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The Martyr Charitina of Rome was orphaned in childhood and raised like a daughter by the pious Christian Claudius. The young woman was very pretty, very sensible, kind and fervent in faith. She imparted to other people her love for Christ, and she converted many to the way of salvation.
During a time of persecution under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Charitina was subjected to horrible torments for her strong confession of the Lord Jesus Christ, and she died in the year 304.
Troparion — Tone 4
Your lamb Charitina, / calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / “I love You, my Bridegroom, / and in seeking You, I endure suffering. / In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, / and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love.” / Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Having fortified your soul with faith and strengthened it by understanding / you openly put the enemy to shame, O Charitina; / you stood before Christ wearing a robe empurpled by your blood, All-Blessed One, / and now you rejoice with the angels, praying for us, O passion-bearer.
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Saints Damian the Presbyter and Healer, Jeremiah and Matthew, Clairvoyants of the Kyiv Near Caves, were described by Saint Nestor the Chronicler (October 27).
Saint Damian (+1071) remembered the Baptism of Rus (in year 988). The zealous imitator of Saint Theodosius (May 3) was gentle, industrious and obedient, to the joy of all the brethren. He spent the entire night at prayer and reading the Divine Scriptures. Saint Damian was strict in fasting, and ate nothing but bread and water. The Lord rewarded him with the gift of treating ailments.
Saint Jeremiah had the gift of the Lord to see into the future, and to see into the moral condition of a person. He died at an old age (+ ca. 1070).
In the Iconographers’ Manual it says, “Matthew has the appearance of a clairvoyant Elder, with a black greyish beard like Vlas, in black klobuk, a monastic robe, hands pressed to the heart.”
The general troparion to these saints is: “Your hearts were enlightened with the light of Christ’s commandments, and you dispelled the dread darkness. Like an abode of the Trinity, from whom we receive grace, O Fathers Damian, Jeremiah and Matthew, you heal the infirm, and you announce the future in the communion with the angels. We pray to you to intercede with Christ God to grant to us the communion of the saints.”
They are also commemorated on September 28 and the second Sunday of Great Lent.
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