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Narrative of St Eugenia

tr. Lewis, 1900

Chapter 1

SELECT NARRATIVES.

By the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, I begin, I the sinner, John the Recluse of Beth-Mari Kaddisha, to write select narratives about the holy women, first the book of the Blessed Lady Thecla, disciple of Paul, the Blessed Apostle. My brethren, pray for me.

The Acts and the Martyrdom of the Blessed Eugenia and of her father Philip and of all who were martyred with them.

Whilst Commodus was reigning, ruler of the transitory world, in the great and famous city of Rome, in his own seventh consulate, he gave the command of a province to Philip, one of his magnates, and sent him to Alexandria the great city, which is in the land of Egypt, and he thus gave him the command of all who were in the country, rich and poor, great and small, and of all the Roman troops who were there, that they should be obedient and submissive to the laws and to the commandments which should be established and decreed to them by him. Now when Philip received the command of the province from the Emperor with his consort Claudia and his two sons, Avita and Sergius, and his daughter the virgin Eugenia, they travelled from Rome to Alexandria and arrived quickly. But immediately when they had entered that country he sent decrees through every city and province, and thus it was written in them. By the commandments of the victorious Emperors. All the Egyptians shall be governed by the laws of the Romans, and they shall live by their customs continually.

Now Eugenia the daughter of this Eparch Philip was about sixteen years old, and she was proficient in much wisdom and in the learning of the Greeks and the Romans, and she was very skilful in speech; so that the philosophers and the wise men were amazed at her wisdom and her discourse and at the erudition of her mind.

Now upon a certain day her father asked her, saying to her, Art thou willing, my daughter, that I should betroth thee to Aquilina the son of Hypatus? For behold! we know him that he is a wise and rich man and worthy of being thy betrothed.

But she answered and said to her father: It is expedient that I should espouse him who loveth integrity, and purity, and holiness; rather than this man concerning whom thou hast told me that he hath transient riches and possessions. For far better is he who hath promised glorious things to the soul which is pure from evil, than the natural man who is mortal and transitory. For there had fallen into her hands the book of the story of the discipleship of Thecla the holy virgin, and of Paul the Apostle; and by it the eyes of her understanding were enlightened in the fear of God. For when she read in it she wept passionately in secret, continually, and sighed bitterly; and she was the more grieved because she was the daughter of people who were heathens and were without the knowledge of God. Now truly when she read in this story of the discipleship of Thecla the virgin, she was desirous in her soul, longing every day that she might be of the religion of the Christians, and continue in the doctrine and in the reading of their sacred books. And on a certain day she asked of her parents that they would grant this favour to her and allow her to go from the city to a certain village to amuse herself, and they consented and allowed her to go, because they loved her greatly.

Now there went with her many eunuchs and servants for her honour. Now as the litter in which she was sitting with the pomp of noble women was going along, Eugenia was reading within it in the book of Thecla, and was meditating on a passage in it. And she said to the two eunuchs who were with her, whose names were these, Proteus and Hyacinthus: Do not disregard what the poets in the error of their hearts imagine and say concerning God, and what things also the philosophers in the error of their hearts falsify and deny about God, who is God in truth and verity. For is such truth perchance found amongst those who are called gods as that which is made known in these sacred books of theology about the true God and about His mighty power? But little to a degree, and very miserable and childish is a soul which calls stones and bits of carved wood, blind and deaf and without feeling, gods, and calls them to its help.

Now as the Blessed Eugenia said these things for the salvation of these her two eunuchs, the three of them began to consider together amongst themselves, discussing and investigating concerning the true God and concerning the worship of His Divinity. And they said to each other: There is nothing more important than this, that a man should fear the true God, and should be a worshipper and honourer of Him alone, in his faith and in his love and in his good works. Now when they had talked about these things and things like them with each other, as if in answer they heard the Christians who were singing and saying: All the gods of the nations are demons; but the Lord made the heavens.

When the Blessed Eugenia heard these things, she commanded that her litter should be instantly detained and should stand still. For the fear of the Christ entered into her heart when she heard this singing and she answered and said to the two eunuchs who were with her: We have quickly found evidence concerning the truth which the sacred books speak about concerning the true power of God who is to be worshipped, and about the perdition and vanity of the polluted worship of idols. But now we have learned the truth about both religions. What therefore shall we do that we may approach that glorious wisdom, and by means of a better life may be able to attain to these mysteries of the Divinity? Let us henceforth look to ourselves, my brethren. For how long shall we occupy ourselves with these useless things of error? Let us cast from ourselves all these vanities of this world, and instead of them let us meditate on the living words of God, and on saving faith. Let our minds be established, that by these things we may be able to flee and escape from the snares of Satan and from the net of the adversary, and that we may hold and may be established in the faith of the Christ the Saviour of the souls of men.

And again the Blessed One answered and said to Proteus and to Hyacinthus: The fashion of this transient world has appointed me your mistress; but now the fear of God, which is implanted in our hearts by His love, makes me your sister, and henceforth, my brethren, I counsel you that we be one soul in the faith of God, in one love of God, despising and rejecting all the honours and desires and luxuries of this world, and progressing in love and in faith, and coming near to the glories of the world that passeth not away for ever; having nothing opposed to us to hinder us by its hateful counsels that we should henceforth be removed from all this blessedness which meets us by the grace of God and by our good will.

And now as I speak to you and instruct you, so do. Remove in the first place the hair from my head, and all this ornament that is upon me, and take away your own afterwards, and let us change our dress and direct the course of our journey this night to believing people, the servants of the living God. Let the two of you holding me on my right hand and on my left, gently with secrecy let me down from this litter without anyone perceiving it; and let the litter be going on empty, and let those who are with it be imagining that I am sitting inside it, and we three all alike in man’s clothing will go joyfully to the people of God.

Now the counsel of the Blessed One pleased these eunuchs, and the next day they did joyfully as she had said to them. Now the Christ in whom they fully believed sent immediately in a very little while His grace to them. For as soon as she descended from her litter, and they began to travel and to go on the road, the saint of God, the bishop Helenus, happened to be accompanying them with a great multitude who were with him, praising and singing and saying together: The paths of the righteous are straight, and the paths of the holy are ordered.

