Martyr · 303
Euphemia the Great Martyr
New Calendar September 16 Old Calendar September 29
Why they are a saint
Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. Venerated as a martyr who died for the faith in Christ.
Limited historical information is available about this saint.
Life
Saint Euphemia was the daughter of the Christian senator Philophronos and his wife Theodosia. In 304 at Chalcedon, when the proconsul Priscus ordered everyone to sacrifice to Ares, she was found praying in secret with 49 other Christians. After nineteen days of torture the others were sent to Diocletian, but Priscus kept the young Euphemia, hoping she would yield when alone.
She endured many torments, and at last was sentenced to the wild beasts; they only licked her feet, until a she-bear wounded her foot and she died at once. Her relics were later taken to Constantinople, and her incorrupt body rests in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Euphemia the Great Martyr as a patron when they bear the name Euphemia at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on September 16. As a martyr, she is also asked for courage and faithfulness under trial.
Prayer
O holy Euphemia the Great Martyr, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.