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Holy Martyr Myropea 12/15/2013
She was born of Christian parents in Ephesus. After the death of her father, she and her mother went to live on the island of Chios, where they suffered martyrdom for Christ. The martyrdom of this holy virgin took place soon after the martyrdom of the glorious martyr Isidore the Soldier (14 May). When the tormentors had executed Isidore, the brave Myropea secretly took his body, incensed it and buried it with devotion in a befitting place. The brutal Governor Numerian heard that the body of the martyr was stolen and wanted to execute the guards. When she had heard that innocent people were about to suffer for her deed, the blessed Myropea came to the authorities on her own accord and admitted that she had stolen and buried the martyr’s body. By order of the Governor she was mercilessly beaten and thrown into prison, all her body covered with wounds. But the Lord did not leave His martyr without consolation. At midnight the prison was illumined by heavenly light and multitudes of angels appeared to Myropea with Saint Isidore in the middle of them. “Peace with you Myropea“ said Saint Isidore, “God has heard your prayer and now you are going to come to us to receive the crown that awaits for you”. The holy martyr was overwhelmed by joy and committed her spirit to God at that very moment. From her body spread forth heavenly scent that filled the whole prison. One of the guards observing this believed in Christ, received holy Baptism and not long after he too became a glorious martyr. Saint Myropea inhabited the everlasting Kingdom in the year 251.