Then said the Blessed Eugenia to Proteus and to Hyacinthus: Do ye understand the force of these words that they are singing now? Do ye know that upon us is accomplished the meaning of the words which we are hearing now from the Christians who are singing and praising their God; those which we also were speaking to each other yesterday concerning the truth of God, and concerning His mighty power? For we heard before holy men singing and praising God and saying that all the gods of the nations are demons, and we removed ourselves far from the ruinous worship of idols: and now again lo! we hear thousands of men singing together and saying: The paths of the righteous are straight and the ways of the just are equal. Now since we have heard these sacred words, let us go in with a good will and mingle with this crowd of singers, and let us be of them and be numbered in their ranks, that we may enter with them into the life that passeth not away, although we have been called late, as if at eventide, to the knowledge of the truth.

Now when they had entered and mingled with the crowd of Christians, they asked some of them, saying: Who is that old man who is sitting by himself in the midst of the people in a high place as if in honour? But some of the crowd answered and said unto them: That is the bishop Helenus, who has been educated from his birth in a monastery of Christian people, he who by his acceptable prayers was saved from the midst of a burning fire; and what is to be told concerning the beauty and excellence of his former deeds! For lo! a short time ago a certain wizard who dwelt here, whose name was Iraus, approached the people of the Christians with the wicked artifice of his magic, and desired to turn away their minds from the sacred writings of theology, and from the certain hope which is signified in their living words. He waxed bold in his wickedness and approached the bishop Helenus and began to speak to him vain words and of the corruption of his error. But when the holy man saw the impudence of his wicked words, and knew that he could not reply to him about the truth in words, he said with a loud voice in the presence of all the people who were assembled there: Why need we argue in words with the son of perdition who now disturbs us? For behold! he is not willing to submit to our own words nor to our teaching that he may turn to the truth. For by the seductiveness and incitement of his words he has caused many to fall from the faith of God wherein they were standing. And behold! down to the present time he is eager in his wickedness that he may subvert and throw down those who are established and confirmed in their faith from the hope of their God. But henceforth in the first place it is incumbent on us to show by an experiment and by a deed that it is God who guides and helps all those who believe in Him and rely upon Him. He who by the hands of me, His humble and weak servant, is ready to show the glorious power of His sovereignty and the sublime redemption which He works for all His servants who love Him with their whole heart in truth and in verity.

And when the holy one, bishop Helenus, had said these things, he said again to all the people who were standing there and listening to them: Kindle a great fire in the midst of the city; and let us enter it together, I and this son of perdition who is leading you astray, and let us stand in the midst of the flame. And the one of us whom his God shall rescue from the fire and who does not burn, his religion is true, and his God is the true God and is able to save from the fire all those who trust in Him. And when the bishop Helenus had said these things, this counsel pleased all the people; they said to him: Thou hast well said. Now when they had kindled a great fire, the holy bishop Helenus commanded that they both should go in together without fear, and that they should stand in the midst of the flame. But the wizard answered and said: Let it not be thus; but let us enter each of us alone. Now go thou in first, because thou hast counselled and incited the people that this should happen. And immediately, swiftly, the Blessed Helenus, with great confidence in God his helper, spread out his hands towards heaven, and with sobs and with many tears called to God in his prayers, saying: Thou knowest, our Lord Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God, the readiness of my soul; Thou wert the fourth who didst appear to the three children of the house of Hanania in the midst of the furnace of fire. Thou knowest, my Lord and my God, that I had not one wish for human glory; but all my labour and longing and the eagerness of my soul is for the redemption of Thy people, over whom in Thy grace Thou hast appointed me a shepherd, whom the enemy and hater of good by means of his minister hath plotted to turn from the plain path of life. And because of this, for the redemption of Thy people I go joyfully into this fire, for there I shall find Thee before me. But sprinkle upon me swiftly the dew of Thy mercy, so that this fire may not at all touch me. And when he had said these things in his prayers, he signed himself with the sign of the cross and entered, and stood confidently exulting in the midst of the flame of the fire a long time, whilst in nothing was he hurt by that fire. Then when the people who were assembled there saw this great miracle which had happened they laid hold of Iraus the wizard and without his consent threw him into the fire. But when he began to burn the blessed bishop Helenus ran and seized him by his hand so that he might rescue him. For although he was justly tortured in that fire, as his impudence deserved, yet the bishop Helenus seized and brought him out of it alive.

But when all the people had insulted that wizard and stoned him with stones, they left him and went away from there.

But him whom ye see, the grace of God has magnified him whilst continually without ceasing he praises and glorifies and exalts God, who by His hand hath wrought redemption for His people.

Then the blessed Eugenia with those two eunuchs who were with her, Proteus and Hyacinthus, fell down before the holy bishop Helenus and did obeisance to him. And they implored and besought him to confirm them in the faith of the Christ; and they opened their mouths and persuaded him and besought him that by his hand they might approach to the knowledge of God completely. The blessed one answered and said to them, My children, be ye continually in the church of God, and be ye zealous at all times in the holy service of your Lord, and thus the great day of the revelation of His coming shall find you watching and ready.

But the blessed Eugenia besought him and said unto him, I beseech of thee, my Lord, pray for me, and commend me to God, He whom thou servest gloriously from thy youth. For we three, my Lord, are by family Romans, and children of those who worship idols. But the mercy of thy Lord and His grace hath called us. When we heard His voice we did not delay to follow it, but immediately swiftly we left the vain worship of idols. And as we were seeking to journey after the sacred footsteps of thy holiness the grace of God brought us hither. And when the blessed ones had related these things to the holy Helenus he was silent and did not speak to them, for all the things that had been related to him had been revealed to him by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. And because it was evening they knelt and received a blessing from him, and thus they departed from his presence. But on the following day they came to the church and desired to appear to the blessed bishop. But a certain priest who dwelt with him chanced to be there; an illustrious and excellent man, whose name was Eutropius. And they persuaded him to go in and remind the bishop about them. And he went in to him with eagerness and said to him: Three young men, brethren, have come here of those who have forsaken the fear and the worship of idols, and they desire to become servants of the Christ, and to be numbered amongst His people, and to be amongst those who believe in Him and are admitted to His glorious mysteries. And they desire so great a gift by the hand of thy holiness and long to be worthy. Then said the blessed Helenus, I praise Thee, our Lord Jesus the Christ, that Thou hast caused us to attain to all this, and by Thy grace hast deemed us to be worthy. I will see those of whom Thou hast already told me by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. And he commanded and they entered his presence, and he rose immediately and prayed. And when he had finished his prayer, he took hold of the hand of Eugenia with those two who were with her, and said to them, How have ye received the knowledge of the truth, and committed yourselves to God, and [how] did ye ask to see me His humble servant? What have ye heard about me that ye have come to me? Reveal it to me, for I wish to know it from you, and I seek to see the good fruits of your promptitude, if it be that you wish to approach God with all your mind.

