10/05/2026 – Життя Святих / Lives of the Saints
Св. мц. Харитини
Martyr Charitina of Amisos
The Synaxarion (Lives of the Saints):
Saint Charitina was born in Amisos in Pontus and lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284–305). Orphaned at a young age, she was taken into the home of a noble Christian named Claudius, who raised her as his own daughter.
Charitina was kind, humble, obedient, and deeply devoted to Christ. Although she had not yet received Baptism, she lived as a Christian in her heart. She studied the Word of God day and night and vowed to preserve her virginity as a bride of Christ. Through her example and teaching, she brought many people to faith in Christ.
When Dometius, one of the governors of Emperor Diocletian, learned that Charitina was converting people to Christianity, he ordered Claudius to send her to him for questioning. Claudius was deeply saddened, fearing that he would lose the young woman he loved as a daughter.
Charitina comforted him, saying, “Do not grieve, but rejoice, for I am to become an acceptable sacrifice to God.” Claudius asked her to remember him when she stood before the heavenly King among the holy martyrs.
When Charitina was brought before the judge, he asked whether she was truly a Christian and whether she was leading others astray. She boldly answered that she was a Christian, but that she did not deceive others. Instead, she was leading them from deception to the truth and bringing them to Christ.
The judge ordered her to be tortured. Her hair was cut off, but by God’s power it grew back. Burning coals were placed on her head, and she endured many other cruel tortures. Finally, a stone was tied around her neck and she was thrown into the sea.
As she entered the water, Saint Charitina said, “This is my Baptism.” By God’s providence, the stone came loose and sank, while she was brought safely to shore.
The judge ordered further tortures. She was tied to a wheel over burning coals, but an angel stopped the wheel and protected her. The judge then ordered that her hands and feet be tortured and her teeth broken.
Finally, he ordered wicked men to dishonor her. Saint Charitina prayed that God would receive her soul before her virginity could be violated. As she prayed, she peacefully surrendered her soul to God.
The judge ordered her body to be placed in a sack with stones and thrown into the sea. Three days later, by God’s providence, her body was brought back to the shore. Her master Claudius found her and buried her with honor and reverence.
Saint Charitina is remembered for her purity, courage, and unwavering faith in Christ. Her life teaches us that true strength comes from God and that faithfulness to Christ can remain steadfast even in the midst of great suffering.