Martyr Photinia (Svetlana) Samaritan. Venerable Photinia (Svetlana) of Palestine

Section I Stars in a Straw Hat Wise parables for wise women Svetlana Savitskaya 1. Silver Gates People lived on earth, lived carelessly, when suddenly, for no apparent reason, a black wall grew on half the world of white. The enemy came to earth from the silver gates. headed

Section III Legends of Planetary Traditions Recorded and edited by Svetlana Savitskaya 1. The wisest of the wisest Isis. Egypt Incomprehensible and mysterious, the wisest of the wisest of antiquity - the goddess Isis became a model for understanding the Egyptian ideal of femininity and

10. Saint Photina and Santa Lucia. Italy St. Svetlana in Spain, and indeed in the phenomenon of the Catholic faith is not. As there is no name Svetlana in Christianity. In Christianity, Svetlana is replaced by the Greek name Fotina (light). And the name Svetlana cannot be pronounced in church. And God bless

Complete collection and description: a prayer to his saint named Svetlana for the spiritual life of a believer.

Information site about icons, prayers, Orthodox traditions.

Angel Svetlana's Day according to the church calendar

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Name day is considered old tradition in Orthodox Christianity. This is the day when the memory of the saint is honored, whose name was given at birth and the sacrament of baptism to a person. For each name, the date of the name day is different, and you can see it in the Orthodox calendar.

Character of the birthday girl

Svetlanas are very bright and active. They strive to succeed always and everywhere. At the same time, they try not to delve into specifics and are guided by global information. The environment is very important for Sveta. The right approach in education and a favorable environment will motivate her to new achievements. If this is not ensured, Svetlana is easy to succumb to any negative influence.

In family life, Sveta are very caring wives and mothers. They know how to be diplomatic, so they support a good relationship with all relatives.

Often women with this name exaggerate their abilities and capabilities. They love to be flirtatious and attract the attention of the men around them.

Svetlana's name day according to the Orthodox calendar

It will not be possible to find the name Svetlana in the calendar according to the holy calendar. The day of the angel Svetlana according to the church calendar is celebrated on the days of veneration of St. Photina. The table below shows the dates on what date all Svetlanas should celebrate the day of the angel. There are only three such days throughout the year.

The closest name date to Svetlana's birthday is considered the day of the angel. The remaining days are usually called small name days. On such days, you should thank your patroness, pray to her and go to the temple.

May the Lord keep you!

See also the video about Svetlana's Angel Day:

Saint Photinia: icon, prayer, angel's day

The history of the Orthodox religion knows many examples of people who suffered severe hardships and torments for the sake of spirituality and the affirmation of faith. One of these is Photinia, a saint who preached Christianity at the dawn of his path, during times of severe persecution. The famous ascetic repeatedly showed the miracles of prayer and converted thousands of people to faith. Believers still turn to her image with requests for help and healing from serious illnesses.

Parable of living water

In the Gospel of John there is a chapter that tells about the meeting of Christ with the Samaritan woman. In those distant times, Jews and Samaritans (immigrants from Mesopotamia) lived in cold enmity. Evangelizing the gospel, Jesus made his way through the Samaritan lands. Stopping near the city of Sychar, he wanted to drink water from the well of Jacob. Just at that moment, a young woman approached. That was Photinia (angel's day - April 2, according to a new style). Christ asked her for help, which surprised the woman very much, because he was a Jew. Jesus answered her that if she knew who she was talking to, she herself would ask Him for living water, which would become a source of eternal life. Christ spoke of the Christian faith. He also told the details of her life, pointed out her sins, and Photinia immediately recognized Him as a prophet. She returned to the city of Samaria and told everyone about the coming of the Savior, after which many Samaritans believed in the Messiah and converted to the Christian faith.

