The memory of the holy martyr Agrippina

She was born and brought up in ancient Rome, and from an early age she gave herself to God and was, according to the apostle, "the sweet odor of Christ in those who are being saved" (2 Corinthians 2:15). Like a fragrant apple or a fragrant flower, she brought sweetness and fragrance to faithful hearts by her chaste and virtuous life, which also repelled the stench of passions. She adorned her soul with virginal purity and betrothed herself to Christ, for whom in the reign of Valerian [Emperor Valerian, who ruled the Roman Empire from 253 to 259] boldly and courageously, without fear of torture, betrayed many of her enemies.

But an angel of the Lord with an invisible hand loosed her from the bonds and strengthened her, and she, having corrected all her wickedness, in agony gave up her spirit to God. The handmaids of Christ, Vassus, Paul and Agaphonicus, secretly took the body of the holy martyr and brought it out of Rome. They passed from place to place, making a long voyage, and sailed to the region of Sicily, where they secretly buried the holy body.

From the honourable tomb of the martyr all the sick and lepers who came with faith received healing from every disease by the prayers of the holy martyr, by the grace of Christ our God. Amen.