Nayrouz At MKE

- St. George (Melody in Coptic Reader)
Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲡⲁϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ Ⲅⲉⲱⲣⲅⲓⲟⲥ

- Children of Bethlehem (Toba 3)
On Toba 3rd, the children of Bethlehem were martyred. During the days of Herod the king, behold wise men from the East came to Jerusalem. They came to King Herod’s palace searching for the child saying; “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests, he inquired of them “where the Christ was to be born?” So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea according to the prophecy of Micah the prophet ‘But you, Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel .” Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” But he intended to go and slay the Child. The wise men went to Bethlehem and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was lying. And when they had come in, worshiped the Child and they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way . Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “A voice was heard in Ramah , lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more .” For the tomb of Rachel, Jacob’s wife was nearby Bethlehem. May the blessing of the intercession of these martyred children be with us all. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲛⲓⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲃⲏⲑⲗⲉⲉⲙ

- St. Mina (Melody in Coptic Reader)
Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ Ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲙⲏⲛⲁ

- St. Philopater Mercurius (Melody in Coptic Reader)
Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲫⲓⲗⲟⲡⲁⲧⲏⲣ Ⲙⲉⲣⲕⲟⲩⲣⲓⲟⲥ

- St. Abanoub of Nehis (Melody in Coptic Reader)
Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲕⲓⲣⲓ Ⲁⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲡⲓⲣⲉⲙⲛⲉϩⲓⲥ

- St. George of Alexandria (Hatoor 7)
On Hatoor 7, St. George of Alexandria, was martyred. He was the nephew of Armanius the Governor of Alexandria. This saint, his father was a merchant in the city of Alexandria and had no son. It happened that he travelled to the city of Lydda in Palestine and attended the feast of the consecration of the Church of St. George the martyr. He prayed to God, interceding with His great saint that he might have a son. God answered his prayers, and gave him a son, and he named him George. He raised and reared him with Christian education. When his parents died, his uncle the governor Armanius kept him until he was 25 years old. His uncle had only one daughter. One day she went with some of her friends for an outing. While they were walking nearby a monastery outside the city, she heard its monks praising and singing sweet hymns. She was touched by what she had heard and asked her cousin George about it. He replied that those monks had forsaken the world to worship God and he guided her to the Christian faith. He explained to her about judgment, eternal punishment and the share of the righteous of felicity. When she returned to her father, she told him that she had believed in the Lord Christ. He tried to reason with her, to dissuade her, and to lure her with great promises, and then he threatened her. When she did not hearken to his words, he ordered her beheaded, thus she received the crown of martyrdom. Later on, the Governor knew that George, his nephew, was responsible for convincing her with the Christian faith. He tortured him severely. Then he sent him to Ansena where its governor also tortured him and finally beheaded him, thus he received the crown of martyrdom. Samuel, a deacon was present there, took his holy body and carried it to the city of Manf, El-Giza province. When the wife of his uncle Armanius knew that, she sent for the body and placed it with the body of her martyred daughter in Alexandria. May the blessing of their prayers be with us all. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲅⲉⲱⲣⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲣⲉⲙⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲓⲁⲥ

- St. Demiana and the & 40 Virgins (Melody in Coptic Reader)
Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ ⲙⲙⲏⲓ Ⲇⲏⲙⲓⲁⲛⲁ

- St. Rebecca & Her Children (Melody in Coptic Reader)
Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ Ⲣⲉⲃⲉⲥⲥⲁ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲥϣⲏⲣⲓ

