Synaxarium

On this day, the virgin ascetic Saint Ephrone was martyred. This saint had an aunt named Oriana, who was the abbess of a monastery located between the two rivers, where fifty virgins lived. She raised her in the fear of God and taught her to read the divine books. She dedicated herself to the Lord Christ and struggled well through asceticism, fasting two days at a time, and continuous prayer. When Diocletian issued his edict to worship idols and many Christians were martyred by his hand, the virgins heard of this and were afraid, so they left the monastery and hid. Only Saint Ephrone, another sister, and the abbess remained. The next day, the king’s messengers came to the monastery, seized the abbess, and insulted her. Ephrone said to them, “Take me and leave this old woman.” So they took her also, bound with ropes, to the governor. At that time, she was twenty years old, beautiful in appearance, and her mother followed her. The governor offered her idol worship and promised her many things, but she did not accept. He ordered her to be beaten with sticks, then ordered her garment to be torn. Her mother cried out to him, saying, “May the Lord tear you apart, you ferocious beast, for you intend to disgrace this orphaned girl.” He became angry and ordered Saint Ephrone to be pressed in a press and her body to be combed with iron combs until her flesh was torn. She prayed to the Lord, asking for help. Then her tongue was cut off and her teeth were pulled out, but the Lord strengthened and comforted her. Finally, he ordered her to be beheaded, and she received the crown of martyrdom. One of the righteous took her body, wrapped it in precious cloths, and placed it in a gilded coffin. May her prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day, the two martyr saints Bioucha and Banain departed. (His name appears in the old version published by the scholar Basset as “Tiyaben” and is mentioned in the book Al-Sadiq Al-Amin as “Banamon,” which is the preferred form).

They were priests of the church of Tuna, which is under the jurisdiction of Tanda. Their father was the overseer of that church. It happened that while Priest Banain was celebrating the Divine Liturgy at the altar, someone came to call him to see his father who was dying at that moment. He replied, “I cannot remove the vestments of sanctification before finishing, and if the Lord wills, I will see him before his death; otherwise, let God’s will be done.” He was asked three times by his father and answered thus each time. When he completed the liturgy, he found that his father had passed away. The church vessels were placed in a place known only to him, so Priest Banain went to the desert of Sheheit and met Saint Daniel the priest of the desert, who guided him by divine inspiration to the place of the vessels. He returned and retrieved them. These two saints lived a complete virtuous life until they peacefully departed.

May their prayers be with us. And to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.

On this day, we commemorate the consecration of the first church in the name of the martyr Saint Mar Mina. His monastery is celebrated in the Hanging Monastery of Mar Mina in Abnub and the celebration continues until the Virgin’s Fast.

May the prayers of Saint Mar Mina be with us. And to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.