Ephrem the Bishop and St. Eusebia

ON ST. EPHREM THE BISHOP AND ST. EUSEBIA, OR XENE, VIRGIN, AT MYLASA IN CARIA.

Fifth century.

Ephrem, Bishop of Mylasa in Caria (St.) Eusebia, or Xene, Virgin, at Mylasa in Caria (St.)

From various sources.

[1] Mylasa, or Mylassa, to others Mylas, is a city of Caria, well known to the ancient geographers and historians, not far from the inlet of the Aegean Sea that extends between Miletus and Halicarnassus. Here there was an episcopal See, which in the Register of Episcopates of Myra, book 3, from the arrangement of the Emperor Leo, Mylasa an episcopal city. surnamed the Philosopher, is read corruptly as "of the Mylansians," under the Metropolitan of Stauropolis and the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Life of St. Eusebia below, and the Greek Menaion, call it the city of the Mylassians.

[2] Three Bishops of this place are mentioned in the Life given below: St. Ephrem, Cyril, and St. Paul, of whom the latter two were contemporaries of St. Eusebia: St. Ephrem was Bishop there; but she lived, as will soon be clear, in the fifth century. But when St. Ephrem lived is not established. His memory was observed on this day, the day on which St. Eusebia died, in the suburban village of Mylasa called Leuce, where his sacred body was preserved. His remaining deeds have perished; indeed his memory is not found in the calendars of either the Greeks or the Latins, unless perhaps he is the one who is read on May 12 in the ancient manuscript Martyrology of St. Lambert at Liege: And of our holy Father Ephrem; who seems to be different from Ephrem the Syrian Deacon, the illustrious writer, whom the same Martyrology records with these words on February 1: On the same day, of Blessed Ephrem, Deacon of the Church of Edessa.

[3] Ferrari in the new Topography to the Roman Martyrology records the three mentioned above thus: January 25, Eusebia the Roman Hospita. And Paul, a holy man. Metaphrastes: Ephrem and Paul, Bishops: concerning whom in the Life of St. Eusebia. The virtues of Paul are described at greater length below, where St. Paul, that holy Paul, venerable servant of God, etc., is named; and it is said that he governed the flock entrusted to him by God holily and blamelessly, and advanced to a greater increase of grace: and through his prayers demons are narrated to have been put to flight and various cures performed. So says the contemporary author. Metaphrastes adds that his life was confirmed by miracles after his death. Indeed, both assert that his sacred relics were deposited in the church of St. Andrew. On what day he is honored, however, is unknown to us. He is said to have survived St. Eusebia for some time, and nowhere is the day of his death expressed.

[4] Eusebia was her name at baptism; in order to lie hidden more safely, she ordered herself to be called Xene, which means "hospita" The feast of St. Eusebia, or Xene, or "stranger." The Greeks celebrate her with solemn worship on this day in their Menaion, Anthologion, and in Maximus Cythereus; from which we give a summary of her life. The Menologion published by Canisius on this day: Of our holy Mother Xene. The lesser Menologia, Horologia, and Greek Calendars also record her, which Molanus followed in the Additions to Usuard: On the twenty-fourth, of holy Mother Xene. Galesinius also records the same in his Notes. But as the day of burial is often honored as the birthday, the Acts from Metaphrastes are assigned by Lipomanus and Surius to January 25. Following this, Molanus records her on the same day in the Additions to Usuard: In Metaphrastes, of St. Eusebia, who was surnamed Hospita, or Stranger. Molanus seems to have considered her different from the Xene whom he had recorded the day before. Ferrari on the same day: At Mylasa in Caria, of St. Eusebia, surnamed Hospita. And in the Topography, as stated above.

