Martyr Photinia (Svetlana) Samaritan. Reverend Photinia (Svetlana)

The name Svetlana is considered unique, the origin of which is still ongoing debate. Previously it was thought that church name Svetlana means "bright". Scientists have expressed an opinion about the ancient Greek origin of this name. But this version did not find its confirmation. The name Svetlana was first mentioned in the poem "Svetlana and Mstislav" by A. Kh. Vostokov, which was written in 1802. Some time later, Svetlana's name day was included in the Orthodox calendar.

Patron Saints and Angel Day

Svetlana according to the church - Photinia (Fotina, Fatinia). The patroness of all Svetlana was Photinia of Palestine. Her path to faith began with a shipwreck in which only she could survive. Then the waves washed this girl to the island where the blessed Martinian lived. It was he who told Svetlana that he had been living on this island all alone for many years, but three times a year a shipbuilder came to him, who brought provisions. After this story, he blessed Svetlana, and he himself threw himself into the sea, where he was picked up by dolphins and was able to get to the shore with their help.

After some time, a sailor sailed to the island, but the girl refused to return to the world, after which she devoted all her time to prayers. After 6 years, she died, which was discovered by a shipbuilder who once again arrived on the island. The Monk Samaritan and Great Martyr Svetlana was buried in Caesarea of ​​Palestine, where on January 10, 1991 a temple was erected in her honor.

In Orthodoxy, the righteous turn to the icon of St. Svetlana with any problems of life, praying for well-being and health. Akathists in Latin are also dedicated to her.

According to saints name day at Svetlana's church calendar are celebrated three times a year according to the following biblical numbers:

• February 26th.
• 2 April.
• November 16th.

If the child was born approximately on these Orthodox dates with a slight difference in days, then he must be given the name Svetlana at baptism.

Name characteristic

Svetlana are responsible independent individuals who are used to relying only on themselves. All the energy of this name is literally saturated with mobility, lightness, emotionality and fun. That is probably why it remains very popular among the Slavic peoples.

In their lives, these women are distinguished by sociability and goodwill, they adore cheerful noisy companies and new acquaintances. The lights fully justify their bright name, as they are unenvious and unforgiving personalities who can easily find mutual language absolutely with any opponent. They do not have any special stamina of character, nor the ability to complete the work they have begun, however, thanks to self-confidence, such women manage to convince the people around them that they have the qualities that they lack.

Kindness and authority can be traced in the character, inability to make decisions and perseverance, altruism and high self-esteem. The generosity and friendliness of such women does not prevent them from being a commander and leader, as well as firmly defending their opinions. Positive traits Svetlana are more pronounced than negative ones. They know how to ignore someone's public opinion, they even like it when people talk about them.

Lights are always quite difficult to cope with their emotions, they are very temperamental personalities. Their authority coexists perfectly with quickness. That is why it is easy to communicate with such women, even if they are in a bad mood.

If necessary, such individuals can easily change their lives, reconsider their priorities and views. Lights easily take on faith everything said by other people.

Fate is not always favorable to Svetlana, but a flexible psyche and good adaptability allow such women to endure setbacks.

They quite often need support, but they do not know how to ask for help at all, by nature they do not have sufficient determination to achieve some lofty goal that women set for themselves. Lights start to panic at the first difficulties, but it is not in their nature to ask for help. The indecision of these women makes them go with the flow, as well as follow a well-trodden path.

Despite all the absurdity of character, Svetlanas know how to make friends completely devotedly and disinterestedly. It is always cozy and light next to such people, and the wisdom that necessarily comes to them with age only enhances the attractiveness of women for communication. In such personalities there has never been and never will be self-interest and impudence.

Childhood and youth of Sveta

Little girls are mother's first helpers., they enjoy washing dishes, helping to cook and babysitting younger sisters and brothers. Lights are cheerful and sociable, they easily join any children's team.

They love to command and are always in the spotlight, but they lack self-confidence. They study well at school, as they have a good memory, but their knowledge is very superficial and limited by the information of textbooks. Parents need to instill in their daughters a love of reading from an early age, then diversified personalities grow out of them.

These girls have a very plastic psyche., therefore, what values ​​will be laid in them by their parents and teachers in childhood, those will be the main ones for them. it is necessary to develop purposefulness in Svetlanas, otherwise, having become older, they will not want to study or work.

