Byzantine Saints: Martyr Hermione, daughter of Saint Philip the Deacon (4 September)

About this sermon

The Holy Virgin Martyr Hermione, daughter of Saint Philip the Deacon, was a prophetess, healer, apostolic laborer, and courageous witness to Jesus Christ. She endured brutal persecution under two Roman emperors before receiving the crown of martyrdom at Ephesus. Saint Hermione was one of the four prophetic daughters of Philip the Deacon mentioned in Acts 21:8–9. Desiring to meet Saint John the Theologian, Hermione and her sister Eutykhida traveled to Ephesus. During their journey, they learned that the Apostle had already reposed. The sisters continued onward and became disciples of Petronius, a follower of Saint Paul. Hermione mastered the healing arts, assisting Christians and curing the sick through the power of Christ. When Emperor Trajan learned of her prophetic gift, he summoned Hermione and asked about his future. She foretold his military victory and that his son-in-law Hadrian would succeed him as emperor. After discovering that Hermione was a Christian, Trajan attempted to persuade her to deny Christ. When she refused, he ordered her face struck for several hours. During this torment, the Lord appeared to her in the likeness of Petronius and strengthened her. Recognizing that she would remain steadfast, Trajan released her. Hermione later established a hospice where she treated both the physical and spiritual illnesses of those who came to her. Under Emperor Hadrian, she was arrested again. She was beaten mercilessly, the soles of her feet were pierced with nails, and she was cast into a cauldron filled with boiling tar, lead, and sulfur. Hermione remained unharmed as the fire was extinguished and the molten lead poured out. She was then thrown naked into a red-hot copper vessel. Her guardian angel extinguished the flames, and Hermione stood within it as though upon dewy grass, singing hymns to God. Pretending that she would sacrifice to Hercules, Hermione was taken into the pagan temple. Instead, she prayed to the true God. A thunderous sound filled the temple, and its idols fell and shattered. Hadrian ordered Hermione taken outside the city and executed. Her executioners, Theódoulos and Theótimos, refused to allow her time to pray, and their hands immediately withered. Recognizing the power of Christ, they repented and begged Hermione to pray for them. They were healed and asked to be received by God before her martyrdom. Saint Hermione was afterward beheaded and buried at Ephesus. Holy Virgin Martyr Hermione, pray that we may serve the suffering and confess Jesus Christ without fear! Commemorated September 4 00:00 Holy Virgin Martyr Hermione 00:09 Daughter of Saint Philip the Deacon 00:27 Hermione’s prophetic gift 00:33 Journey to find Saint John 00:40 The Apostle had already reposed 00:48 Becoming a disciple of Petronius 00:55 Hermione’s ministry of healing 01:05 Her prophecy to Emperor Trajan 01:14 Hadrian foretold as the next emperor 01:22 Trajan attempts to break her faith 01:31 Struck in the face for several hours 01:38 Christ appears and strengthens her 01:47 Hermione establishes a hospice 01:54 Brought to trial under Hadrian 02:02 Nails driven through her feet 02:10 Cast into boiling tar, lead, and sulfur 02:17 Miraculously preserved from the cauldron 02:25 Hadrian burns his hand 02:33 Thrown into a red-hot copper vessel 02:40 Protected by her guardian angel 02:47 Singing hymns amid the flames 02:55 Hermione enters the pagan temple 03:04 Her prayer shatters the idols 03:13 Led outside Ephesus for execution 03:22 The executioners’ hands wither 03:30 Their repentance and conversion 03:39 The martyrdom of Saint Hermione #SaintHermione #VirginMartyr #PhilipTheDeacon #OrthodoxSaints #ChristianMartyrs #SaintOfTheDay #WomenSaints #ChristianHealing #AncientChurch #Ephesus #SensusFidelium https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Suffering & Trials
• Leadership
• Service & Ministry