Saint Eumenius of Gortyna: bishop, healer, and miracle-worker of the 7th century

The post recounts the life of Saint Eumenius of Gortyna, a seventh-century bishop of Crete. From youth he followed Christ with all his heart. He freed himself from two heavy burdens: the burden of wealth and the burden of the passions. He gave away all his possessions to the poor and needy, and he disciplined his body through great fasting.

First he healed his own soul, and then by the grace of God he began bringing healing to others. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he shone with a light that could not be hidden. As Bishop of Gortyna he guided the flock of Christ like a good shepherd.

He was a father to orphans, wealth to the poor, comfort to the sorrowful, healer of the sick, and a wonderful miracle-worker. Through prayer he worked many miracles. He destroyed a dangerous serpent, cast out demons, healed the sick, and helped people not only in his own land but also in Rome and the Thebaid. In the Thebaid, during a time of drought, he prayed and received rain from God.

There he completed his earthly life and passed into the eternal dwellings of his Lord. The post concludes that he reminds us when a person gives everything to Christ, his life becomes light, healing, and mercy for others.