Saint Eugenia the Holy Martyr
Date of celebration: 24/12
Saint Eugenia the Osioparthenomarty lived in the second half of the 3rd century AD. She came from Rome and her parents were named Philip and Claudia. He also had two other brothers, Avita and Sergio.
Her father was appointed prefect of Alexandria and went there with his whole family. There Eugenia studied in the best possible way and learned Greek and Roman philology excellently. When she finished her studies, looking for more knowledge, she got hold of the letters of the Apostle Paul from a Christian daughter. When he read them, he was very impressed. There were no theories and philosophical beliefs in there. Their lines inspired life and hope.
At that time, her parents wanted to give her as a wife to a certain Roman official, Aquilina. Then Eugenia, refusing to accept this proposal of her parents, one night dressed as a man and left for another city. There she was catechized, baptized a Christian and at the same time took the monastic form.
After years, she returned home and was recognized by her parents in tears and inexpressible joy. It didn’t take long and everyone in Eugenia’s house accepted Christianity. Out of hatred then the pagans mortally wounded her father. And when Eugenia returned to Rome, because she did not sacrifice to idols, they beheaded her, thus gloriously ending “the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy, v. 12), along with her earthly life.
