Holy Martyr Charitina (†304) — October 5 / October 18 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, October 5 according to the Julian Calendar (October 18 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Martyr Charitina.

The holy martyr Charitina was still a child when she was orphaned. Her upbringing was undertaken by a devout Christian named Claudius, who came to love the God-fearing girl as his own daughter. He set aside a room for her where Christian maidens would gather; the older ones taught Charitina the divine law and instructed her, while the younger ones learned from Charitina herself. At that time Diocletian (284–305) began his persecution of the faithful. The soldiers sent to seize Christians came to Charitina’s door as well. Claudius burst into sobs, clasped the maiden to his breast, and was ready to give up even his own life to save his foster-daughter. But Charitina herself begged her foster-father: “Let me go, my second father; let me go in the footsteps of sweet Jesus, and do not grieve—rejoice, for I shall be offered as a sacrifice to the Lord!” She gave herself into the hands of the cruel soldiers, while Claudius followed after his foster-daughter, weeping and pleading: “Remember me before the King of Heaven when you stand before Him with the company of martyrs!”

At the tribunal the judge Domitian called Charitina a proud, stubborn Christian who corrupted others. The maiden answered: “Before God and the people I confess the name of Jesus Christ, and to be called stubborn in this I count the highest virtue; but it is utterly false that I corrupt others. I do not corrupt them—I turn them away from corruption.” Domitian restrained his anger and demanded that the handmaid of Christ soften the hearts of the deities offended by her desertion, promising her mercy. Then the martyr raised her eyes to heaven and said: “You alone I love, Jesus, my Bridegroom; with You I am crucified, and with You I live.” Losing patience, the judge began to mock the maiden. He had her hair cut off, but the blessed one’s hair grew back at that very moment. Then the saint was tortured with fire and sword and cast into the sea, yet she survived unharmed. At last the Lamb of Christ prayed and peacefully gave up her soul to the Lord (this is thought to have taken place in the year 304).