Photos of the Relics of Saint Euphemia from Constantinople

 

 

Saint Euphemia Resource Page

 

Iconoclasm and Saint Euphemia According to Theophanes the Chronicler

In the early 9th century historical text known as the Chronicle of Theophanes, under the year 766 A.D., the following is recorded about the iconoclast Emperor Constantine V Copronymos (741-775), who together with his iconoclastic policies also forbade the veneration of relics and prayers to the saints, and this is most notably reflected in his mistreatment of the relics of Saint Euphemia, which miraculously survived an attempt at their destruction and today rest at the Phanar in the Church of Saint George at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople:

He who was ruling the Christians by the ineffable decision of God (just as the mad Ahab had ruled Israel) did far worse to the orthodox bishops, monks, laymen, rulers, and subjects under his control than did the madness of the Arabs. He totally renounced the intercession of the holy Virgin and Mother of God and that of all the saints, on the grounds that it gave no aid and was unscriptural. But all aid for us springs from this intercession.

Holy Great Martyr Euphemia: Epistle and Gospel Reading

Holy Great Martyr Euphemia

September 16

 Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.
Psalm 67.35,26
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10

English

Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of Saint Euphemia Near the Neorion Harbor

The Neorion Harbor (second inlet from bottom along the left side of Golden Horn), from Byzantium nunc Constantinopolis Braun and Hogenberg, 1572.

According to the Synaxarion of Constantinople, on May 16th we commemorate the Church of Saint Euphemia near the Neorion Harbor of Constantinople at the Church of Hagia Dynamis. It appears this commemorated the consecration of the church. It was one of at least five churches in Constantinople dedicated to Saint Euphemia. We are not specifically told if it was a church, a chapel or a shrine, but it appears to have either been right next to or even inside the Church of Hagia Dynamis, which was dedicated to the Holy Power of God. The Neorion Harbor itself was active since the fourth century under Emperor Constantine the Great, and was in fact the first harbor erected after Constantinople was founded, and lay on the southern shore of the Golden Horn, east of today's Galata Bridge.

Church of Saint Euphemia at the Hippodrome in Constantinople

The Church of Saint Euphemia in the Hippodrome (also known as lying in "ta Antiochou", i.e. "the quarters/palaces of Antiochos") was established in the hexagonal hall of the Palace of Antiochos next to the Hippodrome probably sometime in the early seventh century (615 or 626), when the original church at Chalcedon was destroyed during the Sassanid Persian invasions, and the relics moved for safety to Constantinople.

During Iconoclasm, the building was secularized and allegedly converted into a store of arms and manure, while the relics of the Saint were ordered thrown into the sea by Emperor Leo III the Isaurian (717–741) or by his son, Constantine V (741–775). They were however saved by two pious brothers and brought to the island of Lemnos, from where they were brought back in 796, after the end of the first Iconoclasm period, by Empress Irene (797–802).

Historical Sources for the Miracle of St. Euphemia at the Fourth Ecumenical Synod

The Fourth Ecumenical Synod of 451 took place in the Church of Saint Euphemia in Chalcedon, where her sacred relics were kept. The Patriarch of Constantinople at this Synod was Anatolios, while the Pope of Rome was Leo the Great. Information about the miracle of Saint Euphemia comes from two letters: one from the the Synod to Pope Leo and the other from Patriarch Anatolios to Pope Leo. Though the passages are a bit obscure about the miracle, it says that the definition of faith was delivered by Saint Euphemia as her own confession of faith and confirmed by the holy Fathers present. It seems clear that Pope Leo already knew of the miracle, or it was common knowledge by the time these two letters were issued. The two letters are as follows, with the relevant information about the miracle highlighted:

How the Feast of Saint Euphemia on July 11th Came to Be Celebrated at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

In the Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar, by the south wall of the parecclesion of the Pammakaristos, placed on marble bases, are the caskets (larnax) with the holy relics of three female saints: Euphemia the Great Martyr, Solomone the mother of the Maccabees, and Theophano the first consort of the Emperor Leo VI the Wise. The casket of Saint Euphemia has a richly ornamented silver revetment. This relic has been in the Patriarchal Church since 1601.

Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of Saint Euphemia in Dexiokratiana

Image of the Church of St. Euphemia provided by Byzantium 1200

On January 19, 729, at the very beginning of the iconoclastic persecutions, Emperor Leo III the Isaurian ordered the removal of an image of Christ which stood over the Chalkē, the main gate of the Great Palace of Constantinople. While an officer was executing the order, a group of women gathered to prevent the operation, and one of them, a nun named Theodosia, let him fall from the ladder. The man died, and Theodosia was captured and executed.

History of the Current Reliquary of St. Euphemia at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

When Joachim III was Ecumenical Patriarch, he got into a bitter argument with the Russian embassy over the conduct of Russian Murzsteg inspectors following the Murzsteg Agreement, signed 2 October 1903. In return Russian prelates and laypeople gave a gift to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, by which Joachim was very moved. In 1904 Archbishop Anthony of St. Petersburg raised funds to commission a gilded and enameled silver reliquary for the remains of Saint Euphemia, preserved at the Cathedral of Saint George in the Phanar. The Russian-made reliquary with the relics of the Saint still occupies a prominent place in the Cathedral of Saint George. As a token of appreciation for the beautiful present, Joachim III sent that same year to Archbishop Anthony a reproduction of the rare Byzantine icon of the Theotokos.

Synaxarion of the Commemoration of the Miracle of Saint Euphemia at the Fourth Ecumenical Synod

On the eleventh of this month [July], we commemorate the Holy Great Martyr and All-Praised Euphemia, when she held the Tome of the Definition of the Faith of the Six-Hundred and Thirty God-bearing Fathers gathered in Chalcedon for the Fourth Ecumenical Synod.

Verses

To Euphemia.

The Martyr determined the definition while reposed,
Proclaiming the faith for which she contested with longing.

To the Synod.

The most-truthful incarnation of God the Word,
Was affirmed by Eutyches to be an apparition so he was deposed.

On the eleventh the definition was wondrously and firmly set by Euphemia.

A 6th cent. Description of the Church of Saint Euphemia in Chalcedon

The icon depicts the Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod gathered in the
 Church of Saint Euphemia before the relics of Saint Euphemia.

The Church of Saint Euphemia in Chalcedon was the place of meeting for the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod in 451 AD. Below is a description of this church from the sixth century in the context of Evagrius speaking of the history of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod at Chalcedon. This church, which stood opposite the city of Constantinople, also contained the sacred relics of Saint Euphemia, which played a major role at the Synod after a miracle took place affirming the Orthodox faith, that is celebrated in the Orthodox Church on July 11th. The account below does not neglect to speak of her miracles, visions and relics, which apparently at one time produced "blood" or possibly myrrh that emitted a beautiful fragrance.

By Evagrius Scholasticus

(Ecclesiastical History, Bk. 2, Ch. 3)

The place of meeting was the sacred precinct of Euphemia, the martyr, situated in the district of Chalcedon in Bithynia, and distant not more than two stadia from the Bosporus. The site is a beautiful spot, of so gentle an ascent, that those who are on their way to the temple, are not aware of their immediate approach, but suddenly find themselves within the sanctuary on elevated ground; so that, extending their gaze from a commanding position, they can survey the level surface of the plain spread out beneath them, green with herbage, waving with corn, and beautified with every kind of tree; at the same time including within their range woody mountains, towering gracefully or boldly swelling, as well as parts of the sea under various aspects: here, where the winds do not reach them, the still waters, with their dark blue tint, sweetly playing with gentle ripple on the beach; there wildly surging, and sweeping back the sea-weeds and the lighter shell-fish with the recoil of its waves. Directly opposite is Constantinople: and thus the beauty of the site is enhanced by the view of so vast a city.

Synaxarion of Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr, with the Holy Martyrs Victor and Sosthenes

On the sixteenth of this month [September], we commemorate the Holy Great Martyr and All-Praised Euphemia.

Verses

Slain by a bear’s fangs for the sake of God,

With praises Euphemia you should be crowned.

On the sixteenth Euphemia was slaughtered by a bear.

