St. Athanasia and her daughters

Commemorated on January 31

Athanasia and her three young daughters were arrested because they were Christians. Theoctiste was fifteen; Theodota, was thirteen; and Eudoxia, was eleven. Sts. Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them, for they were concerned that the women might renounce Christ when faced with torture.

Sts. Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them. Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Sts. Cyrus and John, and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ, he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy martyrs.

The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Sts. Cyrus and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.

By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)