The Hieromartyrs of Cherson

Seven bishops — Basil, Ephraim, Eugenius, Capito, Agathodorus, Etherius, and Elpidius — were sent from Jerusalem in the late third century to evangelize the city of Cherson on the Crimean peninsula, the southern outpost of the Christian world on the northern shore of the Black Sea. The mission was launched under the patriarchate of Hermon of Jerusalem (around 303), with each of the seven sent in succession as the predecessor was martyred.

Basil and Ephraim, the first two, were stoned to death by the pagan inhabitants shortly after their arrival; their tombs at Cherson became the foundation of the small Christian community that survived. Eugenius, Agathodorus, and Elpidius came together a few years later — were arrested, tortured, and dragged through the streets to their deaths. Etherius came after the peace of Constantine and was able to organize the church publicly; he was eventually drowned on a sea-voyage to Constantinople to plead with the emperor for relief from local persecution. Capito, the last of the seven, performed the miracle that finally converted the city — at the demand of the pagans for a sign, he stepped into a lit furnace and emerged unharmed.

Each bishop in turn had laid down his life for the city. Their joint feast — the Seven Hieromartyrs of Cherson — falls on March 7. The Crimean church traces its foundation to these missionaries.