This week (between NC and OC), we honor Great-Martyr Christina of Tyre. What makes a saint a Great-Martyr? In general, the term refers to martyrs who suffered during the Age of Roman Persecutions, before the Edict of Milan (313). They are widely revered for their courageous witness in the face of extreme torments and were often venerated as saints soon after their deaths. Particularly as members of a society in which women were expected to obey men without question, women who preferred to follow Christ rather than their husband, father, or ruler were singled out for torture with particular zeal - even by members of their own families. For this reason, female martyrs like Christina are particularly revered as Great Martyrs of the third century.
So what do we know about St. Christina? We do know she was born in Tyre (in modern-day Lebanon) into a wealthy family. There is speculation whether her parents actually named her Christina, a nearly prophetic decision, or whether the name “Christina” (meaning “little Christ”) was given by believers who witnessed her martyrdom.
Some say her father was the governor of Tyre. All sources agree that she was a beautiful girl, and by the time she was age 11, many wanted to marry her. Christina’s father, however, envisioned that his daughter should become a pagan priestess. To this end, he placed her in a special dwelling where he had set up many gold and silver idols, and commanded his daughter to burn incense before them.
In this relative solitude, Christina spent time looking out the window and wondering who had created the beautiful world she gazed on. From her room, she could admire the stars of the heavens, and she constantly came back to thoughts about the Creator of all the world. She was convinced that the inanimate idols in her room could not create anything, since they themselves were created by human hands. She began to pray to the One God whom she did not yet know, entreating Him to reveal Himself.
Eventually, St. Christina was visited by an angel. This angel revealed to her the true faith in Christ, the Savior of the world. After some instruction, Christina became a secure follower of Christ. Before she made this decision, however, the angel told her about the future suffering she must endure, calling her a bride of Christ.
Now that she had decided to follow the One True God, Christina knew she could no longer live among idols. One night, she smashed all the idols in her room and threw them out the window. Christina’s father visited her one day and asked her where they had all gone. Christina was silent, but her father learned the truth from the two servants who attended her.
In a rage, her father began to beat her. Christina remained silent for a time, and then told him about her faith in the One True God. Her father ordered that she be thrown in prison. Christina’s mother pleaded with her to obey him for the sake of the family, but Christina was adamant. After a succession of tortures and imprisonment, she was eventually martyred for her faith.
Some sources say that St Christina’s remains were buried by an uncle. Whether that was the case, she was revered as a saint soon after her death, and word of her life spread beyond Tyre. At an unknown date, her relics were translated from Tyre to Constantinople and enshrined in a church dedicated to her. We commemorate her life on July 24th/August 6th. She accompanies us now as a woman who stood for the Truth she had come to know through Beauty–who chose the way of Christ against the will of her father, knowing it would mean a most painful death. In this way, she became a small bearer of His light into the world.
Holy mother Christina, pray to God for us!
Kontakion
You appeared as a luminous dove with golden wings, and flew to the heights of heaven, O revered Christina, and came to rest. We faithfully celebrate your glorious feast and venerate the shrine of your relics, from which divine healing of souls and bodies flows abundantly for all.
This beautiful icon image is St. Christina of Tyre, created by Contessa Youssef, www.andrewyoussef.ca.