The Martyrdom of St. Eugenia and Companions
11th century
Manuscript illustration
From a copy of the Menologion of Basil
On the left is the death of St. Philippus, who had been the Prefect of Egypt before converting and becoming a bishop. The white scarf around his neck is a pallium, which is worn by prelates and popes. His story in the Life of Eugenia in the Vitae Patrum says he was beaten for three days but does not specify how he was finally executed. Here one soldier stones him while the other pierces him with a sword.
In the center are the beheadings of Eugenia and her servants Protus and Hyacinthus. On the right are Eugenia's brothers Avitus and Sergius. The Vitae Patrum says only that the brothers were baptized in Egypt and that upon their return to Rome one was made Proconsul of Carthage and the other Vicar of Africa. It makes no mention of their martyrdom, but the artist has given them haloes nevertheless.
Read more about images of St. Eugenia.
Source: Orthodox Encyclopedia via this page at Wikimedia Commons.