However, a strict upbringing is not suitable for the Lights, since in this case the volcanic sides of the girl's character may appear. After years of restraining emotions and feelings, they can be transmitted with a vengeance in the form of wild life and fun. Therefore, parents need to find a middle ground.

Health and sexuality

The main thing for such women - their moral and psychological state. They may often have a headache, especially when Svetlanas are very nervous. These individuals need to observe the daily routine, get enough sleep, otherwise migraine attacks may intensify.

Svetlanas always feel better in the company of men with whom they easily find a common language. These individuals have a superficial attitude to life, so they do not have any clear criteria for choosing a partner. If a woman likes a man, then she can easily agree to have sex.

At first glance, such natures may seem unapproachable and cold, but in fact they are terribly romantic and sensitive to signs of attention. Life without a man for Svetlana is aimless, they definitely need the person who will love.

Despite all this, sex does not play any important role in a woman's life. It will be much more important for her to find a spiritual connection, the ability of a man to provide and protect his woman. If the partner is passionate and gentle, then Svetlana will literally become clay in his hands, from which a man can mold a sensual woman.

Marriage and Compatibility

The spouse they choose carefully. For such women, early marriage is not typical, they are waiting for their prince for a long time, and they rarely make mistakes in their choice.

Home, children and family happiness - this is where Svetlana can find herself. They can leave their jobs without regret and devote themselves entirely to their families. They have been given an amazing ability to adapt to people, so Svetlana's husband will feel happy, since he will not have to change his habits.

Svetlanas are ready to let their spouse solve all financial problems, as well as all other life tasks. If a woman at the same time is forced to deal with all matters herself, then she will be unhappy in marriage. These individuals will gladly give the palm to the man, but will try to keep all affairs under their own tacit control.

Such women will provide maximum comfort and coziness to their children, all their actions will be subordinated to the interests of their children and husband. However, Svetlanas do not know how to spend money rationally, preferring to live only one day.

A successful marriage can develop with men named:

• Vladimir;
• Vadim;
• Boris;
• Oleg;
• Basil;
• Peter;
• Alexei;
• Edward;
• Yuri.

Career and business

Throughout their lives, such women can change many jobs and professions until they find what they really like. They are industrious by nature., so they rarely reach any career heights. In addition, Svetlanas do not like to study, they often do not have a higher education.

They can make a good cook, salesman, bartender, administrator, waitress, operator, manager or copywriter. In addition, Svetlana - creative people, therefore, they can choose art, culture or music as their field of activity. With age, these individuals can engage in self-education, especially if the chosen business fascinates them.

Since these women are very fond of showing themselves as authoritarian and powerful individuals, they are quite handle leadership positions. But they will make a bad businessman. Svetlanas do not know how to bring all the things they have started to the end, they do not know how to make profitable deals.

Most often, these natures simply go with the flow, while not being too puzzled by building a career and business. These are people of mood, and a momentary impulse can make them radically change their place of work.

Talismans for good luck

Neptune and Mercury are the ruling planets.

The patronizing sign of the zodiac for Svetlana is Aquarius. If a girl who was born under this constellation is called Svetlana, then she will be naturally endowed with talents and abilities.

Winter is considered a good time of the year, and Saturday is considered a good day of the week.

Lucky colors for Svetlana are green, blue, red and brown.

totem plant: lily and birch. Birch is considered a symbol of innocence and beauty, it guards the gates that open the way to heaven. According to Christian traditions, the lily is an integral attribute of the Virgin Mary, it symbolizes the 3 main Christian virtues: mercy, hope and faith.

The main totem animal is the hare. The hare is considered a controversial symbol, which means, on the one hand, the fertility of love, and on the other hand, cowardice and licentiousness. The Slavs believed that this animal goes to its goal by cunning and deceit, but at the same time, the hare lying at the feet of the Virgin Mary is a symbol of victory over lust.

The talisman stone for Svetlana is black opal and rock crystal.

Short congratulations in verse

To congratulate Tatyana, you can use the following cool short verses for a postcard or SMS, which can be diversified with some picture with a guardian angel in a church style.

Verse 1:

May fate bless you generously

So that with a cool and fair wind

You walked your life path

Light, do not regret anything!

