately left her worshipers and followed Elius with the words that she would not leave him until he revealed to her the true Christian faith.
Waking up from sleep, Elius received Eugenia and the eunuchs waiting for him, saying to her: “Your name, Eugenia, is consistent with your spirit (Eugenia - “noble, courageous”), for you have a noble, courageous soul and in all respects you are a husband. Hold your decision firmly in mind, conquer your feminine nature, and you will mature and become established in Christ. I say this not denouncing you, not blaming your feminine nature, not wanting to distract you from your intention, but so that you know what care God has for you, who revealed to me that you would come to me asking to join Christ.”
Eugenia, together with Protus and Iakinthos, remain in the monastery, Elius performs holy Baptism over them and tonsures them. Evgenia diligently studies the Holy Scriptures, helps everyone in daily affairs, and soon receives the gift of healing from God. It is thanks to him that she meets her parents again.
Philip and Claudia, when an empty chariot arrived at their house in Alexandria and their daughter disappeared without a trace, were inconsolable. The ruler searched for his missing daughter throughout the country, but it was all in vain. In the end, he even turned to the hated sorcerers, who, fearing his wrath, came up with the story that it was the gods who were so impressed by Eugenia's intelligence and beauty that they took her to heaven with them.
Philip chose to believe this tale and even erected a sculptural image of Eugenia in Alexandria so that anyone could worship her, but Claudia and her sons did not want to believe in such fiction and continued to mourn the loss of Eugenia, not knowing that they would soon meet her again. Here is how it was. When the fame that one of the monks of the local monastery could heal the sick spread far beyond the borders of the surrounding settlements, one of the rich women asked to help her get rid of the fever that she had been suffering for more than a year.
Evgenia, who by that time had been asked by the brethren to accept the abbess in the monastery after the deceased abbot, went to this sick woman named Melanfia. The woman was healed, after which she began to visit the monastery often and became inflamed with passion for her doctor, sincerely believing that he was a handsome young man and not even suspecting that he was a girl. Passion and lust took over Melanthia completely. She sent for Evgenia, saying that she was ill again, and the responsive Evgenia came quite soon. Melanthia grabbed her hand and confessed her love, offering all the earthly goods she possessed, only for the object of her passion to stay with her and reciprocate.
Eugenia answered like this: “Let not even our minds ever think about carnal pleasures! O blessed purity, we will not sell you for perishable riches! O holy virginity, let us not defile you with fornication! We have one marriage - our love for Christ, we have only one wealth - the blessings prepared in heaven, one inheritance - the knowledge of the truth! After this, Evgenia quickly leaves, and Melanfia goes to the ruler and files a complaint that the abbot of the monastery, Eugene, tried to force her to carnal pleasures. Philip - and it was he who ruled Egypt at that moment! - becomes enraged: first of all, he feels deceived in his best feelings, because he always respected Christians for their righteous life.
He orders the arrest not only of Abbot Eugene, but also of all the monks of that monastery. The rumor about this is spreading throughout the country, and, as always happens with human rumor, it is overgrown with phantasmagoric details, so that Christians at these moments are vilified and persecuted almost everywhere. Finally, a trial is appointed: Philip sits in the judge’s place, with his sons nearby. Evgenia comes out into the middle of the court space, she is covered with monastic clothes and looks only at the floor so that her father or brothers cannot recognize her. She listens to the accusations, hears the people's anger and, before clearly refusing the slander, tries once again to appeal to Melanthia and her conscience.
However, inflamed by shame and passion, the accuser not only persists in her testimony, but also calls on a slave, who confirms the words of her mistress and says that Eugene harassed her too. Having listened to this, Evgenia utters a word of justification, and immediately, from the first moments, she speaks about herself again in the feminine gender. She ends her speech by tearing her clothes and these words: “So I also wished for the sake of Christ, in whom I believed, whom I loved with all my soul and in whom I placed all my trust, in life and in appearance to be more of a husband than a wife, observing my virginity. to the only pure and incorruptible Heavenly Bridegroom. You, sir, are my father according to the flesh, and I myself am your daughter Eugene, who renounced the world and all its pleasures out of love for Christ.”
