Sainte Eudoxie
Martyre à la
"vie" romancée... (+ 114)
Eudocie ou Eudocia.
Il y eut sans doute, sous
l'empereur Trajan, une femme d'origine samaritaine qui se convertit après une
vie de débauche. Elle découvrit le Christ, se repentit et mourut
décapitée.
De cette obscure martyre,
la piété chrétienne a fait l'héroïne d'un pittoresque "roman
hagiographique". D'après cette "Vie", Eudoxie était une
courtisane, fastueusement riche, de la ville d'Héliopolis au Liban. Un moine de
passage lui conte, un jour, l'évangile du pauvre Lazare. Émue jusqu'aux larmes,
elle se convertit, distribue ses biens aux pauvres et s'enferme dans un
monastère du désert. Un de ses anciens amants, un païen venu la relancer, meurt
subitement. A la prière du Christ, elle le ressuscite. Par la suite, dénoncée
au gouverneur sous de fausses accusations, elle est condamnée à mort.
Voir aussi Sainte Eudoxie
la Samaritaine, martyre (calendrier
de l'Église orthodoxe)
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/5926/Sainte-Eudoxie.html
_by_shakko.jpg){kind=icon}
Музей «Новодевичий монастырь». Мерная икона с изображением Св. Преподобной Евдокии – принадлежала царевне Евдокии Алексеевне.
D'origine samaritaine, la Sainte Martyre du Christ Eudocie vivait à Héliopolis, en Phénicie du Liban, sous le règne de Trajan (96-116). Comme elle était dépourvue de toute connaissance de Dieu, elle s'était laissée entraîner à la débauche et avait livré à la prostitution son corps que le Créateur avait orné d'une rare beauté. Nombreux étaient ceux qui venaient de loin et offraient de fortes sommes d'argent pour jouir de ses charmes, si bien qu'elle avait acquis par ce honteux commerce une immense fortune et elle vécut dans l'insouciance jusqu'au jour où un moine, nommé Germain, qui était arrivé en ville pour affaire, vint loger dans la maison voisine. Le soir, après avoir chanté l'Office dans sa chambre à l'heure prescrite, comme s'il se trouvait dans son monastère, Germain se mit à lire à haute voix un livre qui décrivait le Jugement dernier, les châtiments des pécheurs et les récompenses des justes. En entendant ces terribles paroles, Eudocie fut tout ébranlée, sa conscience s'éveilla de la torpeur dans laquelle l'avaient plongée de si longues années passées dans le péché et elle versa pendant toute la nuit des torrents de larmes.
Au matin, elle se précipita vers Germain et, tombant à ses pieds. elle l'implora avec larmes de lui indiquer la voie du salut. Après l'avoir dûment catéchisée, en père spirituel prudent, celui-ci la renvoya chez elle, pour qu'elle éprouve sa résolution pendant une semaine de retraite et de prière. Comme elle priait de nuit en versant quantité de larmes sur sa vie passée, Eudocie vit soudain une grande lumière et l'Archange Michel descendit pour la conduire au ciel où l'assemblée des élus l'accueillit avec joie, alors qu'à l'extérieur le diable, sous la forme d'un être gigantesque, noir et répugnant, accusait Dieu d'injustice pour avoir accepté si rapidement le repentir de cette femme débauchée. Une voix très douce se fit alors entendre du haut du ciel, qui disait : « Tel est le bon plaisir (eudokia) de Dieu : recevoir avec compassion les hommes qui se repentent. » Et, sur l'ordre de Dieu, l'Archange ramena Eudocie dans sa demeure, en lui promettant l'assistance de la Grâce pour les combats qu'elle aurait dès lors à mener contre le péché.
Pleine de joie et de confiance en la miséricorde du Seigneur, Eudocie fut baptisée par l'Evêque de la cité, Théodote, et, suivant scrupuleusement les instructions de son père spirituel, elle remit avec empressement sa fortune acquise dans l'iniquité à un Prêtre, afin qu'il la distribue aux nécessiteux, puis, ainsi délivrée de l'attachement au monde et de tout souci, elle alla rejoindre Germain qui la fit admettre dans un monastère féminin situé non loin du sien.
Dès son entrée dans le stade de la vertu, la Bienheureuse montra un zèle ardent pour effacer par l'ascèse et par les larmes du repentir toutes traces de ses anciennes passions. Elle portait constamment, sans jamais la changer, la tunique dont elle avait été revêtue à son baptême; elle apprit le Psautier par coeur et faisait de la prière et de la méditation de la Parole de Dieu sa nourriture, de préférence à tout autre aliment terrestre. Par cette conduite admirable et cette belle transformation, elle reçut du Seigneur le pouvoir d'accomplir des miracles et, à la mort de la supérieure, elle fut élue par la fraternité pour lui succéder.
En ce temps-là, ayant appris que la belle Eudocie avait rejeté les plaisirs de cette vie et le culte des idoles pour tourmenter son corps par amour du Christ, certains de ses anciens amants la dénoncèrent auprès de l'empereur, l'accusant d'utiliser sa fortune pour construire, dans le désert, des refuges pour les Chrétiens rebelles à son autorité et à la religion de l'Empire. Lorsque le dignitaire envoyé par l'empereur et les trois cents soldats de son escorte voulurent pénétrer dans le monastère de la Sainte, ils en furent empêchés par une force divine et, après avoir tourné autour de l'enceinte pendant trois jours, en cherchant vainement l'entrée, ils furent frappés de mort, à l'exception du magistrat et de trois soldats.
Quand l'empereur apprit ce lamentable échec, il envoya son propre fils pour arrêter la Sainte. Mais celui-ci fut frappé par Dieu et mourut après avoir été jeté à bas de son cheval. Sur le conseil d'un ancien amant d'Eudocie, le souverain éploré écrivit alors à la Sainte pour lui demander d'intercéder afin que son fils revienne à la vie. Eudocie lui répondit avec humilité, protestant de son impuissance à accomplir de tels miracles, et elle fit trois signes de croix sur la lettre en la refermant. Dès que le messager apporta la missive au palais devant le cadavre du prince, celui-ci reprit vie, et l'empereur et toute la cour s'écrièrent : « Grand est le Dieu des Chrétiens, qui accomplit de telles merveilles! » On raconte même que le souverain se fit baptiser avec un grand nombre des siens, et que le prince ressuscité devint par la suite Archevêque de la cité, alors que sa soeur, Gélasia, prenait le voile dans le monastère de Sainte Eudocie.
L'empereur Adrien (l17-138), qui prit la succession, était un farouche adepte de l'idolâtrie. Il envoya à Héliopolis un gouverneur, célèbre pour sa cruauté, nommé Diogène, lequel avait été fiancé à Gélasia et que la fuite de sa promise avait mis dans la plus grande haine à l'égard d'Eudocie. Sitôt installé, il envoya cinquante hommes d'armes pour se saisir de la Sainte. Alors que ceux-ci étaient encore en route, le Christ apparut à Eudocie et lui annonça que l'heure était venue pour elle de remporter la couronne du Martyre. Elle se rendit alors dans l'église, prit sur elle une parcelle de la Sainte Eucharistie et, accueillant les soldats avec calme et dignité, elle les suivit sans offrir de résistance. Sur le chemin, un Ange la précédait, tenant un flambeau allumé, sans que les païens s'en rendent compte.
Après l'avoir laissée pendant quatre jours en prison, sans recevoir ni nourriture ni boisson, on l'amena au tribunal, le visage couvert, et dès qu'on lui retira ce voile une lueur éclatante en resplendit, provoquant un cri de stupeur dans l'assistance. La Sainte répondit avec audace aux questions du gouverneur et l'invita à mettre son dessein à exécution, sans perdre de temps en de vains interrogatoires. On la somma de choisir entre trois solutions pour avoir la vie sauve : adorer les idoles, revenir à son ancien mode de vie ou remettre sa fortune au trésor public. Eudocie déclara qu'il était absolument exclu pour elle de retourner à sa vie passée, maintenant qu'elle avait connu la vérité, et qu'elle n'était plus maîtresse de l'argent qu'elle avait distribué. Sur lordre de Diogène, quatre hommes se saisirent d'elle et l'accablèrent de coups pendant deux heures entières; puis, comme ils tentaient de la dénuder afin de l'attacher au poteau de torture, ils trouvèrent sur elle le coffret contenant la Sainte Communion. Lorsque le gouverneur tenta de l'ouvrir, une flamme s'en dégagea, qui consuma tous ceux qui se trouvaient aux alentours et qui laissa Diogène à demi paralysé. Comme il tombait à genoux en priant le dieu Soleil de le délivrer de ce sortilège, un éclair fendit le ciel et le laissa raide mort sur le sol: Pendant ce temps, un Ange rayonnant descendait du ciel et s'entretenait avec la Sainte, après l'avoir chastement recouverte d'un voile. Un soldat qui avait été témoin de cette scène, saisi de repentir, alla la détacher et la pria d'intercéder pour ceux qui venaient d'être frappés par la colère de Dieu, afin qu'ils recouvrent la vie et puissent se repentir. Prise de compassion, Eudocie se mît en prière et aussitôt les morts ressuscitèrent, provoquant la conversion d'une grande partie de la population.
La Sainte resta en ville quelque temps pour enseigner le peuple, et elle accomplit encore d'autres miracles, jusqu'au jour où, Diogène étant décédé, un nouveau gouverneur, nommé Vincent, s'installa à Héliopolis, avec la ferme décision d'en finir avec la célébrité importune d'Eudocie. Il envoya des soldats dans sa résidence et ceux-ci lui tranchèrent la tête, sans autre forme de procès, lui offrant ainsi la satisfaction de son désir le plus cher : l'union définitive avec son Époux céleste. Par la suite, les Reliques de Sainte Eudocie accomplirent de nombreux miracles qui témoignèrent pour des générations de Chrétiens de la puissance du repentir.
Saint
Eudokia of Heliopolis
Преподобномученица
Евдокия Илиопольская (Икона XIX в. Коломенское. Москва.)
Also
known as
Eudocia of Samaria
Eudocia the Samaritan
Eudokia…
Eudoxia…
Eudossia…
Profile
Courtesan who led a
dissolute youth.
She converted,
and led a life of great penance to make up for her early waywardness. Martyred in
the persecutions of Trajan.
Born
at Heliopolis in Coele-Syria
her family was originally
from Samaria
beheaded in
the 2nd
century
Additional
Information
Acts
of the Early Martyrs, by Father James
A M Fastré, S.J.
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Roman
Martyrology, 1914 edition
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
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sites in english
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MLA
Citation
“Saint Eudocia of
Heliopolis“. CatholicSaints.Info. 24 July 2022. Web. 28 February 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eudocia-of-heliopolis/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eudocia-of-heliopolis/
.jpg)
Article
EUDOXIA (Saint) Martyr
(March 1) (1st century) Born at Heliopolis in Caele-Syria of a Samaritan
family, Eudoxia led at first a profligate life, but was converted to
Christianity, received Baptism, and died a penitent. Under a false accusation
she was brought before the ruler of the Province, but, having restored life to
his dead son, she was set free. Arrested a second time as a Christian, she was
beheaded under Trajan (A.D. 98-117).
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Eudoxia”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info.
17 January 2013. Web. 28 February 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-eudoxia/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-eudoxia/
The
Acts of the Early Martyrs – Saint Eudoxia
Article
The wonderful ways which
divine Providence uses in leading sinners to repentance, whilst they excite our
admiration, bear witness in all ages of the Church to the consoling truth that
our Lord came into this world to save sinners. When with His visible presence
He dwelt among the children of men, the Saviour’s loving Heart was ever longing
for the return to the fold of salvation of the lost sheep; for them He spoke
those parables so full of tender compassion; for them He offered up His labors
and sufferings, and shed His most precious Blood. Happy they that give heed to
His kind invitations, and, taking up His sweet yoke, by bringing forth fruits
worthy of penance, find at last peace and rest to their souls. Among the holy
penitents who hardened not their hearts when the voice of grace spoke to their
conscience, one of the most celebrated was Eudoxia of Heliopolis, in Phoenicia.
Born of a family that
belonged originally to Samaria, nature had endowed her with every gift of mind
and body that might have made her an omament of society, had she known how to
make a proper use of the advantages which she enjoyed. But, unfortunately, she
was not only a Pagan, but, what is worse, a very bad one. Pride and vanity
having first led her to the worship of self, her beauty and accomplishments
soon became so many toils to ensnare numberless wealthy votaries of sensual
pleasures. In this manner she became the possessor of immense riches, and was
enabled to indulge her most fanciful desires. Yet, as the gratification of the
senses can never satisfy the cravings of the heart, nor restore peace and
happiness when these have sped away, so it can never silence the voice of a
conscience which is not wholly deadened. Bet whither could she turn, whence
could she hope to derive comfort? Seated in darkness and in the shadow of
death, disgusted with herself and weary of life, the present was to her an
unbearable torment, the future a mystery whereof she understood nothing. Thus,
amidst the surroundings of all that the world calls pleasant and enviable, she
was hopelessly wretched – a pitiable victim of her own unbridled passions.
However, the good Shepherd of souls was all this time in search of that
straying sheep, ready to draw her out of the abyss into which she had been cast
by the wicked enemy. The manner in which He carried out this loving design was
as follows:
It happened that a
venerable Religious, called Germanus, while returning to his monastery, was
passing through Heliopolis. As it was growing late in the evening, he went to
ask hospitality at tie house of one of the citizens who was a Christian, and
dwelt not far from the city’s gate. The house was contiguous to the residence
of Eudoxia. After the holy man had taken some rest he arose, about midnight, to
spend, according to his custom, the remainder of the time in pious reading and
psalmody. The subject treated in the book from which he read was the general
judgment at the end of the world. There it was said how the just shall appear,
on that great day, bright and glorious in the sight of all mankind, gathered
together from the uttermost boundaries of the earth, and how they shall be
filled with ineffable joy; because all their struggles and sufferings are now
passed, and they are to be placed in possession of the everlasting kingdom
promised to them that persevere faithfully to the end. There too it was said
how, on the other hand, the wicked, the voluptuous, the murderers of the souls
of their fellow-beings, shall stand, trembling and mourning, before the
judgment-seat of the all-knowing Judge, and receive the final sentence which
concerns them, without appeal, to endless torments, to useless regrets and
racking despair; because they chose to lead a life of sin, and refused to avail
themselves of God’s mercy, again and again held out to them. All this the
venerable old man read aloud in a grave and solemn tone of voice to impress
more deeply on his mind the terrible reality of these awful truths.
That very night it
chanced, no doubt by a special mercy of God, that Eudoxia, being alone,
occupied an apartment in her dwelling whence she could distinctly hear every
word that was read. The strange and peculiar modulations of the sacred chant
first attracted her attention and excited her curiosity; next, the
dread-inspiring verities, as novel to her as they were startling, caused her to
meditate seriously on the evil consequences of her sinful career, and made her
pass the night in restless anxiety.
