November 24 is the day of memory of the holy martyrs Victor and Stefanida, who were executed for not wanting to renounce the Christian faith.

During the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Saint Victor was serving in the Roman army in the city of Damascus. During the persecution of Christians, the military commander demanded that the soldier renounce his faith. But he firmly declared his beliefs, for which he was subjected to cruel torture. To the horror and surprise of the executioners, no wounds remained on the saint’s body, and his prayers healed the blinded soldiers.

After seeing these miracles, the wife of one of the executioners, named Stefanida, openly declared her desire to convert to Christianity. For this she was captured, tied between two bent palm trees and executed by tearing. At the same time, Viktor was beheaded.

Adherents of the holy faith secretly buried the bodies of the saints in Damascus, where they remain to this day.