Verse 2:

Congratulations, Sveta, on your day!

Let it not get in your way

Evil people, obstacles and pain.

Be strong, iron will to you!

The name Photinia is ancient, with ancient Greek roots. It is the feminine form of Photin. It has a modern, more common version - Svetlana. The origin of the name is connected with the ancient Greek word "phos", which means "light" or "foteinos", which translates as "bright". In its original form, it is practically not used.

Character traits

The secret of the name Photinia hides a woman with an idealistic worldview, which makes her be quite demanding of others. Irreconcilable to other people's shortcomings, she believes that everything around must be perfect. If he understands that this is not the case and someone does not meet the far-fetched standard, he becomes very upset, up to disappointment.

The character of Photinia is open, but very controversial. Along with self-sacrifice and good nature, sometimes cruelty is manifested in him. And it's all just a misunderstanding. The meaning of the name is embodied in love and care for others. She can be a good and loyal friend, able to help in any difficult moment. But this girl is so addicted to the problems of others that she becomes somewhat obsessive in her custody. As a result, it causes alienation from others.

The characterization of the name Photinia reveals a smart and pragmatic personality, but not able to analyze clearly and deeply enough various situations. She treats the problems that have arisen superficially, often without delving into their essence. Nonetheless, leadership qualities can't be taken away from her.

Positive character traits are goodwill, restraint, curiosity. She looks after her appearance, loves jewelry, but for her the main thing is not to overdo it. Of its negative qualities, one can distinguish captiousness, indifference, selfishness.

Interests and hobbies

Photinia loves to communicate with her friends, she devotes almost half of her life to them. Keeping a close eye on everyone fashion trends. Shopping is an exciting pastime for this lady. She also loves spa treatments that allow her to always look her best.

Profession and business

Hardworking, responsible Photinia is able to achieve high results in her professional activity. The main thing for her is to overcome her vanity. The variability and duplicity inherent in the nature of this woman allow her to easily change her place of work if all interest is lost in her. When choosing a profession, you need to pay attention to those that are associated with communication. In this case, success in business is guaranteed.

Health

Excessive concern for others causes a girl with this name to experience frequent worries and worries. It is fraught with frustration nervous system. You need to control your emotions, and then everything will be in order.

Sex and love

Photinia dreams of beautiful love. She is capable of great feelings, passionate and sexy. But the chosen one must fully comply with her ideal of beauty and perfection, including the character and characteristics of his personality. If this does not happen, the feelings quickly fade away.

Family and marriage

For Photinia, it is very important that her life partner be like-minded and at the same time as romantic as she is. Sacrifice for the good of love and her ideals, for which this woman is always ready, must necessarily have a response. Otherwise, there is no trace of her feelings. Family, children - the main thing in life for her. There is enough care for everyone. She is a wonderful housewife, faithful wife and loving mother.

Miraculous words: Martyr Photinia prayer in full description from all the sources we found.

Oh, holy martyr Photina! Immensely inspired by love for Christ, courage, patience and great strength with the sisters, sons and enlightened by you are with you. She boldly preached the gospel of Christ, and appearing to you and to everyone who was with you, Christ, and strengthened and comforted everyone for the coming torment. Having come to Rome and fearlessly confessing Christ, the former was imprisoned, and having endured many torments, she was thrown into the well, and she betrayed her soul to the Lord.

Hear us, Saint Photinia, who shone with spiritual beauty and unceasingly and unceasingly, in prison and in cities, teaching faith in Christ. 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 unremittingly spend their lives in good deeds and glorify the Lord of all, the Father of bounty, God the Merciful, in all ages. Amen.

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Prayer of St. Photinia of Palestine

Saint Photinia of Palestine patronizes women bearing the name Svetlana. They turn to her in all sorts of everyday needs: illnesses, family troubles, adverse material circumstances, when there is no livelihood at all, before a trip - the saint helps to avoid problems along the way. Travelers who go to rest on the sea order a Photinia prayer service so that trouble does not happen on the water.

The nominal icon of Saint Svetlana is always an appropriate gift for women who bear this airy name. Especially the image made of beads. In the fire of a candle or in overflows sunlight the image on the icon becomes especially charming.