Early in the morning,
faithful to the motion of divine grace, she sent one of her attendants to her
neighbor with the request to entreat the person, whose voice she had heard
during the night, to be so kind as to visit her at her dwelling. The charitable
man of God, without inquiring who or what she was who invited him, at once
repaired to her house. When Eudoxia saw him, she addressed him with much
warmth, saying:
“Tell me, I beseech you,
venerable stranger, and hide not the truth from me, who and whence are you?
what manner of life do you follow? what do you teach, what religion do you
profess? What I heard you read last night has so unsettled my mind that I can
find neither rest nor comfort: it was all so strange and wonderful, that I must
confess there is nothing which has hitherto made so great an impression on me.
If it be true, as you seem to think, that they who sin are to be condemned to
everlasting torments, who can be saved from so great a misfortune?”
“Since you say that what
I read was altogether unknown to you,” answered Germanus, “permit me, Madam, to
ask you what religion you yourself profess?”
“As I came from Samaria,”
she replied, “I belong, of course, to the so-called sect of Samaritans. I
possess riches far beyond my heart’s desire, and am all the more uneasy on this
very account. For I heard that the book which you were reading pronounced a
special curse and a greater punishment against the rich. Nothing of the kind is
contained in our books, so far as I remember. Hence, I am as much struck by the
novelty of the threat as by the greatness of the woe uttered against the
possessors of wealth.”
The blessed Germanus for
a while remained silent, not knowing whether he should inquire more fully into
her circumstances. After praying to our Lord for light to guide him, he said to
Eudoxia:
“May I ask you whether
your husband is still living, and whence come all the riches which, as you say,
you possess beyond your desires?”
“There never was a
person,” she replied, “whom I could call my lawful husband. The wealth which I
possess has been given me by many men. Alas! if the rich are exposed to suffer
such cruel punishments after their death, of what benefit is it to me to have
hoarded up so much treasure?”
Then said Germanus to
her: “Give me a true and straightforward answer to what I am about to ask, –
for Christ, whom I worship, is the God of truth: – Which would you prefer, to
lose all your riches and live in never-ending bliss hereafter, or to enjoy your
wealth in the present life, and afterwards burn forever in unquenchable
flames?”
“I had rather live in the
greatest poverty during this life,” she replied, “that I might secure
everlasting happiness, than, after enjoying all the riches of this world, go to
endless destruction. But it is a great wonder to me that the rich should be so
severely punished after their death.. Is it because your God pursues riches
with a fierce and relentless hatred?”
“God does by no means
hate riches,” said the holy man, “but only the unjust acquisition and the
improper use of them. Hence, he who spends honestly that which he has lawfully
acquired, incurs no guilt before God; but he who steals and robs to gratify his
avarice, or neglects to aid the needy in their distress, he shall not escape
the just punishment of an offended Deity.”
“Does it then seem to
you,” asked Eudoxia, “that the riches which I have are unjustly acquired?”
“Most unjustly,” answered
Germanus; “and, in the sight of God, the keeping of them is a detestable sin.”
“How can that be?” she
inquired. “By means of them I have been able to clothe the naked, feed the
hungry, and console the afflicted. How can you call bad that wealth which has
been put to so good a use?”
“Pray, madam,” said he,
“listen to me for a moment. Suppose a person should go to a bath for the purpose
of cleansing himself; do you think that he would prefer to make use of water
which was impure and muddy rather than of that which is pure and clear? In like
manner, so long as you continue, knowingly and willingly, to wallow in the mire
of sin, and refuse to avail yourself of the pure stream of grace, you can never
purify yourself of the defilement of sin, which will at last, most certainly,
like an impetuous torrent, drag you into the lake of fire and brimstone
prepared by the justice of God for them that dare defy the divine wrath. Your
riches, acquired as they are by lewdness and injustice, are the price of sin,
and, therefore, an abomination before the God of holiness. Nor will it profit
you to say, that you have made a good use of a part thereof; this may, indeed,
to a certain extent, cover the offensive foulness of them, but it can never
merit for you an eternal reward, so Jong as you yourself remain an enemy of
God, and a servant of iniquity and of the devil. Wherefore, you must first of
all be purified from everything that is unclean and offensive in the sight of
God, that thus your works of mercy to others may become pleasing and
meritorious in His sight. For, even as a person walking among thistles and
thorns finds himself full of wounds, although he endeavors to remove and avoid
some of them, so it will help you very little to give some comfort to others
while you yourself, by your own free choice, continue to be an object of
displeasure to an all-knowing Judge. In short, if you are willing to follow my
advice, you may escape the punishment which you justly dread, and secure for
yourself the joys of eternal life.”
“I beg of you, Oh servant
of the true God,” said Eudoxia, “do not refuse to tell me by what means I may
obtain the friendship of Him whom you adore. You were saying just now, that God
is pleased when we make a proper use of our riches. There is nothing to hinder
me, even at the sacrifice of whatever I possess, to buy for myself an exemption
from the sentence which will be pronounced in the day of judgment against them
who are displeasing to God. I have a great number of servants; I will take
them, laden with gold and jewels, according to your direction, to your God, if
He will deign to receive all this and extend to me His mercy.”
“Do not think in so gross
and worldly a manner of the true God, Oh Eudoxia,” said Germanus. “He is far
above every consideration of such worthless trifles, which we men call riches,
that, while He is the possessor of all the treasures of the universe, He chose
to become poor for love of us, that by His poverty He might ransom our souls.
Wherefore, my daughter, bestow the wealth which you possess upon the sick and
needy. They are the friends of our God; whatever is done to them He considers
as done to Himself. In this manner the perishable substance which you freely
and lovingly give to them, will be repaid by Him with heavenly treasures, which
can neither diminish nor perish forever. After this prepare yourself to receive
the saving waters of holy Baptism, that you may be purified from every
defilement of sin. Thus, being spiritually born again, like a true child of
God, you will be entitled to that celestial inheritance which is the hope and
joy of all the children of God upon earth. In one word, my daughter, if you
desire to be saved, do as I advise you, and you will secure your everlasting
happiness.”
“If what I heard you read
last night,” said Eudoxia, “had not made so deep an impression on my mind, I
should never have had the boldness of inviting you, Oh holy Father, to my
house. But since I have caused you so much trouble, would you not condescend to
some further delay of a few days, that you may more fully instruct me in the
teachings and practices of your holy religion, and direct me in what manner I
should dispose of my possessions. After that I shall be ready to do whatever
your wisdom and experience may suggest, that I may devote myself wholly to the
study of things which perish not.”
“The hope of bringing a
lost sheep to the fold of Christ,” answered Germanus, “will serve as an excuse
for my delay. Meanwhile, do what I tell you; call one of the priests of the
city, that, when you are sufficiently instructed, he may baptize you. This is
the first thing to which you must give your serious attention. After that,
whatever else the grace of our Lord may require of you will be made known to
you at the proper time.”
Eudoxia, thereupon,
calling one of her most trusty servants, bade him go to the church of the
Christians and beg one of the priests to come at once to visit some one who
stood greatly in need of his sacred ministration – without, however, mentioning
the name of the person, or the reason of the request. The servant soon returned
with one of the priests, and introduced him to his mistress. When Eudoxia saw
him, she fell prostrate before him and said:
“I beseech you, Oh
servant of the true God, refuse not to listen to me, but have the patience to
explain to me the teachings of your holy religion. I am most anxious to become
a Christian.”
The priest, struck with
wonder at the sight of her earnestness and humility, said:
“To what sect or
religious profession do you belong, and what makes you desirous of becoming a
Christian?”
“By birth and by
religion,” she replied, “if I may call it religion, I am a Samaritan. I have
been, as it were, the beast of burden of every one. To make known to you,
venerable Father, who and what I am, I need only tell you that I am a sea of
every iniquity. 1 had lately the good fortune of hearing that sinners, unless
they did penance and became Christians, were doomed after death to burn in
everlasting flames: upon this I resolved at any cost to become a Christian.”
“If hitherto you were a
sea of sin, as you say,” said the priest, “strive now to become a haven of
salvation. If you have been tossed about by the angry waves of unruly passions,
follow henceforth the guidance of truth, that you may find peace and
tranquillity in the safe harbor of religion. Endeavor to secure for yourself
the inheritance of its promises, by distributing your possessions among the
poor, that thus freed from the defilement and bitterness of sin, you need no
longer dread the endless torments which are hereafter in store for the hardened
and unrepentant slaves of iniquity.”
When she heard this,
Eudoxia, striking her forehead and her breast, exclaimed:
“Is there then no mercy
with your God for sinners?”
“Undoubtedly there is,”
said the priest, “for sinners who repent of their evil deeds. For they, when
they receive the seal of Faith, that is, holy baptism, obtain the complete
pardon of all the sins of their former life.”
“But tell me, Oh servant
of God,” she went on to say, “are there in the after life better and more
precious things than those we possess upon earth? For here we have everything
that can please the eye or gratify the taste; what more can there be to make a person
happy in another life?”
“If you estimate the
things of the future life by those of the present, and suffer yourself to be
influenced by the vain and transitory pleasures of this world, you will never
attain to the endless bliss of heaven. It belongs to you, Oh Eudoxia, to make
your choice between them.”
“Far from me, Oh holy
Father,” she said, “be the foolish choice whereby I would prefer the transient
things of the present to the blissful life of eternity. But what I desire to
ask is this: If I become a Christian, will that entitle me to the hope of
possessing one day that heavenly bliss of which you speak? What surety can you
give me of this? How shall I know that God has forgiven me my sins? For if,
after I distribute among the poor, as you advise me to do, all the riches which
might enable me to lead a life of ease and plenty, I should not obtain the
things which you promise, what would become of me, helpless and destitute? Were
I then to implore the help of the persons whom I have offended by my crimes,
they would scorn my poverty and cast me off. Hence I cannot but feel anxious at
the prospect of a future so uncertain; so that my mind is staggered by the
dreadful thought. Give me, therefore, some fuller assurance of the exceeding
goodness of your God, and I will proceed boldly to do whatsoever you may
require of me. I will devote myself wholly and forever to the service of Him
who has been merciful to me; and as I have been a cause of sin to so many, I
will strive to be an example of penance to all. Do not wonder at my want of
decision; what I have been told is all so new and strange to me that I am still
at a loss what course to pursue.”
“You should not suffer
your mind to fluctuate,” said the priest, “between what is right and what is
wrong. All this wavering is a deceit of the devil, the author of sin, the enemy
of your salvation. That wicked spirit, seeing that you are ready to enter the
service of Christ our Lord, tries his utmost to excite in your heart vain and
imaginary fears, that thus he may dissuade you from beginning a new life, and
keep you in his chains, until at last he is able to drag you into final
destruction. As regards that which you desire to know with certainty, namely,
whether God is so good as to be willing to receive sinners, to forgive their
sins, and to grant them hereafter everlasting life – this knowledge you may
obtain by an earnest and attentive meditation on the great truths of eternity,
Wherefore, you should put aside for some days all worldly cares and
occupations, and give yourself to fervent and humble prayer, reviewing your
past life and confessing your sins before God, that thus you may show your good
will. If, accordingly, in solitude, fasting and weeping, you implore your
Creator to enlighten and direct you, believe me, you shall not be
disappointed.”
Seeing that Eudoxia was
willing to follow his advice, he blessed her before he went away, saying:
“May Christ our Lord, who
justified the publican, grant you His grace, and cause your name to be blessed
in all the earth!”
Eudoxia immediately sent
for her housekeeper, and said to her:
“If any of the persons
who were wont to come hither should inquire for me, tell them that business of
the greatest importance has called me away. Give orders to all the servants to
admit no one on any account, and, above all, not to disturb me in my retreat.
Let everything about the house have the appearance as if I were really absent
from home.”
After this she again
requested to see the blessed Germanus, that she might have some further conversation
with him. When the holy man entered the room, she at once addressed him,
saying:
“Do not think it an idle
curiosity on my part, if I ask you a question which may appear somewhat
strange. Tell me, venerable Father, why is it that you religious persons forego
the comforts and pleasures of the city and retire into solitudes? Is it because
such places have a greater charm for you?”
“It is by no means
because we find there more comforts,” answered Germanus, “that we seek the
loneliness of the desert; but to discipline ourselves by humbling our pride,
and by curbing the irregular desires of the body. For this purpose, we make use
of that which the wilderness abundantly supplies – hunger and thirst, heat and
cold, labor and suffering; whereby the senses are more easily withdrawn from
the allurements of the things of this world, and from the evil suggestions of
the devil. As every sinful indulgence defiles the soul and makes it unfit for
heaven, so self-denial and works of penance cleanse it again, and make it
pleasing in the sight of God. Hence, until we reach heaven, the abode of
eternal light, of pure and genuine joy, we must strive to remove from our souls
all darkness, that is, the stains of sin, for only there penance shall be no
more. Wherefore, to atone for our past transgressions by bringing forth fruits
worthy of penance, and to guard ourselves more effectually against the danger
of relapsing into sin, is the true reason which induces us to retire into the
wilderness. Besides, by thus withdrawing from the occupations and distractions
of the world, we gain that freedom of mind and heart, whereby we are enabled at
all times to commune with our Maker, and while dwelling in this body our souls
are enjoying to a great extent the privileges of the angels in heaven. Can you
imagine a greater happiness than this? Is not such a penitential life the
source of every delight? If it is your sincere desire to become a partaker of
so great a blessing, do not resist the grace of God which calls you thereto.
Lay aside those vain and useless ornaments, which are unworthy the servant of
God – whose eyes love to see in His creatures a conscience pure and undefiled,
a heart adorned with the jewels of every virtue. By tears of repentance wash
away the stains of sin, which now so deeply tarnish the beauty of your immortal
soul, that she can no longer be recognized as the image of her Maker. Strike in
turn and punish the wicked enemy who has brought you so low by his deceitful
flattery; and in spite of all the attempts he will doubtless make to win you
back to his disgraceful allegiance, persevere in your resolve of serving God
all the days of your life, that you may secure at last the reward of endless
bliss.”
Eudoxia was greatly moved
by these words of the servant of God; for her mind was now quite disposed to
receive the good seed of the divine Word. Casting herself at the feet of
Germanus, and shedding many tears, she said:
“Do not refuse, I beseech
you, Oh holy Father, to perfect the work which you have so happily begun. Leave
me not to my own guidance at the very beginning of my conversion, lest, some
way, I become the sport of them that seek my ruin. Direct me by your wisdom and
experience, until I have the happiness of being purified in the saving waters
which will render me pleasing in the sight of God.”
