Saint Verena

"His Lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' "(Matthew 25:23)

Icon of St. Verena Painted at St. Mary & St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church

The Story In A Minute

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Her Early Life

Saint Verena was born in the 3rd century. She was raised in the village of Gara-gous, in the Theban region (modern day Luxor in Upper Egypt), by a noble Christian family. Growing up, she would visit Christians who had been imprisoned because of their faith and ministered to their needs. Her service allowed her to grow steadily in grace and faith.

A Faithful Servant

The Theban Legion was a well-known division of the Roman army, located in Egypt during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. It was led by Saint Maurice, who was known for his courage, godliness, and leadership. Diocletian ordered the Legion, with its 6600 soldiers, to move from Luxor to Gaul in Western Europe in order to assist Emperor Maximian defeat a revolt in the South of France. Saint Verena decided to join the army in her capacity as a nurse. When they arrived, Emperor Maximian ordered the members of the Legion to offer up sacrifices to the gods before war, but they refused, enthusiastically adhering to their Christian faith. Emperor Maximian was enraged, and ordered the killing of a tenth of the Legion. Meanwhile, Saint Maurice encouraged the members of the Legion to remain steadfast in their faith while declaring their military loyalty to the Emperor. This enraged the Emperor even more and as a result, he ordered the killing of the rest of the Legion. The Legion's parameter spread throughout Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, resulting in the martyrdom of 250 soldiers.

Her Ministry

When Saint Maurice and the other members of the Theban legion were martyred, Saint Verena led the life of a hermit. First, she settled in a place called Solothurn, in Switzerland, but later moved into a cave near present day Zurich. She led a dedicated life, in asceticism, prayer and fasting. She supported herself financially with her handiwork, which nearby Christian women sold for her. She was particularly concerned with the spiritual and physical needs of young girls. She taught them the basics of chastity and hygienic practices, and spent her time tending to those who were sick, specifically those suffering from leprosy. She would wash their wounds and put ointments on them, not fearing infection. Word of her ministry and holiness spread so that she was arrested and imprisoned by the ruler.

Her Imprisonment

During her time in captivity, the departed Saint Maurice appeared to her to comfort and encourage her to remain steadfast in her Christian faith. When the governor became sick, she tended to him, and through the power of the Lord, he was healed, thus granting her release from prison.

Her Spiritual Struggles

Saint Verena's ministry became known across the world, and to escape the vain glory of the world, she fled to an island on the Rhine River, just outside of Switzerland. She lived in a small hut, continuing to care for the sick and needy, but was forced to flee because the island was infested with serpents and scorpions. She then decided to head to the city of Zurzach, where she lived in a house next to the church of the Virgin Mary. The priest of the church knew of her ministry and entrusted her with the care of the poor and sick, whom she nursed to health and taught hygienic practices to. Her fellow servants plotted against her as a result of the devil's envy towards her. The Lord stood by her, always fighting for her and showcasing her innocence to protect her from false accusations.

Her Departure

After years of ministry in the city of Zurzach, Saint Verena dedicated 11 years of her life to solitary. In a cave, away from the general public, she practiced asceticism, worship, and devoutness. Many people came to her to receive the blessings of her prayers and to seek counsel. When the time of her departure drew near, the Holy Virgin Saint Mary appeared to her in the cave and told her about the blessings of the eternal life and the joy of Paradise. Kneeling before her, Saint Verena said, "I am not worthy for the Mother of my Lord and God to come to her servant," to which Saint Mary replied,

"I have come to reward you for your faithfulness in your service to Lord Christ."

The cave became full of incense and Saint Verena departed to Heaven.

Her Legacy

Saint Verena was shrouded and buried with great honour. A church was built in honour of her name in the city of Zurzach, declaring her as the patron saint of the city. A convent was also built in her name in Switzerland. The icon of Saint Verena, as seen on the cover of this brochure, is depicted with her holding a double comb in her left hand and a jug in her right. This still remains to this day the pattern of arms of the city of Stafa in Zurich because she was the first person to instill the importance of personal cleanliness and hygiene in the country. In recent years, his holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of the Coptic Church of Alexandria in Egypt, received a part of Saint Verena's relics from her church in Zurzach, Switzerland.

Her Feast

The church celebrates the commemoration of Saint Verena's departure on September 14th - the 4th day of the Coptic month of Tout.

References

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