- Martyrdom of St. Ammonius, Bishop of Esna (Kiahk 14)
On Kiahk 14 of year 20 of the martyrs (304 A.D.) the great saint Abba Ammonius, Bishop of the city of (Latopolis) Esna, was martyred. Since his young age he was well mannered and was adorned with many virtues. Pope Peter, the Seal of Martyrs, ordained him a bishop over the city of Esna. Because of his strong desire for a solitary life, he built a monastery at the foot of the western mountain beside a spring of water. He prepared a cave where he stayed all week then went down to the city on Saturday to pray with the people the Sunday Liturgy. He exhorted and taught them. He also spent Monday with them to settle their disputes and take care of their needs. Then he returned to his cave to continue his worship and asceticism. Arianus the governor of Ansena went to Upper Egypt, to persecute the Christians, and order them to worship the idols. The angel of the Lord appeared to Anba Ammonius in his cave and told him; “The Lord had accepted your prayers on behalf of your people and had prepared the crowns for them. Arise, go down and confirm them in the faith of the Lord Christ." The saint arose and went down immediately and gathered the people. He informed them of what the angel had told him and encouraged them with his spiritual words. They all shouted out saying, "Our father, we are ready to withstand any suffering in the Name of the Lord Christ, even unto death." That took place on the feast of St. Isaac, whom the monastery in the mountain was after his name. He took his people up to the Aghathon Mount, which means the mount of goodness, to celebrate the feast there. Arianus departed from Armunt and entered Esna and wandered in its streets which were empty. When he knew that the Bishop and his congregation went up the Aghathon Mount to pray he went to the place executing all the Christians he met on his way. He slew all the congregation praying on the mountain then seized Anba Ammonius and took him with him to Aswan then to Ansena. He delivered him to Harcus the captain of the soldiers who severely torture him. When he saw his steadfastness in the faith, the Governor ordered to burn him alive. The Saint asked for a respite to pray. After he finished praying they threw him into the fire where he delivered his pure soul. When the fire was extinguished the believers took his pure body out which was untouched and unharmed by the fire. They shrouded the body and buried him in the city of Ansena. During the reign of Emperor Constantine they built a church for Anba Ammonius in mount Esna, and went to Ansena to relocate the body to his church. They could not move it from his place and they heard a voice from the body saying, "This is the place that God chose for me." They recognized that it was the will of God so they left him and went back glorifying God in His saints. May the blessing of his prayers be with us all. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲁⲙⲟⲛⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ

- Martyrs of Akhmeem (Kiahk 29-30)
On Kiahk 29th and 30th of the year 20 of the martyrs (304 A.D.) 8140 were martyred in the city of Akhmeem. When Diocletian denied the faith and spread idol worshiping, he ordered the governors to persecute the Christians. Arianus, the governor of Ansena, came to Akhmeem accompanied by Anba Abadion, bishop of the city of Ansena for he arrested him earlier. His arrival coincided with the celebration in the eve of the glorious Nativity feast. When the Christian people of Akhmeem learned of the arrival of the Bishop, they invited him to celebrate the Divine Liturgy of the feast for them for their bishop Anba Odagious had passed away about a month earlier. Anba Abadion accepted their invitation and went secretly to the church of “Soutir” (Savior) which was the largest church in the city in the eve of the feast. He prayed with them all night long and the church was filled with multitude of Christians from the city and all the surrounding villages. The news reached Arianus, the governor, that Anba Abadion was praying the liturgy of the feast with the Christians in their church. He took a large number of soldiers and went to the church. They slew all who were present in the church. This massacre lasted all the day of the feast and the number reached 5800 martyrs. Among them was Ibeskonda the chief priest of the idols. When Arianus inquired about him he was informed that he became Christian and praying in the church along with those pagan priests who followed him. He killed them all and the massacre lasted another two days until the number reached 8140 martyrs. They all received the crowns of martyrdom and celebrated the feast with the Lord Christ in the paradise of joy. May the blessing of their prayers be with us all. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ:
- Ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ Ⲥⲩⲙⲉⲱⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ
- Ⲍⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲙⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ
- Ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲁⲭⲙⲏⲏⲙ

