Commemorated on September 18
From his youth, Eumenius wholeheartedly followed Christ, freeing himself of two heavy burdens: the heavy burden of wealth and the burden of the flesh. He freed himself of the first burden by distributing his entire estate to the poor and needy, and the second burden by strict fasting.
In this way he first healed himself and then began to heal others. Passionless and filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Eumenius shone with a light that could no be hidden. As it is written, A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14) so the holy Eumenius could not be hidden from the world.
Witnessing his goodness, the people chose him as Bishop of Gortyna, and he governed the flock of Christ as a good shepherd. He was a father to the poor, wealth to the needy, consolation to the sorrowful, a healer of the sick and a most wonderful miracle-worker.
By his prayers he worked many miracles: he subdued a poisonous serpent, cast out demons and healed many of the sick – and he did this not only in his own town, but also in Rome and in the Thebaid. In a time of drought in the Thebaid, he obtained rain from God by prayer. There, in the Thebaid, his earthly life ended, and he took up his habitation in the eternal home of his Lord. He lived and labored in the seventh century.
Troparion & Kontakion
Troparion — Tone 4
We have you as a friend and helper, / gracious advocate Eumenius: / For compassion flowed from you / and you pour forth healing on the Church. / Protect those who honor you.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Radiant with divine light, O blessed one, / illumine us who lovingly praise your precious and glorious passing; / hierarch father Eumenius, / unceasingly intercede for us all.