Wisdom from the Apostolic Fathers: Martyr Eudoxia

Greetings,

In this installment of the "Wisdom from the Apostolic Fathers" series, I will be highlighting one of the early martyrs of the church. Saint Eudoxia is described this way :

"Saint Eudoxia was the eleven -year-old daughter of St Athanasia. She and her two sisters were arrested with their mother because they were Christians. St Theoctiste was fifteen, and St Theodota, was thirteen. Sts Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them, for they were concerned that the women might renounce Christ when faced with torture.

Sts Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them. Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Sts Cyrus and John, and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ, he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Sts Cyrus and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom."
(http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100385)

Following their martyrdom, the Orthodox Church created a prayer regarding them.  "Your holy martyr Eudoxia, O Lord, Through her sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.  For having Your strength, she laid low her adversaries, And shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through her intercessions, save our souls!"
(http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=100385)

Let their example inspire your own life.  Let it remind you that this world is not is not the final stage.