The Holy Martyr Antonina
Commemorated March 1
The Holy Martyr Antonina suffered at Nicea during a persecution under the emperor Maximian (284-305). After fierce tortures, St Antonina was thrown into prison, but Maximian could not force the saint to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to idols.
Angels of God appeared to the holy martyr and the executioners took fright. Even when they placed her on a red-hot metal bed, St Antonina remained unharmed, by the power of God. Finally, after long torture they sewed the saint into a sack and sank it in a lake.
Troparion
Thy Lamb, O Jesus, Antonina, is calling with a loud voice: Thee, O my Bridegroom, I love and, whilst Thee seeking, for Thee I endure martyrdom, I become crucified together with Thee and buried with Thee unto Thy baptism, and I suffer for Thy sake, so that I may reign in Thee, and I die for Thee that I may live with Thee; but as unblemished sacrifice do Thou receive me that in love sacrificed myself to Thee. At her intercessions, as the Merciful One, save our souls.
Kontakion
Having found thine all-revered temple to be the healer of souls, we all the faithful with a loud voice cry unto thee, O virgin-martyr Antonina, the greatly renowned Christ the God entreat incessantly for us all.
Source: Crkveni Kalendar