[5] Nicephorus mentions St. Xene, or Eusebia, in book 14, chapter 52, where after narrating that Saints Theoctistus, Euthymius, and Gerasimus had flourished in holiness of life her era, (who died in the years of Christ 467, 472, and 475), and that the Empress Eudocia had returned from the Eutychian faction to the truth of Catholic doctrine, and that St. Sabas had been admitted to the monastic life by St. Euthymius (this happened in the year of Christ 458, the other a little before, as was said on January 20 in the Life of St. Euthymius), he then adds: In the same times Titus of Bostra also flourished: likewise Bassa, Tatiana, and the admirable Melania: moreover the celebrated Xene, in whom that crown woven with remarkable stars sufficiently declares the perfection of virtue. Concerning this crown the Life treats, of which we have a double version: one composed by Metaphrastes, which Lipomanus published in a Latin translation given by Gentian Hervet, and from him Surius. The other, and more genuine, we give from an old Greek codex translated into Latin. The author is anonymous, her life. but a contemporary of Eusebia; as is clear from the prologue. And there were many at that time who labored with praiseworthy zeal to commit the deeds of the Saints to writing.

EPITOME OF THE LIFE,

from the Menaion and Anthologion of the Greeks.

Ephrem, Bishop of Mylasa in Caria (St.) Eusebia, or Xene, Virgin, at Mylasa in Caria (St.)

The stranger departs from this life, Who even before had lived, as she truly was, a Stranger. Both handmaids of Xene die, To whom her virtues were not foreign. Xene comes fourth to the hospitality of heaven.

This most blessed and celebrated Xene was a native of the most illustrious city of Rome, born of a particularly distinguished and enviable family. When her parents were preparing to give her in marriage, Eusebia, to avoid marriage, flees from home. and the wedding had been arranged, she fled from the very bridal chamber with two maidservants, and having undertaken a pilgrimage by sea, passed through various places, and at last arrived at the town of Mylasa, led chiefly by the venerable monk Paul, who by divine guidance fell in with her at Alexandria, and becoming her guide to better things, settled her in this city, where having built a small chapel in memory of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, together with the two maidservants and certain other few virgins who had gathered, she lives holily: she practiced religious discipline most strictly, and through the flight from all pleasures, and by continence and the highest patience in life, she drew herself closer to the life of the heavenly citizens: and when she had happily pursued this life to the end, she received a divine testimony of her sanctity after death. For at midday itself, when the sun was most brightly illuminating the earth, a starry cross was seen, which another chorus of stars crowned; illustrious for miracles after death. so that it seemed to be the crown of the Saint herself, sent by God on account of her long fasts, vigils, and the uncorrupted praise of her virginity. And this became clear from the fact that when her sacred little body had been buried in the ground, that spectacle of the heavenly chorus and crown vanished. Moreover, the rank and condition of St. Xene was narrated by the other of her two maidservants, now near death, who revealed, I say, what her homeland was, what her illustrious family, and the surname of her family. For she was called Eusebia, but in order to remain hidden, she had named herself Xene.

Apozenoytai toude tou biou zenou Hou zosa kai prin, hos alethos en zene. Thneskousin ampho tes Xenes hai doulides, Ou ton ekeines areton ousai zenai. Ouranou eis zenien Xene elthe tetarte.

LIFE

by an anonymous contemporary author; from an old Greek manuscript.

Ephrem, Bishop of Mylasa in Caria (St.) Eusebia, or Xene, Virgin, at Mylasa in Caria (St.)

By an anonymous contemporary author, from a Greek manuscript.

CHAPTER I.

The flight of St. Eusebia from her homeland.

[1] All the Acts and encomia of the Saints imitate an admirable splendor. The Saints are like stars. For just as the stars, though fixed in position, nevertheless illuminate the entire globe of the earth, and are observed by the Indians, and do not hide themselves from the Scythians; they irradiate the mainland, and shine at sea, and guide the course of navigators; and although their names are unknown because of their multitude, yet their brightness is an object of admiration to those who behold them on account of their beauty: so too, although the relics of individual Saints are enclosed in sepulchers, their power is nevertheless not circumscribed by the limits of the earth. Indeed in our times as well a great miracle and illustrious mystery has been divinely set forth, which I judge ought to be committed to writing and commended to the memory of posterity.

