Feast Day July 17
Saint Marina was born in Qalamoun, North Lebanon, during the 6th century.
Her mother died when Marina was young, and she was raised by her father, a devout Christian. He arranged a marriage for her before leaving to join the monastery of Qannoubine.
Upon learning of this arrangement, Marina disguised herself as a man and joined her father at the monastery. She was known there as “Marinos.” She lived and worshipped alongside him for ten years, until his death.
While on a mission for the monastery, Marinos stayed overnight at the house of Paphnotius, a friend of the monks. Paphnotius had a daughter who had fallen into adultery with a soldier and became pregnant. She accused Marinos of being the father of the child.
The monastery superior was informed. Marinos did not defend himself against the accusation. The superior treated this as guilt, and Marinos was dismissed from the monastery.
He remained outside the monastery gates, praying and living off the monks’ leftovers. After the child was born, the father gave the boy to Marinos, who raised him for four years until both were allowed back into the monastery.
At the hour of his death, Marinos asked forgiveness and forgave those who had wronged him. When the body was prepared for burial, it was revealed that Marinos was Marina. The monks and superior fell to their knees in repentance and awe.
The father of the young woman confessed before all. His daughter spent the rest of her life in repentance at Marina’s tomb. The holiness of Saint Marina spread throughout Lebanon, and her tomb at Qannoubine Monastery became a place of healing and grace.
O Christ our God, awesome is Your love that made You accept death on the Cross, to be a curse hung on wood, yet You are the innocent and holy Lamb.
We contemplate Your awesome love for Saint Marina, the religious sister of Qannoubine, who lived hidden as a monk while the community did not know her secret. When she faced false accusation, she accepted suffering without defending herself.
Through her prayers, grant us an increase in humility and strength to face the struggles of this world without complaint. Grant us the serenity of her pure soul so our daily acts of endurance become a offering for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
Adapted from the Hoosoyo of the Feast of Saint Marina.