Martyr · 1st century
Photini
Martyr Photini the Samaritan Woman
New Calendar March 20 Old Calendar April 2
Why they are a saint
The Samaritan woman of John 4; tradition says she was baptized Photini ('light') and later martyred with her sons in Rome. The years given for this life are 1st century. The faithful honor that confession sealed with blood. The New Calendar feast is March 20.
Life
Saint Photini was the Samaritan woman with whom the Saviour spoke at Jacob's Well (John 4:5-42). In the time of the emperor Nero she was living in Carthage with her younger son Joses, fearlessly preaching the Gospel, while her elder son Victor served as a military commander in Attalia.
When Nero ordered Victor to arrest Christians, the official Sebastian urged him to submit; Sebastian was struck blind for three days, and on the fourth day declared that the God of the Christians is the only true God. Photini and her companions were brought before Nero.
After many tortures her companions were put to death; Photini was cast into a well, imprisoned, and finally thrown into the well again, where she surrendered her soul to God around the year 66. In Constantinople two churches were dedicated to her, where many miracles occurred, especially healings of eye diseases. Her head is kept at Grigoriou Monastery on Mount Athos; in Greek usage she is commemorated on February 26.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage, though it records many healings of eye diseases at her churches.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Traditionally asked to pray for samaritan woman, those who evangelize. The reason for this custom is not recorded here.
Prayer
O holy Photini, 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.