Further, the author of the life describes the joy of family reunification, the joy of the mother who came running, and then writes very simply and touchingly: “And many Christians who came with their bishops and elders to bury the bodies of the martyrs also sang, filled with unspeakable joy.” That is, it is a matter of course, in fact, an ordinary moment - people were ready that an unjust worldly court would sentence their brothers to death, they were ready after that to collect their bodies and honor them, rejoicing at their acquisition of martyr’s crowns. However, the situation has changed, moreover: Philip was finally convinced that his path lies to Christ and, together with his entire family, was baptized. There was peace and good air in Egypt.
This story doesn't last long. The pagan priests are outraged, they slander Philip, accusing him, who had previously observed neutrality in matters of faith, of excessive Christian zeal and persuading the heads of neighboring states to declare war if he does not renounce his new religion. Philip acts more gracefully, proving his wisdom: he sends a request to Rome for a new ruler, and he himself removes his secular rank in order to immediately become the bishop of Alexandria elected by the people. It must be said that the priests were also not satisfied with this state of affairs, so after a fairly short time Bishop Philip fell at the hands of hired killers. Soon after his death, Claudia, along with her sons and daughter, returns to Rome, where Eugenia continues her never-ending preaching of Christ and calls on many noble virgins to maintain virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom.
Among them is a girl from the royal family named Vasilla. Since childhood, she was betrothed to one brave and brave young man named Pompey. Their marriage was postponed until Vasilla reached the right age, but now, hearing about Evgenia and learning about her words, the girl became more and more imbued with the idea of giving up marriage altogether. She sent Evgenia a letter, asking her to teach her faith in more detail. In response, the saint sends the girl her faithful friends, Protus and Jacinthos, who, like the apostles, bring the light of Christ to Vasilla. The girl receives holy baptism, and then her uncle and teacher Elin turns to Christ.
Soon persecution of Christians begins again in Rome. Saint Eugenia met with Vasilla and said that she had a revelation that her friend would soon be given the crown of martyrdom. “The Lord also deigned to inform me about you,” answered Vasilla, “that you will receive a double crown of martyrdom, one for the sorrows and misfortunes you endured in Alexandria, the other for the blood that you will shed in suffering for Christ.” Eugenia, hearing this, rejoiced and, having taught the last instructions to the girls entrusted to her care, began to prepare for imminent martyrdom.
During these same days, one of Basilla’s slaves went to Pompey and told the man that he was being led by the nose: the bride had long reached marriageable age, but now she simply did not want to get married because she had converted to Christianity. Pompey rather went to the house of his betrothed, but Elin did not want to let him in, saying that Vasilla, who had come of age, was free to choose for herself whether she wanted to tie herself in marriage or not.
The rejected groom went to the emperor and filed a complaint against the former bride, her uncle and Eugenia, drawing the imperial attention to the fact that the saint was embarrassing the girls and encouraging them to violate the natural laws of human life in general and the Roman Empire in particular. The king, seeing the youth’s unfeigned anger and tears, ordered that Vasilla either urgently marry Pompey or be executed. The girl, without hesitation, chose the martyr's crown and was hacked to death with a sword. Her teachers Protus and Iakinthos were captured and taken to a pagan temple for sacrifice, but all the idols fell as soon as the saints were on the threshold - after which, by order of the king, they were immediately executed.
The emperor first called Saint Eugenia to his place and began to ask what witchcraft she possessed. The girl tried to tell him about Christ and who really helps her, but King Gallienus did not want to listen to these smart and calm speeches, but ordered Eugene to be sent to the pagan temple of Diana to be sacrificed. Needless to say, all the statues were destroyed as soon as the saint entered. The emperor ordered a stone to be tied around her neck and thrown into the Tiber, but Eugenia walked on the water as if on dry land. She was thrown into a burning stove, but it immediately went out. Then the martyr was sent into a dark, damp ditch and starved for ten days, but a ray of light descended from heaven, and angels brought her food.
On one of the days of this imprisonment, Evgenia was honored with the appearance of Christ himself, who spoke to her the following words: “I am your Savior, Whom you loved with all your soul and with all your heart, for whose sake you endure these sufferings. Let it be a sign to you that I will accept you into My heavenly habitations on the very day that I was born on earth from a pure and virgin womb.” Eugenia began to look forward to the promised joy - and indeed, on Christmas Day, the executioner descended into the ditch and killed the saint with a sword.