“The request seems so
reasonable,” answered Germanus, “that I promise you to remain seven days in
Heliopolis. Meanwhile, calling to mind that the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom, retire into your chamber, and there, in the bitterness of
your soul, reviewing your past life, with tears of compunction ask of God to
pardon your sins. Doubt not, daughter, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is so good
and merciful, will hear your prayer, and, like a father rejoicing at the return
of an erring child, will hasten to console and strengthen you with His holy
grace.”
Then kneeling down, he
prayed a while, and making the sign of the Cross over her, he bade her be of
good cheer, and went his way.
Eudoxia immediately shut
herself up in the most secluded apartment of her dwelling, and there during
seven days persevered in meditating, in weeping over her sins, in praying and
fasting. When the seven days were passed, Germanus returned according to his
promise. He was no less astonished than edified at the sight of the change that
had taken place in the sincere and zealous penitent. Her proud and defiant look
was gone; instead of a sensual and pampered appearance, her pale countenance
now bore the impress of self-denial and macerations; in short, so different did
she seem from her former self, that he could not have recognized her had he met
her in any other place. The holy man, after returning thanks to God for this
happy change, bade her be seated, and then said:
“Tell me, daughter, with
what thoughts did you occupy your mind during these days? What lights did God
grant you? Did He make known to you His holy will?”
“I will conceal nothing
from you, venerable Father,” she answered. “After persevering during six days
in the manner of praying which you had recommended, on the seventh, as I was
again lying prostrate on the ground, a great light shone suddenly around me.
Thinking that the sun was shining into my chamber, I arose forthwith, and saw
before me a youth clad in a snow-white robe, his countenance terrible to
behold. Taking me by the right hand, he lifted me up into the upper air, and
threw around me a garment, as it were of a cloud. Then I descried a vast and
marvellous plain, illumined with a soft and mellow light, and countless multitudes
of people, clothed in white robes, rejoicing therein. How blissful they all
appeared, my words cannot express. Many of them, on perceiving me, came towards
me and greeted me as their sister. As I advanced towards them into the great
light, I saw, afar off and below me, a huge and dark form, that seemed ready to
tear me away from my companion. Being foiled herein, the spectre cried out with
a voice that sounded to my ears like a burst of thunder: “Shall that woman be
saved, after she has defiled the earth by her crimes? She is mine, body and
soul; I claim her as my slave. Threaten me not, but restore my property. Do I
claim unjustly what is not my own?’ My heavenly companion pressed my hand more
closely, and, sweetly smiling upon me, laughed at the impotent rage of the foul
fiend.
“At the same instant
there came a loud and clear voice out of the great light, saying: ‘Such is the
will of God, who hath pity on the children of men. If sinners turn from their
evil ways and do penance, they shall find rest in the bosom of Abraham.’ And
the same voice, addressing my guide, continued: And thou, Oh guardian of my
covenant, restore her to the place whence she came, that she may consummate the
struggle she hath begun.’ And straightway I found myself again in my chamber,
and heard the voice of my companion, saying: ‘Peace be with thee, Eudoxia; take
heart and fear not; and may the grace of God be with thee and abide forever.’
“At this I took courage,
and falling upon my knees, I said:
“I beseech you, friend of
God, be not displeased with me, but tell me who or what you are, that I may
believe in the true God and find life.’
“‘I am a Prince of the
heavenly host,’ he replied; ‘it is my care to receive penitents, and introduce
them into the life of bliss. The Father of the universe desires not the death
of the sinner, for He created him in the beginning in His own image; therefore,
too, the Angels rejoice when they that had wandered from the right way return
to the path of duty, and by true repentance wash their robes in the Blood of
the Lamb.’ So saying, he made three times the sign of the Cross over me, and
vanished from my sight.”
The blessed Germanus,
after praising the goodness of God in his dealings with Eudoxia, said to her:
“Thank God, my daughter,
for His wonderful condescension in opening your eyes to the truth. He hath not
only convinced you of His willingness to forgive repentant sinners, but He hath
given you a glimpse of that blissful abode where our Lord Jesus Christ rewards
His faithful followers. After this, how vile and worthless must all things of
earth appear! What is all the display and happiness, after which poor mortals
seek in this short and transitory life, compared with that glory and bliss
which will be the everlasting inheritance of the children of God! Tell me,
then, what resolution have you formed with regard to the future?”
“Since I believe in that
God of goodness and mercy,” she answered, “who, though dwelling in light
inaccessible, does not deem it derogatory to His infinite majesty to take, as
it were, poor sinners by the hand, how could I hesitate to devote myself wholly
and forever to His service?”
“If you are resolved to
do this,” said Germanus, “prepare yourself in such a manner that you may not
only enter upon that service, but obtain the grace of persevering therein.
Cease not to bewail the sins of your youth, until every vestige of uncleanness
disappear from your soul. Forget the vanities after which you have run so long,
that Christ our Lord may also deign to forget your former waywardness. Free
your neck forever from the galling and disgraceful yoke which the devil had put
upon you, and cheerfully take up the sweet and easy burden which the children
of light love to bear, as they walk in the footsteps of their divine Master.
Lend no ear to the tempter, but drive him off at once, saying: ‘ Begone, Satan!
what is there now in common between me and thee? I have found my true Master,
whom I love and who loves me. I renounce forever and spurn the empty pomp and
cunning devices wherewith thou deludest thy followers. Depart, thou cruel
deceiver, I cling to Him who is the way, the truth and the life.'”
Strengthened still more
in her firm resolve of beginning a new life, Eudoxia said to Germanus:
“What will you then, Oh
Father, that I do now?”
“It is my wish,” he
replied, “that first of all you prepare yourself to be purified by the laver of
regeneration, that is, by holy Baptism. As for myself, it is now time that I
return to my solitude; but if it be God’s holy will, you shall soon see me again.”
At these words she burst
into tears and said:
Do not abandon me, Oh
Father, before you have perfected the work of my conversion. The wily enemy,
when he sees me alone and unprotected, may again entrap me in his snares and
drag me into the mire, whence you did but just now draw me; what will then
become of me?”
“Fear nothing, daughter,”
answered Germanus; “the strong resolution wherewith God has inspired you, will
be your safeguard against the wiles of the wicked foe. Continue still in
prayer, and in an humble acknowledgment of your sins before God, and, as soon
as possible, receive holy Baptism. On my return, I will make known to you
whatever the Holy Spirit may suggest to me, with regard to your future manner
of living.” And, commending her to the divine Protection, he immediately
withdrew.
After the departure of
Germanus, Eudoxia, in accordance with the advice he had given, spent several
days and nights in continued prayer, using no other food than a little bread
and water. Then going to Theodotus, Bishop of Heliopolis, she besought him to
administer to her the Sacrament of holy Baptism. The Bishop, finding upon
examination that she was properly instructed in the doctrines of the Faith,
granted her request. Great, indeed, was her happiness, and unspeakable the
gratitude she felt for the grace which God had vouchsafed to her.
She now was fully
persuaded that her Divine Master called her to a manner of life in which she
might be exclusively devoted to His service, for the vanity and emptiness of
earthly things, as well as the dangers and temptations of the world, had never
appeared to her in so clear a light. Accordingly, she had no sooner returned
home than, acting under the inspiration of her good Angel, she began to make a
complete list of all she possessed. When it was finished, she sent it to the
Bishop. Theodotus read it, but not knowing what it meant, invited her to his
dwelling and said to her:
“Is it you, my daughter,
who sent this list to me?”
“Yes, I sent it,” she
answered, “and I entreat you, Oh holy Father, to accept what I freely offer.”
“But, my daughter, what
do you desire to be done with all the things enumerated in this list?” asked
the Bishop.
“I beg your Holiness,”
she replied, “to direct the treasurer of the Church to receive this donation,
that he may expend it, according to your own good pleasure, among the sick and
the needy. For I find now, what I never thought heretofore, that I can look
upon none of these things as my just and lawful possessions.”
The holy Bishop was
greatly edified by this generous behavior of the new convert, and after
thanking God for all the mercies He had shown to her, said in a voice full of
tender emotion:
“Blessed art thou, Oh
Eudoxia, who after breaking the galling chain of a deceitful world and its
baneful pleasures, didst suffer thyself to be attracted by the sweet perfume of
sacred fear, and of knowledge and of holy hope. Happy thou who, after having
found a pearl of great price, givest all thou hast to buy it. Know, then, that
God has chosen thee to do great things for the glory of His holy Name, and that
it is His will that, by many trials and tribulations, thou make good the name
thou bearest, Oh Eudoxia, and secure for thyself the reward of everlasting
bliss. Pray for me, Oh servant and friend of God, that in the judgment-day I
may be able to give a satisfactory account of my stewardship.”
Then sending for the
treasurer of the Church, he charged him to assist the lady Eudoxia in giving to
the Lord her offerings through the hands of the sick and the poor. The
treasurer accompanied her to her dwelling, where she ordered her stewards to
give a faithful account of all the things entrusted to their care. When this
had been done, she called together all her servants, both bond and free, and
after bestowing upon each of them a liberal donation in money, she allowed them
to divide among themselves all the costly furniture, which had so long excited
the admiration of the frequenters of her gorgeous establishment. Then
addressing her servants, she said:
“To you all who were
hitherto bound to my service, I give this day unconditionally your freedom;
but, while you are thus released from all human bondage, I invite and exhort
you to free yourselves from a far greater slavery – the bondage of sin. This
freedom you may obtain by embracing the doctrine of Christ our Lord, the
Redeemer of men. He will release not only your weak and corruptible bodies, but
your precious and immortal souls from the power of the devil, and make you
children of God, heirs of the glorious and everlasting Kingdom which He
conquered for us by His sufferings and death.”
After this she made over
her real estate and the remainder of her personal property, which was still
very large, to the treasurer of the Church, that he might expend all in works
of charity, according to the best of his judgment and the direction of the
Bishop. Then, filled with a holy joy, she exclaimed:
“Thanks to the infinite
mercy of God, who came in search of me when I was lost, I am now freed ever.
from all earthly cares, and ready to follow whithersoever the light of His Holy
Spirit may deign to lead me.”
The venerable treasurer
blessed her, saying:
“Happy art thou, Eudoxia,
who didst watch and pray, and hadst thy lamp trimmed when our Lord came to
invite thee. May His grace abide with thee forever, and when the Bridegroom
comes, mayst thou be found worthy to go in with Him to the marriage, in the
company of the wise Virgins!”
Not many days after, the
blessed Germanus returned, and when he heard what had been done by Eudoxia, and
how anxious she was to devote herself to God, and to live forever retired from
the world, he told her that in the vicinity of his own hermitage there was a
house for consecrated Virgins, and thither he proposed to conduct her. Eudoxia
eagerly consented to the proposal, and blessing our Lord for thus removing all
further perplexity from her mind, promptly accompanied the venerable servant of
God. The sisterhood among whom she was received, consisted of no fewer than
thirty virgins who, with unwearied zeal and fervor, occupied themselves night
and day in singing the praises of God, and practising all kinds of penitential
austerities. Here Eudoxia found at last that peace of mind for which she had
sighed so often in vain. Remembering that by the Sacrament of Regeneration she
had become a new creature in Christ, and that she might be constantly reminded
of His merciful kindness, she continued to wear ever after the white robe she
had put on at her Baptism. Over this, she wore in winter a coarse garment
reaching down to the ankles, made of hair-cloth, and a short cloak, with a hood
of similar color and material.
While in the world, she
had labored without ceasing to surpass all her rivals in the art of attracting
admirers; now she strove to excel her companions in self-denial, penances and
humiliations. Her charity to others, her readiness to be employed in the
meanest office, her love of silence, her fervor in praying and watching, her
meek and staid deportment, gained for her the affection of all who looked upon her,
as a model of a true religious. God, who destined her for great things,
showered His special lights and graces upon her, so that being made perfect in
a short space she fulfilled a long time.
She had not been more
than a year and a few months in the asceterium when Charitina, the
Superior, went to receive the reward of a well-spent life. The Sisters did not
hesitate to choose in her stead Eudoxia, in whose prudence and love of
discipline they placed the greatest confidence. And our Lord soon made known,
in a wonderful manner, that He approved the wisdom of their choice.
There was a certain young
nobleman, Philostratus by name, who had been a friend and admirer of Eudoxia
whilst she resided in Heliopolis. Him the tempter inspired with the wicked
thought of making an attempt to induce her to abandon her sacred solitude and
return once more to the pleasant company and frivolous gayeties of the world
she had forsaken. For this purpose, after long considering by what means he
might best gain the end he had in view, he put on the garb of a hermit, and,
filling his wallet with gold, set out, on foot and unattended, for the place
where he knew Eudoxia was dwelling. Toward evening, he arrived at the house and
knocked at the door. Immediately a little girl, who acted as portress, half
opening a little window, inquired who he was and what he wanted. Assuming a
tone of penitential sorrow, he replied:
“I am a poor sinner, Oh
my sister; I ask for a share in your prayers and your blessing.”
Without giving him time
to say more, the maiden, interrupting him, replied:
“You have doubtless made
a mistake, brother, in coming to this place. If you keep on your way somewhat
further, you shall come to the hermitage of the venerable Germanus; there you
may obtain what you ask for.” And so saying, she shut the little window.
Philostratus, although
thus sent away rather unceremoniously, was no ways discouraged, but continued
his journey until he came to the hermitage. As chance would have it, he saw
Germanus reading to himself in the vestibule. He quietly went up to him, and,
prostrating himself on the ground; meekly besought the holy man to grant him
his blessing. Germanus did as requested, and, looking at him with great
kindness, said:
“Be seated, brother, and
permit me to ask you what country sends you hither as our guest, and to what
religious house do you belong?”
“Holy Father,” replied
the youth, “I was the only son of my parents, but death has deprived me of
their guardian care. Disgusted with the world, and convinced of the uncertainty
of life, I put on the garb of the Ascetics and went forth in search of a
spiritual guide, to place myself under his direction. I had the happiness of
hearing your name spoken of, and, in spite of the long and wearisome journey
Thad to undertake, I set out at once to throw myself at your feet. I beg you,
venerable servant of God, do not suffer that I should have travelled hither
only to be disappointed. Receive me unworthy among your disciples, that I may
do penance and bewail my sins all the days of my life.”
Whilst he thus spoke,
Germanus observed him more closely, and noticing his elegant form and delicate
features, said:
“You undertake to perform
a great work, my son; and, I fear, it is one far above your strength. We old
men have no little difficulty in resisting the assaults of the wicked demon;
how will it be with one so young and delicate as yourself?”
“Have we, then, not
numberless examples,” Philostratus hastened to say, “of persons, even younger
and more delicate than myself, who yet have subdued their evil inclinations and
triumphed over the enemy? Who has not heard of that Eudoxia, at one time so
overweening and fastidious in her tastes? Did she not become your disciple? And
does she not bravely and perseveringly continue in all the austerities of a
penitential life? In truth, I must confess to you, Oh Father, that it was her
noble example, more than anything else, which encouraged me to begin a life of
self-discipline and penance. If that lady, so flattered and admired, could, for
the love of Christ, trample upon her own pride and renounce luxurious wealth,
why would you despair of my success, Oh Father, if you reflect that, from a
person of my sex, at least an equal strength and firmness may be expected?
