(A.D. 250.)
[Commemorated by Greeks, Latins, and Copts on the same day.
Authority: ancient Greek Acts.]
Cyrus, a physician of Alexandria, who, by the opportunities which his
profession gave him, had converted many sick persons to the faith; and
John, an Arabian, hearing that a lady, called Athanasia, and her three
daughters, Theodosia, Theoctista and Eudoxia, of whom the eldest was
only fifteen years of age, had suffered torments at Canope in Egypt for
the name of Christ, went thither to console them. They were themselves
apprehended and cruelly beaten; their sides were burnt with torches, and
salt and vinegar were poured into their wounds in the presence of
Anastasia and her daughters, who were also tortured after them. At
length the four ladies, and a few days after, Cyrus and John, were
beheaded, the two latter on this day.