And the blessed Eugenia answered and said to him: We have considered amongst ourselves that it is not fitting that we should name the adorable name of God on stones and wooden things without feeling. And whilst we were discussing amongst ourselves which is the true religion in which the most high and adorable God delights, the grace of our Lord brought us hither. For we heard some of you who were singing together and saying that all the gods of the nations are demons, but the Lord made the heavens. And when we heard this blessed voice, we dismissed immediately and swiftly the religion of idols from us. And we forsook their worship in haste. And we came hither eagerly, and we journeyed with all the people of the believers in thy footsteps¹, Father, whilst we were believing in God who will help us, that we may assent to thy faith, and be established in thy truth, and we may show by deeds the truth of the words which have been spoken by us to thy holiness. But we three are all of us brothers. One of us is named Proteus, and another Hyacinthus, and I am called Eugenius. And in reply to these things which bishop Helenus heard from Eugenia, he answered and said to her, Thou art well called Eugenius; because joyfully and heroically thou doest everything, and thy soul is perfected; and thou approachest joyfully to the contest of Christ. But know that God has revealed and made known to us that thou art called Eugenia, and whence thou art come and whose daughter thou art; and who these two are who have come hither with thee, our Lord hath shewn it clearly to me; and by the good will that was in thee towards God also those ones are found perfect, and assenters to thy faith. And he commanded them that they should be constantly three months in the churches and in the monasteries, that they might be helped by the sight and by the speech of many, and be established completely in the faith of God. And then afterwards he made them approach the baptism of atonement and made them partakers of the glorious mysteries of the Divinity. Now when he had done all these excellent things to them he led them and brought them into a monastery of men and committed them to the Abbot, and commanded him concerning them that he should have a care over them. But their deeds he revealed to no one as yet.

But at the first time of the discipleship of the blessed ones when Proteus and Hyacinthus had let down the blessed Eugenia from her litter, the litter went on empty, whilst the young men who were going before it and behind it knew nothing about what had happened; for they supposed that she was sitting in it and going. But the household of the blessed Eugenia when they thought that she had arrived from the village whither she had gone, went out to meet her with joy and to welcome her with exultation. But when they did not find her as they had expected, they lifted up their voice with weeping and with bitter wailing.

And they enquired of those who were with her what had become of Eugenia. They excused themselves, Until we arrived here we did not know what had happened, but we were trusting that she was sitting in the inside of this litter. And after these things there was a tumult and a great uproar in all the cities and in that country. And every one was in distress and in great grief because of her. And she was sought for in every place and was not found. For her parents were mourning for their daughter; and her brothers for their sister; and her servants for their mistress. And every citizen was plunged into great sorrow, because they saw in what a grief her parents and her household were because of her. And they went round about in all the places and provinces seeking for Eugenia.

Now they inquired of the country people who were in that place and of the women who practised necromancy and they offered sacrifices to the idols on her behalf. And when they had sought for her in every place and she was not found, all the deluded people, the worshippers of idols, said this concerning her, The immortal gods have snatched her away, and she is exalted to heaven and she mingles with them. And when her father heard these things from the impostors he believed them, and his great grief and sore sorrow turned to much consolation. And they made her a statue of pure gold, and set it up in the city. But her mother Claudia, and her brothers Avita and Sergius found no way whatever of being consoled in their grief.

Now the blessed Eugenia in the dress of a man with Proteus and Hyacinthus, in one perfect love, were in the monastery which we have already named progressing in the fear of God every day, so that in a short time they were repeating by heart all the Holy Scriptures. But while the blessed ones were occupied with these chaste and holy deeds three years afterwards the Abbot of that monastery in which Eugenia with her two eunuchs was, fell on sleep, and his soul went to his Lord in peace.

And some time after the death of this Abbot it pleased all the brethren of this monastery to appoint Eugenia Abbot over them. But the blessed Eugenia declined this, for her conscience admonished her that she was a woman, and it was not fitting that she should be commander [and] governor to the men of God. And moreover she was afraid lest she might cause the minds of the brethren to stumble who were advising and persuading her to do this; for she saw clearly that the minds of all of them were consenting to that idea. And the blessed Eugenia answered and said to them, Many a time ye have heard such words in your own synod, for ye say that our Lord Jesus the Christ will reveal and make known to us such things as be profitable according to His will. And now, if ye command it, let the holy Gospel be brought into [our] midst and let us stand and pray with fervour, and let us beseech the Lord that He will reveal and show to us such things as be profitable; and let us afterwards open and read, and whatsoever be the first passage that is found, let us assent to it, and let us hear it and do as it commands us.