- St. Abahoor of Siriakos (Abib 12)
On Abib 12 of the year 20 of the martyrs (304 A.D.) the saint Abahoor (Apahor), was martyred. He was born in Siriakous and his father was an iron worker. His Parents brought him up on the Christian teachings. When the persecution against the Christian was incited, he wished to become a martyr. He went to El-Farma where he confessed the Lord Christ before its Governor. He tortured him much but the Lord comforted the saint and healed his wounds. The Governor was amazed from what he witnessed, he and his entire family believed in the Lord Christ. When another governor was appointed for el-Farma, they received the crowns of martyrdom at his hands. The new governor severely tormented Abba hour and when he became weary of torturing him, he sent him to Ansena. Arianus, governor of Ansena, tortured Abba Hour by squeezing him with the Hinbazeen, crucified him head down, and burned him with fire. Finally ordered him beheaded thus he received the crown of martyrdom. May the blessing of his prayers be with us all. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲁⲡⲁϩⲱⲣ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ

- Martyrdom of St. Bestavros, the New Martyr (Kiahk 3)
On Kiahk 3 of the year 1229 of the martyrs (1512 A.D.) St. Bestavros (Saleeb - the new martyr) was martyred. This saint was born in the city of Ebshadat which was nearby the city of Hor, district of Mallawy, and was called Saleeb. He learned the church subjects, and when he became a young man he desired to live a life of virginity. Nevertheless, his parents wed him against his will to one of his relatives. He found that his wife had the same inclination to the life of celibacy so they agreed to live together under one roof in complete virginity. Saint Saleeb (Bestavros) spent most of his times with the monks in the nearby monastery listening to their advices, persevering on praying interceding by the Virgin to aid him in his spiritual struggle. One day a group of wicked men falsified many untrue accusations against him that he blasphemed against the Islamic faith. However, he openly declared his faith in the Lord Christ so they imprisoned him. The wife of the jailer saw him from the prison’s window praying all night long. She also saw a luminous woman appeared before him and said; “Be patient for you shall receive the crown of martyrdom and the Archangel Michael will support you.” The ruler of the area, later on, sent him to Cairo shackled with chains. He was on the boat for few days without food or drink persevering in praying and the Virgin St. Mary appeared to strengthen him. When he arrived to Cairo they brought him before the King Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghury and the saint confessed the Lord Christ again before him. He was enraged and sent him to the judge to pass a sentence against him. When the judge realized his insistence on courageously confessing the Lord Christ, he sentenced to put him to death and delegated that to one of the Mameluke princes. They made a wooden cross and nailed St. Bestavros (Saleeb) on it then raised him crucified on the back of a camel and paraded him around the streets of Cairo. He rejoiced for he was counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. Later on they took him off the camel and promised to release him if he forsook his confession of the Lord Christ. However the saint shouted saying; “I will die a Christian on the name of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ.” The prince ordered to behead him thus he received the crown of martyrdom. His body remained for three days in the middle of a fire they prepared however his body did not burn. Some of the believers came and took his pure body and brought it to the papal residence. Pope Youannes (John) XIII received him with great veneration in the antiquated church of the Virgin Mary in Haret Zuwaila in old Cairo and kept it there. During the papacy of Pope Shenouda III, the 117th patriarch, he permitted the bishop of Mallawy, Anba Demetrius to relocate a part of the relics of St. Bestavros to the church of the Virgin St. Mary in the city of Ebshadat and that was on the 15th of Paone, 1703 A.M. (1987 A.D.). May the blessing of his prayers be with us all. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲙⲃⲉⲣⲓ ⲙⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ

