Eudocimus of Cappadocia

Holy Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia lived in the ninth century, in the time of the Emperor Theophilus (829-842). He was the son of the pious Christians Basil and Eudocia, of noble birth and known to the emperor.

The righteous life of Eudocimus was wholly given to pleasing God and helping his neighbour. Having vowed virginity and chastity, he avoided conversation with women and did not look at them; only with his mother, whom he deeply honoured, did he hold edifying conversations. For his virtuous life the emperor appointed him governor of the province of Charsianon. Fulfilling his duties as a servant of God, he governed and judged people with justice and meekness, cared for the poor, orphans and widows, and was a defender of the wronged. His personal Christian labours, which he carried on in secret, were known only to God.

The Lord called him at the age of thirty-⁠three. On his deathbed Eudocimus ordered that he be put in the tomb in the clothes in which death found him. Then he sent everyone out of the room and asked the Lord that no one see his end, as no one had seen his secret labours in life. Those of his house buried him as he had commanded. Immediately after the death of the righteous Eudocimus miracles began to occur at his tomb, many sick were healed and the fame of the healings grew.

After eighteen months the mother of Eudocimus came from Constantinople, where his parents had moved after the saint's death, to venerate the relics. She ordered the stone removed, the earth dug up and the coffin opened, and all saw the saint's face, bright as if alive, wholly untouched by decay. A great fragrance came from it. The coffin with the relics was brought up out of the ground, and the saint was clothed in new garments.

The mother wished to take her son's relics to Constantinople, but the people of Charsianon would not let their precious treasure be taken. Nevertheless, after some time, the hieromonk Joseph, who lived and served at the saint's tomb, carried the relics of Eudocimus to Constantinople. There they were placed in a silver shrine in the church of the Most Holy Theotokos built by the righteous man's parents. The saint was glorified by many miracles.

The Synaxarion commemorates him on 13 August (new style).