Christina | Kristine | Christina of Bolsena

● Orthodox/Catholic Remembrance Day: July 24
● Name means: the Christian (from Greek – Latin)
● Martyr
● Attributes: furnace, millstone, arrows, rust, snakes
● Patroness: the miller, archers and sailors
● Born in Volsinium, today ruins near Bolsena, Italy or in Tyre, today Sur, Lebanon
● Died around 297 in Volsinium, today ruins near Bolsena, Italy or in Tyre, today Sur,
Lebanon
According to legend, Christina of Bolsena was a noblewoman born to parents who followed
pagan beliefs. However, it is said that she was introduced to Christianity by one of her servants
and subsequently chose to convert. Her father, who had set up silver and golden statues for her
to worship, was not pleased with her decision and decided to take drastic action. He had
Christina and twelve of her loyal servants confined in a tower on an isolated island in the lake of
Bolsena, in the hopes of making her renounce her newfound faith.
The complete isolation that Christina and her companions experienced in the tower is difficult
to imagine. Despite this, Christina remained steadfast in her faith and continued to spread the
word of Christianity, even in the face of persecution. Anticipating her insistence on conviction,
her father ordered her to be put to death, hoping to silence her once and for all.
The story of Christina of Bolsena serves as a testament to the strength of religious conviction,
and to the dangers of fanaticism. Despite her circumstances, Christina remained dedicated to
spreading the message of Christianity, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Her story is
a reminder of the power of faith to provide resilience and courage in the face of adversity.