Saint Christina the Great Martyr was from Tyre in Syria. Her father, named Urbanus, was a military commander. From a young age, she was filled with virtues and love for God. Wishing to protect her beauty, her father built a tall tower and confined her there, compelling her to worship the idols.
The saint, realizing the lifeless nature of the idols and the falsehood of paganism, began to pray to the one true God. Soon, an angel of the Lord appeared before her, strengthened her faith, and filled her with courage.
When her father learned that she had renounced the idols, he decided to punish her harshly. Her mother attempted to persuade her to return to the religion imposed upon her. However, Saint Christina firmly rejected her words, declaring that her life was dedicated to Jesus Christ. Unable to break her spirit, her father ordered that she be subjected to dreadful torments and humiliations.
Her body remained unharmed. Even when she was cast into the sea with a stone tied around her neck, she walked upon the surface of the water. According to tradition, this moment marked her baptism as a christian.
The rulers who came to power persecuted and tortured her one after another. When she was released, she destroyed the temples and idols of Apollo, for which she was pursued until she was captured once again.
She lost her life when sharp spears pierced her body, thus surrendering her soul into the hands of the Lord. Her relic was buried with great honor, leading many to believe in Christ.