Could I but for a moment behold that valiant woman, the mere sight of her, or a
word of encouragement from her, would breathe into my soul so ardent a zeal and
so great a fortitude that, I feel confident, no power of devils would ever be
able to shake my fixed determination, or make me succumb to the most violent
temptations.”
The guileless old man,
not suspecting any evil intention on the part of one whose manner of speaking
appeared so simple and unaffected, replied with much candor:
“For so praiseworthy a
purpose it is not difficult, my son, to obtain for you what you so greatly
desire.” And calling in one of his brethren, whose office it was to go every
morning to the asceterium to celebrate there the Sacred Mysteries, he
said:
“When, tomorrow, you go
to celebrate the holy Mass, take along this brother. Give him an opportunity of
seeing Eudoxia, for he is very desirous of being strengthened in his religious
vocation by her words and example.”
Wherefore, on the
following morning, Philostratus accompanied the priest, and after Mass he had
at last his wish gratified by being introduced to the servant of God. When he
beheld her emaciated features, the coarseness of the garments she wore, the
unfurnished cell she occupied, and how everything about her denoted the
strictest poverty, he lost all self-control. He threw back his cowl, assumed an
attitude of scornful indignation, and cried out:
“What is this I see,
Eudoxia? What fanatical adviser has induced you to hide yourself in a den like
this – you who were wont to show yourself in regal state of admiring multitudes
in the crowded streets of a great city? What madness has seized you, what
frenzy has blinded you, that you should exchange the splendor and delights of
uninterrupted triumphs for this abject poverty and slavish degradation? Be
worthy of yourself, noble Eudoxia; all Heliopolis still sighs for you. In every
heart there is a void that cannot be filled, so long as your presence gladdens
not the eyes of your longing admirers. I, their spokesman, pray and beseech
you, delay no longer to gratify their most ardent desires. Return with me, Oh
lady; cast aside that wretched garb, put on once more the garment of rejoicing.
Why do you still hesitate? While loving hearts and sweetest accents invite you,
why will you be your own enemy, your own most cruel tormentor? Is it not a
disgrace that you should hide in darkness a form so fair, that you should weep
out those brilliant eyes, and wear away by unavailing penance a body still
glorying in the charms of youth and beauty? Where is now the fragrance of that
aromatic perfume which followed in your wake and enraptured into bliss the
throng of your worshippers, as if some goddess had passed by? What foolish
fancy has fascinated your lofty mind, that you should choose to become a
castaway? Arise, Eudoxia, and be again a queen. See here this gold; it is the
first tribute I lay at your feet. Make haste, Oh lady, all Heliopolis longs to
do you homage.”
Eudoxia stood calm and
self-collected while the infatuated young man spouted forth his unseemly
harangue. When he ceased speaking, she solemnly said:
“Let Christ our Lord,
whose unworthy servant I am, arise as a just Judge against thee, and suffer
thee not to return to the place whence thou camest for a wicked purpose; truly
thou art a son of the devil.”
She had no sooner spoken
than the wretched Philostratus fell down upon the ground – dead.
Some of the sisterhood,
attracted by the loud and extravagant oratory of the false hermit, stood
looking on from a distance. When, at the words of their Superior, they saw him
fall lifeless to the ground, they were filled with amazement. They willingly
confessed, giving glory to God, that Eudoxia, though she ranked only with
Penitents, was a Saint approved of Him who had come on earth to save sinners.
But their feeling of contentment was not unattended with uneasiness. They knew
that the Pagans did not like the Christians, and abhorred the very name of
ascetics. Hence, they had reason to fear that if the dreadful occurrence became
known to the Governor of the district, he might institute an inquiry and bring
against them an accusation of murder. They were also aware that the mere
possibility of such a crime would arouse the prejudices of their enemies, and
excite them to use this as a pretext to drive them away, and give their
dwelling to the flames. Fully understanding the delicate position wherein they
now found themselves, they agreed to betake themselves to prayer, in the hope
that our Lord would deign to make known to them what was to be done. Wherefore,
during several hours, they all persevered in fervent supplication, imploring
their heavenly Bridegroom not to forsake them in this hour of their need and
trouble. Their prayer was heard, Eudoxia, feeling herself suddenly inspired from
on high, arose from the ground where she was lying prostrate, and, followed by
the sisterhood, went to the place where lay the lifeless body of the youth.
First making the sign of the cross, she said:
“In the Name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, Philostratus arise.”
Instantly the young man,
as’ if awaking from a heavy sleep, arose and gazed around him with his senses
bewildered and confused. Then acknowledging the power of God, and His great
mercy to one so undeserving as himself, he fell at the feet of the Saint and
said:
“Pardon me, Oh servant of
the true God, I am truly penitent; forget the rash and foolish words I have
spoken. I now understand how great, how good and merciful a Master you serve; I
give glory to His holy Name.”
“Go, then, in peace, and
return to thine own,” replied Eudoxia. “Remember the favor God hath bestowed
upon thee; and depart not again from the way of truth that hath been shown to
thee, nor from the faith wherewith Christ our Lord hath enlightened thee.”
It was not long before
the wicked enemy stirred up another persecution against the servant of God.
Some of her former admirers, knowing that there was no chance of seeing her
return to the life she had so resolutely forsaken, determined not to rest
satisfied until somehow or other they had taken their revenge. For this
purpose, they hit upon the following plan. They addressed a petition to
Aurelian, Governor of the country, wherein they stated that Eudoxia was
possessed of large sums of money, which by right belonged to the public revenue,
and had taken them with her to a place of concealment; wherefore they asked
that a body of soldiers might be placed under their orders, so as to enable
them to arrest the fugitive and recover the money. Moreover, they took care to
add that if the recovery of the money were not a sufficient motive to grant
their request, it should be remembered that the delinquent belonged to the sect
of the Galileans, who adored Christ and reviled the immortal gods, whom the
Governor and all other good citizens worshipped.
Aurelian lent a willing
ear to the calumny, and immediately sent an officer with three hundred men, to
accompany the wicked accusers of the Saint, that they might bring her before
him, after they had got possession of the money. Eudoxia knew nothing of the
danger which threatened her. During the night, however, which preceded the
arrival of the soldiers, an Angel of the Lord warned her, saying: “The anger of
the Governor is aroused against thee, but fear not; I will be thy protector.”
It was late in the
evening when the officer, with his men, drew near the asceterium. After
taking a survey of the locality, he stationed the soldiers in such a manner
that, during the night, at a given signal, they might be ready to fall upon the
sacred dwelling, and prevent the escape of any of its peaceful inmates. But no
signal was given – neither that night nor the following day and night. During
all that time, they stood stock-still, apparently forgetful of the object for
which they had come. But, as even then they were unwilling to acknowledge in
this the manifest intervention of a supernatural Power, a greater punishment
came upon them. They were suddenly attacked by an army of venomous serpents,
whose deadly bite and poisonous breath caused so great a havoc among them, that
only a few returned to relate to the Governor the story of their misfortune.
Aurelian, equally
disinclined to perceive in this disaster an evident proof of divine
interposition in favor of the innocent, grew furious at the thought of losing
so many of his soldiers, and still more at being disappointed in securing for
himself the wished-for treasure. He immediately called together his
counsellors, and said:
“What are we to do
against this terrible sorceress, who, by her magical powers, has slain so many
of our men? Give me your advice. We cannot suffer that so great a crime should
go unpunished.”
The counsellors were
silent; they were afraid to become responsible for a second failure. The
Governor’s son, however, a high-spirited youth, laughed at the timidity of his
seniors, and said to his father:
“Give me a sufficient
number of men, and I will go and raze the infamous den of that witch to the
ground, and, whether she will or not, you shall see her before you in a day or
two.”
All commended the courage
of the young man, and wished success to his hold undertaking.
Wherefore, on the
following day, he set out, accompanied by a body of select troops. Toward
evening they came to a country seat belonging to the Governor. Here they
resolved to pass the night; for the elegance of the buildings, the cool and
pleasant gardens, invited them to rest and refreshment, after the fatigue of
their long journey. At the moment, however, when the youth, with the
thoughtless impetuosity of his age, leaped from his horse, he dashed his foot
against a stone, and hurt himself so severely that he fell senseless to the
ground. His companions immediately lifted him up and carried him into the
house. They began at once to apply every kind of restorative, but in vain;
about the middle of the night the unfortunate youth expired.
As soon as the day began
to dawn, they laid the body on a litter and returned to the city. How different
was that return from their merry setting forward on the day before! Then they
were all cheered on by the good humor of their youthful leader, who assured
them of undoubted success in the somewhat singular expedition upon which they
had ventured; now they were silent and dejected, fully persuaded that there was
something inexplicable in the suddenness of the accident, which had frustrated
all their expectations. Sad and weary, they bore their inanimate burden into
the palace of the Governor. Aurelian, who was unapprised of the fatal event,
was struck dumb at the sight of the dead body of his son, and feel swooning on
the floor. All the members of the family and the officers of the palace were
filled with consternation. Friends and citizens appeared in crowds to express
their sympathy, but their real or pretended grief and lamentation served only
to increase the general confusion. After a while, however, the Governor began
to recover from his swoon, and realizing once more the loss he had sustained,
burst forth into direful threats of vengeance against the innocent cause of his
misfortune. At this moment, Philostratus presented himself before Aurelian, and
after entreating him to listen with patience to the few words he had to say,
spoke as follows:
“The lady Eudoxia, my
Lord, is manifestly under the special protection of God: no threats of
vengeance, no measure suggested by angry passion, will have the least success
against her. Believe me, who by experience have learned something of the
greatness of her power, it is only with kindness and humble entreaty that so
wonderful a person is to be addressed, If you are willing to follow my advice,
I have no doubt that your Excellency may ‘even move her to restore your son to
life.’ Then he related what had formerly happened to himself.
When the Governor heard
this, though he had well-nigh given up all hope, he thought it but proper not
to overlook the suggestion that had been made, lest it might afterwards be to
him a source of unavailing regret. He, therefore, without delay, wrote to the
servant of God a most humble apology for the annoyance he had caused her, and
besought her to pardon his offence, since it was through ignorance that he had
acted in a manner so unworthy of himself and so injurious to one so deserving
of the highest commendation. He praised her many virtues, and, above all, her
tender-hearted disposition towards her fellow-beings in their distresses, and
concluded by begging of her kindness not to refuse to intercede with the great
God whom she served, in favor of one who, in the bloom of life and vigor, had
been snatched from the affection of an unfortunate and broken-hearted father.
This letter he entrusted
to his confidential friend, the Tribune Babylas. That officer instantly set
out, and, putting his horse to the utmost speed, soon presented himself before
Eudoxia. Kneeling down before her, he said: “Friend of the great God, have pity
on us; hasten to our relief. Forgive and forget; refuse us not the aid of that
charity which you have shown to others.” At the same time he handed her the
letter of Aurelian. The Saint, greatly astonished at what she heard and saw,
took the letter and withdrew into an adjoining apartment. The Tribune, left to
himself, sat down in a corner of the room, near a table on which lay a psalter.
Opening the bock at random, he read: “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who
walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that search his testimonies: that
seek Him with their whole heart. For they that work iniquity have not walked in
his ways. Thou hast commanded Thy commandments to be kept most diligently. Oh!
that my ways may be directed to keep Thy justifications.” Putting aside the
book, he began to think attentively on what he had just read, but as he was
much fatigued, he fell asleep. While he slept he had a dream. He thought he saw
before him a youth clad in snow-white garments, who, with a wand he held in his
hand, struck him on the side, saying: “Arise quickly, Babylas; he that is dead
awaits thee.” Ona sudden he awoke, and seeing no one near him, he was
exceedingly amazed. Then calling Eudoxia, he said to her:
“It is time, Oh servant
of God, to settle the matter for which I came, and bid me return to them that
sent me.” And he related to her what he had seen in his dream. Eudoxia,
thereupon calling together the sisterhood, and reading to them the letter of
the Governor, said:
“What do you, my Sisters,
advise me to do? What answer must I return to the Governor?”
“May the grace of the
Holy Spirit guide you in this, as well as in all other matters,” they replied.
Write whatsoever you understand to be pleasing to the Divine Will.”
Hearing this, she begged
of them to unite with her for a few moments in fervent prayer; after which she
wrote the following reply:
“I, a poor and sinful
woman, cannot imagine for what reason your Excellency should have taken the
rouble of writing to me. My conscience proves me guilty of many offences against
my merciful Creator; how then could I be deemed a proper person to ask of our
Lord Jesus Christ that He would deign to restore your son to life?
Nevertheless, I feel confident, and dare assure you, for God has again and
again showed His exceeding goodness toward me, that if, with all your heart and
all your mind, you believe and confess that He is the true God, who restores
the dead to life, and trust confidingly in His power, He will manifest His
mercy in behalf of yourself and your son. For it is not becoming that man
should call on His dread and holy Name, except with a pure mind and a firm
faith. Wherefore, believe with your whole soul, and you shall witness the
infinite power of God, and receive the great favor which you so anxiously
desire.”
When she had finished
this letter, instead of a seal, she impressed on it three signs of the cross,
and gave it to the Tribune. Babylas instantly departed altogether changed in
his sentiments; for he had come as a Pagan, but he returned a firm believer in
the One true God, and in all the truths of Christianity. Meanwhile, Aurelian,
to whom in his anxiety moments seemed hours, fearing lest some unforeseen
accident might delay his faithful messenger, went to meet him on his way,
resolved, in case he brought no favorable answer, to pursue his journey and
plead in person with Eudoxia. The lifeless body of his son, placed on a litter,
was borne before him. A vast number of people of all ranks joined in the solemn
procession; for it had been made known to the public that they were going to
the hermitage of Germanus. Toward nightfall they came to the Governor’s
country-seat, where the youth had met with the fatal accident. Here they all
stayed during the night. Early the next morning, they were about to resume
their solemn journey, when in the distance they beheld the Tribune advancing
toward them with the utmost speed. When Babylas saw the great concourse of
people near the pretorium, he understood at once what had been done. Hurrying
on still more rapidly, he soon found himself in their midst. Without saying a
word to Aurelian, or taking notice of any one, he went straight to the litter
whereon lay the body of the dead youth. Animated with that fulness of
confidence which a strong faith inspires, he laid the letter of Eudoxia upon
his breast, and thrice called upon the sacred Name of Jesus. Instantly the
youth arose, restored to life and health.