Emperor Nero

After this significant meeting, Photinia (Svetlana) went to Carthage (North Africa) to preach Christianity there. Despite the persecution of the pagans, she did it openly, fearlessly and selflessly. When the apostles Paul and Peter were killed, Jesus appeared to her in a dream and ordered her to go to Rome, to the emperor Nero, in order to continue spiritual path predecessors. Together with five sisters, the ascetic set about fulfilling her mission. At that time, there were severe persecutions of Christians in Rome. Arriving at the palace, Photinia and her sisters were captured by the pagans. Nero ordered the women's hands to be cut off. But no matter how hard the guards tried, they could not do this, they themselves fell to the ground, writhing in pain. And those wounds that they managed to inflict on them immediately disappeared.

Temptation of Photinia

Then the cunning and arrogant Nero, not wanting to believe in Christ, decided to tempt Photinia and her companions. He settled her in the palace, regaled her with delicious, delicious dishes, surrounded by a hundred slaves for service. The emperor's daughter, Domina, was also there. Forty days later, he visited Photinia and was very surprised when he learned that all the slaves around her, including his daughter, had converted to Christianity.

Enraged, Nero ordered that Photinia be skinned and then thrown into a dry well. The same fate befell the sisters of the martyr. A few days later, Photinia was taken out of the well, she was still alive and did not give up her faith. Then she was locked up in a dungeon for another 20 days. And again, Nero summoned her to his palace, but even then he did not get her to bow down and accept paganism. Photinia just laughed and spat in his face. Then they threw her back into the well.

So I finished my earthly life Martyr Photinia. The saint did not renounce Christ before her death, striking the pagans with miracles of prayer. She was numbered among the holy great martyrs, who still patronize the needy and those who doubt their faith.

The gospel narrative of the meeting of the Savior and Photinia was reflected more than once in fine arts. Examples are a fresco in the church house of Dura Europos, made around the 3rd century (only the figure of a Samaritan woman has survived to this day), and a mosaic in the Ravenna church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo (approximately the 6th century).

The memory of Saint Svetlana lives on in icon painting. The most ancient icons depicting a martyr date back to the 19th century. It is believed that her images help people to strengthen their spirit, overcome the temptations of sin, and gain firmness of faith, which Fotinia once brought to the Samaritans. Her icon patronizes not only women named Svetlana, but also all those who suffer.

Saint Svetlana protects the spiritual and physical health. Her image in the house is a pledge strong family, well-being and understanding between generations, protection from evil intentions and deeds.

Christian traditions claim that when meeting with the Savior Photinia, the saint received power over the water element. Therefore, she managed to survive when she was thrown into the well by the Roman pagans, and heal people with a fever. Saint Svetlana helps people with a similar illness.

Photinia had two sons - Josius (Joseph) and Victor. The first helped his mother in preaching the Gospel, the second was the Roman military commander. They also had deprivations and temptations of faith in their lives. However, the wise guidance and prayer of the mother helped them overcome all this. Today, turning with sincere faith to the image of the Great Martyr, many mothers find consolation and resolution of problems with their children. Saint Photinia (prayer to her inspires believers, gives confidence in own forces) teaches not to be afraid of difficulties. Therefore, you can turn to her with a prayer not only on the days of memory, but every day:

“Pray to God for me, holy saint of God, great martyr Photinia, as I diligently resort to you, an ambulance and prayer book for my soul.”

Miracles of Healing

There are cases when appeals to the image of Photinia helped to recover from serious diseases of the skin, the musculoskeletal system, and beat the fever. Today, her image reminds believers that you need to do good and believe with all your heart, despite all trials.

When the Roman executioners tortured the martyr, thanks to the power of prayer, she remained unharmed, her wounds healed quickly and without a trace. With her life, Saint Photinia proved that miracles are possible when you believe in them and work them yourself with the power of faith.

Holy places

The biblical story about the meeting of Christ and the Samaritan Photinia has a real geographical confirmation. In Israel, one of the most beautiful and picturesque places that attracts thousands of pilgrims is the Well of Jacob (Jacob). Next to it is an ancient temple, which was destroyed three times and rebuilt again. The well itself reaches 40 meters in depth. The water from it is considered healing.

