These holy Bishops were sent to Cherson on the Black Sea by Hermon, Bishop of Jerusalem, around the year 300, during the reign of Diocletian, to spread the Gospel. Ephraim and Basileus were the first to be sent, with Basileus performing a miracle by raising the dead son of a local ruler, leading to many baptisms.
However, those who did not believe dragged Basileus through the streets until he died. Ephraim, on the other hand, refused to worship idols and was martyred by beheading. Following them, Euguene, Agathodorus, Capito, and Elpitius were also sent as messengers of the Faith by the Bishop of Jerusalem, but they too were killed by unbelievers. Lastly, Aetherius was sent during the time of Saint Constantine the Great and met his end by drowning.
All of these bishops served in Cherson at different periods and all faced martyrdom at the hands of non-believers, whether Jews, Greeks, or Scythians. Aetherius was the only one who passed away peacefully. They were all dispatched by the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the light of the Gospel to a region considered wild and uncivilized. Their sacrifices and suffering for their faith were immense.
Ephraim was executed by beheading, while Eugene, Elpidius, and Agathadorus were subjected to beatings and stoning until they surrendered their souls to God. Aetherius, living during the era of Emperor Constantine the Great, led the Church peacefully in Cherson, built a significant church, and passed away without violence.
Capito, the last of them, was appointed as bishop to the fierce Scythians, who demanded a miraculous sign to believe in Christ. They proposed that Capito enter a fiery furnace and if unharmed, they would convert. With unwavering faith and prayers, Capito entered the flames with his episcopal pallium and emerged unscathed after an hour, leading to mass conversions and recognition of the power of God.
Capito later met his end when captured by pagan Scythians and drowned. These seven hieromartyrs all suffered in the early fourth century and their steadfast faith and miracles were widely praised, even at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 A.D.
Source: vema.com.au