Eugenia was the daughter of Philip, a Prefect, who was sent by the Roman Emperor Commodus to govern Egypt.  Protus and Hyacinth, who were fellow pagans, where provided as chamberlains for the household and accompanied Eugenia in her youth.

Eugenia was beautiful, virtuous, and studious.  When she was 16, she studied Greek and Latin literature and gained philosophers’ admiration for her gravity.  She rejected every suitor for marriage.

She was given a copy of “The Letter of Paul”, which she read keenly, and she argued that all of the pagan writings were ridiculous and hollow in comparison to Saint Paul. 

Christians were being expelled from the city under imperial decree, and she was eager to learn more about their strong faith.  Protus and Hyacinth traveled with her in search as they toured the country estate. They came across a group of monks singing the psalm, “All the gods of the nations are demons”, as they were being led by Helenus, the Bishop of Heliopolis.  She saw this as the answer to her questions and thoughts.

She disguised as a man, and went back the next day, where she met the Bishop who saw through her concealment and regardless, accepted their requests to be baptized.  In secrecy, all 3 then became monks, and she took the name Eugene.  

False accusations were made about her, and she was brought before the Roman court, where her father presided.  Upon discovering the truth of his missing daughter, and hearing her arguments, she was acquitted.  Eventually her entire family was converted to Catholicism, including her father and brothers.

He was dismissed from his position, and the new Prefect, fearing the power of the Christians, had assassins kill him.  Eugenia, Protus, Hyacinth, and her mother then fled to Rome with fellow Catholics.

They continued their monastic life, aided the poor, and established hostels for wanderers but the persecution of Catholics was renewed under Emperor Gallienus.  They were discovered, taken to a pagan temple and told to make a sacrifice which they refused.  They were condemned, scourged, tortured with fire, and executed by beheading on September 11, 258.

Pope Damasus I wrote an epitaph in honor of the martyrs, part of which still exists.  Their earliest account is in the “Passion of the Martyr Saints” written in Latin in Italy.

In 1845, the undisturbed grave of Saint Hyacinth was discovered in a crypt of the Catacomb of Sant’Ermete.

Her feast day is December 25, and the chamberlains are September 11.

For God’s Glory.