The relics of Photinia the Samaritan woman are kept on the island of Crete, in the village of Fodele, in the convent named after the Great Martyr. Streams of pilgrims annually come here to strengthen their faith and ask for help in resolving spiritual problems.

On the territory of the CIS there are many temples of St. Photinia, where her Christian deed is revered and miraculous images are located. One of these is the Church of the Great Martyr in Dnepropetrovsk.

Photinia Palestine

In Christian sources, there is a story about another ascetic of faith with the name Photinia (angel's day - February 26, according to a new style). She was originally from Caesarea, therefore she received the prefix Palestinian. During a storm, the ship on which she sailed with other passengers was wrecked. Clinging to the plank, Photinia was the only one to escape and swim to the island, where Blessed Martinian was in prayer and fasting. He converted a woman to the Christian faith, and he left the island. Three times a year, a ship came to the island and brought food. Photinia of Palestine remained to live on the rock and continued the asceticism of Martinian. For six years she remained in fasting and prayer, and then she died and was buried in her native Caesarea.

Saint Photinia (her life dates back to the 5th century) helps people gain faith, improve their mental and physical health, and also patronizes sailors.

Photinia of Cyprus

There is another legend about Photinia of Cyprus. Her life dates back to about the 15th century. She was born in Karpasia (eastern part of Cyprus) in a pious family. In her youth, she decided to become the bride of Christ and left her father's house. Photinia settled in a cave, indulging in fasting and prayers. Soon the virgin was filled with the grace of God and began to perform miracles of healing. The news of this spread throughout the island and beyond. Many Christians turned to her for advice and to maintain spiritual strength.

Today, the cave where St. Photinia once labored is a place of pilgrimage. There is an altar and a deep spring in it, the liturgy is read. Every new moon, water rises in the spring with a thin film of sand. It is believed that water grants healing from many diseases, and sand is smeared on the eyes of the blind for insight. The cave is located near the Cypriot village of Agios Andronikos. And the relics of the ascetic herself are placed in the temple of the Apostle Andrew. The day of memory of the saint falls on August 2 (according to the new style).

Thus, there are three days a year when all Svetlanas celebrate name days. But this is not an ordinary holiday, but a day of memory of the patron saint, deep in the spiritual sense. Here business is not limited to a feast and gifts. According to Christian tradition, on the day of St. Photinia-Svetlana, they go to church, confess, partake of the Holy Mysteries. They also turn with a grateful prayer to the Lord and the patroness.

Saint Photinia (of Samaritan) is also remembered on the fifth week after Pascha. At this time, the liturgy is read, thanksgiving and laudatory prayers are offered for the martyr's feat in the name of the Christian faith.

Day Angel. Heavenly patroness - Saint Photinia (Svetlana) Samaritan

On April 2, many Svetlanas (including myself) celebrate Angel Day. Our heavenly patroness - St. Photinia (Svetlana) Samaritan

laughing, she said no. Nero again ordered the martyr to be thrown into the well, where she gave her spirit to the Lord. Together with her, both of her sons, sisters and the martyr Domnina suffered for Christ.

sample and example. We cannot always exactly repeat the actions of a saint, we cannot always imitatively follow his path from earth to heaven. But from every saint we can learn two things. One thing is that by the power of grace we can achieve what seems humanly impossible: to become a man in the image and likeness of God, and in this darkened, tragic world, which lies in the power of lies, to be the word of truth, a sign of hope, confidence, that God can win if we only give God access to our souls and our lives. And the second thing the saints can teach us is to understand what their name tells us. The Samaritan woman speaks to us today about light. Christ said that He is the light of the world, the light that enlightens every person: and we are called to give shelter to this Light in our souls, in our minds and hearts, in our whole being, so that the word can be fulfilled and become a reality in us and through us, said by Christ: "Let your light shine before men, that, seeing your good works, they may glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Only by seeing how we live, only by our deeds can people believe that the light is the light of God; not according to our words - except that our words - are words of the same truth and power as the words of the apostles or even Christ Himself. So let's think about it