[2] St. Eusebia was Roman. Born at Rome of eminently distinguished and illustrious Christian parents, she was their only daughter. A certain one of the Optimates of that city demanded that she be given to him as wife: and the parents did not refuse, since he was powerful both in rank and in the amplitude of his wealth. She was promised to a bridegroom. The day was appointed for the wedding. But the maiden, deemed worthy of divine loves, most ardently desired to be joined to the eternal Bridegroom: yet she entirely concealed this desire of hers from her parents. For she knew that they could not bear even to hear of such a thing regarding her, since in her, the sole heiress of their very great possessions, they had placed all their hope.

[3] She reveals to two maidservants her plan to preserve her virginity: She had, however, from among all her maidservants, two who were in excellent accord with her, having been raised with her from earliest childhood. These therefore she calls aside and addresses them thus: I wish to entrust a certain matter to you: and I adjure you by God not to betray to any mortal what I am planning; but rather that you too lend me your aid, so that you may both save your own souls and relieve my misery. And they said: Whatever you command, Mistress, we shall do; especially since, as you promise, it pertains to the benefit of our souls, and we are prepared to die for you rather than to disclose anything of what you have said. These words added confidence to the Virgin. You know, she said, that my parents have decided to hand me over to a man. But I have resolved absolutely not to enter into marriage, which seems to me bitter and full of distress, since all the goods of this life are nothing but shadow, smoke, and a dream. Come therefore, hearken to me, and let us together choose the holy life: and if it is God's will, support my counsel, and keep what I have said. What must be done next we shall see. Believe me, even if these things are reported to my parents, and they contrive anything whatever, even to the point of casting me into fire, the sword, and wild beasts, not even so will they overturn the purpose of my soul, with my Christ lending me His aid. When they heard this, they said: Let the Lord's will be done: for the same is our resolve, and we prefer to die with you, if that is what fate brings, rather than reign without you.

[4] The virgin glorified God upon hearing these things. And since all were led by equal zeal, they daily deliberated what to do or in what manner to proceed, Her goods secretly distributed to the poor, and through prayers they won God as their helper. Day by day, therefore, they devoted themselves to the divine labor. Meanwhile, with her own hands and those of the two maidservants, she bestowed her possessions upon the poor, carefully guarding, however, against her parents perceiving anything. The time appointed for the wedding was at hand, and with all things now prepared, the heroic maiden was intent upon her own plan with her twin maidservants. They therefore put off their women's clothing, and disguising themselves in men's dress, Having put on men's clothing, she flees with her maidservants; they take with them certain necessities, and while all the household members were occupied with domestic affairs, finding the door open, they signed themselves with the sign of the Cross, saying: Be with us, O Son of God, and show us Your way in which we may walk: for on account of Your name we leave this house and all that is in it, and choose to be afflicted and stripped of our own possessions, desiring You, seeking You.

[5] Having prayed these things with tears, they went forth from the house, weeping and rejoicing at the same time. And when they had now set out on their journey, the handmaid of God addressed them thus through her tears: You will henceforth be my sisters and my mistresses. I will serve you for as long as we live. She exhorts them to contempt of the world. Only, my ladies, let us leave all things for God's sake, and care nothing for what is on earth; let us renounce all earthly things, and strive only that our souls may be saved; let us dismiss the vain and harmful cares of this life. Let us believe the Lord who says: If anyone has left father or mother or house or substance for my sake, he shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess eternal life. Matt. 19:29. I beseech you, my sisters, let us save our souls.

[6] As she continued speaking these things, they arrived at the sea, and finding a ship that seemed about to set sail, They come to Alexandria and thence to the island of Cos: they boarded it, and with a favorable wind, within a few days they put in at Alexandria: and departing from there again, they came to the island of Cos: for they fled everywhere, seeking some unknown place, lest they be found upon being searched for by the parents. When therefore they suspected nothing to fear, they again exchanged men's clothing for women's dress, and having rented a small house in a quiet place, remote from the crowds, they resume their habit: they dwelt in it, praying the Lord to send them a man who would take care of them.

