The holy martyr Christina endured martyrdom for Christ in the third century. She was the daughter of Urban, ruler of Tyre. When Christina turned eleven, her father groomed her to become a priestess. She was to offer incense before pagan gods, attended by only two maidservants. Left alone for long hours, Christina mused deeply on who might have created the world around her.
Christina came to believe in the Lord — the Creator of all things seen. She prayed to Him with all her heart, longing to meet Him. In answer to her prayer, an angel appeared, telling her about Jesus Christ and calling her His bride. When the heavenly messenger spoke of the suffering she would soon face, the girl smashed the idols in her room and flung the pieces away. Her father, Urban, visited her and saw the broken statues. He was heartbroken. The maidservants told Urban about Christina, and he began to beat her. She stayed silent for a long time, then declared her faith in the One Jesus Christ. Urban beat her even more harshly and cast her into prison.
Her mother pleaded with the girl to give up the faith, yet Christina would not bend. She refused to give in to threats or pleas. Urban ordered her to be tied to a wheel and spun over a fire. Severe burns covered her skin. Yet, as she lay in her cell, an angel appeared and healed her wounds. When Urban saw she was unharmed, he ordered her to be thrown into the sea. Once more, God’s angel saved her. Urban, now terrified, suspected she might be a witch and fixed the next day for her death. That night, he suddenly died. Dion, the new ruler, took over and continued to torture Christina. Still, she remained strong in her faith. In prison, she taught those who came to her, and about three thousand people found faith in Christ.
Julian, who succeeded Dion, kept up the torment. Yet Christina remained unharmed, even after spending five days in a fiery furnace. Witnesses of these miracles turned to Christ. The trials of Saint Christina closed when she was killed by the sword.