each of us will think about the meaning of our name and how we can become what we are called. The Samaritan woman did not come to the well for spiritual reasons: she simply came, as she came every day to draw water, and met Christ. Each of us people can meet Christ at every step of life,

for example, when we are busy with our daily activities, we need to get our hearts right if we are ready to meet Christ, receive blessings, hear—and ask questions. Because the Samaritan woman asked Christ questions: and what she heard in response exceeded her questions so much that she recognized Him as a prophet, and then recognized Him as Christ, the Savior of the world. But the light cannot be hidden under a bushel: having discovered that the Light has come into the world, that the word of Divine truth now sounds among people, that God is among us, the Samaritan woman left all earthly worries and rushed to share with others the joy, the amazement that she had found. First she told them why she believed, and when there might be curiosity, and perhaps the persuasive power of her words, and the change that they could see in herself, led them to Christ, they were convinced and themselves said to her: Now we believe, - people said this not because you told us, - now we ourselves have seen, we ourselves have heard. This is what the Samaritan woman teaches us all: that at every moment of our lives, in the most unpretentious pursuits, we should be so open to accept divine word, to be cleansed by His purity, to be enlightened by the Divine light and receive Him into the depths of our heart, to receive God with our whole life, so that people, seeing what we have become, can believe that the Light has come into the world. Let us pray to the Samaritan woman that she would teach us, lead us by the hand to Christ, as she herself came to Him, and serve Him as she served him, becoming the salvation of all who were around her.

my bridegroom, I love, / and seek you suffering, / and crucified and

I am buried in Your baptism, / and suffer for Your sake, / as if I would reign in You, and

I die for You, / yes, and I live with You: / but as an immaculate sacrifice, accept me with

offering love to You. / Toya with prayers, / as if merciful, save our souls.

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Photinia

torment strengthened and comforted. Having come to Rome and fearlessly confessing Christ, she was imprisoned in prison, and having endured many torments, she was thrown into the well, she gave her soul to the Lord. Hear us Saint Fotino, who shone with spiritual beauty and people unceasingly and incessantly, in prison and in cities, faith in Christ

teaching. Listen to us, looking at us sinners and by the grace of Christ, heal those who are ill with a fever, may the rain of sin not sprinkle them, but in the health of their souls and bodies they will not weakly spend their lives in good deeds and glorify the Lord of all, the Father of bounties, God the Merciful, in all ages. Amen.

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  May he always cover you with his wing.

  When does Sveta celebrate Orthodox name days?

  When is the day of the angel Svetlana celebrated? This question interests everyone who bears this beautiful name. And, of course, many who would like to congratulate the birthday girls from the bottom of their hearts and souls.

  What does the name Svetlana mean?

  And here's what. It is translated as “bright”, “pure”, “giving light to people”. That is, with positive energy, a good emotional charge. Great, isn't it? And it’s also wonderful because this is the only Russian personal name (feminine) that has its roots in Russian literature early XIX century.

  It was there that the name Svetlana was born. Some researchers argue that the Svetlanas owe the origin of their name to the ancient Slavic ancestors. But this is the opinion of a minority of experts, most scientists are opposed to the version that speaks of the Old Russian roots of the name.

  As a rule, Svetlanas are really very “bright” girls. In the sense of good-natured, sincere, sympathetic and open to people. But it is worth remembering that often the Lights can amaze with their rigidity, straightforwardness and even rudeness, commanding tone in communication with their neighbors. What is this paradox? Psychologists and experts studying the secrets of names note that most Svetlanas are unpredictable girls, in many ways paradoxical. And it is very difficult to understand when they will be soft and fluffy cats, and when they will be a lion raging in a cage.

  name day

  What date is the day of the bearers of this name celebrated?