Saint Euphemia lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Her parents were brilliant in wealth and glory, and exceptional in their piety towards Christ, therefore it was from them that she learned the Christian faith. Wherefore the blessed one completely longed for Christ, and Him only did she care for. Because Priscus, who had become proconsul of Asia Minor by Diocletian, gave the order for everyone in Chalcedon to make a sacrifice to Aries, the false god whom they honored, for this reason all the faithful Christians went into hiding. Therefore this Saint Euphemia followed and hid with forty-nine other Christians, among whom she shined with her virtues like a bright star.

Saint Euphemia in the Relationship Between Popes and Emperors

Saint Euphemia in the Relationship Between Popes and Emperors

By Eléonora S. Countoura-Galaki

Byzantine Symmeikta, Issue 7

Abstract

As part of his persecution, Emperor Constantine V tried to eliminate the cult of St. Euphemia, by throwing her relics into the sea. This gesture of the second iconoclast emperor had not much to do with his iconoclastic fury as was attributed by sources; rather it was purely a political gesture.

A Description of the Martyrdom of St. Euphemia Based on a Fourth Century Icon

Fragment of a 13th or 14th cent. icon of St. Euphemia found during an excavation of her Martyrion in 1942 and now in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.

In the late fourth century Asterios, Bishop of Amasea, wrote an ekphrasis (a verbally artistic description of a work of art) in which he describes in a lively manner a large painting of the martyrdom of St. Euphemia in a church near her tomb (probably in Chalcedon). This description was read into the official record of the Seventh Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea during its sixth session in 787 to confirm the early use and veneration of icons prior to Iconoclasm.

The entire text of the Ekphrasis on the Holy Martyr Euphemia by Asterios of Amasea can be read here. Below is his introduction to the description of the painting, as quoted at the Seventh Ecumenical Synod, in which he explains who St. Euphemia is and how even in the fourth century this painting was used by clergy as a means to teach the faithful, alongside a sermon, about the martyrdom of St. Euphemia (translated text edited by me  (J.S.) based on the original Greek text).

Saint Euphemia Resource Page

St. Euphemia the Great Martyr (Feast Day - September 16 & July 11)

September 16 - Feast of St. Euphemia

Synaxarion of Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr, with the Holy Martyrs Victor and Sosthenes

Holy Great Martyr Euphemia: Epistle and Gospel Reading

The Passion of the Holy Great-Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised

Introduction to the Life and Miracles of the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia (St. John of Kronstadt)

Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr as a Model for our Lives

September: Day 16: Teaching 1: Holy Great Martyr Euphemia

A 9th-century Salutation in Honor of St. Euphemia

St. Euphemia, St. Melitini and the Island of Lemnos

A Description of the Martyrdom of St. Euphemia Based on a Fourth Century Icon


July 11 - Miracle of St. Euphemia at the Fourth Ecumenical Synod

Synaxarion of the Commemoration of the Miracle of Saint Euphemia at the Fourth Ecumenical Synod

The Miracle of St. Euphemia at the Fourth Ecumenical Synod

Hymns of Praise to Saint Euphemia for July 11th

Historical Sources for the Miracle of St. Euphemia at the Fourth Ecumenical Synod

How the Feast of Saint Euphemia on July 11th Came to Be Celebrated at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

A 6th cent. Description of the Church of Saint Euphemia in Chalcedon


Relics of St. Euphemia

Iconoclasm and Saint Euphemia According to Theophanes the Chronicler

The Relics of Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr

The Face of St. Euphemia Still Incorrupt!

Photos of the Relics of Saint Euphemia from Constantinople

Saint Euphemia in the Relationship Between Popes and Emperors

History of the Current Reliquary of St. Euphemia at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Euphemia, Theophano and Solomone

 

Shrines of St. Euphemia

A 6th cent. Description of the Church of Saint Euphemia in Chalcedon

Church of Saint Euphemia at the Hippodrome in Constantinople

The Church of St. Euphemia in the Hippodrome

Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of Saint Euphemia in Dexiokratiana

Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of Saint Euphemia Near the Neorion Harbor

The Holy Monastery of Saint Euphemia in Kerkyra

St. Euphemia, St. Melitini and the Island of Lemnos

Saint Kastinos, Bishop of Byzantium

Saint Marciana, otherwise known as Euphemia, Empress of the Romans (+ 524)


Miracles of St. Euphemia

Saint Euphemia's Conversation With Elder Paisios

More on the Relationship Between Elder Paisios and Saint Euphemia

The Encounter Between Elder Paisios and St. Euphemia in Images

Saint Alypios the Stylite of Adrianople

The Encounter Between Elder Paisios and St. Euphemia in Images

Saint Euphemia's Conversation With Elder Paisios

Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr as a Model for our Lives

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas

She was born in Chalcedon during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, the fiercest persecutor of Christians, in the third century. After being arrested she endured cruel tortures, from which she miraculously survived. Finally she surrendered her soul to Christ after the small bite of a bear. Following her repose she performed many miracles, and her sacred relic remains incorrupt and is kept at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The Face of Saint Euphemia Still Incorrupt!