At the sight of this
miracle the whole multitude burst forth into loud exclamations of joy and
wonder. The Governor, almost beyond himself with delight, rushed into the arms
of his son, and cried out:
“Great is the God of
Eudoxia! Just and true is the God of the Christians! Happy are they that have
recourse to Thee, Oh Lord! more happy they that believe in Thee, Oh Christ
Jesus. Receive me, Oh Lord, for I come to Thee; I believe in Thy holy and
blessed Name; I confess that Thou art the true, eternal God. Glory to Thee
forever and ever!”
After this, Aurelian
invited all the people present to the pretorium, and that place, which had but
now been a house of mourning, became the abode of happiness and rejoicing. Nor
did he neglect to declare solemnly before all, that what he had said in a
moment of enthusiasm was the expression of a sincere and firm resolve, and that
his belief in the doctrines of Christianity would thenceforth be proved by his
every word and deed. The next day they returned to the city. On the way, the
Governor bestowed large sums of money upon all the poor he met. The report of
what had taken place having now spread far and wide, the friends of the
Governor, and all the principal citizens of Heliopolis, came out to meet him.
With every demonstration of joy they congratulated their ruler on the happy
event which had restored to him a beloved son and to them a special favorite,
and, to the great delight of the Christians, they gave glory to Christ our
Lord, whom they willingly acknowledged as the true author of the wonderful
miracle.
On his return to the
palace, Aurelian immediately sent for the Bishop of the city, and besought him
to become his instructor in the mysteries of the Faith. The man of God was at
once ready to comply with this laudable desire. During seven days he devoted
all his time to this noble work, not only explaining the doctrines of the
Church, but training the new convert to the practice of Christian virtues. At
the expiration of the seven days, he baptized the Governor, and all the members
of his household who had shown themselves anxious to imitate his example.
In the midst of the
blessings which a kind Providence had conferred upon him, Aurelian did not
forget that Eudoxia had been the chief instrument, in God’s hand, of all these
favors. He wrote to her several letters, in which he expressed his grateful
feelings toward her, and, whilst commending himself to her prayers and to those
of her holy s:sterhood, he sent a large sum of money to enable her to build a
beautiful chapel, which might serve as a memorial of the extraordinary graces
which our Lord had bestowed upon himself and his family. Persevering in his
first favor, and edifying all Heliopolis by his zeal and countless works of
charity, he not long after slept the sleep of the just. His wife survived him
but a short time, after having had, before her death, the satisfaction of
seeing her son – who had been the occasion of their conversion to the Faith –
raised to the order of Deacons. In the course of time he distinguished himself
so greatly by his wisdom and virtues, that, after the death of Theodotus, he
was deemed worthy to succeed that holy prelate as Bishop of Heliopolis.
During all this time the
enemy of man’s salvation, as may easily be supposed, had not remained idle,
although his design had for a season been frustrated by the conversion of
Aurelian. Shortly after his death, a new Governor was appointed in the person
of Diogenes, one of the chief men of Heliopolis. Diogenes was an obstinate
Pagan. Under the government of his predecessor, he had carefully concealed his
evil dispositions, because he aspired to the hand of Gelasia, the only daughter
of Aurelian. Before his conversion, the father was not adverse to this suit,
but after he had become a Christian, he resolutely refused to give his daughter
in marriage to an idolator, hoping, at the same time, that Diogenes might
imitate his own example and that of so many others, who were daily seen to
embrace the Christian religion. As to Gelasia herself, whatever had been her
views before, on the day of her baptism she resolved to consecrate herself to
God and join the sisterhood directed by the blessed Eudoxia. This resolution
she carried out as soon as her mother had been called to a better life, when,
attended by two confidential servants, she secretly left the city and hastened
to the asceterium. None knew for certain what had become of her, although
it was rumored that her love of solitude had no doubt induced her to take up
her abode with Eudoxia.
When, therefore, the new
Governor began to show himself the champion of idolatry and the open enemy of
the Christians, he was glad enough to find a pretext to exhibit his animosity
against the servant of God, whose virtues and wonderful deeds had become the
admiration of all the people. Without taking the advice of any one, he sent a
body of soldiers with orders to arrest Eudoxia and bring her before him. The
Saint, however, was not left in ignorance of the danger which threatened her. A
voice from heaven said to her: “Watch and pray, Eudoxia. The time is near when
thou art to prove thy fidelity to Me. Fear not the malice of men: I am with
thee always.”
It was night when the
soldiers arrived before the dwelling of the pious solitaries. As soon as they
had made known the object of their mission, the servant of God, acting under
divine inspiration, hastened to the little chapel, and unlocking the holy tabernacle,
took thence one of the consecrated particles, which she carefully concealed in
her bosom, and showed herself ready to accompany the soldiers. The night was
exceedingly dark – but not for Eudoxia, for it seemed to her that a brilliant
light guided her steps. The men, taking pity on her, besought her to mount one
of their horses. But she, thanking them for their kindness, refused, saying:
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but I, confiding in Christ my Lord,
will joyously proceed on foot.”
When they came to the
city, the Governor was somewhat surprised that they should have returned so
soon; for, remembering what had happened on former occasions, he seemed almost
disappointed that nothing strange had occurred. Not being ready for an
interrogatory, he ordered the Saint to be shut up in prison. After three days
had elapsed, he sent for the keeper and said:
“Did any one bring food,
or any kind of refreshment, to that sorceress?”
“My Lord,” replied the
keeper, “I solemnly declare to your Excellency, that, during all these three
days, no one has brought her either food or drink. Whensoever I open the prison
door, I find her lying prostrate on the ground, worshipping, I believe, the God
whom she adores.”
“Then let her alone,”
said Diogenes, “we will hear her tomorrow; for today we are busy with more
important affairs.”
On the fourth day after
her arrival, the Governor summoned her before his tribunal. Eudoxia appeared
before him in the modest dress of an ascetic, with her face veiled. When
Diogenes saw this, he said in an angry manner to the lictors:
“Take away that veil, and
let us sce how she looks.”
This was done, and so
great a splendor shone from the countenance of the Saint, that the Governor was
startled at the sight, and for a while unable to utter a word. Then turning to
his associates, he said:
“By Apollo himself, I
swear it is impossible that so grand a beauty should be guilty of anything
deserving death. Why, his godship himself does not equal her in radiant
majesty; it seems like an inhuman crime to attempt to disfigure a form so
superb.”
“What!” said one of the
assessors, “does your Excellency imagine that all this elegance is natural? I,
for one, do not believe it, and I would advise your lordship to be cautious in
your admiration. Do you forget what artifices an enchantress has at her
command? Doubt not, she has not neglected to make use of them for this
occasion. If you could but counteract her tricks and dissolve the charm, I am
certain your Excellency would find her ugly enough.”
“It may be as you say,
but, for the present, I prefer to believe that magic has nothing to do with the
matter,” said Diogenes. “At all events, we shall soon find it out, if there be
any trick in it; therefore let us proceed with the interrogatory.” Then addressing
the accused according to the prescribed form, he asked:
“What is thy name and thy
condition in life?”
The Saint, strong in her
reliance upon her divine Protector, after blessing herself with the sign of the
Cross, answered in a clear and firm tone:
“My name is Eudoxia;
concerning my rank and condition in society it is useless to make inquiries.
Let it suffice to know that I am a Christian, and that the great Creator of all
things has been so merciful to me as to suffer me to be called one of His servants.
Therefore, I entreat your Excellency, do not waste your time with needless
questions, but decide at once against me whatever it may please you to do
against a Christian; for I trust that Christ, my God and Saviour, will not
forsake me.”
“Thou twistest thy words
with remarkable skill, Eudoxia,” said the Governor, “with the intention, no
doubt, of charming our ears. Indeed, we are charmed at the thought that a
simple question of ours has drawn forth so much eloquence; what would have
happened had we plied thee with some knotty points?”
“Thinking that the truth
was ever welcome to the minds of brave and prudent men,” replied Eudoxia, “I
spoke it freely. If, however, your Excellency thinks otherwise and expects to
hear something different, it is useless to bandy words with me.”
“Who is there that does
not delight in the truth,” exclaimed Diogenes. “Thou thinkest not so ill of us,
we trust, as to imagine that we hold in contempt what is pleasing to every one.
Nay, to show that it is from thy own mouth that we desire to learn the truth,
tell us, for what reason didst thou leave the city, despise our immortal gods,
and retire into that solitude whence we have ordered thee to be taken?
Moreover, why didst thou take thither so much money, after defrauding the public
revenues?”
“Do you ask me why I left
the city?” said the Saint; “my answer to that is brief enough – because I chose
to do so. I was my own mistress. I knew of no law which commanded a free person
to stay, or forbade me to leave, if so minded. About that money affair, I have
this to say: I wish that they who invented that calumny were here present; the
falsehood of their foolish story would vanish at once before the light of
truth.”
“Nevertheless,” said the
Governor, “the chief men of the city maintain that what thou callest a false
accusation is really true. Let us, therefore, as soon as possible, learn the
truth of the matter; for so. long as we have not this, we must give credit to
the statement of honest men. We cannot overlook a business of this kind without
rendering ourself guilty before the Emperor – for there is here question of the
public treasury; in affairs of this kind no magistrate can show himself remiss
without endangering his safety.”
“If it suits the policy
of your Excellency,” replied Eudoxia, “to simulate one thing and to do another,
and to pretend, through hatred of my religion, that I have defrauded the
Emperor of his rights, do as you please. I, who acknowledge the God of truth as
my Master, will speak those things which are fair and just; but I disdain to
take notice of whatever is falsely and slanderously invented against me.”
“Thou shouldst not
attempt by foolish quibbles to evade the inquiries of our tribunal; neither
shouldst thou rely upon thy skill in magical arts to elude the penetration of
our judgment, and the power of the laws. To escape the penalties which these
latter decree against thee, there remains for thee but one way; either to
sacrifice to the immortal gods, or return to thy former manner of life. But if
thou art willing to do neither, return the money which some time ago thou didst
take with thee out of the city; for that belongs to the treasury.”
“No good Judge, worthy of
the name,” said the Saint, “when he had instituted inquiries into a case, mixes
with it matters which are irrelevant, so as to make a motley of the whole – -to
the injury of clearness and the truth. Let us, then, put aside that poorly
devised fabrication about the money, which your Excellency brought forward at
the end, as having little to do with the main subject; and let us come at once
to the point, namely, about worshipping the gods or returning to my former
manner of living. To that I reply boldly and resolutely; to my former life of
licentiousness I will never return, since God in His. mercy has granted me the
grace of repentance; much less will I offer sacrifice to your gods, that is, to
wicked devils. Whatsoever torments you may choose to inflict upon me, you
cannot change this my firm resolve; for how “could I ever forget all that I owe
to the God of infinite goodness, who, in spite of my wickedness, did not suffer
me to perish forever?”
The Governor, being now
convinced that it was a useless undertaking to attempt to frighten the servant
of God with words, ordered her to be taken into an adjoining apartment, there
to be prepared for the scourging. When Eudoxia saw herself hurried out of the
judgment-hall, she heaved a sigh and looking up to Heaven, she said:
“Lord Jesus Christ, whose
holy and divine Name I bear with me, as the pledge of Thy promised assistance,
stop the mouths of them that bring false accusations against Thy unworthy
handmaid.”
After a little while
Diogenes entered the room, and, giving a sign to the lictors to delay the
execution of his order, said to the Saint:
“I swear to thee, Oh
Eudoxia, by all the gods of Olympus, if thou relent but ever so little, and
show thyself somewhat less obstinate, we will favor thee and show ourselves
most gracious; but, if thou foolishly continue to be unyielding, we must
perforce make thee undergo the utmost penalties of the law.”
“I escaped death by
believing in Christ,” repled Eudoxia; “it is absurd to suppose that I would be
so mad as to reject life to expose myself again to death. Be not then afraid to
decree against me whatever you are inclined to do. I am an unworthy servant of
my Lord and Master Jesus Christ; for His sake I will cheerfully suffer death.”
Then the Governor, as if
pronouncing her final sentence, said:
“Let four executioners
prepare their whips and thongs, to be ready to scourge this obstinate woman,
until her flesh be torn to pieces and all her bones laid bare.”
After which he commanded
all present to withdraw, that she might be left alone to meditate on the
torments which were soon to be inflicted upon her. Two hours later he returned
and said to her:
“How long wilt thou
continue self-willed and disobedient, and refuse to offer sacrifice to our
gods, to whom thou owest so much, since they bestowed upon thee so many charms
of body and mind? Come now, be wise and do our bidding, that we may have the
pleasure of restoring thee to wealth and honor.”
“If you were wise
yourself,” replied Eudoxia, “you would acknowledge the power and goodness of
your Creator and Master; you would prostrate yourself before Him in humble
adoration, and beg of Him to grant you pardon for all the wickedness whereof
you are guilty. But now you strive in vain to stifle the voice of conscience,
which warns you of the retribution which sooner or later will overtake you;
and, in your willful blindness, you widen the abyss that will engulf you while
laden with crimes, and bury you in the depths of woe, where unavailing regret
and racking despair will be your companions forever.
These words of the Saint
so enraged Diogenes that he instantly commanded the lictors to bind her arms
and shoulders, and hang her on a gibbet. When for this purpose they began to
strip her down to the waist, the consecrated particle, which she had concealed
in her bosom, dropped upon the ground. One of the lictors, not knowing what it was,
took it up, and was about to hand it to the Governor, when suddenly, changed
into a little ball of fire, it escaped from between his fingers. Floating in
the air and twirling round, it flitted from lictor to lictor, instantly setting
their clothes on fire, until it settled on the left shoulder of Diogenes.
Maddened with pain, he fell from his chair, shrieking aloud: “Great Apollo,
save me! I will at once burn up that sorceress. I know it is thine anger I have
aroused by my gentle treatment of her.” But a moment after he lay a lifeless
body on the floor. Dread and consternation seized upon all present, and soon
the whole city re-echoed with cries and lamentations.
Eudoxia, meanwhile,
seemingly unconscious of what was taking place, continued absorbed in prayer
where the executioners had left her, an invisible hand having thrown a
snow-white veil over her shoulders and bosom. At sight of this, a soldier, who
was standing by, was so struck with wonder that, yielding to divine grace which
moved his heart, he went up to her and said:
“I too believe in your
God. Intercede for me, a sinful man, Oh servant of the Most High.”
“May the grace of a new
conversion enlighten thy mind,” replied the Saint, “that as a new-born babe
thou mayest begin to live and grow unto salvation. But if thou wilt be saved,
strive to fly far and forever from thy former infidelity.”
Then the soldier said:
“Friend of the Almighty, I beg and entreat you, have some pity on the
unfortunate Governor. Ask your God to restore him to life, that many others may
confess His power and believe in Him.”
Eudoxia, thereupon,
kneeling down, prayed for a long time. Then rising, she said in a loud voice:
“Lord Jesus Christ, who
knowest the hearts of men, and who in Thy wisdom didst create all things, grant
that they, whom Thou didst visit in Thy wrath, may return to life; that many
may be strengthened in their faith, and others, illumined by its supernal light,
may glorify Thy most holy Name now and forever.” And going to the place where
lay the dead, she took each one by the hand, saying: “Tn the Name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, arise and live.” Immediately they stood
up and gazed around, as if suddenly awakened from a dream.
