The Monks Patermuphios and Koprios

Commemorated on July 9

      The Monks Patermuphios and Koprios: Patermuphios at first was a pagan and also the head of a band of robbers, but then he repented, was baptised and withdrew into the wilderness. The monk devoted all the rest of his life to attending the sick and burying the dead. For his love of toil and efforts, Patermuphios received from God the gift of wonderworking.
      Presbyter Koprios was an eyewitness of the doings of the Monk Patermuphios and recorded his life and miracles. Saint Koprios narrated this vita to presbyter Ruphinos, who in turn transmitted it to Palladios, Bishop of Hellenopolis, who in turn included the account in his book, the "Historica Lausiaca".
      One time the Monk Koprios entered into a debate with the heretic Manichaeos, and seeing that he could not prevail against him in dispute, he suggested to the heretic to arrange a large bon-fire and together with him to go into it, so that the Lord Himself should decide, whose was the true faith. Manichaeos refused to go in first, but Koprios went into the bon-fire, and standing amidst the burning embers, he remained unharmed. The people glorified the faith of Koprios, while the heretic who wanted not to go into the flames they threw into the bon-fire. The heretic jumped out all scorched and tried to flee, but they caught hold of him and again cast him into the bon-fire. The Monk Koprios then quelled the crowd and let Manichaeos go.