The life of St Charitina of Amissos
Though not yet baptized, she lived as a Christian at heart, studying the Scriptures and resolving to remain a virgin dedicated to Christ, and by her quiet example she drew many others toward the faith.
When a governor of the region heard of her influence, he demanded that Claudius send her to him for questioning. Claudius grieved bitterly at the thought of losing her, but Charitina comforted him, telling him not to be sorrowful, since she was going to offer herself as an acceptable sacrifice to God. Before the governor she was subjected to repeated torments: her hair was cut and burning coals set upon her head, she was thrown into the sea and drawn out again unharmed, and bound to a wheel from which she emerged unhurt. When her tormentor at last sent men to violate her, Charitina prayed that God would take her soul before this could happen, and she died there in prayer. Her body was weighted with stones and cast into the sea, but was found on the shore three days later and given honorable burial by Claudius.