Now when the holy Gospel came and was placed in the midst, they all stood and prayed. And afterwards the blessed Eugenia took it in her two hands and kissed it and pressed it upon her eyes. And she worshipped the Lord and opened it. And when they saw what she had done there was great quiet amongst them. And when she had opened it, she found the place in which it is written that our Lord said to his disciples, Ye know that the chiefs of the nations are their lords, and their great men rule over them. It shall not be so among you, but whosoever among you wishes to be the chief, let him be the servant and minister of every man. Now after this reading Eugenia said to them, Since ye have made known that this is your wish, it is incumbent upon us that we fulfil the commandments of the Christ. For it is required of a servant that he be obedient to his fellows in the fear of the Christ whilst he is cautious in his mind and in his estimation of himself; blameless and faultless let him draw near joyfully to God. When they had all assented to the words which the blessed Eugenia spoke to them, in order that she might not resist and vex them she accepted for herself only the title of Abbot. But they entreated her and besought her that she would accept all the rule of the monastery, as head and governor. She yielded to them also in this behaving amongst them with all humility and showing indeed the fruits of this humility. And the things which the last ought to do to the first in the service of the saints, she in her eagerness and in her humility used to do, all the service pertaining to the fraternity; for she drew water from the well and cut wood and swept all the rooms of the convent, and fulfilled all the service of the brethren. And she made a little cell for herself by the side of the door of the monastery that she might be continually in it, that she might not be a burden on the brothers who were with her, and be better off in her dwelling than all those who were with her. For at the time of the service she would enter first and all the brethren would find her there. And there was not in all that fraternity any one who excelled her in humility, and at all times she was assiduous with the brethren, warning and teaching them that they should not use any oaths at all, but that the truth should be spoken amongst them with quiet speech. For we learn from the commandments of God that we should conduct ourselves with all propriety and holiness and humility and patience. And let us have this eagerness continually, that God may in nothing be despised by us through the transgression of His commandments. For he hath denied his Lord, who teaches his companions that they should do things which his Lord hath not commanded to be done. Now whilst they were learning these commandments every day from her, the brethren who were with her were the more confirmed in their faith and in their love and in good works. For neither by day nor by night did she cease from prayer and from the reading of the Scriptures. Now whilst she was living such a life, there was given to her by means of the grace of God the gift of healing, so that she cast out demons from men by means of the sign of the cross of our Lord, and health was given from God by her hands to those who were sick and afflicted. But because our word is not sufficient to describe the excellency of each one of her first works, such as they were, we leave them and we come briefly to relate her chaste and holy deeds.

Now the wife of a certain senator who was very rich in goods and in much wealth, whose name was Melania, had been sick of a fever and of an ague for a long time. She heard about the blessed Eugenia, that our Lord wrought healing by her hand to those who were afflicted; and she sent for her. And the blessed Eugenia did not decline to go at once with those who came for her. And when she entered her presence and saw her, she immediately signed the sign of the cross on the breast and betwixt the eyes of Melania and prayed. And immediately her fever fled from her with her ague, and she was quickly made whole from her sickness.

And immediately the blessed Eugenia returned swiftly to her monastery. But after these things that had happened Melania was sending continually to the blessed Eugenia and bringing her to her [self] not knowing that she was a woman. Now Eugenia went to her in the sincerity of her heart and in the uprightness of her soul. But Melania was not sending and fetching her with a sincere mind, nor yet as believing that by her prayers she had been healed of her sickness. But as she supposed that she was a man she spoke unseemly words to her, for she said, “Why dost thou trouble and vex thyself uselessly with fasting, and spoilest the appearance of thy youth? Does God perchance love sad people, and those whose faces are miserable; or is He pleased with those who make their bodies lean with hunger? Or is He glorified in those who flee from the marriage-bed? Nor does He magnify those who crucify themselves more than their companions. Does He command every man that he should accomplish the period of his life without joy and comfort? Let us then draw nigh and make use of the good things of this world which are given to us by God, that we may not be like ungrateful people and like people who are unworthy of His gifts that are beside us. Believe henceforth to thy advantage and thy profit in those things which are spoken to thee by me. For when thou shalt be with me in one love, thou shalt be heir of all that I possess. And good times of enjoyment and of gladness shall pass over thee. And thou shalt be lord of all my possessions. Also of myself who am speaking to thee, and am persuading thee. For I am adorned with beauty and with loveliness and with gladness, and I have endless riches. And I consider that this is not wickedness; and it is not sin before God, if thou wilt be my husband. And when thou shalt cast away from thee this mind in which thou hast been stedfast for many years thou shalt enjoy good things.”

But when Melania had said these things and more than these in her madness and her magical art, the Blessed Eugenia rose up in much agitation, and withstood the words of perdition and of death with which Melania was clothed, and she wished to free the soul of the latter from corruption. And she tried to persuade her and said: The desires of this world are destroyers of the souls of men. And wherein a man thinks that he seizes for a little while the transitory desires of this world, he robs himself of the enjoyment which passes not away for all eternity. Therefore let us not seek bodily desires at all, because Satan our enemy endeavours by them to sink and destroy the souls of men. When these words were spoken passionately by Eugenia, Melania shut her ear that she might not receive what was spoken to her. For her thoughts were bound with strong fetters of shameful desires. As it is written, to a guilty soul wisdom entereth not.

But Eugenia endeavoured and made a struggle that she might turn her if possible from the death of perdition towards salvation. And when she found no means of doing this, she departed from her, grieving about the destruction of her soul. But the mad Melania made herself sick and sent intercessors and persuaders to the Blessed Eugenia, so that she might come and see her and pray over her and she might be healed. And she went into her presence with confidence, and sat down beside her in an inner apartment. And she took hold of Eugenia without shame and wished to embrace her secretly. And she spoke to her unchaste and infamous words in her wickedness.

Then the Blessed Eugenia perceiving the treachery of Satan and the cunning of the mad woman his servant, stretched out her right hand and signed herself with the sign of the cross, and with weeping and with sobs said in a loud voice, Justly wert thou called Melania, for a heavy blackness and a putrid filth wells up within thee. Righteously art thou called Melania. For thou art the daughter of nameless sin and a guide to perdition to those who shall perish through thee, a daughter of everlasting Gehenna; a troubled spring of putridity, a fountain running with shame and overflowing, the enemy of God and the abode of the Evil one. For there is not even one good thing in thy heart, because thou art the dwelling-place of Satan. And thou art not worthy to have part or company with the servants of God.

