Ss. Gurias, Samonas and Abibus

Three confessors of Edessa, kept together because they were buried together. Gurias and Samonas were seized in the persecution of Diocletian for turning people from the idols, and beheaded after long torture, about 306. Abibus, a deacon of the same country, was burned alive under Licinius some years later for his preaching, and laid in their tomb. The tomb is the setting of the story of Euphemia, a girl of Edessa married to a Gothic soldier who deceived her, whom the three delivered, and ever since they have been asked to guard marriages and to reconcile husband and wife. Their day is the first of the Nativity Fast, and Nicosia has their church. Feast: November 15.