From the Prologue of Ochrid
A distinguished and devout citizen of the city of Iconium. Imbued with the spirit of his fellow townswoman Saint Thekla, Chariton openly confessed the name of Christ. When a fierce persecution of Christians began in the time of Emperor Aurelian, Chariton was immediately brought to trial before the governor. The judge told him to bow down to the gods (that is, to the idols), to which Chariton replied: "All your gods are demons, who were once cast down from heaven into the nethermost hell because of their pride." And Chariton clearly proclaimed his faith in the one living God, the Creator of all, and in the Lord Jesus, the Savior of men. Then the governor ordered that Chariton's body be beaten and tortured to such an extent that his entire body was covered with wounds and was as one wound. After the evil death of Aurelian, which overtook the evildoer at that time, Chariton was freed from his torments and from prison. He set out for Jerusalem. On the way he was captured by robbers, from whom he was delivered by God's Providence. And he did not wish to return to Iconium, but withdrew to the desert of Pharan, where he founded a community and gathered monks. Having given a rule to that community and wishing to escape the praises of men, he withdrew to another desert toward Jericho, where again in time a second community was founded, called the Community of Chariton. Finally he founded a third community as well, the Souka — called in Greek the Old Lavra. He ended his life in deep old age and departed to the glory of his Lord on September 28, 350. His relics rest in his first community. To Saint Chariton is attributed the composition of the rite of monastic tonsure.