Now when Melania had heard this contumely, she flamed into a great rage not enduring the shame that was hers. For she reflected that perhaps this rumour would come to the hearing of men, and she would become a reproach and a derision in the eyes of all her acquaintances. And she went at once to Alexandria, and publicly in the sight of all the people she approached the governor of the city, and made an accusation before him against the Blessed Eugenia and said: I denounce a certain young madman who has been saying of himself that he is a Christian. I sent for him and fetched him, that he might cure me; because I had been told about him that he could cure those who were pained and afflicted, and heal them of their sicknesses. And when I had commanded that he should enter my presence he immediately began to speak shameful and vile words and would have led me into disgrace. And why is it necessary for me to say more? For at last he wished in his madness to assault me like a slave, and if a certain girl had not happened to be with me in my chamber, by whose help I escaped from his hands and he prevailed not against me, he would otherwise, as his lasciviousness inclined, have wrought his pleasure on me.

Now when the governor had heard this accusation, he was greatly troubled. And he sent a troop of soldiers and commanded that she and all who were with her should be bound in iron fetters, and they should come speedily and their cause should be heard before all the people; and afterwards they should be cast to the wild beasts. But when the day arrived on which it was decreed concerning them, that the examination of the Blessed Eugenia and of all those who were with her should take place, having put iron fetters on all their limbs and having bound them tight, they brought them in and made them stand up in the court in the sight of all the people. And when the crowd of people who had come together on their account saw them, not knowing the truth of what had happened, they lifted up their voice together and cried out against them, but those who were on the side of the mad Melania were shouting the more, and some of them were crying that they should be cast into the fire, and be put to death in it, and their lives should perish, others were crying out that they should be food for the wild beasts. And others said that they should be punished with severe and bitter punishments, as was befitting their impudence. For with one consent the mind of all the people was against them, as against people who had done something worthy of death. Then the governor commanded that the clamour of the people should cease; and when they were quiet from what they were excited about, they brought in the Blessed Eugenia and set her in the court before the governor openly in the sight of all the people. And he began to question her, saying: What confidence induced thee to approach the patrician lady Melania for the purpose of offering her this wicked outrage? Thou didst enter in the deceitful dress of the Christians, and as one skilful in the craft of healing, that thou mightest bring a woman of the aristocracy to the shame of wantonness. Did the Christ perhaps teach you to do things like these? And is this the profession of your religion, that ye should do deeds of corruption and uncleanness?

But the Blessed Eugenia returned an answer with much courage to the governor saying: I was praying that I might overcome all the temptations which should come on me into my mind and conquer them. And that I might reserve this accusation of calumny and oppression for the judgment that is to be. But in order that the purity of truth may not be abashed by those who out of an evil mind unjustly attack it; for purity which is guided by modesty cannot at all be hidden, for it will bring not merely the praise of men to those who love it, but it will be impelled to exist for the honour of God who gave it. For chastity and holiness and modesty are preserved completely by wise men, and the soul of the Christian perfects all her works faithfully in the love of God. I declare this my mind publicly in the midst of and in the sight of all men. For by nature I am a woman. And I was not able to fulfil the desire of my soul regarding the fear of God, unless I changed myself into this chaste and honourable and excellent guise. And being a woman by nature, in order that I might gain everlasting life, I became a man for a short time, being emulous and imitating my teacher Thecla: she who despised and rejected the desires of this world, and became worthy of the good things of heaven by means of her chastity and her life. Therefore I praised, Oh governor, every man who longs for the good things that are with God, and him who because of the love of the Christ hungers for so great excellence, and for the weakness which imitates the strength of full grown men. And because of this I also by the impulse of the love of God and by the fear of His sovereignty took the dress of an adult man in private and in public, keeping my virginity spotless to the Christ my Lord.

And when she had said these things, she rent the garment which she wore from the top as far as her girdle, and that which was hidden from the sight of men was instantly revealed, and the chaste breasts which were upon the bosom of a pure virgin were seen. And when she had done this, and convinced every one what she was, she at once swiftly covered and wrapped herself up with the rags which she had torn. And she continued and said to the governor: Thou art my own bodily father, and ye are my brothers Avita and Sergius. For I am thy daughter Eugenia, she who because of the love of Christ rejected this world and its desires with my two eunuchs Proteus and Hyacinthus who came with me to the covenant of the Christ, my Lord. And my Saviour Jesus the Christ has abundantly presented Himself to thee, that when I shall be to thee a teacher, the desire of the victory of the Christ, him in whom I believe and hope that he will keep me in purity until the end, may in the presence of every one come upon thee.

Then the father recognized his daughter, and the brothers their sister. And they ran before all the people and embraced her, and kissed her weeping. This was also made known to her mother Claudia. And she ran in haste with her maid-servants to the theatre, and she also entered and wept before all the people, and embraced and kissed her weeping bitterly. And they brought costly robes and clothed her against her will. And in order that she might be seen by all men they lifted her and placed her on a high place. And all the people when they saw her shouted with a loud voice saying, One is our Lord, Jesus the Christ, the true God of the Christians.

Now the Bishops, and the priests, and the deacons, and all the people of the Christians were sitting outside the theatre watching that when the saints should be put to death they might take their corpses, and bury them. They also went into the theatre praising and blessing God and saying, “Thy right hand, O Lord! hath done mighty things; Thy right hand, O Lord! hath broken thine enemies. Now that the Blessed one hath been exalted above all men it has happened by the providence of God that by her modesty and by her dignity all who behold her might be helped. And that the glory of such modesty should not be concealed, all men seeing it, fire fell from heaven and burnt up Melania and all her house, and all that belonged to her. And there was great joy among all the people, and the church that had been closed eight years before was opened. And every one believed in the Christ, and became a Christian. And the Eparch was baptized, and his sons Avitus and Sergius. And Claudia, the mother of the Blessed Eugenia, was baptized also, with all her hand-maidens; and people of the heathen without number were turned to God.

And the Christians recovered their privileges and were singing praises as of old with their former customs, and all Alexandria was like one church, and the presbyters only were governing and serving the church. For he who previously had been called of God as by the law and had been bishop, had died in the Lord. Then all the churches came together to Philip the Governor that he might be bishop over them. And when he became (bishop) by the grace of God which had called him, the holy Church held him in great honour. But though he was deemed worthy of this excellent degree of the Episcopacy, he also governed the affairs of the city, because that until now he held the command of the province. For he who should remove him from the command of the province had not yet arrived from the Emperors.

