Holy Martyr Mirax (VII)

The holy Martyr Mirax was born in Egypt in the seventh century. His Christian parents brought him up in the fear of God, but afterwards he gave way to the devil’s temptation, denied Christianity, presented himself to the emir of Egypt, took up the sword and entered the service of the Saracens. His parents grieved greatly over their son’s terrible fall and prayed fervently for him. Then the grace of God enlightened Mirax’s mind: he sincerely repented of his great sin and returned home. His parents advised the blessed one to redeem his public blasphemy of Christ by publicly confessing Him. And Saint Mirax did so. By the governor’s order he was cruelly tortured, and then beheaded and thrown into the sea (+not later than 640). By God’s will the waves cast the saint’s head up on the shore. The Christians placed this holy relic in a precious reliquary, after which fragrant myrrh began to flow from it.