➡️ Part1: Saint Marina the Monk: Guilt and Sanctity/1
Many years earlier, in 725 Eugene of Bithynia, upon the death of his beloved wife Theodora, decided to retire to the monastery dug into the rock in the Kanoubine valley, entrusting his little daughter Marina to his relatives. But the little girl suffered so much from the absence of her father that he decided to take her with him.
So he went to the abbot, explained to him that she had left a ten-year-old ‘son’ at home who wanted to enter the convent and obtained permission to bring him/her along.
Eugenio then returned home, and, after cutting his daughter’s long hair and dressing her as a boy, he introduced her into the convent, making her promise that she would never reveal her true identity.
The young girl did not find it difficult to conceal her sex in the dim light of the monastery and with the hood pulled over part of her face. Neither her feminine features, high-pitched voice, nor her beardless face aroused suspicion, but were considered the effect of an intense activity of prayer, meditation and fasting.
Upon the death of his/her father, Brother Marino, reserved and pious, had already become an example of Christian virtues.
🔆 ⋆ ˚。⋆୨ ♡ ୧⋆ ˚。⋆ 🔆 ⋆ ˚。⋆୨ ♡ ୧⋆ ˚。⋆ 🔆 ⋆ ˚。⋆୨ ♡ ୧⋆ ˚。⋆ 🔆
On 12 February 740, in the monastery of Kanoubine the friars, having noticed Marino’s absence, went to his cell and found that the monk had passed away. Next to him was the unhappy Fortunato, in tears.
According to custom, the monks prepared to wash the body of the deceased, before dressing it with funeral clothes, but, having stripped the corpse they found an unusual vision, unknown to most of them, before their eyes. Therefore, they retreated in dismay, invoking loudly “Lord have mercy!”
↪️ That’s how Marina, leaving a woman’s body to testify to her innocence, was made a Saint. She became the protector of mothers and newborns, despite her unconventional motherhood, and also the patroness of shotgun weddings – since when, in a small church in Paris named after her, shameless couples were forced into marriage to avoid the infamy of an illegitimate child.
St. Marina of Bithynia, a Christian saint of Byzantine Syria, an area now part of Lebanon, is venerated as a saint by the Catholic, Orthodox and Coptic Churches.
The end
Molti anni prima, nel 725 Eugenio di Bitinia, alla morte dell’amata moglie Teodora, decise di ritirarsi nel monastero scavato nella roccia nella valle di Kanoubine, affidando ai parenti la figlioletta Marina. La bambina era sofferente per la lontananza del padre che decise di prenderla con sé.
Andò quindi dall’abate, gli spiegò che a casa aveva lasciato un ‘figlio’ di dieci anni desideroso di entrare in convento e ottenne il permesso di prenderlo con sé.
Eugenio allora tornò a casa, e, dopo avere tagliato i lunghi capelli della figlia e averla vestita da ragazzo, la introdusse nel Cenobio, facendole promette che non avrebbe mai rivelato la sua vera identità.
La giovanetta non trovò arduo dissimulare il proprio sesso nella penombra del monastero e con il cappuccio calato su parte del volto. Neppure i tratti femminei, la voce acuta e il viso imberbe destarono sospetti, ma vennero considerati l’effetto di un’intensa attività di preghiera, meditazione e digiuno.
Alla morte del padre, Fra Marino, riservato e pio. era già diventato un esempio di virtù cristiane.
🔆 ⋆ ˚。⋆୨ ♡ ୧⋆ ˚。⋆ 🔆 ⋆ ˚。⋆୨ ♡ ୧⋆ ˚。⋆ 🔆 ⋆ ˚。⋆୨ ♡ ୧⋆ ˚。⋆ 🔆
Era il 12 febbraio 740 , e nel Cenobio di Kanoubine i confratelli, accortisi dell’assenza di Marino, si recarono nella sua cella e costatarono che il monaco era spirato. Accanto a lui c’era l’infelice Fortunato, in lacrime.
I frati , secondo consuetudine, si apprestarono a lavare il corpo del defunto, prima di vestirlo con i panni funebri, ma, spogliata la salma e trovandosi davanti agli occhi una visione così inconsueta, sconosciuta ai più, indietreggiarono sbigottiti invocando a gran voce “Signore abbi pietà!”
↪️ Fu così che Marina, lasciando un corpo di donna a testimoniare la sua innocenza, fu fatta Santa. Divenne la protettrice delle puerpere e dei neonati, nonostante la sua maternità poco convenzionale. E’ anche la patrocinatrice dei matrimoni riparatori da quando, in una piccola chiesa di Parigi a lei intitolata, le coppie svergognate venivano costrette alle nozze per evitare l’infamia di un figlio illegittimo.