While the people, who had
witnessed this stupendous miracle wrought by the Saint, were extolling the
power and mercy of God, their attention was unexpectedly directed to another
scene of excitement and sorrow. A messenger made his appearance, bringing to
Diodorus, the chief officer of the Governor, the sad tidings that Firmina, his
wife, whilst taking a bath, had suddenly expired. The melancholy event so
affected the officer that, casting aside his military cloak, he rushed like one
demented to the spot. Diogenes and a great multitude of citizens soon followed.
When they came to the bathing-place, they found that the intelligence was but
too true. As the family was one of the most noble and ancient in Heliopolis, and
universally esteemed and beloved, every one seemed to share in the bereavement
of Diodorus. The Governor, however, was the only one who appeared to be mindful
of the wonderful things which had but just now occurred among them. Without
communicating his attention to any one, he forthwith returned to the basilica,
where Eudoxia was still remaining with some of her Christian friends, and said:
“I verily believe, Oh
Eudoxia, that your God is far superior to our deities; indeed I confess that He
possesses all power. But if you are willing to increase and confirm this, my
weak and wavering faith, I beseech you, come with me to Firmina. If by your
prayer you restore her to life, all doubt and misgiving must vanish from my
mind; and I will firmly believe and openly confess that your God is the true
and only one.”
“Not only for your sake,”
replied the Saint, “but for them also who desire to enter the kingdom of God,
will our Lord Jesus Christ manifest His infinite mercy. Wherefore, show me the
way, and let us go in the name of the Lord.”
They had not gone far
before they met the procession that attended the remains of Firmina, lying ona
bier. Eudoxia said to the Governor: “Order the pall-bearers to halt, that I may
offer my prayer to our Lord for the deceased.” This was done at once; and
kneeling down and shedding many tears, the servant of God prayed for some time
in silence. Then rising, she approached the funeral-couch, and removing the
pall, she took Firmina by the hand, saying in a loud voice:
“Lord Jesus, omnipotent,
eternal God, Thou who art the Word of the Father, through whom the dead live
again, vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, for the sake of them that are here present
and are still seated in the darkness of error, to work this great wonder, that
Firmina may be restored to life. Grant her also, Oh Lord, the spirit of true
repentance that, being converted to Thee, she may confess and adore Thee, the
true and ever-living God, to whom be glory now and forever. Amen.”
No sooner had she
finished this prayer than Firmina sat up alive, and Diodorus, her husband,
transported with joy, took her up in his arms. And all the people cried out as
with one voice: “Great is the God of Eudoxia! Teach us to know and serve Him,
that we too may find salvation, Oh beloved friend of the Master of life.” When
Diodorus recovered from his astonishment, he cast himself at the feet of the
servant of God, saying:
“Oh faithful servant of
God, make me also a Christian. For now I understand in good truth how great and
merciful is the God whom the Christians adore.”
In consequence, after
they had been duly instructed in the mysteries of the Faith, the officer and
his whole family were baptized by the bishop of the city. Diogenes, also,
faithful to his promise, and grateful for the mercy which had been shown him,
embraced Christianity, and, during the remainder of his life, became a model of
every Christian virtue.
At the urgent request of
Diodorus, Eudoxia consented to take up her abode for some days with his family.
Thus she had an opportunity of instilling more fully into their minds the
principles and practices of religion. For, by her example even more than by her
words, she inspired them with a zeal and love for the Faith which enabled them,
in the hour of trial, to triumph over the assaults of the enemy. Many of the
neighbors also availed themselves of the short stay of the Saint among them to
become acquainted with the teachings of the Church of God, and to enter the
fold of salvation. During this time there happened an event which contributed not
a little to strengthen the Faith of all the new converts.
A little boy having
fallen asleep about mid-day in a garden not far from the dwelling of Diodorus,
was bitten by a very venomous serpent. The cries of the child immediately
brought the mother to his aid; but in spite of all her efforts to save him he
soon died. Inconsolable at the loss of her only one, the widowed mother was
heard mourning and weeping aloud. When Eudoxia was informed of the cause of her
distress, her own kind heart was moved with compassion. Without waiting to be
asked to do something to comfort the disconsolate mother, she said to Diodorus:
“Come along with me, and
you shall see another mystery of our good and merciful Lord.”
Hastening to the spot,
they found the body of the child turned black and blue, and frightfully
swollen. At the sight of this painful spectacle, the Saint said to her
companion:
“Now you must put to the
test your faith in God, and prove by an experiment whether it is firm and
perfect. Lift up your heart to our Lord, and, with an unwavering confidence,
ask Him to restore this child to life.”
“Oh my lady, servant of
God,” exclaimed Diodorus, “I am but a neophyte; how can I fix my mind and heart
so steadily on my Lord, that He would deign to hear me?”
“I have so firm a
confidence in Him,” she replied, “as to be certain that He listens to the
prayer of a penitent; how much more then will He give ear to the supplication
of a neophyte who begs for things that are good? Call, therefore, with your
whole heart and soul upon His infinite power, and assuredly He will show forth
His mercy upon us.”
Then Diodorus, reverently
bowing down his head, striking his breast, and shedding many tears, prayed with
a loud voice, so as to be heard by all the bystanders:
“Lord God, who, in Thy
unsearchable wisdom and goodness, didst deign to call me, an unworthy, sinful
man, to the knowledge of salvation; and who, in so wonderful a manner, didst
send us Thy handmaid to free our souls from the snares of the demon;
remembering my unshaken faith in Thee, hear the prayer of Thy poor servant, and
command this child, so untimely snatched from his mother, to live again, that
they too may serve and glorify Thee hereafter, and together with every spirit
praise Thy holy name now and forever.”
Having thus prayed, he
laid his hand upon the boy, saying:
“In the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, crucified under Pontius Pilate, arise, Oh Zeno.”
Forthwith the child stood
up, the livid color disappeared, and wiping away the venomous slaver that
issued from his mouth, he rushed into the embrace of his delighted mother. To
complete the joy and satisfaction of those who had witnessed the miracle,
Eudoxia, by her prayers, caused the hideous monster to crawl forth from its
lurking-place, and burst in the sight of all. These wonders had the effect of
opening the eyes of a great number of persons to the light of the Gospel, and
of making them ask and receive the grace of Baptism at the hand of the Bishop
of Heliopolis.
After this the Saint
returned to her peaceful solitude, where she continued during some years to
edify and direct her pious sisterhood. During the lifetime of Diogenes, the
Governor, she remained not only free from every kind of annoyance, but she was,
moreover, greatly revered by all the people of the Province – by the Pagans as
well as by Christians. When, however, Diogenes had gone to his reward, he was
succeeded in his office by Vincentius, a proud and cruel man, and a sworn enemy
of the Christians. As soon as he learned what had been done by the servant of
God for the overthrow of idolatry in those parts, he determined forthwith to
become the champion of Pagan error and superstition. Convinced that his
attempts against the faithful would be comparatively powerless, so long as the
example and influence of the holy ascetic served to uphold and animate them in
their religion, he resolved to begin his wicked work of persecution by putting
her out of the way. Not wishing to summon her before him, or to make her
undergo another public interrogatory, since this might have the effect of
frustrating the plan he had hit upon, he sent an officer with a company of
soldiers to the asceterium, with orders, if she was unwilling to renounce
her religion and to sacrifice to the gods, to put her to death with the sword,
The officer, as indeed he had expected, found her not only firm in the Faith,
but delighted at the thought of having, at last, the good fortune of being able
to prove her love for her divine Master by laying down her life for His sake; a
happiness for which she had long sighed and prayed. She was accordingly
beheaded. Thus the great and generous Eudoxia, bearing the palm of martyrdom,
went to her Lord, to praise and thank Him for all His graces and wonderful
mercies, in the abode of the Elect. She suffered in the reign of Trajan. Her
festival is kept on the first of March.
MLA
Citation
Father James A M Fastré,
S.J. “Saint Eudoxia”. The Acts of the Early
Martyrs, 1871. CatholicSaints.Info.
24 July 2022. Web. 28 February 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/the-acts-of-the-early-martyrs-saint-eudoxia/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/the-acts-of-the-early-martyrs-saint-eudoxia/
_3.jpg)
Alexius
and Eudoxia, GIM, Yaroslavl, 17 c.
Выставка
"Романовы. Начало династии", Государственный Исторический музей,
весна 2013 года
Holy Monastic Martyr Eudokia
Holy Monastic Martyr
Eudokia was a Samaritan, a native of the city of Heliopolis in Phoenicia
(modern Baalbek), who lived during the reign of Trajan (98-117). Her pagan
impiety took her off the good path, and for a long time she led a sinful life.
Her soul was deadened and her heart hardened.
Eudokia awoke one night at midnight and heard singing from the house of a
Christian woman next to hers. A monk was reading from a book which described
the Last Judgment, the punishment of sinners, and the reward of the righteous.
The grace of God touched Eudokia’s heart, and she grieved because of her great
wealth and for her sinful life.
In the morning Eudokia hastened to call on the man whose rule of prayer she
heard the previous night. This was a monk named Germanus, returning from
pilgrimage to the holy places to his own monastery. Eudokia listened for a long
time to the guidance of the Elder, and her soul was filled with joy and love
for Christ. She asked Germanus to stay in her home for a week, during which she
secluded herself in her room, and spent her time in fasting and prayer.
The Elder Germanus told her to give away her wealth and to forget her previous
life. Eudokia received holy Baptism from Bishop Theodotus of Heliopolis. She
entered a monastery and took upon herself very strict acts of penitence. The
Lord granted forgiveness to the penitent sinner and endowed her with spiritual
gifts.
After she had become the head of the monastery, the young pagan Philostrates
(one of her former lovers) heard of her conversion to Christ and longed to see
her again. Aflame with impious passion, he came into the monastery in the guise
of a monk and began to urge Eudokia to return to Heliopolis, and resume her
former life. “May God rebuke you and not allow you to leave these premises,”
Eudokia cried. Then the impostor fell down dead. Fearing that she had served as
an accomplice to murder, the sisters intensified their prayer and besought the
Lord to reveal to them His will.
The Lord appeared to St Eudokia in a vision and said: “Arise, Eudokia, and pray
for the resurrection of the dead man.” Through Eudokia’s prayers, Philostrates
revived. Having been restored to life, the pagan begged the nun to forgive him.
After he was baptized, he went back to Heliopolis. From that time he never
forgot the mercy of God shown him, and he started onto the way of repentance.
Some time passed, and another situation occurred. Inhabitants of Heliopolis
reported to the governor Aurelian, that Eudokia had taken gold and silver out
of the city and concealed it at the monastery. Aurelian sent a detachment of
soldiers to confiscate these supposed treasures. For three days the soldiers
tried in vain to approach the walls of the monastery, but an invisible power of
God guarded it.
Aurelian again sent soldiers to the monastery, this time under the command of
his own son. But on the very first day of the journey Aurelian’s son injured
his leg and soon died. Then Philostrates counseled Aurelian to write to Mother
Eudokia, imploring her to revive the youth. And the Lord, in His infinite
mercy, and through the prayers of St Eudokia, restored the youth to life.
Having witnessed this great miracle, Aurelian and his close associates believed
in Christ and were baptized.
When persecutions against Christians intensified, they arrested Eudokia and
brought her to the governor Diogenes to be tortured. While torturing the saint,
the military commander Diodorus received news of the sudden death of his wife
Firmina. In despair he rushed to St Eudokia with a plea to pray for his
departed wife. The monastic martyr, filled with great faith, turned to God with
prayer and besought Him to return Firmina to life. As eyewitnesses of the power
and grace of the Lord, Diodorus and Diogenes believed in Christ and were
baptized together with their families. St Eudokia lived for awhile at the house
of Diodorus and enlightened the newly-illumined Christians.
Once,the only son of a certain widow, who was working in the garden, was bitten
by a snake and died. The mother wept bitterly for her dead son, and asked
Diodorus to resurrect him. Learning of her grief, St Eudokia said to Diodorus,
“The time is at hand for you to show faith in the Almighty God, Who hears the
prayers of penitent sinners and in His mercy grants them forgiveness.”
Diodorus was distressed, not considering himself worthy of such boldness before
the Lord, but he obeyed St Eudokia. He prayed and in the name of Christ he
commanded the dead one to rise, and before the eyes of everyone present the
youth revived.
St Eudokia returned to her monastery, where she lived in asceticism for
fifty-six years.
After Diogenes died the new governor was Vicentius, a fierce persecutor of
Christians. Having learned of the accomplishments of the saint, he gave orders
to execute her. The holy martyr was beheaded on March 1, 107.
SOURCE : http://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/03/01/100625-martyr-eudokia-of-heliopolis
_01.jpg)
Saint
Eudokia Church, Kazan
Храм Нерукотворного образа Спасителя с приделом во имя святой преподобномученицы Евдокии. Казань, ул. Федосеевская, д. 46.
Saint
Eudokia Church, Kazan
Храм Нерукотворного образа Спасителя с приделом во имя святой преподобномученицы Евдокии. Казань, ул. Федосеевская, д. 46.
_34.jpg)
Saint
Eudokia Church, Kazan
Храм Нерукотворного образа Спасителя с приделом во имя святой преподобномученицы Евдокии. Казань, ул. Федосеевская, д. 46.
_35.jpg)
Saint
Eudokia Church, Kazan
Храм Нерукотворного образа Спасителя с приделом во имя святой преподобномученицы Евдокии. Казань, ул. Федосеевская, д. 46.
_50.jpg)
Saint
Eudokia Church, Kazan
Храм
Нерукотворного образа Спасителя с приделом во имя святой преподобномученицы
Евдокии. Казань, ул. Федосеевская, д. 46.
St Eudokia, Holy martyr
Memory celebrated March 1
Eudokia was a woman of
Samaria who lived during the second century in Heliopolis. She was a pagan of
immense beauty and became very wealthy by attracting wealthy lovers. As a
harlot she never considered the Day of Judgement or the state of her soul.
One day, a pious monk by
the name of Germanos stayed at a house next to Eudokia. One evening he sat on
the window sill reading out loud from a book describing the Last Judgement of
the world. From her window Eudokia listened curiously. What she heard both
frightened her and fascinated her. The next day she invited Germanos to explain
about the Christian faith.
The good monk spoke to
her about the love of Christ for all sinners. Eudokia wanted to believe, but it
all sounded too good to be true. "Could she also be saved?" she
asked. Germanos told her to remain alone in her chamber and receive no-one for
one week, whilst she prayed and fasted. He told her that she would then receive
a vision which would assure her of the Creator's love for all human beings,
including her.
