The Holy Virgin Martyrs Zenaida and Philonilla, the Unmercenary Physicians of Tarsus in Cilicia
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Healing
Life
Zenaida (also called Zenais) and Philonilla were first-century Christian women of Tarsus in Cilicia who, according to tradition, were related to the Apostle Paul. Raised in an educated family and instructed in the faith, they pursued the study of philosophy and medicine and afterward devoted their knowledge to the free care of the sick, treating all who came to them without requiring payment. For this they are numbered among the earliest Christian physicians and the unmercenary healers.
Tradition places their labors at a cave near Demetriada in Thessaly, where they combined medical work with a life of prayer and the preaching of Christ. The Orthodox Church commemorates them as martyrs on October 11.
Timeline 4 moments
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1st centuryEarly life in TarsusThe sisters were born at Tarsus in Cilicia into an educated family and were instructed in the Christian faith. Tradition holds that they were related to the Apostle Paul.
1st centuryStudy of medicineThey studied at the learning centers of Tarsus, taking up philosophy and medicine, and afterward applied their knowledge to the care of the sick.
1st centuryHealing ministry near DemetriadaBy tradition they settled at a cave near Demetriada in Thessaly, in the region of the Pelion mountains, where they treated everyone who came to them without requiring payment and worked to convert people to Christ.
1st centuryMartyrdomAccording to the synaxarion account, pagans came to their cave one night and stoned them, and so they suffered martyrdom for Christ.
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Unmercenary Physicians
Zenaida and Philonilla are remembered as among the first Christian physicians after the Apostle Luke and as early examples of the unmercenary healers, who offered medical care freely and refused payment. The sources describe them treating all who turned to them regardless of means, joining bodily healing to the proclamation of the faith.
By tradition their work was divided according to their gifts: Philonilla is associated with the practice of medicine free of superstition, while Zenaida is associated with the care of children and with the treatment of mental illness as a genuine condition deserving care. They are also given the title 'Friends of Peace' for their preaching of peace and charity.
Manner of Their Repose
The traditions concerning their deaths diverge. The OCA synaxarion and related accounts relate that pagans came to their cave by night and stoned them, so that they died as martyrs; the Orthodox Church ranks and commemorates them accordingly. Other accounts instead describe a peaceful repose, holding that Zenaida died first and that Philonilla reposed in peace at a great age. The anchor record follows the martyrdom tradition.
