Commemorated September 16 (New Calendar) September 29 (Old Calendar)

Saint Melitina was from Marcianopolis in Thrace. She lived in the reign of Antoninus, under the governor Antiochus. By her prayer she threw down idols, shattered the images of Apollo and Hercules, and brought many to the true faith. She also turned the governor’s wife to Christ. For this they cut off her head. Her body lay unburied until a Macedonian named Acacius received leave to take her relics. He died at sea. When the ship reached a cape of Lemnos, they laid her body there, and they buried Acacius near her tomb.

The short memory in St. Demetrius of Rostov records her contest. It does not preserve her spoken words.

Who stood with her

Antiochus ruled the city. His wife came to Christ through Melitina. Acacius of Macedonia carried her relics and died on the way to his own land. He was buried beside her on Lemnos.

She used the faith she had been given until a household that meant to silence her was changed by it.

We ask her prayers when we must speak of Christ in a place that still honors false gods, and when a household is divided over the faith.

Pray for us

Troparion, Tone 3
“Your holy martyr Melitina, O Lord,
through her sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, she laid low her adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through her intercessions, save our souls!”

Kontakion, Tone 2
“You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Melitina;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.”

Saint Melitina, pray for us.

Sources

St. Demetrius of Rostov, Lives of the Saints, September 16.
https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Dmitrij_Rostovskij/zhitija-svjatykh/792

Orthodox Church in America, Martyr Melitinḗ of Marcianopolis.
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2033/09/16/102629-martyr-melitin-of-marcianopolis

This site is a lamp, not a parish. Listen to the life. Then find a living Orthodox church and ask a priest to pastor you.
https://pieceofhumanity.com/find-a-church/