Prayer of St. Photinia

Oh, Holy Martyr Fotino. Immensely inspired by love for Christ, you showed courage, patience and great strength with your sisters, sons and those who were enlightened by you.

She boldly preached the gospel of Christ, and appearing to you and to everyone who was with you, Christ, and strengthened and comforted everyone for the coming torment.

Having come to Rome and fearlessly confessing Christ, she was imprisoned in prison, and having endured many torments, she was thrown into a well, she gave her soul to the Lord.

Hear us Saint Fotino, who shone with spiritual beauty and unceasingly and incessantly, in prison and in cities, teaching faith in Christ.

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.

Venerable Photinia of Palestine

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Holy Martyr Photinia

The Holy Martyr Photinia (Svetlana) was the same Samaritan woman with whom the Savior spoke at the well of Jacob. During the time of the emperor Nero in Rome, in the year 65, who showed extreme cruelty in the fight against Christianity, Saint Photina lived with her children in Carthage and fearlessly preached the Gospel there. In 2004, with the blessing of Bishop Philip of Poltava, a particle of the relics of this holy martyr was transferred to our church.

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Photinia

 Oh, Holy Martyr Fotino. Immensely inspired by love for Christ, you showed courage, patience and great strength with your sisters, sons and those who were enlightened by you. She boldly preached the gospel of Christ, and appearing to you and to everyone who was with you, Christ, and strengthened and comforted everyone for the coming torment. Having come to Rome and fearlessly confessing Christ, she was imprisoned in prison, and having endured many torments, she was thrown into a well, she gave her soul to the Lord. Hear us Saint Fotino, who shone with spiritual beauty and unceasingly and incessantly, in prison and in cities, teaching faith in Christ. 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.

Troparion to the martyr, tone 4

Your Lamb, Jesus, Photinia, calls with a great voice: I love you, my bridegroom, and I seek you, I suffer, and I am crucified, and I am buried by Your baptism, and I suffer for Your sake, as if I reign in You, and I die for You, yes and I live with Thee: but, as an immaculate sacrifice, accept me, with love sacrificed to Thee. Toya, with prayers, as if merciful, save our souls.

Kontakion to the martyr, tone 2

Your temple is all honest, as if you have found spiritual healing, all faithfully loudly cry out to you: the virgin martyr Photinia, great-named, pray unceasingly to Christ God for all of us.

Magnification of the martyr

We magnify you, the passion-bearer of Christ Photinia, and we honor your honest suffering, which you suffered for Christ.

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 Photina, 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.

Martyr Fotina (Svetlana)

Samaritan ( Samaritan, Roman)

The Holy Martyr Photina was the same Samaritan woman with whom the Savior spoke at the well of Jacob (John 4:5-42).

During the time of Emperor Nero (54-68), who displayed extreme cruelty in the fight against Christianity, Saint Photina lived in Carthage with her youngest son Josiah and fearlessly preached the Gospel there. Her eldest son Victor bravely fought in the Roman troops against the barbarians and for his services was appointed commander in the city of Attalia (Asia Minor).

Sebastian, the mayor of Attalia, at a meeting with Saint Victor, said to him: “I know for sure that you, your mother and your brother are followers of the teachings of Christ. But I advise you in a friendly way - obey the will of the emperor, for this you will receive the property of the Christians whom you deliver to us. I will write to your mother and brother not to preach Christ openly. Let them secretly confess their faith.” Saint Victor replied: "I myself want to be a preacher of Christianity, like my mother and brother." To this, Sebastian replied: “O Victor, we all know well what disasters await you, your mother and your brother.” After these words, Sebastian suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes, his face changed and became numb.

For three days he lay blind, without uttering a word. On the fourth day, unexpectedly, he loudly said: “Only the faith of Christians is true, there is no other true faith!” Sebastian said to Saint Victor, who was nearby, “Christ is calling me.” Soon he was baptized and immediately received his sight. The servants of Saint Sebastian, witnesses of the miracle, were baptized following the example of their master.