***
Blessed Claudia lost her only daughter Eugenia twice during her earthly journey, but both times she was shown the highest joy: first, her daughter was found after three years of absence, and the family lived for some time in earthly happiness. Then Eugenia was executed, and Claudia, interring her body in the family estate near Rome, cried and mourned her death. Soon the daughter appeared to her mother during prayer with the words: “Rejoice and be glad, my mother, that Christ brought me into the joy of the saints, and my father into the number of patriarchs, on Sunday He will accept you into eternal joy.” The second separation was more terrible, but the joy from the meeting was much stronger, because mother and daughter had already met in Heaven.
Venerable Martyr Eugenia
January 6 (Dec. 24, church calendar)
HOLY EVG E
NIA was born in 183 in Rome.
Her father, Phil i
pp, was the viceroy of Emperor Comm
o
da in Egypt
and
lived with his family in the city of Alexander
i
i. Evgenia received an excellent, versatile education. Beautiful in appearance, Evgenia, however, avoided marriage. Reading the letters of the Apostle Paul sparked a desire to become a Christian.
Wanting to devote herself to God, Eugenia, at the age of 16, disguised herself as a man and secretly left her parents' house, accompanied by her two eunuch slaves Protus and Iakinthos. Posing as a young man, she turned to Saint Elias with a request to baptize her and bless her for a monastic lifestyle. The saint understood her secret, but baptized her with the male name Eugene. Her slaves were baptized along with her. After this, the saint tonsured all three of them into monasticism.
The blessed virgin, hiding under a monastic robe, succeeded in the monastery in strict monastic feats of fasting and prayer. Her exploits were so pleasing to the Lord that He honored her with the gift of healing. When the abbot of the monastery died a few years later, the brethren asked Evgenia to become their abbot. Having opened the Gospel, Eugenia read: “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave” (Matt. 20:26-27). However, she was forced to agree to the abbess and, having accepted this position, doubled her exploits. Everyone, except her former slaves, took her for a monk.
One day, the sick widow Melania turned to Eugenia for help, and Eugenia healed her with the sign of the cross. At the suggestion of the devil, Melania became embittered with Evgenia and slandered her with violence. Eugenia had to appear in court before the ruler Philip, her own father. During the trial, the ruler recognized his missing daughter Eugenia in the accused abbot, and Melania was convicted of libel. Having found the one they had mourned for so long, Eugenia’s parents were imbued with her spiritual beauty, believed in Christ and were baptized. Soon the Alexandrian Christians elected Philip as their bishop. But Philip did not remain a bishop for long. The new ruler sent assassins who mortally wounded him, and he died in the year 262.
After the death of her father, Eugenia and her mother Claudia returned to their family estate near Rome. In it, Claudia set up a hospitable home and served widows. Subsequently, under Emperor Galian (260-268) she became a martyr. An orphaned Roman woman from the royal family, Vasilla, was baptized by Eugenia. Her embittered fiancé complained to Emperor Gallienus about Christians preaching celibacy. Vasilla refused to carry out the emperor's order and get married. For this she was executed. The monks Protus and Iakinthos, Eugenia's companions, were beheaded. When Eugenia was taken to the temple of Diana for sacrifice, the temple collapsed. Having accused Eugenia of magic, she was thrown into the Tiber River with a stone around her neck. But the rope came untied, and Evgenia floated out unharmed. She was finally beheaded on December 25, 262. Since they began to celebrate the Nativity of Christ later on this day, the day of remembrance of Saint Eugenia was moved the day before - to Christmas Eve. Her relics were kept in Rome in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
Troparion: A
Thy dear
Jesus,
I
call
Eugene
with
a
great
voice
: I
love
You
, I love
You
,
and
I suffer
for ,
and I am crucified
,
and I am
buried
in
Your
baptism y
, and I
wait
for
You ,
and
I reign
in You
,
and
I
die
for You
, and
I
live
with
You
,
but
I
accept
the
immaculate sacrifice ,
with
love
surrendered
to
You
. Then I
say
and
you
,
I
am
merciful
,
I
saved
our soul .
Missionary leaflet number A-1
Publishing house of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Copyright (c) 1996 and Published by Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church 2049 Argyle Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068, USA
Editor: Archimandrite Alexander Mileant
(sbor1.doc 11-15-97)
The Bavarian city on the Danube keeps the relics of St. Eugenia of Rome
From the editor. On January 6, on the Eve of the Nativity of Christ (Christmas Eve), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Father. Eugenia of Rome - a virgin who labored in male form (c. 262). Readers are offered a fragment of the chapter “From Aschaffenburg to Fussen” from the new book of the Munich journalist, RNL author Anatoly Guryevich Kholodyuk, “Bavaria: from shrine to shrine,” which is being prepared for publication and will be published in Germany in Russian in the first quarter of 2013.
