Virginmartyr Christina with her sister Callista, at Caesarea, in Cappadocia
Commemorated February 6
Saints Christina and Callista were sisters who once were Christians, but fearing torture, they renounced Christ and began to lead impious lives. The governor ordered them to persuade St Dorothy to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but just the reverse happened. St Dorothy convinced them that the mercy of God is granted to all who repent, so they corrected themselves and returned to Christ. The tormentors tied them back to back and burned them in a vat of tar. Sts Christina and Callista atoned for their sin of apostasy through martyrdom, receiving not only forgiveness, but crowns of victory from God.
Troparion
Ye reasonable lambs unto Christ, the Lamb and Shepherd, were conducted through martyrdom; having finished your course and preserved the faith; wherefore with gladsome hearts do we recall to-day your, O wonderworthy, holy memory, magnifying Christ.
Kontakion
Of Christ's female martyrs the memory we are now celebrating and in faith praying for help, that from every affliction may be delivered we all that call out: With us is our God that hath glorified these as He willed.
Source: Crkveni Kalendar