- St. George Mozahem (Baona 19)
On Baona 19 of the year 675 of the martyrs (959 A.D.), marks the martyrdom of St. George, known as el-Mozahim (the Zahimian). His martyrdom was during the reign of Al-Mustansir Bi-Allah and during the papacy of Anba Philotheos, 63rd Patriarch. His father was an Arab Bedouin who married a Christian woman against her will from the city of Damirah . She had three sons, one of them was this Saint, and they called him el-Mozahim. She raised and reared him up on the Christian manners. He used to go with his mother to the church since his young age. He saw the children of the Christians dressed in white garments when they partook of the Holy Mysteries. He longed to dress like them and eat from whatever they ate. His mother told him that was not allowed for him unless he was baptized. She gave him a portion of the blessed Eulogia bread and it tasted sweet in his mouth. When he grew up, he wanted to marry a Christian woman, and he told her that he wished to become a Christian. She told him that he had to be baptized first. He went to Damietta, was baptized by the name of George (Girgis) and married her. When his family knew what he had done, seized and tortured him. He was able to escape and flee to the city of Saft Abu Tourab, where he stayed for three years. When his account became known he went to the city of Qatour where he stayed serving the church of St. George, then went to Damirah his mother’s hometown and his birth place. When the people of his town knew his account, they seized the saint, and delivered him to the Governor who imprisoned him after he had tortured both him and his wife Ciola. The Lord sent a man of authority to mediate before the governor the release of the saint. After his release from prison he escaped along with his wife to the village Saft el-Kodor, where he worked in an oil press. When the people of the village knew his story, tide a rope around his neck and dragged him around the streets of the village. The owner of the oil press saved him from their hands on the notion of giving him a respite till Friday, if he did not return to his former religion, he would scourge him. A Christian advised him to escape. He escaped to Tanta, then to a village called Demiana until he reached the city of Bosat where the home of his father in law was. There he saw a vision and an angel of the Lord informed him that he would receive the crown of martyrdom. When the people of Bosat knew about him, seized him and cast him in a dark room. Then they tortured him by beating with rods and scourged him with green palm branches, then tied him to the mast of a ship. However the angel of the Lord healed and strengthened him. He also saw the Virgin St. Mary and many healing miracles took place. In the next morning they brought him before the ruler of Demerah who severely tormented him. Finally he ordered to behead him thus he received the crown of martyrdom. They burnt his body and drowned it in the river however the Lord saved his body. A Christian woman found the body, took it, shrouded and delivered the body to his wife. His wife hid him in the house of her father in Bosat el-Nasarah until they built a church for him where she and the mother of the saint served the Lord the rest of their lives. When this church was ruined, the body was relocated to the monastery of St. Demiana until the 17th century. Then the body was placed in the church in Damietta and no one knew about him. In the year 1966 the priests of the church discovered the body. They perfumed and spiced the relics with great venerations. May the blessing of his prayers be with us all. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲅⲉⲱⲣⲅⲓⲟⲥ Ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲍⲁϩⲉⲙ

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲫⲓⲱⲙ

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲉⲇⲫⲟ

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲉⲡⲓⲁⲣ

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲁⲛⲥⲉⲛⲁ

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲛⲁⲅⲁⲙⲏϣ

- Fr. Mina Aboud (Melody)
O children of praise
Compose today a praise
For the martyr of Christ
Fr. Mina the Martyr

With hymns and spiritual songs
We honor a great father
Who deserves veneration
Fr. Mina the Martyr

Among the ranks of the martyrs
And the saintly fathers
He stands in all splendor
Fr. Mina the Martyr

At birth he was named Saleeb
Beloved by all men
By a wonder he was named
Fr. Mina the Martyr

You were raised in Aswan
O our tender father
And you were filled with faith
Fr. Mina the Martyr

Praising since childhood
Walking in uprightness
You became a son of Christ
Fr. Mina the Martyr

In St. Mary’s in Al Amiriya
you became a great gain
To the entire service
Fr. Mina the Martyr

You established a school
Teaching the rites and hymns
You instructed all the youth
Fr. Mina the Martyr

In the Bishopric of Youth
He served, O dear ones
By the help of the Lord of lords
Fr. Mina the Martyr

He guided all the youth
To win every person
With love and forgiveness
Fr. Mina the Martyr

By his peaceful smile
He taught all generations
To confront all distresses
Fr. Mina the Martyr

Your life was a candle
Enlightening the darkness
And mercy filled your heart
Fr. Mina the Martyr