Rumors about what had happened reached Nero, and he ordered the Christians to be brought to him for judgment in Rome. Then the Lord Himself appeared to the confessors and said: "I will be with you, and Nero will be defeated, and all who serve him." The Lord proclaimed to Saint Victor: “From this day on, your name will be Fotin - “Light-bearing”, for many, enlightened by you, will turn to Me.” The Lord encouraged St. Sebastian: “Blessed is he who completes his feat to the end.” Saint Photina, informed by the Savior of the coming sufferings, accompanied by several Christians, set off from Carthage to Rome and joined the confessors.

In Rome, the emperor ordered the saints to be brought to him and asked them if they really believed in Christ. All the confessors resolutely refused to deny the Savior. Then the emperor ordered that the hands of the holy martyrs be crushed on an anvil. But during the torture, the confessors did not feel pain, and the hands of the martyr Photina remained unharmed. Nero ordered Saints Sebastian, Photina and Josiah to be blinded and imprisoned, and Saint Photina with her five sisters - Anastasia, Photo, Photis, Paraskeva and Kyriakia - were sent to imperial palace under the supervision of Nero's daughter Domnina. But Saint Photina converted Domnina and all her slave girls to Christ, who accepted holy baptism. She also converted the sorcerer to Christ, who brought a poisoned drink to kill the confessors.

Three years passed, and Nero sent to prison for one of his servants, who were imprisoned. The messengers informed him that Saints Sebastian, Photin and Josiah, who were blinded, became completely healthy, and they are constantly visited by people who listen to their sermon; the dungeon itself turned into a bright and fragrant place where God is glorified. Then Nero ordered the saints to be crucified upside down and beat them on their naked bodies with straps for three days. On the fourth day, the emperor sent servants to see if the martyrs were still alive. But, having arrived at the place of torture, those sent immediately went blind. At this time, the Angel of the Lord freed the martyrs and healed them. The saints took pity on the blinded servants and by their prayers to the Lord restored their sight. Those who received their sight believed in Christ and were soon baptized.

In impotent fury, Nero ordered that Saint Photina be skinned and thrown into a well. Martyrs Sebastian, Photin and Josiah had their shins cut off, thrown to the dogs, and then skinned from them. The sisters of Saint Photina also endured terrible torments. Nero ordered that their nipples be cut off and then skinned. Sophisticated in cruelty, the emperor prepared cruelest execution Saint Photis: they tied her by her feet to the tops of two bent trees, which, straightening up, tore the martyr apart. The emperor ordered the rest to be beheaded. Saint Photina was pulled out of the well and imprisoned for 20 days.

After that, Nero called her to him and asked if she would now submit and make sacrifices to idols. Saint Photina spat in the emperor's face and, laughing at him, said: “The most impious blind man, the deluded and insane person! Do you really think me so foolish that I would agree to renounce my Lord Christ and sacrifice to blind idols like you?!”

Hearing such words, Nero again ordered the martyr to be thrown into the well, where she gave her spirit to the Lord.

The well of Jacob, where Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman, is still located southeast of Shechem or Nablus, at the foot of Mount Gerizim.

A Greek was erected over the well Orthodox church St. Photina of Samaria.

Memorial Day of St. Photina, her sons the martyrs Victor, named Photin, and Josiah; and sisters of the martyrs: Anatolia, Fota, Photis, Paraskeva, Kyriakia, Domnina and the martyr Sebastian Orthodox Church celebrates March 20/April 2.

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Photina

Oh, holy martyr Fotino! Immensely inspired by love for Christ, you showed courage, patience and great strength with your sisters, sons and those who were enlightened by you. She boldly preached the gospel of Christ, and appearing to you and to everyone who was with you, Christ, and strengthened and comforted everyone for the coming torment. Having come to Rome and fearlessly confessing Christ, the former was imprisoned, and having endured many torments, she was thrown into the well, and she betrayed her soul to the Lord. Hear us, Saint Fotino, who shone with spiritual beauty and unceasingly and incessantly, in prison and in cities, teaching faith in Christ. 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 unremittingly spend their lives in good deeds and glorify the Lord of all, the Father of bounty, God the Merciful, in all ages. Amen.

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 its 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 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 Just at that moment a young woman approached. It was Photinia - 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 the 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 Peter was also killed, Jesus appeared to her in a dream and ordered her to go to Rome, to the emperor Nero, in order to continue the spiritual path of her 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. There was also the daughter of the emperor - Domina. 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.

This is how the martyr Photinia ended her earthly life. 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.