  It's an angel's day for those who are named after Reverend Svetlana(Photinia) Palestinian (who lived in the 5th century). The day of the angel is also celebrated on April 2 (March 20, old style). It is celebrated by those named in honor of the martyr Svetlana (Fotina) of Samaria (this saint lived in the 1st century). There is one more date - November 16 (November 3, old style). This is the day of the angel for those girls whose heavenly patroness is the martyr Svetlana (Photinia).

  As you can see, Svetlana's name day is celebrated more than once. Therefore, it is important to know which saint you were named after.

  Many inquisitive people are interested in where such mysterious name Fotinia, if we are talking about Svetlana? According to the Orthodox church calendar, girls are named that way. That is, in the sacrament of baptism they receive precisely this name, which is unusual for the hearing of modern people.

  It is necessary to celebrate the name day with Svetlana or any other correctly. We are used to the fact that this is another holiday with a feast. And someone does not allocate this day at all, often without even knowing what calendar date it falls on.

  All this, of course, is in vain. After all, why is this day given to a person? To purify the soul, so that he can calmly look into himself and understand how much his life corresponds to the life of the saint in whose honor he is named. For example, Svetlana's name day. Let's see what qualities St. Photinia of Palestine possessed, whose memorial day, as noted earlier, falls on February 26 according to the new style. She led a strict ascetic life.

  Deciding to fully devote herself to God, she spent 6 years in exhausting fasting and unceasing prayer at a distance from people. And she reached such spiritual perfection that she no longer cared about cold, hunger, or need.

  She aspired to the heavenly kingdom, lived with the hope that after the earthly path she would get there, and a miracle happened. The Lord endowed her with the true qualities of a truly holy person: meekness, humility, love.

  Another saint - the martyr Photinia of Samaria (we also spoke about her earlier) - had no less worthy qualities. During the reign of Emperor Nero, Saint Photinia was seized by pagan guards for her faith. During interrogation by the cruel emperor, she was not afraid to confess the faith of Christ. For this, her hands were ordered to be cut off. Miraculously subjects of Nero could not do this.

  Wishing to destroy the saint at all costs, the ruler ordered Photinia to be skinned and the Christian woman to be thrown into a well. Having endured all the torments, but not betraying her faith, the saint ended her earthly life as a martyr.

  Celebrating once again the name day of Svetlana (Elena, Olga, Tatyana, etc.), let's think carefully: in what way are we at least a little similar to our saint? Have we come even a jot closer to that pure image that the heavenly intercessor shows us? Probably not. But if we think about it, then you can still rebuild your life. Isn't that why a name day was given to a person?

  Congratulations from the bottom of my heart

  How to congratulate Svetlan on angel's day? By tradition, a postcard is presented with a kind smile and pleasant words. Why do they celebrate birthdays in this way? Of course, you can add some present to this cute but pleasant trifle. For example, a set of Svetlana's favorite sweets. But the postcard, nevertheless, on Svetlana's name day (as well as on the day of the angel of any other person) will become the best gift, because in the words written in it, you can convey all the love, tenderness, affection that you feel for the birthday girl dear to your heart.

  By the way, in church shops or specialized stores you can quite easily find a personalized postcard. If you fail, select the option with the appropriate inscription (angel's day). The birthday girl will be pleased, because she will understand that you did not thoughtlessly buy the first card that came across in the nearest store, but spent time looking for a card that is completely consistent with the holiday.

  Yes, and be sure to write the words yourself. Let it be short congratulations, but written by you. After all, it is always more joyful to receive a postcard with living words from relatives, friends and relatives, and not just a piece of paper with a template printed verse.

At sea, during a storm, the ship was driven onto stones and smashed into chips. None of the passengers escaped, except for one girl, who managed to grab hold of the plank and swam to the rock where the blessed Martinian labored. He helped Svetlana (that was the name of the girl) to climb the rock. He told her about his life on the rock, about visiting him three times a year by a shipbuilder, blessed the maiden, left her bread and water and threw himself into the sea. The dolphins helped him reach the land.