The children whom you served
Many were consecrated
As cantors and monastics
Fr. Mina the Martyr

On the 24th of Amshir
Saleeb was elected
To the honorable priesthood
Fr. Mina the Martyr

As St. Pope Kyrillos
You adored St. Mina
Thus, they named you, “Fr. Mina”
Fr. Mina the Martyr

In Northern Sinai
By the Lord’s divine will
You gained the greatest gift
Fr. Mina the Martyr

With his cross and gospel
Patience and instructions
He surpassed those of his time
Fr. Mina the Martyr

You defended the truth
And with kindness rebuked
With a love that never failed
Fr. Mina the Martyr

On Baouna 29
Our father was martyred
He became an icon to us
Fr. Mina the Martyr

You were a faithful priest
And by bullets of deceit
You witnessed the heavenlies
Fr. Mina the Martyr

As Stephen the Archdeacon
And John the Forerunner
You enjoyed the Paradise
Fr. Mina the Martyr

Among all of your sayings,
“My home is in heaven,
This is the land of sorrow.”
Fr. Mina the Martyr

We have not practiced your life
Nor acquired your likeness
Remember us in your prayers
Fr. Mina the Martyr

Pray to Him for the whole Church
And our beloved Egypt
To protect them from all plots
Fr. Mina the Martyr

Pray for those who watch over us
Pope (...) our Patriarch
And his partners our bishops
Fr. Mina the Martyr

Intercede for our priests
And all of our deacons
And the rest of our Church
Fr. Mina the Martyr

Ask for all of your loved ones
And those who entreat you
Before the Lord your Redeemer
Fr. Mina the Martyr

O martyr of the Holy Lord
We all cry, “Axios!
Axios! Axios!”
Fr. Mina the Martyr

The mention of Your name
is in all the believers’ mouths
They all say, “O God of Fr. Mina,
help all of us!”

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ Ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ Ⲙⲏⲛⲁ Ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ

St. Takla Haymanot, the Ethiopian, departed. He was one of the seventh century saints. This holy father was born in Ethiopia to a priestly family who was relocated from a village nearby Jerusalem. His parents were righteous, merciful to the poor and the needy. His mother was barren and she entreated God often to give her a son who would please Him. The Archangel Michael came and announced her that she would conceive and bring forth a son who would be loved by God, the angels and people. Later on she gave birth to this saint and she raised him up with a Christian upbringing since his childhood. When he was seven years old he started memorizing the Holy Books and in the age of fifteen Anba Kyrillos the bishop ordained him a deacon then a priest by the name “Takla Haymanot” and he was celibate. After the departure of his parents, he distributed all his possession to the poor and the needy. He wandered about in Ethiopia preaching the name of the Lord Christ and many believed at his hands. His ascetic life conjoined with his evangelical work. He was a true ascetic spent almost all the period of the holy forty day fast wondering in the wilderness in austere asceticism then he would return to his minestry. He continued for about fifty years moving from one place to another living among the monks in worship and asceticism and other times among the people in service and evangelism. God granted him the gif of performing miracles and healing the sick. He endured many hardships from the heathen. When his departure drew near the Lord Christ appeared to him, bid him peace and informed him of the time of his departure. He gathered the brethren and commanded them to closely adhere to the spiritual struggle of the Holy Fathers who followed the path of monasticism until they resembled the angels while they were still on earth. He blessed them then departed in peace. They buried him with great veneration. May the blessing of his prayers be with us all. Amen.

