Martyr 4th century

Martyr Athanasia and her Daughters

died c. 311, Canopus, Egypt

Also known as Theodota · Theoctiste · Eudoxia

A Christian woman martyred with her three daughters at Canopus in Egypt during the persecution of Diocletian (c. 311). They are commemorated together with Sts Cyrus and John, who encouraged them in prison.

Feast Day

January 31

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Athanasia and her Daughters Theoctiste, Theodota, and Eudoxia

Life

Athanasia was a Christian woman of Egypt who, with her three daughters, was put to death during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian (284-305). The synaxarion places their arrest at Canopus, near Alexandria, and dates the martyrdom to about 311. They are commemorated on January 31 together with the unmercenary physicians Cyrus and John, who came to encourage the family during their imprisonment and were arrested and executed alongside them.

According to the tradition preserved in the Orthodox synaxaria, the three daughters were still children: Theoctiste, about fifteen years old; Theodota, about thirteen; and Eudoxia, about eleven. Cyrus and John, fearing the young girls might deny the faith under torture, sought them out in Alexandria; when this was discovered, the whole company was seized, tortured, and beheaded.

Contributions & Legacy

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Martyrdom

The sources name the persecution as that of Diocletian and locate the arrest at Canopus, from which the women were brought to Alexandria. The accounts relate that the prisoners were subjected to severe torture before being beheaded; one tradition specifies beatings, whippings, and burning tar among the torments. Cyrus and John, who had gone to strengthen the mother and daughters in prison, shared in their suffering and death.

The martyrs were at first buried in the Church of St. Mark in Alexandria.

Relics & Shrines

By tradition the relics of Cyrus and John, with whom Athanasia and her daughters are commemorated, were translated in the fifth century. Patriarch Cyril of Alexandria (412-444) is said to have transferred them to Menouthis, near Canopus (the site of modern Abu Qir), an act dated to June 28, 414, undertaken to counter pagan temple worship at that place. Later traditions trace a further westward movement of the relics.

Notes

Martyred at Canopus in Egypt c. 311; commemorated Jan 31 with Sts Cyrus and John.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org/saints/lives, Jan 31); GOARCH calendar