* * *
The search for the relics of early Christian saints led me to the Bavarian city of Neuburg an der Donau, whose two round massive castle towers and the spire of the 57-meter Court Church solemnly rise above the Danube cape, mirrored in the blue waters.
The castle itself, which became the residence of the rulers of Palatinate-Neuburg from the Wittelsbach dynasty (1505-1742), was founded on the site of a former defensive fortification back in 1527 by Count Palatine Otto Heinrich the Magnanimous (1502-1559).
Inside the castle, which was built before 1665, a chapel was built back in 1543, which is now considered one of the oldest Protestant churches in Bavaria. Outside the castle, in the picturesque historical part of the city, there is a former Jesuit college, and on Karlsplatz square - the Catholic Court Church (Hofkirche), as church documents say, one of the “favorite churches of the Bavarian royal house.”
According to church archival documents stored in Munich, a chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary existed in its place before the year 1000. The modern church building in the Mannerist style was built in accordance with the plans of the court painter and architect J. Heinz. The “model” for the “Hofkirche” was the Jesuit Church of St. Michael in Munich. It began to be erected in 1607-08, but all internal work was completed only by 1627. In October 1618, the church was consecrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it began to be called among the people “counter-reformation”.
A year before the consecration, the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens (1577 - 1640), who was from the German city of Siegen, painted an altar image of the “Great Last Judgment” especially for the Hofkirche.
It is believed that from ten to twenty artists from the workshop of the great master of the brush worked on this large-scale canvas, although the altar painting bears the signature only of Rubens, the fame of whose works on mythological and religious themes thundered in the 17th century. throughout Europe.
In 1620, for two side altars of the same Court Church, Peter Paul Rubens painted two more paintings: “The Adoration of the Magi” and “The Descent of the Holy Spirit,” which are now in the halls of the Neuburg State Gallery.
…Having already taken your first steps in the Court Church, you notice that in its several side altars there are many reliquaries with the relics of various saints. However, the most precious reliquaries, skillfully made of ivory, are located in front of the main altar.
In one of two very similar reliquary boxes, the relics of the Primts rest. Evgenia Rimskaya. The reliquary with her relics is crowned with a miniature half-length statuette of Eugenia Rimskaya.
The so-called “People's Altar” was consecrated in 1990, and under its throne at the same time two reliquaries were installed with the relics of Saints Felician and St. Evgenia Rimskaya. Reliquary of St. Eugenia was supplemented with the relics of St. Christina of Tire, or Christina of Bolsen, as well as the relics of other early Christian martyrs.
The openwork carvings on the ivory plates from which the two reliquaries are made were made by the famous Munich master Christopher Algemeier (c.1580-1633). The ministers of the “Hofkirche” church and the workers of the city museum of Neuburg find it difficult to give an unambiguous answer to the question of the author of these lines: whose exactly are the relics of the two saints Felicians known in the history of the Church (or the bishop of Foligno; † January 24, 249, or another saint of the same name, martyred † c. 305 in Rome together with his brother Primus; memorial day - June 9) are in the reliquary? They are unanimous in the opinion that the relics of the prmts. Eugenia Rimskaya came to Neuburg from the Eternal City during the era of the Counter-Reformation movement, aimed against the spread of the ideas of Martin Luther in Bavaria.
According to the “Orthodox Encyclopedia”, which refers to the text of the martyrology of Blessed. Jerome (5th century), prmts. Eugenia was buried on the Via Latina in Rome. A basilica was built over her grave in the cemetery, which was rebuilt in the 7th - 8th centuries by Popes John VII, Adrian I and Leo III, and then disappeared completely. Roman researchers were never able to establish the place where the saint’s grave was located in the Apronian cemetery (Coemeterium Aproniani). Until recently, it was known that the relics of the early Christian martyr Eugenia of Rome, revered by the Orthodox and Catholic churches, who suffered in Rome ca. 262 years old, reside only in the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome, and particles of her relics are in the VMC monastery. Barbarians in Greek Cyprus and two monasteries of the Life-Giving Spring on the Greek island of Andros and the Holy Trinity in the town of Koropi, built on the site of an ancient Greek city, which received its name in honor of the famous soothsayer Apollo Koropi (5th century BC).