The missionary saint, the pure bride of Christ, and the teacher of cleanliness and hygiene, St. Verena, departed. This saint was born in the village of Gara-gous, in the Theban region, to Christian parents. They called her “Verena” which means the ""good fruit"" or the ""dainty fruit"" and raised her up according to the Christian virtues. This saint was baptized by Bishop Chaerimon, the holy bishop of Nilus, who oversaw her education and religious upbringing. She grew steadily in grace and faith. During that time great numbers of Christians declared their faith before the Roman rulers, were martyred and received the crowns of martyrdom. St. Verena visited those imprisoned and ministered unto their needs. She also longed to receive her share of persecution and martyrdom. During the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305) the fame of the Theban Legion became well known. The Legion was headed by St. Maurice who was known for his courage and godliness. The Emperor ordered the Theban Legion led by St. Maurice to move from Thebes in Egypt (Luxor) to Gaul, in the Western region of Europe, to assist Emperor Maximian in defeating a revolt by the Bagaudea, south of France. The Legion numbered 6,600 soldiers. St. Verena joined the Theban Legion in its mission to Europe. When the Legion arrived there, Maximian was then residing in a nearby city called Octudurum. He ordered the commander Maurice and the members of the Legion to offer sacrifices to the gods before engaging in the war. They all refused to obey the order. The Emperor ordered to slay every tenth soldier to force the rest of the Legion to obey his orders. Nevertheless, the rest of the Legion was more enthusiastic to adhere to the Christian faith. The Emperor was enraged and ordered to kill a tenth of the rest. St. Maurice encouraged the members of the Legion to remain steadfast in their faith along with declaring their military loyalty to the Emperor. The Emperor became furious and ordered to eliminate the rest of the unit present around Agaunum, and to pursue the rest of the units of the Theban Legion in their positions in Switzerland, Italy and Germany. St. Maurice received the crown of martyrdom along with the unit that was in Agaunum which numbered 520 soldiers. After the martyrdom of the Legion, she went to Agaunum, and then continued on her way until she arrived near the city of Salodurum. In her great desire to save her soul, she withdrew to a cave and led an austere life, in asceticism, prayer and fasting. She supported herself with her handiwork which a nearby Christian woman sold for her. The Lord performed many miracles of healings through her prayers. St. Verena was particularly concerned about the young girls. She guided them and taught them the basics of chastity and proper hygenic practices. As a result of the fame of her ministry and the holiness of her life, the ruler arrested and imprisoned her. The martyr, St. Maurice, appeared to console her. He encouraged her to be steadfast in her Christian faith. She was later released after the Lord healed the governor from an illness at her hands. To escape the vainglory of the world, she fled to an island at the convergence of the rivers Aare and the Rhine. She lived in a small hut taking care of the sick and the needy. St. Verena, then, left the island because it was infested with serpents and scorpions. She went to the city of Zurzach (Tenedo) in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland, where she lived in a house next to the church of the Virgin St. Mary. The priest of the parish entrusted to her the care of the poor and the sick. She cared for their cleanliness and nursing their health. Nevertheless, the devil envied her and moved her fellow servants to plot against her, but the Lord always revealed her innocence. Later on, she lived a solitary life in a cave, where she lived for eleven years, in asceticism, worship and devoutness. Many came to her to receive the blessings of her prayers and many sought her counsel. When the time of her departure from the world drew near, the Holy Virgin St. Mary appeared to her along with some virgins in her cave. She told her about the blessings of the eternal life and the joy of the paradise. St. Verena rose and knelt before her, saying, “I am not worthy for the Mother of my Lord and God to come to her servant.” The Theotokos told her, “I have come to reward you for your faithfulness in your service to the Lord Christ.” The cave became full of incense and with this apparition, St. Verena departed to heaven. They shrouded and buried her with great honor. A church was built after her name in the city of Zurzach and she became the patron saint of the city. A convent was also built after her name in Switzerland. Among the various icons of St. Verena, the most famous has always been the one with St. Verena holding a double comb in her left hand and a jug in her right hand. This icon of St. Verena is still the pattern of arms of the city of Stafa in the canton of Zurich, for she was the first to point out the importance of personal cleanliness in that country. In recent years, H.H. Pope Shenouda III, the 117th pope of Alexandria, received part of the relics of St. Verena from her church in Zurzach, in Switzerland. May the blessing of her prayers be with us all. Amen