By John File 

 

Recently, I received an e-mail from one of the bishops who was in Constantinople last month discussing the diaspora: 

 

"When I was recently at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St George in the Phanar (on Tuesday, September 21st) I was tremendously blessed to have the silver reliquary casket of St Euphemia opened so that she could be venerated. An archimandrite brought a small silver key and unlocked the small lock which secures the silver chain which encircles the reliquary. He softly chanted her Apolytikion as he did so. St Euphemia's body from neck down is covered in a red velvet shroud embroidered with gold thread, while covering her face is another red velvet cloth (about the size of an aer) also embroidered with gold thread. I believed just that to be an exceptional blessing (to be present when her reliquary was opened since it generally is only opened twice each year - on her two feast days). BUT then the priest removed the aer from St Euphemia's face! There she was - the skin of her face darkened by the centuries, but still there and intact! Upon her head was a silver crown/cap studded with several large gems. It was the crown we kissed when we were invited to venerate the sweet smelling relics of this virgin bride of Christ."

 

 

More on the Relationship Between Elder Paisios and Saint Euphemia

On September 16th I posted on the fascinating relationship between Elder Paisios and Saint Euphemia. Since then I have acquired more details on this relationship and further evidence of the great love Elder Paisios came to have for this Great Martyr of the Church.

The Elder (Paisios) was in the front yard of his hut when he was visited by one of his spiritual children. He was repeating, from the heart, "Glory to You, O God", over and over again.

"Can someone be rendered useless - in a good sense?" the Elder suddenly asked him.

"Who would that be, Elder?"

"Well, I was sitting in my cell quietly, then she came here and drove me crazy with excitement. They are having such a good time 'up there'."

"What's troubling you, Elder?"

"I will tell you, but don't you tell anyone."

He went on to narrate the following:

"I had just returned from the world, to deal with an ecclesiastical matter (he had a meeting with the late Mayor of Athens, Mr.Tritsis). It was Tuesday, around ten in the morning, and I was in my cell reciting the Hours. I hear a knock on my door, and a woman's voice saying:

'Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers' (the traditional monastic manner of requesting permission to enter another's quarters).

I thought to myself: 'How did a woman come to be on the Holy Mountain?' And yet, I could feel a divine sweetness flow through me, so I asked: 'Who is it?'

'Euphemia', replied the voice.

I thought to myself: 'Who is this Euphemia? Could it be a woman who did something foolish and came to the Mountain wearing men's clothes? What am I supposed to do now?' A second knock was heard. I asked again: 'Who is it?'

'Euphemia', replied the voice again.

I thought it over and decided to not open the door. At the third knock, the door opened on its own, even though it was bolted from the inside. I heard footsteps outside, in the corridor. I dashed out of my cell and saw a woman who was wearing a head veil. She was accompanied by someone who resembled Luke the Evangelist, but he vanished. Despite my certainty that this was not a sinister phenomenon because the woman's presence glowed with a radiant light, I asked her who she was.

'The martyr Euphemia',* she replied.

'If you are indeed the martyr Euphemia, come with me, and let us prostrate ourselves before the Holy Trinity. Whatever I do, you must do.'

I went into the chapel, prostrating myself and saying 'In the name of the Father...' She repeated it, also prostrating herself.

'And of the Son...'

'And of the Son...', she repeated in a soft voice.

'Louder, so I can hear you', I said to her, and she repeated it, in a louder voice.