Svetlana was left alone to accomplish her feat in the name of the Lord. After some time, a shipbuilder arrived, brought bread and water to Martinian, and found a woman on a rock. Svetlana told everything to the shipbuilder, she refused the offer of the shipbuilder to transport her to the city, and asked him to come with his wife and bring her men's clothing and wool for needlework.

The shipbuilder fulfilled her request, and Svetlana continued her ascetic life. She lived under open sky and day and night, and in the heat, and in the cold, and praised the Lord for her life.

Every day she offered twelve prayers to God, and every night she stood up for prayer twenty-four times. A pound of bread served her food for two days.

After six years of ascetic life on the island, Svetlana died. Already two months after her death, when the shipbuilder and his wife arrived at the appointed time, they found Blessed Svetlana dead forever. They buried Saint Svetlana in the city of Caesarea in Palestine.

Question: “A 6-year-old girl died, she was christened Svetlana. Is it really allowed now to baptize with your own name, and not Photinia, as before?

Answer: Questions related to the name at Baptism are asked quite often. The reason for this is some misunderstanding that exists among the parishioners. There is an opinion that at Baptism a person is given some kind of “secret, ecclesiastical” name, which should be called only in the Church. Of course it isn't. In the Sacrament of Baptism, there is the rite of giving a name, which the priest, in agreement with the parents, proclaims by laying his hand on the baby. The fact is that, according to the teachings of the Church, every Christian at his Baptism is approached by a guardian angel who has been present next to him all his life. However, there is a pious tradition according to which if a baby bears the name of one of the saints of God, already glorified in holiness, then in addition to the guardian angel, the heavenly patron, whose name he bears, will also help him in life. It is important to understand that the baby is not baptized "in the name" of this or that saint. Baptism can only be performed in the name of the Most Holy Trinity, as the Savior commanded us: “Go, make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). The presence of a heavenly patron does not arise “automatically”, this is not a “mechanical witchcraft action”. One must also turn to the saint whose name the baby bears, “get acquainted” with him, read his life, find out by what feat he was glorified in the host of God's saints. And be sure to pray to him. Of course, the saints are always ready to help us, but it is necessary that a person ask about it, say that he really needs help. For addressing the saints there are prayers, akathists, the Canons to the saints are especially good. And of course, there must be an icon of our heavenly patron, so that we know, see who we are addressing.

As for whether it is possible to give such names during Baptism that are not in the "Saints", then there are no strict canonical conciliar prohibitions on this. However, in our opinion, is it really bad if a newly baptized baby has a heavenly patron, an intercessor who can be turned to in difficult times for prayerful help and advice. It is only important that this appeal really be, and be conscious. Therefore, in the Russian Church (precisely in the Russian, in other Orthodox Churches, say, there is no such tradition in Georgian, Serbian, Greek), there is a centuries-old pious tradition to call the newly baptized those names that the saints bear. Therefore, at Baptism, priests usually follow this tradition.

Most often this question arises in connection with the Russian name "Svetlana". In our opinion, there is some confusion here. The name "Photinya" (Photinia, Fotina), Greek. Φωτεινή", is only a translation into Greek name Svetlana, or, rather, on the contrary, the name "Svetlana" is a translation from Greek into Russian of the name Fotinya. We believe that this is the same name, just pronounced on different languages, not different names. Church Tradition informs us that this name was borne by the Samaritan woman, with whom the Savior spoke at the well, (John 4:4-42). Since ancient times, she was commemorated as Photinia, then in the 19th century the name was transferred and “Svetlana” appeared, but this is the same name. Now in publishing church calendars this discrepancy has been eliminated, and this is how it is indicated: “Photina (Svetlana) Samaritan of Rome” or “Svetlana (Photina, Photinia) of Palestine”. Therefore, you can commemorate with this and that, we repeat, this is the same name.

