Martyr Eugraphus of Alexandria

Martyr Eugraphus served as personal secretary (scribe) to the Martyr Menas of Alexandria, called "the Eloquent" — a native of Athens sent to Alexandria to quell strife between pagans and Christians, who instead openly preached Christ and converted many through his gift of eloquence. Menas was brought to trial before the pagan city prefect Hermogenes, who himself converted upon witnessing Menas's steadfastness under torture and the miraculous healings wrought through his prayers. When Emperor Maximinus (Maximinus Daia, r. 305-313) came to Alexandria in person and, undeterred by further signs, remained unyielding in his rage, he personally cut down Eugraphus with a sword, then ordered Menas himself and Hermogenes beheaded. The martyrs' bodies were sealed in an iron chest and cast into the sea; their relics were later miraculously recovered and translated to Constantinople, where a church was built for them under Emperor Justinian. The memory of their martyrdom is kept on December 10/23, and the discovery of their relics on February 17/March 2.