Icon

The gospel story about the meeting of the Savior and Photinia has been reflected in the visual arts more than once. 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 Her image in the house - a guarantee of a 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.

Prayer

Photinia had two sons - Joses (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 their own abilities) 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 Photina, 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 remembrance 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.

Saint Photina (Greek Photinia), originally a Samaritan woman, wife at first of a disorderly life and superstitious, and later - a blessed holy ascetic and preacher of the true faith.

The Gospel tells us how the Lord Jesus Christ once came to the city of Samaria, called Sychar, where there was a well given by Jacob to his son Joseph and his descendants. Tired from the journey, the Lord providentially sat down to rest by the well, while His disciples went to the city to buy food. At this time, a certain woman came from the city for water. The Lord asked her to give Him something to drink. The woman was surprised at the request, since the Jews had never communicated with the Samaritans.

Jesus said to her, "If you knew Who is speaking to you, you yourself would ask Him for a drink, and He would give you living water." The Samaritan woman was even more surprised: how could Jesus give living water, without even drawing it?

The Lord answered her that water drinkers from the well they will thirst again, and the water that He will give will become a fountain of eternal life. By living water the Lord meant His life-giving teaching, which leads to eternal bliss in the Kingdom of God.

The Lord, knowing that the Samaritan woman cohabits with a certain husband secretly, in sin, but has an ardent faith in God and a firm expectation of the coming of the Messiah, gradually revealed to her that He, speaking to her, is the expected Christ.

The Gospel does not tell us the name of the Samaritan woman, but the Tradition of the Church has preserved it, and we call her in Greek Photinia, in Russian Svetlana, in Celtic languages ​​Fiona, in other Western languages ​​Claire. And all these names tell us about one thing: about light. Having met the Lord Jesus Christ, she became a light shining in the world, a light that enlightened those who met her.

The blessed Samaritan woman herself, who was worthy to converse with the Lord, suffered for Christ along with her sons and sisters during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Nero. This fierce persecution lasted from 65 to 68, and during it the holy apostles Peter and Paul suffered in Rome, and the tormentors then began to look for all their followers. At that time, Saint Photina lived in the city of Carthage (now the city of Tunisia), where she fearlessly preached the Gospel with her youngest son Josiah. Meanwhile, the eldest son of Photina, named Victor, courageously fought in the war that the barbarians were waging with the Romans at that time, and at the end of the war, by order of the emperor, he was appointed commander of the troops in the city of Attalia in order to torture the Christians who were there. When the ruler of the city, Sebastian, found out about this, he said to Victor:

Governor, I know for sure that you are a Christian and that your mother and your brother Josiah are followers of Peter, and therefore you will not fulfill what the emperor commanded you for fear of ruining your soul.

I am burning with the desire to fulfill the will of the heavenly and immortal King, Christ, our God, - Victor answered this, - and I neglect the command of Nero to torture Christians.

Then Sebastian said to Victor:

As a sincere friend, I advise you: obey the will of the emperor. After all, if you begin to fulfill the royal command with due diligence and subject the Christians you manage to find to judicial interrogation and torment, then you will do what pleases the emperor and acquire their property for yourself, and inform your mother and brother by letter from yourself so that they do not they went so openly and did not incline the pagans to renounce their fatherly beliefs, but let them secretly confess their faith in Christ your God, if they wish that you, because of them, would not be subjected to the same torments with them.

I will never do this,” Victor replied, “and not only will I not do it, but I don’t even want to think about subjecting Christians to torture or forcibly taking anything from them or advising my mother and brother not to preach that Christ is the true God, but I myself want with all my soul to be a preacher of Christ and I will be him just like they are.

To this Sebastian said to him:

Oh Victor! We all know well what disasters await you, your mother and your brother.

After these words, Sebastian's face suddenly flared up, and he fell to the ground from a sharp and cruel pain in his eyes, and he completely lost the ability to speak. The servants who were at the same time picked him up and laid him on a bed, and he lay for three days without saying a single word. After three days, he cried out with a loud voice and said:

One christian god there is true God, one Christian faith is true faith, and one is baptism, - baptism in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is no other true faith but the Christian faith.

Entering Sebastian, Victor asked him:

Why did such a change take place in you so suddenly?