No later than the end of the same 5th century. about the martyrdom of the Primts. Eugenia's life was written in Latin. During the early Middle Ages, the veneration of Saint Eugenia was very widespread, especially in Italy and Greece. One of the most famous literary adaptations of the life of St. Eugenia is Gottfried Keller’s short story “Eugenia” from the collection “Seven Legends” (1872.
Life of Prmts. Eugenia of Rome is known to Orthodox believers from the Menaion of Demetrius of Rostov. Eugenia, a Roman by birth, lived in Alexandria, where her father, Philip, was sent by Emperor Commodus (180 - 192) as governor of Egypt. Evgenia received a good education and was distinguished by her kind disposition and beauty. Many young men sought her hand, but she did not want to marry. Eugenia with all her soul rushed towards Christianity and, secretly from her parents, accompanied by her two slaves, Protus and Iakinthos, dressed in men's clothing, she retired to a monastery. There she, with her slaves and companions, received holy Baptism from Bishop Eli, to whom it was revealed about her in a vision, and he blessed her to labor in the monastery in the guise of the monk Eugene. Through her exploits, Saint Eugenia acquired the gift of healing. One day, a rich young widow, Melania, turned to her for help. Seeing the young monk, this woman was inflamed with unclean passion, but being rejected, she invented slander about attempted violence. Saint Eugenia appeared for trial before the ruler of Egypt, that is, before her father, and was forced to reveal her secret. Her family was delighted to find the one they had been mourning for a long time. After some time, they all accepted holy Baptism. But Philip, following the denunciation of the pagans, was removed from his post as ruler. The Christians of Alexandria elected him as their bishop. The new ruler, fearing popular anger, did not openly execute Philip, but sent assassins. During the bishop's solitary prayer, he was inflicted with wounds, from which he died a martyr three days later. Having been widowed, Claudia, with her daughter and servants, left for her estate, located in the outskirts of Rome. There Evgenia continued her monastic life. She brought many virgins to Christ, and Claudia set up a hospice and served widows. Emperor Gallienus (260 - 268) again began the persecution of Christians, and many of them took refuge with Saints Claudia and Eugenia. At that time, an orphaned young Roman woman from the royal family, Vasilla, having heard about Christians and about Saint Eugenia, wanted to meet the saint and wrote her a letter. In response, Saint Eugenia sent her friends and associates, Protus and Iakinthos, who enlightened Vasilla, and she accepted holy Baptism. Basilla's maid told her fiancé Pompey that his bride had become a Christian, and Pompey complained to the emperor about Christians preaching celibacy. Brought to account, Vasilla refused to marry Pompey, and for this she was stabbed with a sword. Saints Protus and Jacinthos were dragged into the idol temple to make a sacrifice, but as soon as they entered there, the idol fell and broke. The holy martyrs Protus and Iakinthos were beheaded. Saint Eugenia was also forcibly brought to the temple of Diana, but before she had time to enter it, the entire temple, along with the idol, collapsed. The holy martyr was thrown into the Tiber with a stone around her neck, but the stone fell off and she remained unharmed. She remained unharmed in the fire. Then they threw her into a ditch, where she remained for 10 days. At this time, the Savior Himself appeared to her and announced that she would enter the Kingdom of Heaven on the day of the Nativity of Christ. When this bright holiday came in 262, the executioner killed the holy martyr with a sword. Soon Saint Claudia also accepted the crown of martyrdom. Prmts. Evgenia warned her about the day of death. Saint Eugenia was buried on the Via Latina near Rome.
In Bavaria, Saint Eugenie is prayed against deafness and possession. In the Orthodox Church, the day of remembrance of St. Eugenia of Rome is celebrated on January 6th, and in the Catholic Church on December 25th.
In the Court Church of Neuburg, in the same reliquary with the relics of the prmts. Eugenia also contains the relics of the martyr Christina of Tire, or Bolsena, a Christian saint revered by the Orthodox Church on August 6 and the Catholic Church on June 24. (...) The veneration of this saint was widespread in Bolsena already in the 4th century, but the description of her martyrdom was compiled only five centuries later. Experts consider the life of Christina to be legendary, having no basis in the form of a historical event.