[7] That holy handmaid of God admonished her companions: I exhort you by God, my sisters, She commands that their homeland be concealed, and that she be called Xene. that we be careful not to reveal to anyone our homeland or our plan, or why we left home, or what my name is, lest perhaps my parents discover us by an indication of my name or homeland. I adjure you by the Lord to observe all these things religiously as long as I live, and not to indicate to anyone anything of what has been done by us or will be done hereafter. But if anyone should perhaps ask you my name, answer that I am called Xene, that is, Stranger. When she had given these commands, and they had pledged to keep all of them, she knelt with them and the little lamb of God began to weep and to say: O God, show unto us, strangers, wretches, and lowly ones, Your mercies and compassions, as You showed them to all Your Saints, and send us a man acceptable to You, through whom even we, who are lowly, may be saved.

CHAPTER II.

Monastic life. Outstanding virtues.

[8] When they had prayed these things to God, going out from their dwelling they looked about, and behold, as if coming from the harbor, there was a certain venerable old man, in the habit of a monk, but bearing in his countenance something indescribably angelic. She asks Paul of Mylasa to take charge of them: When the Virgin of Christ caught sight of him, she fell at his feet, and drenched in tears said this: Do not despise a stranger on foreign soil, do not turn away from a wretch and one in need, do not reject the supplication of a humble sinner; but imitating the Apostle Paul, be our guide and teacher, as he was to Thecla. Remember the reward that God will repay to the just, and save me and these two sisters of mine. Hearing these things, the venerable servant of God, himself also dissolved in tears, said: What do you wish me to do for you? And she replied: That, after God, you become our Father and teacher, and lead us where you shall judge that we will be safe: for we are strangers, and do not know well enough where to go; for we are ashamed to come into anyone's sight. And he said: Where are you from, and why are you so solitary? The holy Virgin of God answered: We are strangers, servant of God, and we resolved together to leave our homeland and come to these places. We pray God day and night, therefore, to send us a man through whom we may be made safe. Behold, then, God has shown me your holiness, which can take upon itself our weakness. And he said: Believe me, sisters, I too am a stranger in this region. Just now, as you see, I come from the holy places, having made my prayer, and I am returning to my homeland. The handmaid of God says to him: From what parts is your holiness, my Lord? And he: I am from the parts of Caria, from the city of Mylasa. The bride of Christ says to him again: I beseech your holiness, what is the office that you hold? For I seem to see in you a certain episcopal appearance and bearing. The servant of God answered: Forgive me, sister; I am a sinful man and unworthy of the monastic habit, but by the mercy of God I am a Priest and Prefect of a few Brothers of the monastery of the glorious Apostle St. Andrew, and my name is Paul. When the handmaid of Christ heard this, she gave thanks to God, saying: Blessed are You, O God, because You have heard me, a humble one, and have sent, just as You sent Paul to Thecla, one to save me with these two sisters of mine. Then, turning to him, she said: I beseech you, servant of God, do not despise us, strangers and solitary, but according to God be our Father.

[9] The servant of God answered them: I have told you that I too am a stranger, She departs with him to Mylasa: and I do not see what I can do for you in this place: but if you come to my city, I hope that God will be with you and that I will care for you with all my strength. And they, prostrate at his feet with tears, said: By all means, servant of God, take us with you: we will go where you command; only have mercy on strangers, and be our guide to life. The man of God therefore took them with him and came to the city of Mylasa. Here, having found certain dwellings in a place remote from all the noise of the crowd, yet near the holy Church of God, the Virgin of Christ purchased them: and there, having erected an oratory in honor of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, within a short time they established a monastery, she builds a monastery: with that holy Paul taking care of them. No one, therefore, knew at all during her lifetime either where that holy Virgin was from, or for what reason she had left her homeland, or what her name was, but she told everyone that her own name was Xene, that is, Stranger. Since, moreover, the Lord Paul said that he had brought them from the city of Cos, everyone was persuaded that they were natives of that place, and hence they called their monastery the Coan.