In general, indulging in excessive reasoning on the topic “how to remember correctly, how to write, where to put a full stop, etc.” we thereby express implicit distrust of God and our Holy Church. The Lord knows all our names, everything about us, sinners, “your hair on your head is all numbered;” (Mt 10:30), this is what the Savior says. Therefore, God bless all our Svetlanas, Fotiny, Fotin, the living and the dead!

Priest Mikhail Makarov

Among many female names, there is also the name of Slavic origin Svetlana, which means bright and pure. Svetlana's name day Orthodox calendar marked twice. February 26 (13) is the day of remembrance of the Monk Photina (Svetlana of Palestine) and April 2 (March 20) of the Monk Martyr Photina (Svetlana) of the Samaritan of Rome.

Name day of Svetlana. The lives of the saints

The life story of these two saints is amazing. According to the Gospel, the venerable martyr Photina once talked with Jesus, who met her near the well of Jacob.

When celebrating Svetlana's name day, it is necessary to know the history of the saints with this name, who devoted their lives to serving faith in Christ.

Photina lived in Carthage with her younger son Josiah, and there she preached the Word of God. At the same time, her eldest son Victor was in the Roman army and fought against the barbarians. For good service, he was sent as a military leader to Attalia, a city in Asia Minor, where he converted the city governor, Saint Sebastian, and his servants to his faith.

Venerable Martyr Photina of Rome

These rumors reached the emperor Nero, at that time there were terrible persecutions of Christians, and then he ordered these Christian preachers to be delivered to him in Rome. But the Lord himself appeared to his people and said: "I will not leave you, Nero will be defeated, and all who serve him."

Saint Photina was also informed by the Savior that they would have to accept martyrdom in the name of faith. She joined the holy preachers and went with them to Rome. There the emperor ordered them to renounce the Christian faith, but they did not. Then it was ordered to crush their hands, but the holy people did not feel pain, and Fotina's hands were not injured. Next, Nero ordered that Saints Sebastian and Josiah be blinded and thrown into the prison cellar. And Saint Photina, together with her sisters, of whom there were five, should be sent under the supervision of their daughter Domnina to imperial palace. Saint Photina converted Domnina and her servants to the faith in Christ, as well as a servant who brought them a poisoned drink.

Three years later, Nero remembered the holy martyrs blinded by him and sent servants after them, who, returning, told that they were alive and well and continued to preach Christ even in prison. As soon as Nero tormented the saints, they remained alive, as a result, their legs were cut off, they skinned them from the living and threw them into the well. The sisters of Fotina were also prepared for martyrdom.

Saint Photina was also flayed and thrown into a well, then they dragged her out of there and kept her in prison for 20 days. Nero thought that after such terrible tortures she would renounce Christ and sacrifice to idols, but she refused, and therefore again ended up in the well, where she died. It was somewhere in the 66th year.

Svetlana's name day according to the church calendar

The story of St. Photina (Svetlana) of Palestine also surprises and delights. It all started with the Monk Martinian, who from the age of 18 lived in the desert near the city of Caesarea in Palestine. For 25 years he lived in an ascetic feat and complete silence, but the enemy sent him all sorts of temptations. Once a woman came to seduce him at night, disguised as a wanderer, but the saint did not succumb to temptation. This woman eventually repented and became a nun at the monastery of St. Paula, her name was Zoya.

Venerable Photina of Palestine

After this incident, Saint Martinian began to live on a rocky desert island. The shipwright brought him food. Once, during a storm, the waves carried the wreckage of the ship and the maiden Photinia to the shore. The hermit monk left bread and water for the girl and asked her to wait for the shipman, while he swam across the sea, and two dolphins helped him to swim to land. Since then he has been wandering.

And blessed Photinia did not want to leave the island, took upon herself the ascetic feat and lived there for 6 years, where she died. The shipbuilder, who brought her food, found her. He transferred her body to Caesarea of ​​Palestine, where she was buried with honor. The name day of Svetlana (St. Photinia of Palestine) and Zoya are celebrated on the same day - April 2 (March 20).