While still in the corridor, her prostrations were not in the direction of the chapel, but towards my cell. At first I was puzzled, but then I remembered I had a tiny paper icon of the Holy Trinity pasted onto a piece of wood, which was hanging above the door of my Cell. After our third prostration, saying, 'And of the Holy Spirit,' I said to her:

'Now, let me prostrate myself before you.' I prostrated myself and kissed her feet and then the tip of her nose. I thought it too impertinent to kiss her face.

The Saint sat down on a stool and I sat myself down on the small chest, and she proceeded to give me the solution to my concern (regarding the ecclesiastical matter).

Then she told me about her life. I knew that a Saint Euphemia existed, but I didn't know anything about her life. When she described her martyrdoms, I didn't only hear them being described; it was as though I could actually see them and feel them. I shuddered...oh my God!!

'How did you survive such tortures?' I asked.

'If I had known what kind of glory the Saints have, I would have done whatever I could to undergo much worse tortures.'

Well, after that occurrence, I was unable to do anything for three whole days. I was beside myself with elation and was constantly praising God. I didn't want to eat, I didn't want anything. I was constantly glorifying!

Elder Paisios in his cell with the icon he commissioned of St. Euphemia hanging on the wall beside him.

In one of his letters the Elder had mentioned:

"In all my life, I will never be able to repay my huge obligation to Saint Euphemia, who, although entirely unknown to me, and without being obliged to, bestowed on me such a great honour...."

When describing the incident, he added very humbly that Saint Euphemia appeared before him, "not because I was deserving, but only because I was preoccupied at the time with an issue that had to do with the state of the Church in general, and for two other reasons."

What had especially impressed the Elder was "how that petite, frail person could last through such tortures.... If she were more of a...(implying a woman of a bigger and stronger physique), but she was so tiny...."

While in that paradisiacal state, the Elder composed a Canon in honor of the Saint:

"With what complimentary songs can we praise Euphemia, who condescended from above and visited a wretched resident monk in Kapsala? On knocking the third time, the door opened miraculously and she, the Martyr of Christ, entered with heavenly glory, and we worshipped together the Holy Trinity."

He also composed a closing hymn, which began with the words:

"Glorious Great Martyr of Christ, Euphemia, I love you very very much, after the Most Holy Mother...."

(Of course he did not intend these compositions for liturgical use, nor did he chant them in public.)

Contrary to his custom, the Elder left (Kapsala) for the town of Souroti and made the sisters of the monastery there participants of that celestial joy. With his help and his instructions, they painted an icon of the Saint exactly as she had appeared before him (depicted above).

The Elder himself had fashioned a negative of the Saint's icon onto a metal mold, which he used to print small, stamped icons that he distributed as blessings to visitors, in honor of Saint Euphemia. While sculpting the mold of the icon, he had trouble fashioning the fingers of her left hand. He said: "I struggled to fashion her hand, but then I put forward a positive thought to explain it: 'Perhaps it is because I had also oppressed the poor girl...."

-------------------------

* During the Fourth Holy and Ecumenical Synod, which was convened in Chalcedon by the pious emperors Marcian and Pulcheria in the grand basilica of Saint Euphemia, the 630 Fathers undertook the retraction of the heretical views of Archimandrite Eutychius, who was supported by Archbishop Dioscorus of Alexandria. To resolve the dispute through a divine decision, the Patriarch - Saint Anatolius - proposed to both sides to compose a tome containing their respective Confession of Faith, and both documents would then be placed inside the reliquary of Saint Euphemia. The two parchments, on which were inscribed the definitions of the Faith with regard to the Person of Christ, were placed on the Saint's chest and after the reliquary was sealed shut, the Fathers began to pray. After eight days, they all went to the witnessing place, where, upon opening the reliquary, they discovered to their amazement that the Saint was hugging the Orthodox tome in her arms, as though she wanted to place it inside her heart, whereas the tome of the heretics appeared to have been thrown down to her feet. In the face of such a splendid proof of the truth, the Orthodox offered up thanks to God, and the heretics were scorned and jeered by the crowd of faithful.

Other miracles have been mentioned, which the precious relics of Saint Euphemia have performed. During a Persian invasion, the barbarians stormed Chalcedon and attempted to destroy her relics with fire. However, they remained intact and furthermore, blood was seen pouring out of the hole that was made to open the reliquary. This miracle repeated itself occasionally at later times and would heal the faithful who came to collect some of the blood of Saint Euphemia. However, her tomb would more frequently exude a fragrant aroma, thus witnessing the favor that God had bestowed on the Saint.