Santa Marina di Bitinia, santa cristiana della Siria bizantina, una zona oggi parte del Libano, è venerata come santa dalle Chiese cattolica, ortodossa e copta.
Fine
Luisa! Nice story of Saint #Marina . Thanks !
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Thank you so much for your kind comment and your constant presence here🙏🙏🙏
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Most welcome Luisa, always
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🙏🌺
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Thank you, dear Luisa, for the happy ending of your fascinating history of the life of Saint Marina, and her legacy. Truly an interesting and beautifully told tale unknown to many of your readers. As always, I have to admire your erudite knowledge and excellent choice of topics.
Joanna
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Thanks a lot for your kind words and constant encouragement and support, dear Joanna.
You already know that your praise touches my heart! 💓
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You are always more than welcome, dear Luisa!
Joanna xx
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🙏💗🙏💗🙏
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Bella storia, non la conoscevo! Grazie e buona giornata Luisa🤗
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Felice che ti sia piaciuta
Ti ringrazio e ti auguro un buon pomeriggio 🌹
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La storia è molto bella.
Zia suora me ne raccontava parecchie di questi racconti-
Sono e rimango agnostico
Buona giornata
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Grazie, Alle! Sono felice che questa storia ti sia piaciuta❣️
Ti auguro un buon pomeriggio
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[…] Saint Marina the Monk: Guilt and Sanctity/2 […]
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As always, I’m grateful for the kind reblog 💗🙏
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That’s a truly fascinating story about St. Marina, dear Luisa. I am glad that her fellow monks assumed she was a eunuch and accepted her as one of them. Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thank you so much, dear Aiva, for your thoughts, all greatly appreciated!💙💙💙
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🥰🥰🥰
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How could it be otherwise, a thrilling ending. Unexpected with Mariano’s (now Mariana) secret. An excellent narrative Luisa looking forward to continuing reading. A big hug.
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I thank you very much for your warm appreciation, dearest Manuel
Sometimes in the Catholic church a girl had to dress as a man to have any value
A big hug to you too 🤗
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And I am extremely glad you did that xxxxxxxx
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Thank you so much, dear Shey 💓
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A great ending Luisa. Taking the blame and protecting the child makes her a worthy candidate for sainthood. Happy Wednesday Luisa. Allan
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I am happy you enjoyed this, Allan.
Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts! 🙏🤗🙏
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Luisa è davvero una bella storia, grazie per averla pubblicata!!🤗🤗
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Che bello sapere che ti è piaciuta, carissima Vitty
💕🙏💕
Felice pomeriggio
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Luisa, such a fascinating story. I see that the Episcopalian church adopted her into their liturgy in 2022; and that she has become the patron saint and protector of the Trans community!
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I am grateful to you for sharing this important news, dear Sarah
I am pleased that Marina has been officially included in the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church, and that she has been defined as the patron saint of transgender people and transgender parenting 💐💐💐
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Beautiful, Louisa, just beautiful
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Thank you very much, dear Don, for your kind comment! 🙏
I’m glad you found this story beautiful
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Certo che passare un’intera esistenza a negare la propria natura… che scelta!
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Sì, un sacrificio davvero enorme, per tener fede al giuramento fatto al padre 💙
Buon pomeriggio, caro Andrea
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You can never trust a book by its cover 😇
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‘should never judge’
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👍👍👍
Thank you again😘
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I agree with you. 👍
Thanks so much for checking out this second part.
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That is so sad. Didn’t really expect it.
Beautifully penned . Thanks for sharing.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the story and I thank you
for your kind comment
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Oh, what a heart-felt story, Luisa. Wonderfully told. Thank you! Cher xoxoxo
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Thanks a lot for sharing your generous thoughts, Cher 🙂🌺
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🤗🤗
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Wow! Great story!
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Thank you so much for your kind appreciation!
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Well, that was a surprise, but I should have guessed from the title of Marina not Marino. The patron saint of shotgun weddings is quite funny. Great story telling Luisa. Maggie
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Thank you so much, Maggie, for your wonderful comment!
I’m very happy that you liked this story. As you know, I appreciate your praise! 🙏💗🙏
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Many thanks for this story, Luisa. Saint Marina the Monk is a reminder that what is done in love and reverence leaves a legacy for others to follow.
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Dear Rebecca , I’m so glad you enjoyed this post and I thank you very much for your fantastic comment! Really appreciated 💓
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🤗🤗🤗🤗
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A tragic story, Luisa, told in a very compelling way. She died at such a young age. Our world is filled with millions of unrecognized/invisible heroic women.
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Thank you so much, Rosaliene, for your great comment and your wonderful presence here!
As always, your words are much appreciated
🙏💙🙏
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🙂 ❤
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Totally true.
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🙆♀️🙆♀️🙆♀️
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Interesting twist to the story, Luisa.