And at length all the inhabitants of Egypt were converted by this means to the truth of the Christ from the religion of idols; and the churches in all the cities and villages which eight years before had been shut by the heathen the persecutors of the truth, were opened; and every day Christianity flourished and increased.

And whilst all these reformations were taking place by the grace of the Christ, in all the churches of that country, Satan, the persecutor of good things and teacher of hateful things, and secret conspirer of evil things, awakened some heathens amongst the chief men of the city, and incited them to make it known to the Emperors, the Rulers of that time, and these erring heathen did everything with envy against the church of God and against the holy bishop Philip. And there was sent against the blessed bishop Philip a man who should depose him from the command of the province, whose name was Perinus, for the Emperors had given him power, that if what they had heard against Philip from the chief men of Alexandria, were true, when he should reach him he should immediately slay him with the sword. Then Perinus arrived and entered the city with much pomp and pride. But he was not able to effect at once what had been commanded by the Emperors against Philip, because all the people of the city loved him greatly, and held him in great honour as a good shepherd and a diligent governor. Now when Perinus saw that he was not able to kill him publicly, he sent with guile against him wicked and rascally men who were dressed in the honourable fashion of the Christians. And when they had entered his presence in the church, they found the Blessed one standing in fervent prayer before God. And when they approached him, that they might receive a blessing, they immediately struck him and killed him, as Zacharia was slain between the temple and the altar. He was in the office of a bishop one year and three months. And as he died in the confession and witnessing for the Christ, he went to his Lord in peace.

But the Blessed Eugenia took up the body of her martyr-father, and wrapped it up carefully, and placed it by the side of the hostel which had been made by her mother Claudia for the comfort of strangers and afflicted people, close to a place which was called Natira². And by the solicitude of her brothers Avitus and Sergius, a regal martyr-shrine was built upon it to the glory of the Christ, and for the help and edification of the souls of men. And when all these things were effectually finished, the blessed Eugenia with her mother Claudia and her brothers Avitus and Sergius went up from Alexandria to Rome, the grace of God accompanying them, through which they found favour before all the senate. And they were greatly welcomed by all men, so that one of them became proconsul in Carthage a city of Africa, and the other was appointed with honour over the country of Africa.

But Claudia and Eugenia her daughter by the commandment of God were occupied every day with good works and chaste deeds which are pleasing to God. And they were turning many souls from the fear of idols and were bringing them near to God. And they were praised by all the noble women of senatorial rank and by all the virgins amongst the chiefs, and they were all zealous to imitate their life in the fear of the Christ.

But a certain virgin named Basilia, near of kin to the Emperor Gallienus, who was very prudent and wise, came secretly to the blessed Eugenia, and heard from her the word of truth. And immediately she was rooted in love in the depth of her understanding, and she believed fully in the Christ, so that no man was able from that time to uproot from within her heart the plant of faith in God. But because Basilia could not continually be seeing Eugenia, Eugenia gave Proteus and Hyacinthus her two eunuchs as a present to Basilia the virgin: and from that time, by day and by night, she was constant in the praise of God and in prayers and in reading of the sacred books.

Then the bishop of the city, whose name was Soter, a pure and holy man, who was very eminent in the fear of God and in the training of the teaching of the sacred books of theology, came to Basilia, and baptized her in the holy font, for the pardon of trespasses and for the remission of sins, and from the sacred books of theology he confirmed the minds of all who were with her in the faith of the Christ, so that they all together were prepared to go forward and to become willing martyrs. All the time that Bishop Soter presided over the church, the Christians were in tranquility and peace, for not one vexation was aroused against them by the enemies. But Bishop Cyprian in the city of Carthage endured many sufferings and afflictions because of the faith of God. For Maximus the Pro-consul by command of the Emperors who ordered him by means of letters, slew the holy Bishop Cyprian. Then Bishop Soter when he heard these things hid himself, and lived alone, but he taught many of the Roman citizens, honourable men, secretly. Now on a certain day Basilia came to the blessed Eugenia, and when she saw her she received her with great joy. And Eugenia answered and said to her, This day our Lord has made known to me clearly that from thy face which is like a rose much blood will be shed. Now this means that thou shalt have contended and conquered in the confession of the Christ, thou shalt receive from Him the crown of victory of thy martyrdom with joy.

Now when the blessed Basilia had heard these things from the holy Eugenia, she lifted up her hands to heaven and praised God with great joy. Now when they had prayed and finished their prayer, they sat down, and Basilia said to Eugenia, “To both of us as I see, our Lord and our Redeemer Jesus the Christ has revealed and shown us the glory of our crowns. For as thou hast seen regarding me, so also to me the Christ has already made known the time of thy departure. For I saw that thou didst receive two crowns from heaven, one because of the struggle for thy virginity which thou hast made, and hast kept it spotless to the Christ; and the other one because thou shalt struggle in the conflict, and shalt conquer the enemy, and thy blood will be shed because of the Christ. These things thou art about to receive.”

Now when the blessed Eugenia had heard these things, she rejoiced and exulted greatly, and called all the virgins who had been drawn to the fear of God by her means and who longed to preserve their virginity pure to the Christ, and persuaded them that they should pray with her, and commit her in their prayer to God. And after they had finished their prayer, she began to talk with them, saying to them: Now the time of vintage has arrived in which the first-fruits are to be gathered, about which our Lord Jesus the Christ hath made known to me by means of the mysteries which He hath revealed to us beforehand. And now, my beloved ones and my disciples, send ye me in the first place before you to our Lord. And be ye also watching and making ready that ye may go out to meet the Christ, your betrothed, whilst your lamps are shining. For the beauty of virginity appears first of all before God, for it is the likeness of the angels which are in heaven. And it is near to God the Almighty, and it is akin to the life that is about to be revealed, and the mother of modesty and the teacher of purity. And a mistress³ without care, and the height of happiness, and zealous for chastity, and the illustrious crown of faith, the hope and succour and honour of those who love it; the glory of the soul, and eternal rest, the cause of good things and the guide to the kingdom of heaven. Let there be for you no other labour and urgency like this, that you may keep your virginity purely and holily to the Christ the Son of God your betrothed. For there are in this world incitements and wicked desires, which remain for a short time with their lovers, and afterwards beget weeping and sobbings in the Gehenna of fire. These in their beginnings appear exhilarating to men, but in the end they torture those who do them with bitter punishments and sore torments which are endless. For they do their deeds without care in this transitory world that they may be condemned completely in everlasting endless torture. And now, my daughters, honoured virgins, who bravely and believingly keep your virginity along with me, remain in the love of each other and in the love of God in which ye dwell and in which ye are abundantly confirmed. For it is time now that ye mourn and cry to God because of the former time which has passed away, when error had fast hold of you, that ye may be filled with everlasting joy, before the face of God Almighty. But I have committed you to the Holy Spirit of God, whilst I believe and it is certain to me that He will receive you in His kingdom spotless and blameless. Therefore do not seek for my bodily appearance but let each of the beautiful examples that I have shown you in my day be continually before your face. And remember my teaching, humble though I be, and love it every day.

