Coprius of Egypt

Holy Venerable Martyr Coprius of Egypt suffered together with his teacher, the Venerable Pathermuthius, and the martyr Alexander, in the time of the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). Pathermuthius and his disciple Coprius were Egyptian hermits.

Learning of them, the apostate emperor commanded that they be brought to him and began to turn them to paganism, saying craftily that he too had once served Christ but had understood that salvation could be given only by the pagan gods. Coprius was seduced by the emperor's promises and denied Christ, but through the prayers and tearful exhortations of his elder he recognised his fall, repented and confessed himself a Christian again. The emperor grew angry and ordered him cruelly tortured. Saint Pathermuthius strengthened his brother's courage and patience. A soldier named Alexander, seeing Coprius's terrible sufferings, believed in Christ and was sentenced to be burned. The saints Pathermuthius and Coprius were put to the sword.

Saint Coprius is commemorated on 22 July, in the new style. Their passion is also found in the Lives of the Saints by Saint Dimitry of Rostov.