Charitina Day: October 18, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Martyr Haritina of Amisia and St. Haritina of Lithuania

October 18, 2026 according to the national calendar is celebrated the day of Haritina. On this day, the Orthodox Church remembers the martyr Charitina of Amisia and the Monk Kharitina of Lithuania.

The Martyr Charitina of Amisia, who lived in the late III - early IV centuries, was orphaned early and was raised by a pious Christian Claudius. Growing up, she decided to devote her life to God and preserve her virginity. Haritina lived in solitude, gave wise advice to believers and persuaded pagans to abandon idolatry - many were baptized according to her instructions. During the persecution under the emperor Diocletian, she was reported to the mayor. Before the trial, the girl without fear confessed her faith in Christ, steadfastly suffered torture and was executed. According to legend, when her hair was cut in an attempt to humiliate, they immediately grew back.

St. Haritina of Lithuania, who lived in the XIII century, came from a noble Lithuanian family. Due to infighting, she and her family fled to Novgorod. She was preparing for marriage with Prince Fyodor, nephew of Alexander Nevsky, but on the eve of the wedding the groom suddenly died. Charitina refused to return to worldly life, took monasticism on the Blue Mountain, helped the poor, comforted the suffering and was subsequently elected abbess of the monastery of the Apostles Peter and Paul. The monk died in 1281.