Capitolina and Erotiida

The Holy Martyrs Capitolina and Erotiis of Cappadocia suffered at the beginning of the fourth century, in the year 304, in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian (284 to 305). The Church commemorates them on 27 October by the old calendar (9 November by the new).

Saint Capitolina was born into a wealthy and noble family of Caesarea of Cappadocia, like Saint Firmilian. Faithful to Christ, she gave all her property to the poor and set her slaves free. When the pagans learned that she was a Christian, they seized her and imprisoned her. Fearlessly she appeared before the governor Zilikinthos, who, by order of the emperor Diocletian, was persecuting Christians. To spare so noble a woman as Capitolina public torments, the governor proposed to her to renounce faith in Christ, but she said that for her family there was no greater honour than to rear martyrs, preachers of the faith and teachers of divine wisdom, like Firmilian. Then Saint Capitolina was thrown into prison, and the next day, because she refused to sacrifice to the idols, she was beheaded with the sword.

Her maidservant Erotiis, who, defending her mistress, had thrown a stone at the governor and struck him on the face, was immediately seized and scourged, but by God's mercy remained unharmed. Then she was beheaded with the sword.