Surely this came true,
and after seeing a vision of Archangel Michael she confessed Christ as the only
True God. Germanos Baptised her and became her Spiritual Father.
Eudokia was thirty years
old when she gave herself over completely to the service of Jesus Christ. Her
first act was to build a monastery near the city of Baalbeck, where she
administered the disposition of her vast wealth to projects for charity. In a
short time her monastery became a beacon which attracted thousands of
spiritually as well as physically starved people, and St Eudokia became famous
for the beauty of her soul as well as her face, acquiring in the process of her
noble work a proximity to God no treasure could buy.
The stream of suitors to
the palace became a river of pilgrims to her monastery, but there was one
suitor named Philostratos who was persistent enough to seek her out in the hope
of securing favor before her fortune had been dissipated. Eudokia refused to
help him, and, when in his anger he seemed struck dead by the Lord, she prayed
to God for his recovery. Brought back to his senses, he was easily converted to
Christianity.
The continual conversion
of so many pagans by St Eudokia brought down upon her the full wrath of the
Syrian officials, who had her beheaded on 1st March 107 AD.
SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20061209031113/http://home.it.net.au/~jgrapsas/pages/eudokia.htm
Coptic
Synaxarium (Coptic Orthodox Calendar)
5 Paramhat
(The Fifth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat)
Commemoration of the
Martyrdom of St. Eudexia (Eutychia)
On this day also is the
commemoration of St. Eudexia which is interpreted "happiness". This Saint
was Samaritan by race and religion, from the city of Baalbek. The name of her
father was Younan and the name of her mother was Hakeemah. She lived her early
life in immorality. With the beauty of her face and physical appearance, she
stumbled many and made them to fall into sin acquiring thereby great wealth.
A
saintly monk from Jerusalem called Germanus heard about her. He went to her,
preached her with solemn and frightful words, mentioning to her hell, worms,
darkness, and the fearful punishments which are therein. She asked him:
"Does the body rise after death, and after it becomes dust to be
judged?" He replied "Yes". She asked him: "What are the
proofs on what you said, since the Torah that God gave to Moses the prophet and
my fathers did not mention this?" He explained to her with biblical and
logical proofs until she was convinced. She asked him: "If I go back on my
evil works would God accept me?" He replied: "If you believed that
the Lord Christ had come to the world, took away our sins by His Crucifixion,
repented now a sincere repentance, and been baptized, He will accept you, and
will not mention any of what you have done, but you will be as if you just have
been borne."
Her
heart opened to the faith and asked him to help her to fulfil that. He took her
to the bishop of Baalbek and she confessed before him the Holy Trinity, the
incarnation of the Word and His Crucifixion. While the Bishop was praying over
the water to baptize her, the Lord opened her mind, she saw an angel attracting
her to the water and the other angels were rejoicing for her. Then she saw an
ugly terrifying looking person trying to drag her away from them and he was in
wrath with her. What she saw increased her desire for repentance and baptism.
After
her baptism, she gave all what she gained as fruit of her sin to the poor and
needy. She entered a convent of nuns, she put on the garb of monasticism, and
fought a good and perfect fight. Satan entered into some of her friends who
informed the Governor about her. The Governor commanded his men to bring her.
When she came into his house she found great lamentation and weeping for the
governor's son had just died. She came to where the son was laid, prayed
entreating the Lord Christ for his sake and He raised him up from death. The
Prince believed in Christ through her. Another prince called Diogenes heard
about her. He brought her before him, and she saw a soldier standing before
him, who was blind in one eye, she prayed and made the sign of the cross over
the eye, and it was opened. The prince released her instantly.
Shortly after this, another Prince called Bekeyfius was appointed, and he heard
about her and had her brought to him. She asked the Lord Christ to give her a
portion with the martyrs. The Prince commanded to cut off her head, and she
received the crown of martyrdom.
May her intercession be
with us. Amen.
Days of the month
of Paremhat: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30
SOURCE : https://st-takla.org/books/en/church/synaxarium/07-baramhat/05-paramhat-eutychia.html
.jpg)
Mary
Magdalene and Eudokia by Kremlin armoury, circa 1670, Kolomenskoe
в.
Мария Магдалина Преподобная Евдокия. Святые предстоят перед образом Спасителя,
изображеннном в виде Великого Архиерея. Текст Раскрытого евангелия - (Мк 11,
24). Москва. Оружейная палата Московского Кремля. 1670-е гг. Дерево, левкас,
темпера. 112 х 71 см. Происходит из церкви Троицы в Ознобишине под Москвой.
Икона написана по заказу Хитрово Б.М. (1615-80) как образ святых покровителей
его жены, Марии Ивановны Хитрово, и ее матери, княгини Евдокии
Буйносовой-Ростовской. Музей-заповедник "Коломенское" (Инв ж - 554)
Sant' Eudocia (Eudossia)
di Eliopoli Martire
II sec.
Fu una donna samaritana
che viveva ad Eliopoli ai tempi di Traiano. Dopo una conversione miracolosa,
divenne una fervente cristiana e fondò un monastero femminile. Le sue opere di
carità e i suoi miracoli attirarono l'attenzione dei pagani, che la
denunciarono al governatore. Eudocia fu arrestata e torturata, ma non rinnegò
la sua fede. Fu infine decapitata.
Emblema : Palma
Eudocia, una donna samaritana, viveva ad Eliopoli ai tempi di Traiano. Dopo una conversione miracolosa, divenne una fervente cristiana e fondò un monastero femminile. Le sue opere di carità e i suoi miracoli attirarono l'attenzione dei pagani, che la denunciarono al governatore. Eudocia fu arrestata e torturata, ma non rinnegò la sua fede. Fu infine decapitata il 1° marzo, e la sua memoria è venerata dalla Chiesa cattolica e ortodossa.
Tuttavia, la passio di Eudocia è un testo agiografico, ossia un racconto di vita di un santo. Questi testi sono spesso caratterizzati da elementi fantastici e miracolosi, che non sono necessariamente attendibili dal punto di vista storico.
Nel caso di Eudocia, non esistono prove archeologiche o documentarie a sostegno della sua esistenza. L'unica fonte che la menziona è la sua passio, che è stata scritta molto tempo dopo la sua presunta morte.
Pertanto, è possibile che Eudocia sia una figura leggendaria, inventata per
ispirare i cristiani. Tuttavia, è anche possibile che sia esistita una donna
chiamata Eudocia, che abbia vissuto a Eliopoli e che sia stata martirizzata per
la sua fede.
Autore: Franco
Dieghi
Secondo la sua lunghissima passio, Eudocia era una donna samaritana, che viveva ad Eliopoli nella Fenicia Libanese ai tempi di Traiano (98-117). Coi suoi facili costumi e la sua straordinaria bellezza si era procurata innumerevoli amanti e immense ricchezze, ma avendo per caso udito un monaco, Germano, leggere qualcosa sui Novissimi, ne restò impressionata, ottenne di parlarne con Germano stesso e con un sacerdote di Eliopoli e decise di farsi cristiana, di dare tutte le sue sostanze ai poveri e di condurre vita di penitenza e di preghiera. Le apparve l'arcangelo Michele in lotta col dragone infernale per il possesso dell'anima di lei e la voce di Dio sancì i diritti del perdono e della misericordia. Battezzata da Teodoto, vescovo di Eliopoli, concesse libertà a tutti i suoi schiavi, offrì tutte le sue ricchezze alla Chiesa e si chiuse in un monastero femminile congiunto a quello di Germano (si noti come si supponga già esistente il Monasterium duplex, che conosciamo per l'alto Medioevo), di cui in breve divenne la superiora. Un suo antico amante, Filostrato, che con abili manovre era riuscito a parlarle per indurla a tornare al peccato, cadde morto ai suoi piedi, ma Eudocia Io resuscitò e lo convertì. Un regalus del luogo, certo Aureliano, cercò di farla arrestare, ma i suoi soldati restarono inspiegabilmente immobilizzati per tre giorni ed infine un drago col suo alito pestilenziale li uccise quasi tutti. Il figlio stesso di Aureliano si incaricò allora dell'impresa: ma cadde da cavallo e, per una distorsione ad una caviglia (!), morì miseramente. Il re ne fu costernato e si decise a mandare un suo tribuno, Babila, a chiedere aiuto alla santa medesima. Eudocia rispose con una lettera, al semplice contatto della quale il giovane resuscitò. Aureliano si convertì e con lui tutta l a sua famiglia e i suoi magistrati: la figlia Gelasia entrò nel monastero di Eudocia e il figlio risorto divenne diacono e poi vescovo di Eliopoli. Allora il preside Diogene, già fidanzato di Gelasia, diede ordine di arrestare Eudocia, che, però, prima di essere trascinata via dal suo monastero, riuscì a prendere con sé un frammento dell'Eucaristia conservata nel Sacrarium (!). La santa venne lungamente interrogata sulla sua fede e sulle sue intenzioni, ma restò salda nei suoi propositi: mentre i littori si accingevano a sottoporla ai tormenti, ad Eudocia cadde la particola dell'Eucaristia, che venne gettata dai pagani sul fuoco: ne scaturirono globi di fiamme e tutti gli astanti, compreso il preside, ne restarono carbonizzati. Per intervento di Eudocia tutti resuscitarono. Anche una ricca matrona, morta in quel periodo, venne resuscitata e così pure un fanciullo, ucciso da uno spaventoso dragone. Grandi masse di popolo si convertirono al Cristianesimo alla vista di tanti miracoli e, tra gli altri, anche il preside Diogene. Alla morte (definitiva) di quest'ultimo gli successe il preside Vincenzo, uomo estremamente crudele ed infesto ai cristiani: come primo gesto del suo governo diede ordine di decapitare Eudocia ed il martirio avvenne senza altri incidenti alle calende di marzo.
Questa passio, scritta originariamente in dialetto siro-fenicio (almeno con probabilità) e quindi tradotta in greco, non merita in verità nessuna fiducia, sia per quanto riguarda il racconto sia per quanto riguarda i particolari (specialmente cronologici e topografici) di esso: è uno dei soliti romanzi agiografici che non hanno altro scopo che quello di eccitare la fantasia popolare con la narrazione dei miracoli più grandiosi proprio nelle circostanze più disperate, col porre di fronte la fragilità e la potenza, la bellezza (le donne di Eliopoli erano famose per la loro venustà) e la lussuria, sempre con la vittoria delle prime. Vi sono ampiamente svolti i temi teologici della conversione e dell'uso delle ricchezze, bene o male acquisite. Non torna conto, tuttavia, soffermarsi a porre in risalto le innumerevoli incongruenze, per cui si riportano ai tempi sub-apostolici istituzioni e usi posteriori al sec. VII.
Resta da chiedersi se tale passio sia anteriore o posteriore alla celebrazione del 1o marzo in onore di Eudocia, e, in altre parole, se la leggenda agiografica abbia inventato o presupponga l'esistenza della martire. Due sono gli elementi che restano fissi, sotto il fiorire delle leggende, a determinare la storicità di un martire: il culto al sepolcro e la festa annuale. Ora, di un culto al sepolcro di Eudocia, anzi, dell'esistenza di un suo sepolcro, non sappiamo nulla e neppure la passio sa indicarlo.
Per quanto poi riguarda la celebrazione del 1o marzo, dobbiamo riconoscere che non ne esistono testimonianze anteriori alla passio stessa. La recensione che ne dà il Sinassario Costantinopolitano (coll. 498-99) non è che un breve sunto di quella passio e, dunque, a lei posteriore; quella del Calendario Palestino-georgiano del sec. X (Garitte, p. 53) mancava nella prima stesura del documento, e vi fu aggiunta da Giovanni Zosimo quando poté arricchire il suo calendario con dati fornitigli da fonti greche: questo appare particolarmente grave in una celebrazione che doveva trarre la sua origine appunto dalle terre del Libano. Le note poi dell'Auctarium di Molano ad Usuardo (1568) e del Martirologio Romano (1586) sono troppo tarde e troppo chiaramente dipendenti dai sinassari bizantini per meritare qualsiasi attenzione. Non resta che concludere che non è certamente esistita una martire Eudocia dell'età traianea o di altra età: tutt'al più, a non voler eccessivamente insistere sul silenzio della prima redazione del Calendario Palestino-georgiano, si potrà ammettere che una celebrazione del 1o marzo abbia inteso ricordare una qualche venerata personalità dell'epoca bizantina, magari l'antica fondatrice di un monastero femminile in Eliopoli.
Autore: Giovanni Lucchesi
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/43450
Икона
Святой Антонины и Святой Евдокии. Афон. На золоте. 19 век.. На обратной стороне
печать и надпись: "Сия икона мученицы Евдокии и мученицы Антонины.
Написана и освящена на Афонской горе в русском общежительном скиту Святого
Андрея Первозванного". Размер: 31 на 27 см.
Icône
de Sainte Antonine et Sainte Eudoxie. Athos. Sur l'or. 19ème siècle. Au verso
il y a un cachet et une inscription : "Il s'agit d'une icône du martyr
Evdokia et de la martyr Antonina. Peinte et consacrée sur le mont Athos dans le
monastère communal russe de Saint-André le Premier Appelé."Taille : 31 sur
27 cm.
Den hellige Eudokia av
Heliopolis (d. ~107)
Minnedag:
1. mars
Det er ikke noen tvil om
det under keiser Trajan var en kvinne av samaritansk opprinnelse som omvendte
seg til Kristus etter et utsvevende liv og døde ved å bli halshogd (Acta
Sanctorum, 1. mars, s 8). Men ut fra dette obskure martyriet har kristen
fromhet gjort henne til heltinne i en malerisk hagiografisk romanse. Denne
«biografien» er trolig opprinnelig skrevet på syrisk-fønikisk dialekt og senere
oversatt til gresk.
Den forteller at Eudokia
var en kurtisane i Heliopolis i Egypt [skyldes en sammenblanding mellom
Heliopolis i Syria og en oldtidsby i Egypt, ikke langt fra det nåværende
Kairo]. Hun var umåtelig vakker, noe som skaffet henne en mengde kunder, og hun
ble ufattelig rik.
En natt våknet hun ved
midnatt og hørte sang i huset fra en kristen kvinne som bodde ved siden av. En
munk leste fra en bok som beskrev Dommedag med straffen for syndere og
belønningen for de rettferdige. Guds nåde berørte Eudokias hjerte, og hun
sørget på grunn av sin store rikdom og for sitt syndige liv.
Om morgenen skyndte
Eudokia seg å oppsøke den mannen som hun hadde hørt natten før. Det var en munk
ved navn Germanus som var på vei tilbake til sitt eget kloster etter en valfart
til de hellige steder, og som sto opp midt på natten for å prise Gud som han
alltid gjorde. Hun lyttet lenge til munkens veiledning, og hennes sjel ble fylt
av glede og kjærlighet til Kristus. Hun ba Germanus om å bli værende i hennes
hjem i en uke, og i denne tiden isolerte hun seg i sitt rom og tilbrakte tiden
med å faste og be.
