The Martyrdom of the Saints Abakir, John, the Three Virgins and Their Mother .

On this day also, the saints Abakir; John; the three virgins, Theodora (which means the gift ofGod), Theopisti "Theophana" (which means the faithfulness of God), and Theodosia (whichmeans the glory of God); and their mother, Athanasia (which means the immortal), weremartyred .St . Abakir was a monk since his young age, and St . John was a soldier in the private guards of theEmperor . They left Alexandria, their own home town, and lived in Antioch . When Diocletianincited the persecution against the Christians, they confessed their faith in the Lord Christ alongwith the virgins and their mother .When the Emperor knew that they were from Alexandria, he returned them to the governor ofAlexandria . When they came to Alexandria, and were brought before the Governor, theyconfessed their faith in the Lord Christ . He ordered them beheaded . St . Athanasia was comfortingand confirming her daughters and telling them that if they were martyred, they would become thebrides of Christ . The virgins were beheaded first, then their mother, then St . Abakir and St . John .214Their bodies were cast to the wild beasts and to the birds of the sky . However, some believerscame and took their bodies by night and they placed them in a coffin and hid them until the end ofthe time of persecution .Their prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God forever . Amen .