Commemorations for Mesra 10
1. The Martyrdom of St. Matra.
On this day, St. Matra was martyred during the papacy of Pope Demetrius, the twelfth patriarch of Alexandria, and in the days of Emperor Decius. When this Saint heard the imperial Edict read ordering the worship of idols, he went and took the arm of the statue of the idol Apollo, which was made of pure gold. He cut it in pieces, and gave them to the poor. When they searched for the idol's arm, and could not find it, they seized many because of it. St. Matra came forward and told them, "I am he who took it." They tortured him much, and then cast him into the fire, but the angel of the Lord saved him from it. Then they cut off his hands and his feet and crucified him on a tree, head downwards. A blind man came and took some of the blood that was dripping from the Saint's mouth and smeared his eyes with it, and he regained his sight. Afterwards, the Saint was beheaded, and he received the crown of martyrdom.
May his intercession be with us. Amen.
On this day also, St. Pigebs (Bekhebs)(1) was martyred. He was from the city of Ashmoun-Tanah. He was a soldier under the command of prince Antiochus. When the prince knew that he was Christian, he had him brought along with Anba Klog, the bishop, Anba Nehro, who was from Tersa and Anba Phillip, and asked them about their faith. They confessed that they were Christian. He tortured them severely.
Later on he bound St. Pigebs and sent him with others to the Baramon. They spent many days in the ship without eating or drinking. When they arrived to the Baramon, they tortured St. Pigebs severely, and finally they hacked his body in pieces with a cleaver, thus he received the crown of martyrdom. A believing man from the Baramon came and took St. Pigebs body and sent it to his hometown Ashmoun-Tanah. Ninety-five others received the crown of martyrdom along with the Saint.
May their prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen. (1) It means the Lamp.
2. The Martyrdom of St. Pigebs (Bekhebs).