Eugene of Melitene

Holy Martyr Eugene of Melitene is commemorated in the company of the martyrs of Melitene who suffered with Saint Hieron, in the time of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. The Synaxarion says nothing specific about him, but tells in outline the struggle of the confessors.

Hieron, born at Tyana in Cappadocia of the devout Stratonice, refused to enter the army among worshippers of idols, put to flight the soldiers sent to take him and hid in a cave with eighteen Christians, from which he was brought out by his friend Cyriacus. Setting out for Melitene with his relatives, he received in a dream word of the honour that awaited him.

At Melitene he was shut in prison with thirty-⁠three other Christians, whom he strengthened to offer to God a sacrifice of praise and not to idols. Lysias beat them with rods and condemned them to be beheaded; going to death, the martyrs sang the psalm Blessed are the undefiled in the way.

The head of Hieron was ransomed with gold by the rich Chrysaphius, who later built a church on the place of the killing. The Synaxarion commemorates them all on 20 November (new style).