died c. 304
Capitolina, a noble Christian woman, and Eroteis, her servant, confessed Christ under Diocletian and suffered martyrdom.
The Holy Martyrs Capitolina and Eroteis of Cappadocia
Capitolina and Eroteis were two Christian women of Cappadocia martyred during the persecution under the Roman emperor Diocletian, around the year 304. Capitolina was a noblewoman of wealth and standing, while Eroteis (also recorded as Erotheides) was a member of her household, described as her servant or handmaid.
According to the synaxarion, Capitolina rejected her material possessions before her arrest, distributing her property among the poor and freeing her slaves. When brought before the regional magistrate Zilikinthios, she confessed her faith and refused to renounce Christ or worship the pagan gods, including Serapis. She was imprisoned and beheaded the following day; her servant Eroteis, who reproached the magistrate, was beaten and then executed by the sword.
The two are commemorated together on October 27 (November 9 on the Old Calendar) and are depicted side by side in the Menologion of Basil II, an illuminated Byzantine manuscript of the saints' lives.
Your holy martyrs Capitolina and Eroteis, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
The martyrdoms are placed around 304, during the persecution of Christians under Diocletian, in the Roman province of Cappadocia. The regional magistrate before whom Capitolina was tried is named in the sources as Zilikinthios (also rendered Zilikinthus), who pressed her to worship the pagan gods, in particular Serapis.
Capitolina and Eroteis are commemorated together on October 27, corresponding to November 9 on the Old Calendar. The Roman Martyrology records them as suffering in Cappadocia under Diocletian, naming the servant as Erotheides.
Their cult has long roots in Orthodox tradition: the two saints are depicted together in the Menologion of Basil II, a medieval Byzantine manuscript, and they appear in the Great Synaxaristes and other calendars of the Greek and Slavic churches. A liturgical verse honoring them reads that servant and mistress alike are beheaded by the sword as servants of the Trinity.
Browse other saints who share her calling and place.