To protect them from another vandalization, the precious relics were translated to Constantinople where they were deposited in the Church of Saint Euphemia, near the Hippodrome. During the years of Iconoclastic persecutions by Constantine V Kopronymos, her temple was turned into an arsenal, while her precious relics were thrown into the sea and were washed ashore on the coast of Limnos Island, where they were salvaged by two fishermen. They were rediscovered during the reign of the Empress Irene and were transferred officially to the Capital (Constantinople) in 796, where they continued to work miracles. After many other adventures, the relics are now venerated in the Church of Saint George at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar.

From The New Book of Saints of the Orthodox Church (July Volume), Indictus Publications, p. 112.

Saint Euphemia's Conversation With Elder Paisios

Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr (Feast Day - September 16 and July 11). 
Elder Paisios directed the nuns of Saint John the Theologian Monastery in Souroti to depict St. Euphemia in this way (see icon above) as he saw her in his vision.

Note: I was notified today (09/16/09) from a friend that in Constantinople, during today's Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St Euphemia in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St George at the Phanar, "the fragrance from her holy relics filled the Church."

Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived a life of virginity for the sake of Christ. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian in 303; according to others in 307. July 11th we commemorate the great miracle of St. Euphemia which she performed during the Fourth Ecumenical Synod when she confirmed the Orthodox Faith for the Fathers through her sacred relics. Her sacred relics are preserved today in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.

One day Father Paisios was going through a very difficult phase. A problem was created in the Church at that time and many bishops had gone to him to ask for his help. However, it was a very complicated problem and even if he wanted to, he was unable to assist; as he said, no matter from which side you look at the problem, you come face to face with a spiritual impasse. So, he decided to turn his efforts to solve the problem with prayer. During that time, Father Paisios constantly prayed for God to give solution to the Church’s problem; he prayed especially to St. Euphemia:

"St. Euphemia, you who miraculously solved the serious problem the Church was facing then, take the Church out of the present impasse!"

One morning, at nine o’ clock, when Father Paisios was reading the service of the third hour, he suddenly heard someone discreetly knocking on his door. The Elder asked from inside:

"Who is it?" Then, he heard a woman’s voice answering:

"It is me, Euphemia, Father."

"Which Euphemia?" He asked again. There was no answer. There was another knock on the door and he asked again. "Who is it?" The same voice was heard saying:

"It is Euphemia, Father."

There was a third knock and the Elder felt someone coming inside his cell and walking through the corridor. He went to the door and there he saw St. Euphemia, who had miraculously entered his cell through the locked door, and she venerated the icon of the Holy Trinity, which the Elder had placed on the wall of his corridor, on the right hand side of the church’s door. Then the Elder told the Saint: "Say, Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." St. Euphemia clearly repeated those words and immediately Father Paisios knelt and venerated the Saint. Afterwards, they sat and talked for quite a while; he could not specify for how long, as he had lost all sense of time while being with St. Euphemia. She gave the solution for all three matters he had been praying for and in the end he said to her: "I would like you to tell me how you endured your martyrdom."

The Saint replied: "Father, if I knew back then how eternal life would be and the heavenly beauty the souls enjoy by being next to God, I honestly would have asked for my martyrdom to last forever, as it was absolutely nothing compared to the gifts of the grace of God!"

Towards the end of June, the doctors informed Elder Paisios that he had about 2-3 weeks left to live. On Monday, July 11, on St. Euphemia’s feastday, Father Paisios received Holy Communion for the last time, kneeling in front of his bed. During the last 24 hours, he was very serene, and even though he suffered, he did not complain at all. He did not wish to take any more medication. The only medicine he accepted was cortisone, because, according to the doctors, it would not prolong his life span, but it would only give him some strength. On Tuesday, July 12, Elder Paisios humbly and peacefully rendered his soul to God, whom he had deeply loved and served since his early childhood.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Thou strovest valiantly in thy sacred contest; and even after death, thou makest us holy with streams of healings, O all-famed Euphemia. For this cause we venerate thy most holy dormition and with faith we stand before thine all-venerable relics, that we be freed from illness of the soul and also draw forth the grace of thy miracles.