Dear Victor, - Sebastian answered, - your Christ calls me to Himself.

Victor instructed him in the faith, and he received holy baptism. Coming out of the font, he suddenly received his sight and glorified God.

Soon after this, Nero heard a rumor that Victor, the commander of the troops in Attalia and the ruler of this city, Sebastian, professed the faith of Peter and Paul and attracted everyone to him, persuading them to follow their sermons, and also that the same the mother of Victor Fotin and her son Josiah, sent to Carthage by the Apostles, also do. Upon learning of this, the emperor was inflamed with anger and sent soldiers to Attalia so that they would bring to him for judgment the Christians who were in this city, men and women. At this time, Christ appeared to the Christians of Attalia and said to them: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mat. 11:28). I will be with you, and Nero will be defeated, as well as those who are with him.

He said to Victor:

From this day on, Photin will be your name, as many, enlightened by you, will turn to Me.

Christ fortified Sebastian for the coming sufferings with these words:

Blessed is he who accomplishes his feat to the end.

The Lord said these words and ascended into heaven.

Saint Photina was also informed by Christ of the sufferings awaiting her, and immediately, accompanied by many Christians, set off from Carthage to Rome. When she entered Rome, the whole city began to move, and everyone said: “Who is this?” She fearlessly preached the gospel of Christ. Meanwhile, her son Photin, who formerly bore the name of Victor, was also brought to Rome, along with Sebastian and the soldiers taken with them, but Saint Photina warned Victor, before he appeared to Nero with her son Josiah and the Christians who had come with her from Carthage. Nero asked the saint:

Why did you come to us?

In order, - answered Fotina, - to teach you to honor Christ.

At this time, those who were with the emperor said to him:

The mayor Sebastian and governor Victor, who do not believe in gods, came from Attalia.

Let them bring them to me,” Nero commanded. And when they were brought, he asked them:

Is what I heard about you true?

All that you have heard about us, king, they answered, is the true truth.

Then Nero, turning to the holy women, asked them:

Are you willing to deny your Christ, or are you willing to die for Him?

Oh king! - answered the holy women, turning their eyes to heaven, - it will never happen that we renounce faith in Christ and from the love that we have for Him.

What about your names? the emperor asked.

I, - Saint Photina answered, - from Christ, my God, received the name Photina, my sisters are called like this: the first, who was born after me, is Anastasia, the second

Photo, the third - Photis, the fourth - Paraskeva, and the fifth - Kyriakia, and the names of my sons are as follows: the name of the eldest, who was named Fotin by my Lord, is Victor, the youngest is Josiah.

So, do you all, - said Nero, - agree to be tortured and die for the Nazirite Christ?

All of us, - Saint Photina answered, - are ready to die for Him with joy and gladness, and we all desire this.

Then the emperor ordered that the hands of the holy martyrs be crushed on an anvil. But during the torture, the confessors did not feel pain, and the hands of the martyr Photinia remained unharmed: the tormentors, who cut her hands with axes, changed many times and, having no success, fell down in exhaustion, like the dead, and the holy martyr, remaining unharmed by the grace of Christ, she prayed and said: “The Lord is for me - I will not be afraid: what will a man do to me?” (Psalm 117:6). After this, Nero began to be at a loss, thinking about how else to subject the saints to torment, and finally, Nero ordered Saints Sebastian, Photina and Josiah to be blinded and imprisoned, and Saint Photinia with her five sisters - Anastasia, Photo, Photis, Paraskeva and Kyriakia - sent to the imperial palace under the supervision of Nero's daughter Domnina. But Saint Photina converted Domnina and all her slave girls to Christ, who received holy Baptism, and also converted to Christ the sorcerer, to whom he once brought a tincture of poisonous herb to drink to her and her sisters, after which she underwent many torments.

When three years had passed after this, Nero once ordered the release of one of his courtiers, who, at his command, was imprisoned and those sent for this, seeing the holy martyrs Sebastian, Photin and Josiah in a healthy state in prison, informed the emperor that the blinded Galileans see and are completely healthy, that the dungeon itself is bright, full, of abundant fragrance, and from the place of imprisonment has become a place for glorifying God and a holy house, that the saints have great wealth in prison, that people gather to them and, having believed in God them, accepts baptism from them. Hearing this, Nero was horrified and ordered the saints to be crucified upside down and beat them on their naked bodies with straps for three days. On the fourth day, the emperor sent servants to see if the martyrs were still alive. But, having arrived at the place of torture, those sent immediately went blind. At this time, the Angel of the Lord freed the martyrs and healed them. The saints took pity on the blinded servants and by their prayers to the Lord restored their sight. Those who received their sight believed in Christ and were soon baptized.

