"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,"

(1 Pet 2:11)

its fruit."

(Mat 12:33)

St. Marina’s father was a very wealthy man in money and virtues. He married a lady of his kind; they had a daughter named Mariam. Shortly after Mariam’s mother passed away leaving her in the care of her father who rejected all suggestions of re-marriage and devoted his attention to the care and religious up-bringing of his daughter.

Mariam was reared in an entirely spiritual environment, the home was a place solely for prayers for both father and daughter.

          When Mariam reached the age of marriage her father called her and explained that the only reason behind his not joining the order was his commitment to her up- bringing.

          He told her that he wanted her to marry the man whom The Lord would choose for her so that he could realize his wish to go to the wilderness.

          Mariam refused to let her father go on his own. At that time there were no convent for women, so she shaved her hair and wore garments of men, when the father realized his daughter’s determination, he gave all his wealth to the poor, took his daughter with him to the monastery and changed her name to “Marina”. They continued in their worship encouraging each other for ten years after which the father passed away happily knowing that his daughter would join the row of saints.

          St. Marina continued in her spiritual life until she passed away without anyone knowing that she was a woman.

May the blessings and prayers of this Saint be with us all. Amen.

Glory be to our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

now and forever.

Amen.