The appearance of a large number of Christian relics was not at all a random occurrence in Bavarian cities, including Neuburg. The collection of relics arose during the Counter-Reformation era. It was started in 1577 by the Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V the Pious (1548-1626), who received the blessing of Pope Paul IV (1476-1559). Bavaria received the relics of the first Christian shrines as a gift directly from Rome. The Reformation movement of Martin Luther that began in Europe was opposed by the Counter-Reformation, whose supporters and active promoters of the restoration of Catholicism were almost all the Dukes of Bavaria, who waged a decisive struggle against Protestantism in their possessions located along the Danube. By the beginning of the 17th century, the Catholic Church was able to defend and even regain significant territories in Germany, where reformation teachings were widely spread. In 1608, the forces of the Catholic Church were opposed by the Protestant Union, to which Catholics responded in 1609 with the formation of a league led by Bavaria, which became the center of confrontation between two religious and political coalitions in German lands.
Neuburg is not the only Bavarian city on the Danube with great Christian shrines. Located not far from it, the city of Donauwörth, founded in 1040 by Duke Mangold I, houses a unique stavrotheque with a part of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. In 1028, this shrine was received in Constantinople as a gift by the same duke from Emperor Constantine VIII.
Anatoly Guryevich Kholodyuk , especially for the “Russian People's Line”
Munich, Germany
How does the icon of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome help?
Through His saintly icons, the Lord sends us what we ask for, useful for our souls. The saints, just like us, who have walked the earthly path, know our needs. They experienced the same experiences, overcame similar earthly difficulties. When we ask a saint for intercession, we ask that he convey our prayer to God and that the saint’s prayers will be heard faster than our sincere appeal to them. The icon of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome helps to establish a prayer connection with the holy intercessor. Having before us the visual image of Saint Eugenia, our prayer is not dissipated into empty ideas and dreams. And according to the faith of the one who asks, the Lord, through His saints, gives us what we ask. Eugenia of Rome is revered in the Christian world as a saint, venerable martyr.
Before the icon of Saint Eugenia of Rome they pray:
— About strengthening faith — About help in organizing earthly affairs — About healing of bodily and spiritual infirmities.
The meaning of the icon of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome
The meaning of the icon of Saint Eugenia lies in the indestructible strength of spirit represented in the image of the saint. She personifies the power of faith, martyrdom, and a firm determination to defend Christian ideals, even at the cost of her own life. The image of Saint Eugenia, the story of her life’s journey, inspire us, encourage us to fervent prayer and pious deeds. Truly wonderful is God in His saints! Dear believers, brothers and sisters! Do not doubt the help of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome! Open your heart to her in sincere prayer and she will hear us, heal spiritual and physical infirmities, and help in the successful arrangement of earthly affairs.
Do not forget that in order for a miracle to happen, we ourselves must take care: regularly, with attention, read the prayer, do deeds of faith and love. And don’t forget to give thanks: to thank all the people sent to us by the grace of God to solve our life’s troubles, who shared our joy and sorrow. To thank the Saint, whose prayerful support our heart yearned for, because how many people pray to him for help, but he heard and helped us too. And most importantly, thank the Lord for His boundless love for mankind. He gave the world His saints and every second helps us, people who hope for His great mercies.
Everything in the world happens according to the wise providence of God. Difficulties and sorrows, success and joys. Through earthly trials the Lord strengthens us. By helping each other, praying to the heavenly saints, we are more firmly united in the One Church of Christ. And we believe that the Venerable Martyr Eugenia will hear all our prayers and show us the boundless mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God for everything!
Buy an icon of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome
In the icon painting workshop of Radonezh you can buy or order a hand-painted icon of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome. Call us and we will help you choose a plot, a compositional solution for the icon, its optimal size and design, or we will write an icon according to your sample.
Free delivery throughout Russia. If desired, the icon can be consecrated in the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra.
The icon of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome presented above was made by icon painters from our workshop. To the extent of his spiritual state, each of our artists brings his own unique, inimitable features to the holy image, and at the same time tries not to go beyond the recognition of the saint depicted.
When ordering an icon from us, you can be sure that the image is painted in strict accordance with the canon of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In the church canon we draw our strength, giving us inspiration and steadfastness of hand. Like thousands of our predecessors, we put our whole soul and special, individual style of writing into the creation of an icon. Faith, prayer, knowledge of the iconographic canon and a good level of skill help us in this.
We hope that on our website you will find an image to which your heart will respond.
Peace and goodness to you, dear brothers and sisters, and may the holy servant of God, Evgenia, accompany you throughout your entire life’s journey.
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