By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
Today the Church celebrates Martyr Charitina of Amisus and Hieromartyr Hermogenes the Wonderworker.
Saint Charitina of Amisus lived in the era of severe persecution, under the reign of Emperor Diocletian. She was a slave. She was arrested to confess her faith in the Lord. She endured tortures and punishments, but she remained steadfast in her faith in the Savior Christ.
Hieromartyr Hermogenes the Wonderworker was born in Myra, a provincial town in Asia Minor. He went to Egypt and then to Constantinople, where he was ordained bishop. The ruler of the region ordered him to renounce Christianity. He went through horrible tortures and because of his steadfastness the ruler had him beheaded.
The Christians took his body, wrapped it in a sack with his vestments, and threw it into the sea, in order not to be desecrated by the enemies of Christianity. The waves brought him to Cyprus, where Christians found him and honoured him with devotion. A temple was built at the place where his relics were found. It is the well-known Church Of Saint Hermogenes in Kourion, Cyprus.
SOURCE: Church of Cyprus