Books of the Coptic Orthodox Church

September 20, 2019 - Tout 9, 1736

Martyrdom of St. Pisoura the Bishop

On this day was the martyrdom of the holy father, the Bishop Abba Pisoura. He was the bishop of the city of Masil, which is beloved of God. When Diocletian went back to worshipping the idols and started persecuting the Christians, this holy man wished to shed his blood for Christ's sake. He gathered together all the people before the altar and advised them concerning the commandments of the Lord, and then informed them that he wished to obtain the crown of martyrdom for the sake of the Lord's name. They all wept, the young and the old, saying, To whom will you leave us, our father, as orphans? They wanted to prevent him from doing so, but when they could not, they let him go after he committed them to the Lord Christ. He left them bidding him farewell with much tears. Three bishops agreed with him; they were Baskos, Fenabikos, and Theodore, and they all went together to the city of the governor and confessed Christ before him. So he tortured them cruelly, especially when he knew that they were bishops and fathers to the Christians. The bold bishops endured the tortures with patience for the Lord Christ fortified them. Finally the governor ordered that the heads of the four be cut, and they received the crown of life in the kingdom of God. As to the body of Saint Pisoura, it rests at present in St.George's Church in Old Cairo. May their blessings and prayers be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.