[10] Not very long after, Bishop Cyril fell asleep in the Lord: When Paul was made Bishop, and the entire city by common vote appointed the Lord Paul in his place; and he was ordained Bishop of the said city. Having therefore entered the monastery of the Virgins, the Lord Paul persuaded the Lady Xene to allow herself to be ordained Deaconess. And she, truly leading an angelic life in the body, she becomes a Deaconess. so gave herself to the fervor of the monastic life, although she had been raised delicately and tenderly, that she strove toward the perfection of the ascetic life by a certain new and unaccustomed way: She fasts for many days, so that the demons themselves shuddered at her singular abstinence, and, conquered by the severity of her discipline, yielded and did not dare to approach her more closely. Her established practice was a fast of two or three days; indeed sometimes she went an entire week without food. But when necessity compelled her to take food, she eats only bread mixed with tears and ashes: she employed neither vegetables, nor legumes, nor wine, nor oil, nor fruit, nor anything else with a warming property, but content with a thin piece of bread, moistening it with her own tears, she mixed it with ashes taken from the censer, and thus at last she ate. And she maintained this custom throughout the whole time of her life, fulfilling that Prophetic word: I ate ashes as bread, and mixed my drink with weeping. Ps. 101:10. But none from the whole company of sisters was aware of this abstinence: only her two companions secretly observed what she did, and they themselves also imitated her most holy example.

[11] Furthermore, that incredible temperance produced such sparing use of sleep that from evening until the hour of prayers, Sparing of sleep, she prays through entire nights. at which the sisters gather at the oratory, she would stand the whole night with hands raised to heaven, intent on prayer, and in this posture she was found daily by the sisters. At other times, with bended knees, she persevered from evening to dawn, praying the whole night with tears. While doing these things, humble, she was of such submission of spirit that she considered herself the lowest of all. Who will enumerate her remaining virtues? What speech will suffice to proclaim all her righteous deeds? What shall we say of her meekness? meek, For no one ever saw her angry. Let us rather celebrate her life, contaminated by no vainglory, her appearance adorned by no outward embellishment, her countenance in no way painted, her breast tranquil. And finally, what good work was not in her? Continual vigils, zealous for the virtues, immense charity, the highest temperance, the glory of every kind of humility. She had compassion on sinners, she led the erring back to the way. Concerning her clothing, it is superfluous to speak. modest in dress, For the garments that were most worn, she, superior to every human passion, would take for herself, scarcely yet considering herself worthy even of these. Her entire life was spent in compunction and a perpetual flood of tears. You would sooner see the very fountains destitute of waters in summer than her eyes, by no means uplifted, devoted to piety. but always fixed upon Christ, destitute of tears.

CHAPTER III.

Final admonitions. Death.

[12] When therefore this Virgin, to be celebrated forever, was about to depart this life, On the day of St. Ephrem she addresses the Religious for the last time: and the memorial of St. Ephrem, formerly Bishop of the same city of Mylasa, was being observed, and St. Paul was in the village of Leuce with almost the entire people, where the body of St. Ephrem itself is situated, having called together all the Sisters in the oratory of the monastery, she began to address them thus: My Ladies, my Ladies and my sisters, I know how much kindness you have shown toward me, how you have come to the aid of me, infirm and a stranger: wherefore I also now beseech you, she asks that they pray for her. extend somewhat further your charity toward me, your handmaid, and be mindful of me, a sinner and a stranger, in your supplications to God, that my sins may not be troublesome to me, but that by the assistance of your prayers I may pass freely to Christ. For the end is upon me, as I see, and there is grief in my soul and immense sadness, that I am departing from the body in a disordered state, in the absence of the holy Bishop and our Father, the Lord Paul. But do you fulfill my role, and when he comes, tell him that the humble Xene said: By God, venerable Father, be mindful of my pilgrimage: for you showed me the way and led me to life; this life, I say. Pray therefore for me that the Lord may not confound me from my expectation.

