Saint Athanasius
Coptic Orthodox Church
St. Sophia was not born a Christian. She used to go to church with her Christian neighbors and so she became a believer of Christ the Lord. Longing to become a Christian, she went to the Bishop of Manufe. He baptized her in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thereupon an accusation of becoming a Christian was brought against her before Claudianus, the governor. When the governor questioned her, St. Sophia did not deny her faith, and so he condemned her to severe tortures. Even when Claudianus burned her joints, she never ceased to cry out, "I am a Christian." Then the governor commanded to have her tongue cut off and sent her back to prison. He sent his wife unto her to dissuade her, and when St. Sophia would not be dissuaded, Claudianus commanded to have her head cut off. She prayed and asked the God to forgive the governor and his soldiers. After her martyrdom, a Christian lady paid off the soldiers and took St. Sophia's body. Many sick people were healed by her body. When Constantine heard the story of St. Sophia during his reign, he carried her body and placed it in a great cathedral he built for her. This blessed martyr's death is commemorated on the 5th day of Tute.
--May her Blessings and prayers be with us all.
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