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Many thanks, Mary, I am happy that you found this story interesting! 🙂 🙂 🙏🙏
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As usual you give us another remarkable story. I had never heard about St Marina before.
.I am deeply touched also by the strong and tender love between father and daughter. The whole story will stay with me.
Thank you dear Luisa.
miriam
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Thank you so much, Miriam, for your kind visit, your appreciation and for adding your worthy words.
It really means a lot to me. 💐🌹💐
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Fascinating account, Luisa. Thanks so much for sharing it.
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You’re more than welcome 🙏🌹🙏
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Thank you, Luisa. What a surprise ending!!
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I’m happy to hear that it took you by surprise
Have a good day, dear Monica 🙏💕🙏
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Che bello! Che donna brava e saggia, cara Luisa!♥️♥️♥️
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Sono felice che ti sia piaciuta la mia rivisitazione di quella storia 🌹🌹🌹
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Wonderful share, Luisa. I did not guess how she got into the monastery.
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Thank you wholeheartedly for your appreciation., dearest Pat🌹🌹🌹
I was happy to hear that the story had some surprises in store for you!😉
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Wonderful story, masterfully told.
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It is truly my pleasure, Pat 🙏🙏🙏
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🍓🌹💞👏
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HAhahaha! Too good! “LORD have mercy!”… 😊😂🤣😆🤧
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Thank you, dearest Ana.🌹😘🌹
I am happy to know that the surprise that shocked the friars made you laugh😉
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That was an interesting explanation. That was a fascinating story.
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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Thomas
I appreciate your constant supportive kindness 💐
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What a captivating story Luisa. Thankyou for sharing this!
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Thanks a lot for appreciating and for always being such an encouraging voice, dear Kate 💗
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So awesome story of Saint Marina , so beautifully written by you my dearest friend 🌷🙏👍🏻
Thank you so much for sharing and many many greetings Blessings 💐🥰👏
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You are such an encouragement, dear Thattamma 💗💗💗
Thank you for always visiting and leaving your wonderful words!
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I love your comments and most welcome my lovely dear friend 💖🙏🖖🌹
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🙏💙💕💙🙏
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Così si scopre il mistero di Fra marino che in realtà era Marina.
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Spero che tu abbia apprezzato il racconto, caro Gian 😘
Buon pomeriggio
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Certo l’avevo apprezzato quando l’hai pubblicato la prima volta ma l’ho apprezzato anche stavolta. Pomeriggio Luisa.
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Grazie di cuore, Gian
Buon pomeriggio e buon inizio d’estate ☀️
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Bel solstizio Luisa
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NICE story 💓💖💚
Blessings 💯🌹
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Storia fantastica ! Mostra un padre egoista che mutila in senso figurato la femminilità della figlia e la priva dell’ Amore di un Uomo e di una potenziale maternità , ogni donna anela di avere figli…Oggi non si potrebbe fare una cosa simile non c’è la mentalità è anche strano che una ragazza decida di punto in bianco di farsi suora, qui la ragazza diventa Padre Marino per giunta muore giovane . Questo racconto mi ha ricordato di una signora che abitava due stabili dopo casa dei miei genitori che aveva 8 figli,5 maschi e 3 femmine ; le femmine hanno preso tutte il velo, ragazze bellissime , mentre dei maschi solo il più piccolo entrò in Seminario, ma al momento di prendere i voti uscì. Non perché sono atea , ma non avrei sopportato che uno dei miei 3 figli prendesse i voti .Le 3 ragazze divennero suore di clausura. Ero piccolina , ma quella donna mi faceva antipatia era austera, rigida e chiesota, il marito invece era un guardone, si tesseva con gli occhi le donne del vicinato, m’era antipatico anche lui.Un abbraccio e sereno giorno 🫂💚💞👍🌹💐
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Che storia, cara Desire!
Probabilmente nella famiglia di quella signora si respirava aria e acqua santa, e alle ragazze non era stata fatta balenare davanti agli occhi nessuna alternativa.
Grazie per averne parlato e anche per le riflessioni che hai condiviso sulla storia di Santa Marina. Ti auguro una bella serata 🙏💓🙏
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Thank you! Most interesting to me.
🌹🌹
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It is truly my pleasure, dear Resa 💙
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💙
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Una storia bellissima, ma quanto coraggio ed abnegazione ha avuto! Grazie, Luisa cara, per la condivisione!
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E’ stata davvero forte e fedele fino all’ultimo all’impegno preso con il padre❣️❣️❣️
Grazie per aver Elton e commentato anche questa parte, cara amica
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È sempre un grande piacere leggerti e commentare i tuoi post, cara amica.
È stata incredibilmente forte e fedele ❣️❣️❣️
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Molto!!!
Buona serata, carissima Valeria💞
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Grazie, buona serata anche a te, carissima Luisa 💞
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