Martyr Hermione of Ephesus

Hermione was one of the four daughters of the Apostle Philip the Deacon, one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles in Jerusalem. The synaxarion identifies these daughters with the prophesying virgins recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, where Luke notes that Philip the evangelist had four unmarried daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9). Hermione is remembered as a virgin gifted with prophecy who was also trained in the art of medicine and became renowned for healing the sick through the name of Christ.

By tradition, Hermione and her sister Eutychis traveled into Asia Minor seeking the Apostle John the Theologian at Ephesus. Learning that he had already reposed, they instead became disciples of Petronius, a teacher described in the sources as a disciple of the Apostle Paul, who instructed them further in the virtues and in the healing arts. Hermione settled at Ephesus, where she continued her work of healing.

Her confession of faith brought her before two Roman emperors in succession. The synaxarion relates that Trajan, passing through Ephesus, summoned her on account of her reputation for prophecy; she is said to have foretold his victory over the Persians and the succession of Hadrian, and after she refused to renounce Christ he had her beaten before releasing her. Under Hadrian she was subjected to further tortures and finally beheaded, traditionally dated to around the year 117. She was buried at Ephesus, and her commemoration is kept on September 4.