Rufina of Caesarea in Cappadocia

Holy Martyr Rufina of Caesarea in Cappadocia was the mother of the Holy Martyr Mamas and the wife of the Holy Martyr Theodotus, and she died in prison, after prematurely giving birth to her son.

Mamas was born in Paphlagonia of pious and noble parents, Theodotus and Rufina. For the open confession of the faith, his parents were seized by the pagans and imprisoned in Caesarea of Cappadocia. Knowing his bodily weakness, Theodotus prayed that the Lord would take him before the torments; the prayer was heard and he died in prison. After him died Rufina, giving birth before her time to a son, whom she entrusted in prayer to God, asking Him to be Keeper and Protector of the orphan. God heard Rufina's prayer before death: a rich Christian widow, Ammia, buried the bodies of Theodotus and Rufina with honour, and took the boy to herself and surrounded him with a mother's care.

Mamas grew up a convinced Christian. His adoptive mother developed his natural gifts and sent him early to learn letters, and he learned easily and willingly, more discerning than his age. By wise words and by his own example he brought many of his own age to Christianity. Learning of it, the governor Democritus seized him and brought him to trial, but, out of respect for his noble birth, did not dare torment him and sent him to the emperor Aurelian (270-275). He tried first with gentleness, then with threats, to turn him to the pagan faith, but in vain: the young man declared himself a Christian without fear and condemned the madness of pagans who worship lifeless idols. The emperor subjected him to cruel torments, then they wished to drown him, but an angel of the Lord saved him and commanded him to live on a high mountain in the desert near Caesarea. There he made a small church and lived in strict abstinence, fasting and prayer. The beasts of the desert gathered at his dwelling and listened to the reading of the Gospel; he fed on the milk of wild goats and deer and, making cheese from this milk, gave it to the poor for nothing. The fame of his God-⁠pleasing life spread through all Caesarea, and the governor sent soldiers after him. Not recognizing him, the soldiers took him for a simple shepherd; the saint invited them into his hut, gave them milk and told them his name himself, knowing that martyrdom awaited him. Brought before the governor Alexander, he was subjected to long and ingenious torments, without his will being broken; he was strengthened by the words he heard from above: Be strong and be bold, Mamas. Given to the beasts, the beasts did not touch him. Then a pagan priest struck him with a trident. Mortally wounded, the saint went out of the city and in a small stone cave gave up his spirit to God, who called him in the hearing of all to the dwellings above (275). The faithful buried him at the place of his death. Soon Christians began to receive help from him in sicknesses and troubles. St Basil the Great, in a homily, says that the martyr should be remembered by all who have seen him in a vision, who have him here as a helper, who have been helped by him in deed, who have been led back from error, healed of illness, or whose dead children were restored to life.

St Rufina is commemorated on 15 September, together with Saints Mamas and Theodotus, in the new style.