Holy Martyr Hermione, Daughter of the Apostle Philip the Deacon (†c. 117) — September 4 / September 17 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 4 according to the Julian Calendar (September 17 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Martyr Hermione.

The Holy Martyr Hermione was the daughter of the holy Apostle Philip (commemorated October 11).

Saint Hermione was brought before the Emperor Trajan (98–117), who was on his way to war against the Persians, as a Christian and a renouncer of the ancestral law. At first the emperor tried with gentle persuasion to turn the blessed one away from the faith of Christ, but when he achieved nothing, he gave orders that she be tortured.

Hermione endured her sufferings with joy. Her strength was increased by a vision of the Savior seated upon a throne. Trajan soon became convinced that the saint could not be bent, and he released the chosen one of the Lord.

Trajan’s successor, Hadrian (117–138), ordered that the blessed one again be brought to trial for her confession of Christ. By the command of the lawless autocrat the martyr was first mercilessly beaten, then nails were driven into the soles of her feet, and finally she was thrown into a cauldron filled with boiling pitch, tin, and sulfur. Saint Hermione gave thanks to the Lord for everything, and God looked upon her with mercy: the handmaid of Christ remained unharmed. This miracle was not enough to bring the impious ruler to his senses: this time he ordered the saint to be tortured on a red-hot pan. Here too a wonder took place: Hermione stood upon the pan as upon a green meadow and glorified God in song.

The handmaid of Christ was led away to offer sacrifice to the idol of Hercules. When they entered the pagan temple, in answer to Hermione’s prayer a terrible thunder was heard, and every statue of the false god was shattered.

The enraged emperor commanded that the martyr be taken outside the city and beheaded. The execution of the sentence was entrusted to two servants, Theodulus and Timothy. On the way they intended to do violence to the Lord’s chosen one, but as soon as this foul thought crossed their minds, their hands withered. Then, terrified, they believed in Christ and fell at Hermione’s feet in repentance. The executioners begged the saint to ask God to take them from this world before her, and by the martyr’s intercession this indeed came to pass. After this Hermione herself, in prayer, committed her soul to the Lord (around the year 117).