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Commemorated on July 31
Righteous
Eudokimos, a native of Cappadocia (Asia Minor), lived during the IX Century
during the reign of emperor Theophilos (829-842). He was the son of the pious
Christians Basil and Eudokia, an illustrious family and known to the emperor.
The righteous life of Saint Eudokimos was totally guided towards pleasing God
and service to neighbour. Having given a vow to remain unmarried and chaste, he
avoided conversation with women and did not look at them; only with his own
mother whom he extremely respected did he carry on edifying conversation. For
his virtuous life the emperor appointed Saint Eudokimos as governor of the
Kharsian district. Fulfilling his duty as a servant of God, Righteous Eudokimos
governed the people justly and with kindness, he concerned himself over the
misfortunate, and about orphans and widows, and he was a defender of the common
people. His personal Christian exploits which he did in secret, were known only
to God.
Eudokimos pleased God
by his blameless life, and the Lord called him at age 33. Laying on his
death-bed, Saint Eudokimos gave final instructions to place him in the grave in
those clothes in which he would meet death. Then he sent everyone out of the
room and besought the Lord in prayer, that no one would see his end, just as no
one saw his secret efforts during life. His attendants buried him as he had
instructed them. Right after the death of Righteous Eudokimos miracles happened
at his grave, many sick people were healed, and the news about the miracles of
healing spread about.
After 18 months the
mother of Saint Eudokimos came to venerate the relics, from Constantinople,
whither his parents had settled after the death of the saint. She gave orders
to remove the stone, dig up the ground, open the grave, and everyone beheld the
face of the saint, bright as though alive, altogether untouched by decay. Great
fragrance came from him. They took up the coffin with the relics from the
earth, and they changed the saint into new clothes. His mother wanted to take
the relics of her son to Constantinople, but the Kharsian people would not
clear a path for their holy one. But after a certain while the priest-monk Joseph,
having lived and served at the grave of the saint, transported all the relics
of Saint Eudokimos to Constantinople. There they were placed in a silver
reliquary in the church of the Most Holy Mother of God, built by the parents of
the saint.
Righteous Eudokimos
is considered in the Russian Church to be one of the special protectors and
intercessors before God of the family hearth.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
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