Holy Martyr Charitina

Life

As an orphan in childhood she was adopted by a certain distinguished man and Christian named Claudius, who raised her as his own daughter. Charitina was meek, humble, obedient, and silent. She studied the Law of God day and night and vowed to live her whole life in virginity as a true bride of Christ. But since Charitina also converted others to the faith of Christ, the governor of Emperor Diocletian, a certain Dometian, heard of her and sent soldiers who took her from her foster father and brought her before the court. The judge asked her: "Is it true, maiden, that you are a Christian, and that you deceive others by leading them to that impious faith?" Charitina answered boldly: "It is true that I am a Christian, and it is false that I deceive others; rather, I lead the wayward to the path of truth, bringing them to my Christ." The wicked judge ordered her hair to be shorn and burning coals to be poured upon her head. But by the power of God the virgin was preserved. They cast her into the sea, but God delivered her from the sea. They bound her to a wheel and began to turn it, but an angel of God stopped the wheel and Charitina remained unharmed. Then the malicious judge sent some dissolute young men to defile her. Fearing dishonor, Saint Charitina prayed to God to receive her soul before those depraved men could defile her virginal body. And while she knelt in prayer, her soul departed from her and was translated to the immortal Kingdom of Christ.

From the Hymn of Praise

Tortured Charitina,Drenched in blood,On her knees to God Most HighPrayed and prayed: