This year Easter is different from the previous ones. Due to measures to protect all and limit its spread coronavirus, The churches are closed to the public and the Holy Communions take place without the presence of the faithful. The Crucifixion of the Lord, the procession of the Epitaph, the Resurrection, the liturgy of Love on Easter day, church rituals, integral parts of the Christian tradition and faith, this year, will be "silent" and everyone will celebrate them at home.
The truth is that this unprecedented situation many are trying to manage, accepting that this is how it should be done. And they emphasize with meaning, that especially this year its message Resurrection "Life conquers death" is more relevant than ever.
Sure, there are those that they would like, the Holy light to come to their house in some way, to listen even to the Divine Liturgy through the loudspeakers of their municipality. And to understand in this way a little of Easter. There are some other voices, such as those expressed mainly on social media, who see the whole situation as a war against their faith.
Faith. These days, the truth is that there is a lot of talk about faith and many opinions. What is certain is that there is no "gauge" that confirms who is good or more Christian. However, on the occasion of Easter and the difficult days we are experiencing, we found Saints who testified to their faith, but are not so well known. Their life, however, is admirable, in any case.
She was a slave of the senator Claudius. In 304 AD Some reported her to Dometianos as a Christian and he summoned her for questioning. When Charitini confessed her faith in Christ, she was subjected to horrific martyrdom. They shaved her head but miraculously, he immediately filled her hair again. Then they put her head on burning coals and poured vinegar on her. And the torments did not stop there, after they burned her ribs with lighted candles, while with a stone in her neck they threw her into the sea. But again God was there to save her. Then, her pursuers ordered her to be sent to a brothel. Charitini, however, prayed, and her soul surrendered to God.
It celebrates on October 5
She was originally from Rome. Her father was called Pratextatos and he was a Roman patriarch while her mother was called Fausta. Anastasia was distinguished for her beauty, education and ethos.
She married at an early age Poplion, lord of the Romans and a fanatical pagan. Anastasia, however, was catechized in the word of Christ and was secretly baptized a Christian. In fact, he secretly helped those in need. He dressed poorly and went to jail for food and money. That is why she was named "Pharmacist".
When Poplionas learned of Anastasia's actions, he was outraged. At first he tried to persuade her with advice. But she remained steadfast in her faith even when he abused her. This insistence angered her husband, who handed her over to the emperor Diocletian. He ordered her imprisonment. But even then she did not renounce her faith, the emperor ordered her torture. Finally, Saint Anastasia surrendered her spirit to the fire in 290 AD
It celebrates on December 22
He came from Palermo or Catania in Sicily. She lived in the years of the emperor Decius (249 - 251 AD), while her family owned a huge fortune. Agathi was distinguished for her natural beauty but also for her morals, virtues and great faith.
At the age of 15, she was left an orphan and the sole heir to her parents' large estate. And then her wonderful personality emerged. Ignoring the invitations and flattery of the people, she donated all her property to charity, helping all those in need.
The prefect of Kintianos, using various means, tried to persuade her to marry him. She, however, did not accept, just as she did not accept to renounce her faith. And Agathi endured the horrible tortures, while she died in 251 AD. in prison.
It celebrates on February 5
He was born in the city of Tarsus in Kilkis and lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. She grew up in a pagan environment, but at a young age she saw in a vision the Bishop of Rome, who urged her to be baptized a Christian. When she woke up and met, she asked her mother for permission and on the pretext that she would go to her caretaker, who lived in another city, went to the Bishop, who baptized her a Christian. Her joy was great. After handing over her luxurious garments to the Bishop to sell them and distribute the money to the poor, she put on her baptismal garb and went to her feeder. As soon as he saw her, he became furious and chased her away.
She then decided to return to her mother, hoping for maternal understanding and affection. However, when her mother saw this dress, she was upset and, falling to her feet, begged her to return to her original faith. Pelagia was disappointed, upset but told her that her decision was final and irrevocable.
However, when the incident was reported, the son of Diocletian, who was Pelagia's fiancé, committed suicide out of grief. As soon as the emperor found out the cause of his son's death, he summoned Pelagia and ordered her to sacrifice to the idols. Pelagia refused, telling him that she knew the true God. Enraged, Diocletian ordered a bronze ox to be burned and placed inside it, thus giving it its heavenly glory.
It celebrates on May 4
Agia Kyriaki was the daughter of Dorotheos and Eusebia. They were childless and begged God to give them a child. Indeed, God listened to them and they had a daughter, who was born on a Sunday, which is why they named her. During the persecution of Diocletian, in 282 AD, her parents were arrested and after interrogation, tortured and beheaded by Duke Justus. On Sunday she was referred to Caesar Maximianus, and from there to the lord of Bithynia Hilarianos, who reminded her that her beauty is for pleasure and not for torture.
She stood up to him, emphasizing that she was not going to renounce her faith. He, furiously ordered her to be tortured severely and then beheaded. But before the sword fell, Sunday prayed to God, surrendering her spirit.
It celebrates on July 7
She came from Tire in Syria and was the daughter of General Urban (around 200 AD). Her father built her a tower and put her inside it. He even made pagan statues and ordered her to sacrifice to them. But she tore it all to pieces. For these acts, Christina was tortured by her own father and then imprisoned.
She was left in prison fasting to starve to death. But an angel of the Lord fed her, and all her wounds were healed. Then they threw her into the sea, but again, an angel of the Lord brought her ashore.
As soon as it became known that she had been rescued, her father ordered her to be sent back to prison. The following night, her father died and she was replaced by a general named Dion. He took Christina to court. And there she confessed her faith. They immediately ordered the torture to begin.
During her torture many were those who believed in Christ. After Dion, a Julian took over. He threw Christina into an incandescent furnace, into a cage of venomous snakes, which instead of biting her, licked her legs mercilessly, then cut off her breasts from which milk was spilled instead of blood and cut her tongue. She endured all the tortures with courage and in the end, with sticks that hit her, she surrendered her spirit.
It celebrates on July 24.