The Martyrdom of St . Matra .

On this day, St . Matra was martyred during the papacy of Pope Demetrius, the twelfth patriarch ofAlexandria, and in the days of Emperor Decius . When this Saint heard the imperial Edict read orderingthe worship of idols, he went and took the arm of the statue of the idol Apollo, which was made ofpure gold . He cut it in pieces, and gave them to the poor . When they searched for the idol's arm, andcould not find it, they seized many because of it . St . Matra came forward and told them, "I am he whotook it ." They tortured him much, and then cast him into the fire, but the angel of the Lord saved himfrom it . Then they cut off his hands and his feet and crucified him on a tree, head downwards . A blindman came and took some of the blood that was dripping from the Saint's mouth and smeared his eyeswith it, and he regained his sight . Afterwards, the Saint was beheaded, and he received the crown ofmartyrdom .May his intercession be with us . Amen .