When she had taught these things and things like them and had committed them (to God) she kissed them all with a holy kiss weeping. After she had saluted them, she said: Be ye sound and true in our Lord, my daughters and my sisters, for Basilia and Eugenia your sisters are departing from this world to our Lord. But at that time, one of the maidens of Basilia went to Pompeius her betrothed and said to him, Dost thou know that thy betrothed, the Lady Basilia, has been persuaded by Eugenia to decline to be thy wife? And when Pompeius heard these things from that girl, he was greatly troubled and angry at Eugenia, and was sore distressed because of Basilia his betrothed. And he went to her and wished to enter the chamber where Basilia and Proteus and Hyacinthus were performing their customary prayers and praises. He found the doors closed and he knocked at the door and wished to enter their presence. But the blessed Basilia sent to him (saying), If thou art come in order to see me, know that I have fully renounced thee. And I cannot do otherwise, because of my faith in our Lord Jesus the Christ. And when he had heard these things, he departed thence in great rage and vexation. And he sent to call the wives of the senators and some of the noble women of the city, and he persuaded them and sent them to her, that they should enter in and speak with her words of persuasion and advise her to become his wife. And when these noble women came to speak to her words of persuasion and reconciliation, so that she might become wife to her betrothed, the blessed Basilia replied [in] these words to the noble women, saying to them: There is a great difference between the ignorant and the wise people, for the ignorant do not care to receive good things, nor do they wish to decline the evil things, but wise men enquire about good things, and progress towards excellent things, and suddenly they completely renounce [them]. For if this appear to you to be good, that I should take for my betrothed a certain mortal and transient man, how much better will it appear to you, that I should take to myself the Bridegroom who dieth not, and remaineth for ever. I rejoice and exult that in my soul I have decided this, that I should be betrothed alone to the Bridegroom who dieth not; to Him who is our Lord Jesus the Christ; and I have committed my soul with my body to Him: and thus I am eager to keep them spotless to Him. For I see that everything in this world is transient and perishing, and its joy lasts but a short time. Why then have we not hope to get possessions over which death has no power, and which last for ever? For with which of mankind remain the blessings of this world and comfort him? those which flourish a little while, and quickly hastily wither. For this reason ye who have wisdom and understanding see with the good eye of your minds and consider what hath been spoken to you by me. Be not ye now walking in the broad path of the good things of this world, neither have ye any reliance on what is seen, to which the weakness and inexperience of men devotes itself. But [be ye] those who forsake human things and place their hope in God Almighty, He who sent His only One, our Lord Jesus the Christ, to us, that He might show us the way of truth in which we should walk confidently, and that through Him we might know the true faith and the perfect love which we have, in whom we are eager for this true faith, and we have great solicitude on this account that we may keep it spotless and blameless, by the strength and the help which is given to us by the Holy Spirit. Let no man therefore advise us that I should be neglectful of Him whom I confess, who is our Lord Jesus the Christ, Son of the living God, He who was born of Mary the holy Virgin whilst she remained in her uncontaminated virginity. For our Lord was born from her by His own will, as a man; and was worshipped as a king by the shepherds and by the Magi. He was submissive as a disciple whilst He was a learned man and a teacher. He was tempted as a mortal, and He conquered death as an immortal. He was sold as a slave, and He came in glory as Lord and God. He was thought to be a prophet, whilst His Spirit spake by the prophets. And He was anointed as the Messiah, whilst He anointed kings and priests and prophets. He suffered and died as a man, and was raised and arose like God. But lest men should go on in the footsteps of the Jews, the crucifiers, whilst all His disciples were together gazing at Him, He was taken up from them to heaven and sitteth at the right hand of His Father. They are those who by their martyrdom have sealed the truth of this; for after His ascension to His Father, He gave light and eyesight to the blind, He offered health to the pained and the sick. They scared away demons from men by their commandment and by their seals; they cleansed the lepers; they raised the dead; that by means of all these things which were done by their hands we may know how much love and care God has for us. And He wishes for us that we should be heirs of the kingdom of heaven.

And when the blessed Basilia had spoken all these glorious things to the noble women who were listening to her, then suddenly by the love of the Christ their minds waxed fervent in spirit and they did not wish henceforth to go to their homes; nor were they minded to return an answer from themselves to Pompeius. But when Pompeius had taken the evidence of all these women of senatorial rank he went before the Emperors, and cast himself on his face before them, saying, Help us, O ye Emperors victorious and merciful to us your own people of Rome, be prompt and put away from this city the new gods which Eugenia has brought from Egypt. For there are found gods who prohibit men from begetting children, and if men are hindered from begetting children how will there be a renewal to Rome? And how will the army of the Romans be increased and grow? by means of which conflicts are carried on, and by which the victorious right hand of your Divinity subdues in battle the hosts of the foreign enemies which oppose it. If therefore conjugal intercourse [be lawful] to us, let thy majesty command “take thy betrothed bride,” and from to-day and henceforth we shall be at peace, and the Christians may do as they please.