[13] As she said these things, all began to weep and say: Weeping, she consoles them; Our Lady and guide of our souls, do you desert us, orphaned and wretched? Who henceforth will be our guide to life? Who will instruct us, the lowly? Who will intercede for our negligence? Do not, Lady, leave us at this most miserable time: remember that you brought us into this monastery: have care for our souls, Lady, and pray God to grant you a little more time, for our sake, that you may lead us also to life. The two companions threw themselves at her feet weeping, and said: Do you desert us, Lady, and depart without us? What shall we poor wretches do? What shall strangers do in a foreign land? Woe to us, wretched and afflicted! Because we have not taken care of ourselves, therefore our Lady prepares to leave us alone. Remember our affliction, which we have endured with you. Remember our pilgrimage and yours, of which we have been companions: especially her two companions in her pilgrimage: remember that we carefully obeyed you in all things: remember us; and beseech God, and take us with you, lest we be separated from you. When therefore a great wailing and disturbance arose, the Lady Xene also began to weep and to say: You know, my sisters, for how long a time the Apostle Peter has been crying: The Lord is not slow concerning His promises, as some men count slowness; but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should return to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief. Knowing these things, therefore, my Sisters, let us not be negligent of ourselves in this brief time; but let us watch, let us light our lamps, let us take oil in our vessels, let us prepare ourselves for the meeting of the Bridegroom, because we do not know at what hour the Lord will call us. For behold, the harvest is at hand, and the workers are ready; they await only the nod of the Lord.

[14] As she said these things, with all weeping and cast at her feet, she prays for herself and hers; she raised her hands to heaven and with many tears prayed thus: O God, who to this day have been the protector of my pilgrimage, hear me, Your humble and sinful handmaid. Remember all Your handmaids, these my sisters, and preserve them and defend them against the snares of the devil, to the glory and praise of Your holy name. Remember, I beseech You, my God, these two sisters of mine as well, who have been pilgrims with me for the sake of Your holy name, and as in this temporal life they have not been separated from me, so in Your kingdom do not separate us from Your bridal chamber. Having prayed this to God, she asks all to allow her to be alone for a little while.

[15] When therefore all had departed, she shut herself alone in the oratory, and her two companions alone kept watch outside before the doors: and they saw her praying with her knees placed upon the ground; She dies as light and a sweet odor are diffused. and when she had lain thus for many hours, suddenly a light shone forth in the oratory like lightning, and a most sweet and abundant fragrance began to waft from there. These two therefore immediately entering, found that she had fallen asleep, on the Sabbath day, at the sixth hour. Going out therefore, these two sisters called the rest, weeping: Mothers and our Sisters, they said, come, and let us mourn our common bereavement, let us bewail the wall of our congregation. The Religious mourn. We have been bereaved of our venerable Mother: our companion has departed: we have been left alone: Xene, our holy Mother, has fallen asleep. And when all had entered the oratory and beheld the deceased, a great weeping and wailing arose.

[16] But the merciful God, wishing to make manifest to all how great a treasure had been hidden on earth, displayed a great and illustrious sign in heaven. For when the Virgin had given up her spirit, at very midday, with a clear sky, there appeared in heaven a crown woven of stars, in the midst of which was a cross: She is honored by a heavenly portent. and all saw this portent. Since therefore the citizens together with the holy Bishop Paul were still in the village of Leuce, and this prodigy was beheld in the sky, and all marveled and asked what it meant, the holy Bishop Paul, perceiving in the spirit, said to the whole multitude: The Lady Xene has fallen asleep, and this portent of the appearing crown pertains to her; and when the sacrifice was finished, he immediately departed from there. All the people who had gathered for the celebration followed him. When therefore he had returned to the city with the people, they discovered, as he himself had foretold, that Xene was dead.

CHAPTER IV.

Burial. Miracles.

