Euphemia

thumb|Saint Euphemia in a painting by Andrea Mantegna, 1454. Euphemia (Εὐφημία; 'well-spoken [of]'), also known as the Great martyr Euphemia the All-praised in the Eastern Orthodox Church, was a virgin martyr, who died for her faith at Chalcedon in 303 AD. Quotes about Eufemia era figlia di un senatore. Vedendo, ai tempi di Diocleziano, che i cristiani erano straziati dalle più diverse pene, si presentò al giudice Prisco e confessò la sua fede in Cristo davanti a tutti, dando così esempio della sua saldezza anche agli uomini. Il giudice, man mano che metteva a morte i cristiani, cercava di imporre agli altri di sacrificare, anche soltanto per paura, mentre vedevano straziare quelli che si mantenevano fermi nella fede. Mentre i santi erano decapitati davanti ai suoi occhi, spinta ancora più dal loro coraggio, Eufemia disse ad alta voce al giudice che la pena che stava subendo era ingiusta. Il giudice provò gioia a queste parole, credendo che avesse voluto dire che era disposta a sacrificare. Quando però le chiese di che ingiusta pena stava parlando, rispose: – Io sono di famiglia nobile: perché mi metti davanti tanti stranieri e sconosciuti? Perché fai arrivare loro prima di me a Cristo e alla gloria promessa? Euphemia was the daughter of a senator. Seeing, in Diocletian's time, that Christians were torn apart by the most diverse punishments, he presented himself to Judge Priscus and confessed his faith in Christ before all, thus setting an example of his steadfastness even to men. The judge, as he put Christians to death, tried to force others to sacrifice, even if only out of fear, while they saw those who remained firm in the faith being torn apart. As the saints were beheaded before her eyes, driven even more by their courage, Euphemia told the judge aloud that the punishment she was suffering was unjust. The judge took joy at these words, believing that she had meant that she was willing to sacrifice. But when he asked her what an unjust punishment she was talking about, he replied: – I am of noble family: why do you put so many foreigners and strangers before me? Why do you bring them before me to Christ and the promised glory? Jacopo da Varazze, Legenda aurea, Alessandro and Lucetta Vitale Brovarone (editors), Einaudi, Torino, 1995. ISBN 88-06-13885-5 (in Italian). External links Category:3rd century births Category:4th century deaths Category:Martyrs Category:Catholic saints Category:Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church