● Orthodox Remembrance Day: June 10
● Name means: from the Antonian family (from Latin)
● Virgin, Martyr
● Died 313 in Constantinople, today Istanbul, Turkey
Antonina, a devoted Christian, was living a life of piety as a Virgin consecrated to God in the city
of Constantinople. However, her unshakeable faith and refusal to worship the pagan goddess,
Diana, brought her under the scrutiny of Festus, the keeper of the city. Antonina’s defiance of
the city keeper’s demands led to her arrest and subsequent torture.
Imprisoned and beaten with fists, Antonina remained steadfast in her beliefs even as the
governor tried to coerce her into rejecting her faith. The governor, enraged by her unwavering
commitment, ordered her to be locked up in a disreputable house, hoping to break her will.
During her captivity, Antonina’s fate took an unexpected turn when a compassionate young
soldier named Alexander, moved by her plight, wrapped her in his clothes and helped her
escape. It is rumored that Alexander, in a selfless act of courage, took Antonina’s place in the
brothel where she was being held captive.
Unfortunately, their escape was short-lived, as the governor soon found out about their flight
and had them arrested once again. Severely beaten and abused, the two were subjected to
unimaginable torture in prison, including having their hands chopped off.
Despite the ghastly violence and cruelty inflicted upon them, Antonina’s and Alexander’s faith
remained unbroken, and they refused to renounce their beliefs. As a punishment for their
defiance, they were painted with bad luck and thrown into a pit, where a log was set on fire,
and they were showered with earth.
Even though their bodies were engulfed in flames, neither Antonina nor Alexander succumbed
to their injuries. The governor’s merciless actions, indicative of his malevolent nature, did not go
unpunished. For seven days, he was haunted by evil spirits, and in the end, he gave up his spirit,
a desperate and broken man.
