Holy Great Martyr Marina of Antioch — July 17 / July 30 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, July 17 according to the Julian Calendar (July 30 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Great Martyr Marina of Antioch.

The Holy Great Martyr Marina was born in Antioch of Pisidia into the family of a pagan priest. Her mother died when she was very young, and her father entrusted her upbringing to a devout Christian nurse. Under the care of this godly woman, the blessed Marina was raised in the Christian faith and came to love it deeply.

At the time, the Emperor Diocletian (284–305) had launched a fierce persecution of Christians throughout the empire. Marina was around fifteen years old when the regional governor Olybrius passed through Antioch and saw her tending sheep in a field. Struck by her beauty, he sent his servants to bring her to him, intending to take her as his wife — or, if she proved to be a slave, as his concubine.

When Marina was brought before Olybrius, he asked her name, her lineage, and her faith. She answered freely: ‘My name is Marina. I am of noble birth, and I am a Christian.’ Olybrius attempted to persuade her to renounce Christ and worship the pagan gods, but Marina refused with unwavering courage.

Enraged, Olybrius ordered her tortured with terrible cruelty. She was beaten with rods, her flesh was torn with iron hooks, and she was burned with torches. The torturers marveled that such a young woman could endure such suffering without yielding. Throughout all her torments, Marina prayed without ceasing, lifting her heart to God.

She was then thrown into prison. In her cell, according to her holy Life, Marina was attacked by the devil in the form of a dragon. Fearlessly she made the sign of the Cross and seized the demon, striking it to the ground. This is why Orthodox icons often depict Saint Marina holding a small devil or standing triumphant over it.

The next day, Marina was again subjected to torture — she was burned in fire and plunged into a vessel of water. But by the grace of God, she remained unharmed, and this miracle led many of the onlookers to believe in Christ. More than fifteen thousand witnesses confessed their faith and were immediately martyred.

Finally, the Holy Great Martyr Marina was beheaded by the sword. She reposed in the Lord around the year 304 and is venerated throughout the Orthodox world as one of the great female martyrs.

Her feast is celebrated on July 17 according to the Julian Calendar. Saint Marina is especially beloved by the faithful as a protectress of women and a courageous confessor of the faith.