Small Icon with Saint Euthalia

Saint Euthalia was from Sicily. Her mother, who was also named Euthalia, had suffered from a serious illness for many years. One night, she had a vision of Saints Alphaeus, Philadelphus, and Cyrinus, who urged her to come to know Christ and receive Holy Baptism. She believed their message, and both she and her daughter became Christians.Their decision, however, enraged her son, Sermilianus, who refused to accept their new faith. Euthalia courageously stood up to him and defended her mother. He struck her and attempted to humiliate her, but through her prayer, the man he had ordered to abuse her was struck blind. Rather than repent, Sermilianus became even more enraged and beheaded his own sister. In this way, Saint Euthalia completed her earthly life as a martyr for her faith in Christ. The Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Euthalia on March 2.