The Monastic Confessors Eugene (Eugenios) and Makarios

Commemorated on February 19

The Monastic Confessors Eugene (Eugenios) and Makarios were presbyters of the Antioch Church. During the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363) they were brought to the emperor for trial for their refusal to participate in pagan orgies. The presbyters boldly denounced him for his apostasy and they were given over to fierce tortures, which they underwent with prayer and spiritual rejoicing. After the tortures they sent them off in chains for exile to Oasim, an oasis in the Arabian desert, and they intended to settle there upon an hill. The local people warned the saints, that they should immediately abandon the place, since an enormous snake lived there. The holy martyrs asked them to point out this place, and through their prayer a lightning-bolt struck into the cave, making ashes of the monster. Saints Eugene and Makarios began to asceticise in this cave. The confessors prayed, that they might die together. The Lord heard their prayer, and they died at the same time in the year 363.