Saint Varus

Saint

Varus
Martyr
BornUnknown
Egypt
Diedc. 304
Alexandria
Venerated inCoptic Orthodox Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Feast
  • 19 October (Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church)
  • 15 Paopi (Coptic Orthodox Church
AttributesMartyr; Soldier holding a cross.
PatronageUnbaptized who die outside the Church; Unbaptized Children

Saint Varus (Greek Οὔαρος) (died c. 304, Alexandria, Egypt) was an early Christian saint, soldier and martyr.

Biography

According to his generally reliable and authentic Acts, he was a soldier stationed in Upper Egypt who had the task of guarding a group of 7 monks awaiting execution. It is stated that Varus was already a Christian at this point, but had weak faith. After witnessing one of the monks perish, the faith of Varus became reinvigorated, and he joined the monks. For this, Varus was tortured, and had his body hung from a tree.

Veneration

During the Time of Troubles, many children of Russian Orthodox families were dying before they could be baptized. This led Patriarch Hermogenes of Moscow to declare that the Canon of Saint Varus should be sung in churches on behalf of dead, unbaptized children. This makes Varus a popular saint in Russia, as he is remembered as an intercessor on behalf of the suffering Russian people.

See also