Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Tomorrow on October 5th we celebrate Saint Charitina of Amisos in Pontus who lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Orphaned at a young age, she became the servant of a noble Roman Christian named Claudianus, or Claudius, who brought her up as his own daughter. The young girl was very pretty, sensible, and kind. She imparted her love for Christ to others and brought many to the path of salvation. Saint Charitina was meek, humble, obedient and silent. Although she was not yet baptized, she was a Christian at heart. She studied the Law of God both day and night. And vowed to preserve her virginity as a true bride of Christ.
Because Saint Charitina brought many others to the Christian Faith, Dometius, one of Emperor Diocletian’s governors, came to hear of her and sent a letter to Claudius, ordering him to send Charitina to him so that he might question her. Claudius had no doubts about the result of this interrogation. Grieved at the prospect of losing her, he put on sackcloth and wept bitter tears. Charitina comforted him, saying: “Do not grieve, my Master, but rejoice, for I am to become an acceptable sacrifice to God, for my sins and for yours.”
Claudius replied: “O Servant of God, remember me when you stand before the heavenly King in the ranks of the Holy Martyrs.”
The Saint was brought before a judge at the tribunal. He asked her: “Is it true that you are a Christian, and that you delude others by bringing them to your impious faith?”
Charitina replied: “It is true that I am a Christian, but it is a lie that I delude others. On the contrary, I lead them from deception to the path of truth, bringing them to my Christ.”
After this, and repeatedly, many vile methods of torture were thrust upon her, and by God’s providence and protection, she was either spared or immediately restored to health. Finaly, as her executioners sent several men to violently defile her, she prayed earnestly to God that she be received by Him before her virginal body would be subjected to their intended vile acts, and so, as she prayed, she surrendered her pure soul to God.
When the judge saw that she was dead, he had her body placed in a sack weighted with stones and tossed it into the sea. By Divine Providence, her body was brought to the shore three days later. Her master Claudius found her body and buried her with appropriate honor and reverence. Fragments of Saint Charitina’s Holy Relics are found in the Monasteries of Kykkos, Cyprus, and Jerusalem of Boeotia.
Through the Intercessions of the Virgin Martyr Charitina, may we receive her strength, resolve, inspiration, and especially her love for Christ. I remain,
With Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony Savas