Eumenes of Gortyna

Saint Eumenes of Gortyna (Eumenius) was bishop of Gortyna in Crete in the seventh century (according to some sources, in the third). The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 18 September by the old calendar (1 October by the new).

The sources do not say in the same way how he ended his life. According to the Russian source, he was a steadfast opponent of the Monothelite heresy, was exiled to the desert of the Thebaid, where he also died, and later his holy relics were moved and buried at Gortyna, on the island of Crete. According to the Serbian source, he died in peace in the Thebaid and his body was carried to Gortyna and buried there.

He was born in Crete. From his youth he followed Christ wisely, freeing himself from two heavy burdens: the burden of wealth and the burden of the body. From the first burden he freed himself by giving all his property to the poor and wretched, and from the second by great fasting. So he first healed himself, then began to give healing to others. For his virtues he was chosen bishop of Gortyna. As bishop he governed the Church at Gortyna for the greater part of his life.

Many miracles are attributed to him: he killed a venomous snake, drove out demons and healed the sick. He is said to have worked miracles at Gortyna, at Rome and in the Thebaid. A part of his life he spent at Rome, where he amazed many by his signs and miracles: the driving out of unclean spirits from men, the healing of the sick, the reconciliation of brothers estranged and enraged. After Rome he lived in the Thebaid.