Venerable Eumenius, Bishop of Gortyna (VII)

The Venerable Eumenius was a Christian distinguished by a devout life. He gave away all his property to the poor, and himself, trusting in the mercy of God, began a fervent ascetic life, shunning the temptations of this world. By the blessing of God the blessed father was appointed bishop of Gortyna on the island of Crete. The holy hierarch governed his flock wisely; at his prayer God often sent rain in time of drought, and he healed the sick and strengthened those who stumbled. The saint firmly defended the Orthodox faith against the heresy of the Monothelites, which had sprung up at that time. For his unwearying struggle against the heretics the godless exiled him to the Thebaid, where he died in the seventh century. The remains of the Lord’s chosen one were brought to Gortyna and committed to the earth there.