And when Pompeius had said these things and more in his accusation, the Emperor Gallienus commanded [him] to take his betrothed Basilia, and that if she did not wish to be his wife, she should be slain with the sword. Then a decree went forth from the Emperor concerning Eugenia, that she should sacrifice to the gods, but that if she should contumaciously resist, and should not wish to sacrifice, she should be tormented with bitter punishments and with severe tortures, as her temerity deserved, and at the last she also should be condemned to death with the sword. Again a command went forth from the Emperor that if any man of the Christians should introduce another religion and should not wish to sacrifice to the gods, he should be deprived of dear life by means of various tortures. But the blessed Basilia refused every day to become the wife of Pompeius her betrothed. For many days she was tormented by persuasive words of many people. On one day she was harassed by women of senatorial rank and on another day by women who were neighbours and relatives, who advised her to obey the command of the Emperor, and to become the wife of her betrothed.

And why is it necessary for us to say more? For by the wisdom and providence and grace of God which accompanied and assisted her, she overcame all these persuasions and blandishments. Because she was of the imperial family, and she could not be interrogated and judged publicly, the Emperor commanded that she should be beheaded with the sword in the interior of her house, and according to the commandment of the iniquitous Emperor her head was taken off with the sword.

But when the blessed Basilia had died in the confession of our Lord Jesus the Christ, a commandment went forth again concerning Proteus and Hyacinthus, that they also should sacrifice to the gods; but if they should resist the commandment and should not wish to sacrifice, they also should die by the sword. But when the blessed ones did not consent at all to sacrifice according to the commandment of the tyrant, severe tortures and bitter torments were applied to their bodies, [and] at last they were beheaded with the sword. And when these blessed ones had died blissfully in the confession of our Lord Jesus the Christ, the blessed Eugenia also was apprehended and brought before Anicetus, Eparch of the city. And he commanded that she should go immediately and sacrifice to the goddess Artemis.

But when the blessed Eugenia came to that place and went into the temple she turned to the east and lifted up her hands to heaven and prayed for a long time. Now when she had finished her prayer, the image of Artemis fell and was broken, and it was ground so fine that even its powder could not be perceived. But those who did not understand the power of God, thought it the craft of magic; and he commanded that they should tie a great stone on the neck of the blessed Eugenia and that she should be thrown into the river Tiber. But when they carried her and threw her in, immediately her bonds were broken, and the stone which they had hung round her neck fell; but the blessed Eugenia was walking and going on the top of the water. Now when all the Christians saw this great sign that took place, they were filled with joy and exultation, and they praised God with a loud voice, saying, Great is the God of truth, who hath helped Eugenia His handmaiden, and hath not left her to perish, as He was with Peter in the sea, and did not leave him to sink. But when she went and came on the water, and reached the banks of the river, and emerged and stood on the firm land, the servants of the tyrant seized her immediately and conveyed her to prison. But the Eparch commanded that the bath which is called of Severianus should be heated strongly until its colour became like the colour of iron which is heated in the fire; and that she should be cast in there and perish and be consumed by the blast of the flame. And when the command of the tyrant was fulfilled, they brought the blessed one and threw her into that bath. But immediately when she entered into it, the flame of the fire was quenched before her, so that henceforth it could not be kindled through the great cold that was in it by the commandment of God.

But when the handmaid of the Christ had conquered also this device of the erring ones, he commanded that she should go to the prison; and there be cast into the dark cell, and that no bread and no water should be given to her. But when she entered into the house, that house was immediately filled with great light. And the blessed Eugenia was in that prison twenty days, whilst that light shone there every day. And an angel of the Lord appeared to her, strengthening her and saying, Hail to thee, O handmaid of God, Eugenia, for our Lord Jesus the Christ, He whom thou hast loved with all thy heart, and hast served with all thy soul, hath sent me⁴ to thee, and saith, Be courageous and be strong, Eugenia, for to-day thou shalt ascend to heaven, gaining the victory over the enemy.

But on that day, which was the birth-day of the Christ, the Eparch commanded that one of the executioners should go, and there in the prison slay her with the sword. And when the blessed one had died⁵ by means of the sword in the prison according to the command of the Eparch, the Christians heard (of it) and they came and took up the body of the holy Eugenia, and they carried it in triumph as something they had found, and laid it in a beautiful place which was not far from the city, on the road which is called the Latina.

Now her mother Claudia was sitting at the grave and weeping. And the blessed Eugenia appeared to her and said to her, Rejoice and exult, my mother, for our Lord Jesus the Christ has exalted me to the rest and joy of the saints; and has placed my father Philip in the host of just and righteous fathers. And as for thee, on the coming first day of the week⁶ He will receive thee in peace. And command my brothers, Avita and Sergius, to keep the seal of the Christ which they have received, that by means of it they may be worthy to become partakers and heirs of the kingdom of heaven, with all the martyrs and confessors. But Claudia went up to her house, and informed her sons according as the blessed Eugenia had informed [her]. And on the first day of the week as they were consummating the glorious mysteries of the divinity, while she was standing in the church and praying, she committed her spirit to the Lord of all spirits, who is our Lord Jesus the Christ; and her sons took her up, and laid her beside their sister, whilst they also excelled in good works and were pleasing to God, so that they converted many of the heathen from the impure sacrifices of idols; and taught them to believe in our Saviour and Redeemer, in⁷ our Lord Jesus the Christ. And they received with joyful delight those who went down to the baptismal font of holiness and were cleansed from their crimes and their sins, and gave them rest in their houses. But they did not cease to save every day the souls of men from the captivity of the dragon, the accursed calumniator, and they brought them near to the Christ their Lord. But they also were counted worthy to imitate the excellent deeds of their father, and of their sister; and to inherit the portion and the bliss of the saints together with them. For they pleased the Christ in their life; and they entered and mingled with the glorious hosts of the just and the righteous. May we also be worthy to be heirs with them of the kingdom of heaven, by the grace and tender mercy of our Lord Jesus the Christ! with whom also to the Father be glory and honour and praise and exaltation with the Holy Spirit now and in all time for ever and ever. Amen.

Here endeth the testimony of the blessed Eugenia, and of all the holy martyrs who were martyred with her: Glory to the Hidden One who was made manifest in our body; and we have seen Him who is invisible, visible in our body⁸.

The story of the excellent life of Pelagia the harlot, who was of the city of Antioch in Syria.

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