Munken Germanus ga henne
beskjed om å gi bort sin rikdom og å glemme sitt tidligere liv. En annen
versjon forteller at hun en dag falt i ekstase, og i en visjon ble hun ført av
en engel til himmelen, hvor hun så englene, som frydet seg over hennes
omvendelse, men blant dem var det også et heslig svart vesen som skrek at det
var en urett å redde en slik stor synderinne. Denne opplevelsen fikk henne til
å frigi alle sine slaver og dele ut sin store formue til de fattige, noe som ga
henne tilnavnet «samaritanerinnen».
Deretter mottok Eudokia
dåpen av biskop Theodotus av Heliopolis. Hun trakk seg tilbake til ørkenen,
hvor hun trådte inn i et kloster, hvor hun påtok seg å leve i svært streng
askese. Herren ga tilgivelse til den botferdige synderen og utstyrte henne med åndelige
gaver.
Etter at hun hadde blitt
superior i sitt kloster, hørte en av hennes tidligere elskere, den unge
hedenske Filostrates, om hennes omvendelse til Kristus og lengtet etter å se
henne igjen. Oppflammet av ugudelig lidenskap kom han til klosteret forkledd
som en munk og begynte å trygle Eudokia om å vende tilbake til Heliopolis og
gjenoppta sitt tidligere liv. «Måtte Gud irettesette deg og ikke tillate deg å
forlate dette stedet», skrek Eudokia, og inntrengeren falt da død om. Søstrene
fryktet at hun hadde gjort seg medskyldig i mord, så de intensiverte sine
bønner og tryglet Herren om å vise dem sin vilje.
Herren viste seg for
Eudokia i en visjon og sa: «Stå opp, Eudokia, og be for den døde mannens
oppstandelse». Gjennom Eudokias bønner til Kristus våknet da Filostrates
tilbake til livet igjen. Etter å ha fått livet tilbake, ba den unge hedningen
nonnen om å tilgi ham. Etterpå ble han døpt og vendte tilbake til Heliopolis.
Fra da av glemte han aldri den Guds nåde som var vist ham, og han sø inn på botgjøringens
vei.
Etter en tid oppsto det
en ny situasjon. Innbyggere i Heliopolis rapporterte til guvernør Aurelian at
Eudokia hadde brakt gull og sølv ut av byen og gjemt det i klosteret. Aurelian
sendte en gruppe soldater for å ransake stedet og konfiskere disse angivelige
skattene. I tre dager forsøkte soldatene forgjeves å trenge innenfor klosterets
murer, men en Guds usynlig kraft voktet det. Kilden santiebeati.it avslutter
denne episoden med at det etter tre dager kommer en drage og dreper dem nesten
alle sammen med «sin fordervelige ånde» (suo alito pestilenziale).
Aurelian sendte da igjen
soldater til klosteret, denne gang under kommando av sin egen sønn. Men på
reisens aller første dag falt Aurelians sønn av hesten og skadet ankelen, og
han døde snart. Da ga Filostrates Aurelian det råd å skrive til moder Eudokia
og be henne innstendig om å vekke gutten tilbake til livet. Og Gud, i sin
uendelige nåde, og gjennom den hellige Eudokias bønner, ga gutten livet
tilbake. Etter å ha vært vitne til dette store miraklet, trodde Aurelian og
hans nærmeste medarbeidere på Kristus og ble døpt. Hans datter Gelasia trådte
inn i Eudokias kloster og den gjenoppvekkede sønnen ble diakon og senere biskop
av Heliopolis.
Da forfølgelsene av de
kristne ble intensivert, ble Eudokia arrestert og brakt til Diogenes, som var
guvernør i Heliopolis og hadde vært forlovet med Gelasia, for å bli torturert.
Men mens den militære kommandanten Diodorus torturerte den hellige, mottok han
melding om at hans hustru Firmina plutselig var død. I desperasjon løp han til
Eudokia med en innstendig bønn om å be for hans avdøde hustru. Den monastiske
martyren, fylt av stor tro, vendte seg til Gud med bønn og tryglet ham om å la
Firmina vende tilbake til livet. Som øyenvitner til Guds makt og nåde trodde
Diodorus og Diogenes på Kristus og ble døpt sammen med sine familier. Eudokia
levde en stund i Diodorus’ hjem og underviste de nyopplyste kristne.
En gang arbeidet den
eneste sønnen til en viss enke i hagen, og han ble da bitt av en slange og døde
(italienerne gjør også denne slangen til en drage). Hans mor gråt bittert for
sin døde sønn og ba Diodorus om å vekke ham opp igjen. Da Eudokia fikk høre om
hennes sorg, sa hun til Diodorus: «Tiden er inne for deg til å vise tro på den
allmektige Gud, som hører bønnene til botferdige syndere og i sin nåde gir dem
tilgivelse». Diodorus ble ulykkelig, for han betraktet seg ikke som verdig til
en slik dristighet overfor Herren, men han adlød Eudokia. Han ba, og i Kristi
navn kommanderte han den døde til å stå opp, og for alle tilstedeværendes øyne
fikk gutten livet tilbake.
Eudokia vendte tilbake
til sitt kloster, hvor hun levde i askese i 56 år. Men etter at Diogenes døde,
ble Vincentius ny guvernør, og han var en voldsom forfølger av de kristne.
Etter å ha hørt om alt den hellige hadde utført, ga han ordre om at hun skulle
henrettes. Den hellige martyren Eudokia ble halshogd den 1. mars 107.
(1913) sier at denne
beretningen er av tvilsom historisk verdi og betviler også noen biskop
Theodotus under keiser Hadrian. Da keiser Konstantin I den
store (306-37; enekeiser fra 324) forbød de tøylesløse hedenske
skikkene i Heliopolis, var det ingen kristne der. Konstantin bygde imidlertid
en kirke der, eller ganske enkelt gjorde om et av de hedenske templene til en
kristen basilika, som han betrodde til en biskop med prester og diakoner
(Eusebius, Vita Constantini, III, 58).
Studium Biblicum
Franciscanum plasserer hennes martyrium under keiser Aurelian (270-75), og
de sier at navnet Germanus minner om den velkjente personen som på konsilet i
Nikeas tid (325) var biskop av den nærliggende byen Flavia Neapolis. Hennes
minnedag er 1. mars både i den katolske og den ortodokse kirke. En annen
ortodoks minnedag som nevnes, er 4. august. I det greske Menologium som ble
skrevet på vegne av keiser Basilios på 900-tallet, minnes martyren Eudokia «fra
byen Samaria» den 1. mars (Jacques-Paul Migne (ed.), Patrologia Graeca (PG),
CXVII, 332-33). På ikoner ser man ofte hennes skjønne skikkelse sammen med
andre hellige. Hun kalles Eudokia av Heliopolis, men også «den eldre», Sr eller
«Samaritana». Spesielt i Østkirken nyter hun stor ærbødighet som martyr.
Kilder:
Benedictines, Bunson, CSO, Patron Saints SQPN, Infocatho, Bautz,
Heiligenlexikon, santiebeati.it, en.wikipedia.org, heiligen-3s.nl, oca.org,
goarch.org, SBF (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum) - Kompilasjon og
oversettelse: p.
Per Einar Odden
Opprettet: 23. juli 2008
Linken er kopiert til utklippstavlen!
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/eudhelio
Прмц.
Евдокия. Фрагмент миниатюры из греко-груз. рукописи. XV в. (РНБ. Q.I.58. Л.
102)
Eudoxia die
Samariterin
auch: Eudokia
auch: von Phoenicien
Gedenktag katholisch: 1.
März
Gedenktag orthodox: 1.
März, 4. August
Gedenktag armenisch: 1.
März
Gedenktag koptisch: 1.
März
Gedenktag
äthiopisch-orthodox: 1. März
Gedenktag
syrisch-orthodox: 1. März
Jungfrau, Wohltäterin, Märtyrerin
* um 99 in Heliopolis in Phönizien, heute Baʿlbak / Baalbek im Libanon
† um 117 (?) daselbst
Von Eudoxia berichtet die
Legende, dass sie eine schöne junge Frau war, die viele Männer anzog und dabei
viel Geld verdiente. Der Mönch Germanus bekehrte sie zum Christentum, Bischof
Theodotos taufte sie. In einer Vision fuhr sie gen Himmel, erblickte die Engel und
darunter auch ein hässliches, schwarzes Wesen, das schrie, es sei ungerecht,
eine solche Sünderin zu erretten. Dieses Erlebnis bewog sie, ihr Vermögen unter
die Armen zu verteilen, was ihr den Beinamen die
Samariterin einbrachte, und in ein Kloster einzutreten. Sie wurde dann von
ihren früheren Liebhabern als Christin denunziert und vor den Kaiser gebracht;
aber nachdem sie dessen Sohn geheilt hatte, führte sie Kaiser Trajan - oder Hadrian 1 -
zum Glauben. Nun wurde sie vor Diogenes, den Statthalter von Heliopolis - dem
heutigen Bá'labakk
/ Baalbek -, gebracht; wieder bewirkte sie Wunder und wurde
freigelassen. Nachdem Vincentius der Nachfolger des Statthalters geworden war,
wurde Eudoxia wieder angeklagt und enthauptet.
Die Legende entstand nach
dem 7. Jahrhundert. Weder ein Begräbnisort noch eine Verehrung sind zuvor
überliefert.
1 Keiner der
römischen Kaiser vor Konstantin wird
in der christlichen Tradition so geschätzt wie Trajan.
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Quellen:
• Ekkart Sauser. In: Friedrich-Wilhelm Bautz †, Traugott Bautz (Hg.): Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon, Bd. XXI, Nordhausen 2003
• Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, begr. von Michael Buchberger. Hrsg. von
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korrekt zitieren: Joachim Schäfer: Artikel Eudoxia „die Samariterin”, aus dem Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikon - https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienE/Eudoxia_die_Samariterin.html, abgerufen am 28. 2. 2025
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SOURCE : https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienE/Eudoxia_die_Samariterin.html
Vollständiges Heiligen-Lexikon
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Artikel
Eudocia, S. (2)
[100] 2S. Eudocia (Eudoxia), M. (1. März).
Diese hl. Eudokia wurde zu Samaria unter der Regierung des Kaisers
Trajan geboren. Sie glänzte durch hellen Verstand, besaß ein heiteres Gemüth,
und zeichnete sich auch durch körperliche Schönheit vor den Jungfrauen ihrer
Vaterstadt aus. Das zog ihr eine Menge eitler Schmeichler zu, mit denen sie
endlich zum Falle kam und immer tiefer und tiefer sank. Um sich ungehindert
einem lasterhaften Leben hingeben zu können, verließ sie Heimath, Eltern und
Verwandte und ging nach Heliopolis, einer Stadt am Libanon in Phönicien
(Cölesyrien), und sammelte sich auf sündhafte Weise einen großen Reichthum. Da
gefiel es aber auch der erbarmenden Liebe Gottes, ihr einen Retter zu
senden. Germanus, ein Mönch, kehrte einmal, durch Heliopolis reisend, bei
einem Verwandten ein, dessen Haus mit jenem der Eudokia zusammenstieß.
Als die Zeit der Metten kam, stand Germanus auf, sang heilige Psalmen und las
mit lauter Stimme die Schilderung der Höllenpein und der Himmelsfreude. Des
Mönches Kammer war nur durch eine dünne Wand von dem Schlafgemache der Eudokia geschieden;
das laute Beten und Lesen erweckte sie; jedes Wort konnte sie verstehen, und
mit Erstaunen hörte sie da Dinge, von denen noch Niemand zu ihr geredet hatte.
Des andern Tages ließ sie sogleich den Mönch zu sich erbitten, befragte ihn
über seine Lebens weise, wie über sein lautes Gebet etc., und [100] verlangte
eine Erklärung dessen, was er über Himmel und Hölle mit so erschütternder Summe
gelesen hatte. Germanus ahnte, daß er einer Sünderin gegenüberstehe; mit tiefer
Bewegung des Gemüthes sprach er von dem Himmel, der nur Frommen zu Theil werde,
und von der Hölle, welcher auf ewig die Bösen verfielen. Eudokia ward
tief ergriffen, ließ auf die Mahnung des frommen Mönches hin einen Priester
kommen, bezeigte ihm ihre Bereitwilligkeit, Buße zu thun, ließ sich im heil.
Glauben unterrichten, ging im Bußkleide zum Bischofe der Stadt, Namens Theodot,
und bat ihn unter Thränen um die Gnade der heil. Taufe und um Aufnahme in die
Kirche. Als die heil. Acte vollzogen waren, ging sie hochbeglückt nach Hause,
beschenkte reichlich ihre Dienerschaft, ermahnte sie inständig zur Buße und
Bekehrung, und entließ sie dann. All ihr Vermögen theilte sie unter die Armen
aus und behielt nicht das Geringste von ihren Kostbarkeiten für sich. Auf des
Germanus Rath hin verließ sie die Stadt, zog sich in die Einsamkeit zurück und
führte ein musterhaftes Bußleben. Einmal kam ein junger Mann, der mit ihr
früher gesündigt, als Einsiedler verkleidet, in böser Absicht zu ihr; die
gotterleuchtete Büßerin aber durchschaute alsbald sein Vorhaben, verwies ihm
mit Ernst seine Bosheit, und der Heuchler stürzte, wie von Gottes strafender
Hand berührt, todt zu Boden. Eudokia verharrte in ihrem Bußeifer bis
zum Ende ihres Lebens. Ost stieg in ihrem Herzen der fromme Wunsch auf, ihren
Leib, dem sie so viele sündhaften Freuden bereitet, einmal der Marter ungeben
zu können. Und siehe da, ihr Wunsch ward erfüllt. Es brach eine
Christenverfolgung aus. Der Präfect Vincentius ließ die durch ihre Heiligkeit
und Wunder hochgeehrte Eubökia vor sich rufen, und auf ihre standhafte
Weigerung hin, den Götzen zu opfern, enthaupten um das Jahr 114. Ihr Name
findet sich auch im Mart. Rom. am 1. März; um so auffallender
ist es uns daher, daß wir bei Butler gar nichts davon haben finden
können. (I. 8.)
Quelle:
Vollständiges
Heiligen-Lexikon, Band 2. Augsburg 1861, S. 100-101.
Permalink:
http://www.zeno.org/nid/20002934620
Lizenz:
Faksimiles:
Kategorien:
Ähnliche Einträge in
anderen Lexika
Heiligenlexikon-1858: Eudocia, S.
(1) · Eudocia, S.
(3) · Eudocia (6) · Eudocia (4) · Eudocia (5)
SOURCE : http://www.zeno.org/Heiligenlexikon-1858/A/Eudocia,+S.+(2)