[17] An immense multitude of men and women therefore flocked to the monastery, aroused by that heavenly prodigy. All cried out: The people flock to the monastery, Glory to You, Christ our God, because You have many Saints serving You in secret. Glory to You, God, who for our sake, sinners, became incarnate and were crucified, because the treasure You had hidden here You have made manifest to all. Glory to You, because You have deemed even the humble city of Mylasa worthy of this treasure of a holy woman. When all, weeping, were glorifying God, and that cross with the crown was visible in the sky, the devout people, kindled with zeal of piety, and especially the crowd of women, approached the Bishop and cried out with a loud voice: Do not hide, holy Bishop, the glory of our city, so as to be silent about her praise. And asks that she be brought forth for public veneration. Do not conceal the pearl that God has shown us. Display this torch publicly: let all see to what Lord we are in service: let the pagans see and be covered with shame: let the Jews see the mystery of the Cross and know that He whom they crucified is God: let all the enemies of the Cross of Christ see and lament, let them see in what manner the Lord of Angels glorifies His servants even after death: let all see with how great a splendor from heaven Xene, considered by men to be unknown and a captive, is illuminated: let all see how great a gift and grace our humble city has obtained.

[18] The relics are brought forth, with the heavenly light attending them. When they were crying out these and other things, the holy Bishop approached, placed his shoulders beneath the bier, and the Priests did likewise; and bearing the bier, with many lights kindled, singing praise to God, they brought forth the relics and placed them with the bier in the middle of the city square: and the whole multitude saw, as the bier was being carried forth, the crown following above, and the cross appearing in the sky: and when the bier was set down, the cross and the crown stood still above it. An infinite multitude of people from the neighboring region flowed together to this unusual portent, so that the city was completely packed with people. Therefore the whole night of the holy Lord's Day all remained there with the Bishop, keeping vigil. Many healings and cures were also performed there. The sick are cured by the touch of the bier. For whoever was held by a long-lasting illness or an incurable affliction, upon approaching, by the mere touch of the bier was immediately freed from every sickness.

[19] When the night had passed, therefore, about the third hour of the holy Lord's Day, they interred the body of St. Xene, and carried it singing psalms to the place called Sycenius, which is at the very entrance to the city toward the south, for the Saint had implored to be buried there. The people saw again, when the body was being carried and the bier was being conveyed, that the remarkable circle with the cross in the sky moved simultaneously: and again, when it was set down, it stood still above. As many of the people as could approached therefore, and by linens made sacred by the same touch: with great faith, and divided the linens placed upon the relics into pieces for the cure of every kind of sickness. The Bishop therefore, together with the venerable Clergy, anointing the body, buried it there in a new tomb. She is buried; And immediately that crown with the cross was removed from the sight of all. But even now many cures are conferred upon those who approach with faith, in the place where the relics of the holy Lady Xene lie.

[20] Not long after, one of her companions died, and the other immediately followed, and both were buried at her feet. When the last of these lay dying, all the other Virgins gathered, The two companions die: and adjured her to reveal everything she knew about the Lady Xene. Seeing that she was approaching the end, she set forth everything one by one: where she was from, one reveals who Xene was. from what illustrious parents she was born, for what reason and how she had fled, how she had concealed her name for God's sake; and how, as long as both of them lived, no one understood anything of these things; and how at last she wished to be called Xene, or Stranger, she who among her own people was called Eusebia.

[21] And this is the way of life of that Xene, a stranger in the world, Saints guard the gates of cities. but a citizen of heaven and an angel in the flesh. She exults in God, she guards the gates of the city, for death has not broken her power and virtue, nor has distance dissipated her beneficence. She was stripped of the body as of a garment: she killed the devil as a serpent: she esteemed the world as a fable: ... she preserved as a treasure: she renounced the world for Christ's sake.

[22] St. Paul survived St. Xene for some time, and governing the flock entrusted to him by God holily and blamelessly, he advanced to a greater increase of grace; Bishop Paul is renowned for miracles: so that by his prayers both demons were put to flight and various cures were performed. At last, commending his rational flock to God, he himself also departed to the Lord. His holy relics were interred in the same city in the oratory of the holy and glorious Apostle Andrew, and now both exult in the Lord: he dies. with whom may the Lord cause us to find mercy on that day, the just Judge, with all who love His appearing. To Him be glory and dominion, with the immortal Father and His life-giving Spirit, now and always, forever and ever, Amen.