Having believed, they were baptized in the name of Christ our God, and became followers of the saints. The wicked Nero, having learned about this, became very angry and ordered to tear off the skin from Saint Photina. And at the time when the tormentors were fulfilling this royal command, the holy martyr sang: “Lord! You tested me and you know. You know when I sit down and when I get up; You understand my thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139:1, 2).

Having torn off the skin from Saint Photina, they threw her into the well. After that, having seized Sebastian, Photin and Josiah, they cut off their popliteal bones and threw them together with their knees to the dogs, and then they flayed their skin and, at the command of the emperor, threw them into a dilapidated stone building. Ordering after this to bring the five sisters of Photina to him, Nero ordered them to cut off their nipples, and then to tear off their skin. When the tormentors approached St. Photis for this, she did not want any of them to perform this torture on her, as on other holy women, but, standing in the place of torment, she courageously tore off her skin and threw it in her face Nero, so that he himself was amazed at her courage and patience. Then the tormentor devised a new, most cruel and deadly torment for Saint Photis. At his command, two trees were bent towards each other in his garden, and they tied them to the tops by the feet of Photis, after which the trees were released, and the holy martyr was torn apart by them. So she gave her righteous and blessed soul to God. After this, the wicked Nero commanded all the other holy martyrs to cut off their heads with a sword, and taking Saint Photina out of the well, to imprison her, where she stayed for twenty days. Ordering then to bring her to him, Nero asked her if she would submit to him now and, repenting of her stubbornness, would she sacrifice to idols. Then Saint Photina spat in his face and, laughing at his madness and stupid reason, said:

O most wicked blind, deluded and foolish man! Do you really consider me so foolish that I agreed to renounce my Lord Christ and sacrifice to blind idols like you!?

Hearing such words, Nero ordered that Saint Photina be thrown into the well again. And when this was accomplished, the holy martyr gave up her soul to God, and in the crown of martyrdom she rejoices eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven, together with all who suffered with her.

The Holy Martyr Photinia is revered by our people as a healer of fever. In many villages and cities of our country, prayers are served to her for those who suffer from this disease. It is not uncommon for patients to vow to paint or purchase an icon of the Holy Martyr Photinia.

It is very difficult to determine why St. Photinia is the healer of this fierce disease, but it is said in the legend that St. Photinia healed the governor Sebastian from some kind of illness, during which he: "He burned his face and fell to the ground from the potion of a great and cruel disease." Maybe it was the fever.

However, the people could attach importance to the fact that the Savior spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, and thanks to this, Saint Photinia could, according to the people, receive from the Lord power and strength over the entire water element, in which, according to popular views, this terrible disease.

The Church of the Holy Martyr Photinia (Svetlana) is located in one of the most picturesque places in the Dnipropetrovsk region on the banks of the Dnieper near the famous Dnieper rapids, in the village of Dibrova, Sinelnikovsky district. It is no coincidence that the village has such a name. Even before the construction of the Zaporizhzhya hydroelectric power station, an oak grove (oak grove) grew on the banks of the Dnieper, and people called this place "heaven on earth." In this temple there is an icon of the Holy Martyr Photinia with a particle of her relics, at which a prayer service for health is constantly (every Wednesday of the week) with the blessing of the Metropolitan of Dnepropetrovsk and Pavlograd Iriney. Also in our church is kept a particle from the relics of the Monk Lawrence of Chernigov wonderworker.

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 can meet Christ at every step of life, for example, when we are busy with everyday affairs, we need our hearts to be set right if we are ready to meet Christ, receive blessings, hear - and ask questions. The Samaritan woman asked Christ questions: and what she heard in response surpassed her questions so much that she recognized Him as a prophet, and then recognized Him as Christ, the Savior of the world. 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 purified 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 see 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 a salvation for all who were around her.