Commemorated on October 30
Zenobios and Zenobia were brother and sister raised in Aegea of Cicily. They came from a wealthy family who were also devout and pious Christians. His father Zenobios and his mother Thekla taught them well in the Christian faith. When growing up both Zenobios the child and Zenobia were kind and had a love for other. They sacrificed their time and were selfless in their service to Christ. After the death of their parents, they gave all their family riches to the poor. Then dedicating their lives to Christ, God had great mercy on them and shielded them from temptation or harm.
Zenobia’s studied as a doctor and he was gifted to heal those who were sick. Regardless of the illness, he was able to cure them. Through God’s grace by simply touching the inflicted all who were ill were healed. He took no payment and worked for the love of Christ and all mankind. Due to his good works and compassion, he was chosen as bishop of the Christian community in Cilicia.
Then came a time of harsh persecution, under the reign of emperor Diocletian in the year 290 AD. Lysias was a high ranking officer of the emperor and he ordered all to worship the pagans. He did not have any love or mercy toward Christians.
Officials were sent out to threatened all Christians, and when the Officer Lysias came to Aegea, he captured Zenobios and gave him two choices. He offered that Zenobios can live and worship the idols or die and worship Christ.
At this, Zenobios was given a dream from God that commanded him to take the role of Bishop. Zenobios had a kind heart and love for the church as well as the Christian people. He served well and many good works and miracles occurred.
When Lysias heard what Zenobios had been doing, he was called before the court.
Lysias said to him, “Young man, I have heard many rumors for your faith and about your works. But I do not believe them. I ask you if they are true that you are Christian? Choose what you desire. To give to the idols an offering and be blessed with riches and glory? Or to die as a Christian with nothing? “
Zenobios had no fear of death responding proudly “ Lysias, I believe to the true God Jesus Christ. He was my Creator and gave me this life, and that is why I give my life to Him. There is no life without Christ and to die for Him is to gain life.”
After Lysias heard these words, he became enraged.
The holy bishop suffered brutal torments. He was hung in a painful manner and the officials dismembered his body. His steadfast zeal for Christ left him with peace.
When his sister, Zenobia, learned what they had been doing to him, she went to the judge. Speaking strongly, she said, “Oh wrong and hateful rulers, what harm did my brother bring to you to torture him in this way? I too want to drink from the cup these sufferings for the Sake of our Lord.”
The judge happily obliged and sentenced Zenobia to similar tortures. She was stretched out on an iron bed that was heated with iron coals. After this they were both thrown into a large pot of boiling water.
The saints survived these torments, and they did not feel pain from the water. Their bodies remained strong and they praised God together. When Lysias saw that he was unable to torute them to death, he ordered them to be killed outside of the city.
Before being executed the brother and sister looked to the heavens and praising God said, “Thank you God to give us the strength to stay well during the torments. Please open paradise for us and may we be next to you!”
On the 30th of October, they each were beheaded and joyfully gave their souls and lives unto the Lord.
This night, two priests Ermogenis and Gaios took their bodies and buried them properly. A part of their holy relics are in the monastery Almirou Magnisias in Greece.
Troparion & Kontakion
Troparion — Tone 4
As brother and sister united in godliness together you struggled in contest, Zenobius and Zenobia. / You received incorruptible crowns / and unending glory / and shine forth with the grace of healing upon those in the world.
Kontakion — Tone 8
Let us honor with inspired hymns the two martyrs for truth: / The preachers of true devotion, Zenobius and Zenobia; as brother and sister they lived and suffered / together and through martyrdom received their incorruptible crowns.