Great martyr · 3rd–4th century
Marina of Antioch
Great Martyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch
New Calendar July 17 Old Calendar July 30
Why they are a saint
Marina of Antioch was virgin martyr of Antioch in Pisidia. She is in popular devotion asked against demons and plague. The years given for this life are 3rd–4th century. The New Calendar feast is July 17; this memory is kept in the whole Orthodox Church.
Life
Saint Marina (called Margaret in the West) was born in Antioch of Pisidia, the daughter of a pagan priest; her mother died when she was an infant and she was raised by a nurse. At about twelve she learned the Christian faith and resolved to be a bride of Christ.
The governor Olymbrios wished to marry her, but she did not hide that she was a Christian and refused him, and she was cruelly tortured. Her Life tells that in prison the devil came to her in the form of a dragon, and the Sign of the Cross overcame him; icons often show her striking a demon with a hammer. Many who witnessed her sufferings declared themselves Christians. She was beheaded in 304, at fifteen.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of plague, protection from demons (popular), because of accounts of her help against plague.
Prayer
O holy Marina of Antioch, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Marina of Syria; other Marinas.