Zenobia of Aegae

Holy Martyr Zenobia of Aegae was the sister of Saint Zenobius, bishop of Aegae in Cilicia, and suffered with him in the year 285.

The two siblings received the Christian faith from their parents when small and lived purely and with restraint. In mature years they distributed their inheritance to the poor. Her brother, Zenobius, received from the Lord the gift of healing and was chosen bishop of a Christian community in Cilicia. When Diocletian began the persecution, Zenobius was the first seized and brought to the governor Lysias, who set before him life, if he would worship the gods, and death on the other side. The bishop chose death for Christ and was crucified and tortured. Zenobia, seeing his suffering, wished to share it and confessed her faith without fear; she too was handed over to torments. Surviving the heated bed and the boiling cauldron, the saints were beheaded, and the priest Hermogenes secretly buried their bodies.

Saint Zenobia is commemorated on 12 November, in the new style, together with her brother.