St. Marina the Great Martyr
St Marina
Feast Day Celebrated July 17
St Marina is a great martyr who endured many trials and tortures and was killed for her faith under the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305). She is also known to have overcome the devil, and is often depicted beating a demon in her icons.
In this guide you’ll find simple and easy ideas to celebrate the the Feast of St Marina with your kids - emphasis on easy! Activity suggestions, book recommendations, and additional information so you can share his story so together you can grow to love her even more!
Check out this free printable for July which features St Marina
Scroll to learn more about St Marina and find activity and reading suggestions and more to celebrate this feast day!
First, let’s learn about the life of Saint Marina:
Life of St Marina - The Holy Great Martyr Marina was born in Asia Minor, in the city of Antioch into a family of a pagan priest. When she was young, her mother died and her father gave her into the care of a nanny, who told Marina about the Orthodox Faith. Upon learning that his daughter had become a Christian, her father disowned her. When she was fifteen years old, St. Marina was arrested and put in prison and presented to the Governor Olymbrios, who was charmed when he saw the beautiful girl. He tried to persuade her to renounce the Christian Faith and become his wife. But Marina refused his offers. The governor became angry and ordered that sacrifice to his idols. She stood firm in her faith and proclaimed herself a Christian. She was fiercely beaten, then fastened to a board and her body torn with hooks.
Thrown again into prison, an angel appeared and healed her wounds. While she was in prison, she was tormented by demons. Then the Devil himself appeared to her and said, “O Marina, if you obey the governor that would be for your good for he is merciless, and he wishes to erase your name from the face of the earth.” She realized that he was the Devil. Straightway she caught the hair of his head, and she took an iron rod and started to beat him, saying, “Stop it O Satan.” Then she bound him with the sign of the cross, not to depart from before her until he told her all about what he does to the human race. When she pressed him, he told her, “I am the one who makes adultery, stealing, blasphemy, and earthly desires, good and desirable to the human. And if I do not overcome him, I steer sleep and laziness against him, so he will not pray and ask for the forgiveness of his sins.” She was harshly tortured, imprisoned and finally beheaded. She is especially known for help with demon possession, or demonic influence.
Interesting Fact: St Marina is especially invoked for deliverance from demonic possession.
Activity Ideas to Celebrate St Marina:
Make “Dragon” Noodles
St Marina is often depicted with a dragon or beating up a demon. In iconography, dragons are an image of demons. Part of her story is she was tormented by demons and overcame them, often by force. Making dragon noodles is a fun way to remember her story! Check out the recipe HERE.
Make Dragon Cookies
The same dragon theme applies from the recipe above, make these fun and easy dragon cookies! These are easy to make and taste like butter cookies. Check out the recipe from HERE.
Beat up the Devil Piñata Activity
For this activity, you will need a piñata and stick and optional blindfold. You will need to either create your own piñata or purchase one. Did you know that when St Marina was in prison, a demon appeared to her as a dragon-like figure in order to scare her. Fearlessly, she seized him by the hair and, finding a hammer, beat him to the ground. It is for this reason that St Marina often holds a hammer and is sometimes depicted beating on a demon in her icons. As a way to remember this incredible saint's story and her boldness and bravery, set up a piñata and "beat it to the ground" like St Marina! I know the children will not soon forget about St Marina after this fun and engaging activity.
Watch this short animated film for kids about St Marina
Check out this one minute clip from “Saint of the Day” podcast on Ancient Faith about the life of St Marina.
Book Recommendations :
Check out this mini book by Potamitis Publishing which tells the story of Saint Marina.
Features St Marina on July 17th
Features St Marina on page 76!
For Older Kids:
Check out this short book (27 pages) about the life of St Marina. You can buy it on Amazon for less than $10!
The Prayer of St. Marina
before being beheaded for Christ
O Beginningless, Immortal, Timeless, Incomprehensible and Unimaginable Lord, the God of all and Creator of all creation, the Foreseer and Savior of all, as I have hoped in You, I thank You, that You have brought me to this hour, as I approach the crown of Your righteousness.
I hymn and bless Your uncountable compassion and philanthropy, as You desired to number me with Your chosen servants. Look down, now, upon me the lowly one, O God and Master, Lord of mercy, Ruler of all and All-powerful One, hearken to my prayer, and fulfill my entreaties in praise.
To the honor and glory of Your all-holy and worshiped name, grant remission of sins for all those who desire to build a church in the name of Your servant, or who serve in them with prayer, or who write of the struggle of my martyrdom, and to those who read it with faith, remembering the name of Your servant, and make them to bear fruit through Your power. I ask that for those who embrace this dwelling-place of my body, where I suffered martyrdom for Your love, grant forgiveness of sins according to the measure of their faith, and do not let any hand of damnation approach them, nor hunger, nor plague, nor any other danger of soul or body.
And all those who desire to celebrate, glorifying with faith and seeking Your salvation and mercy through me, grant to them Your good things in this world, and to go forth pleasing You, and make them worthy of Your heavenly Kingdom, for You are the only Good One and Lover-of-man, and the Giver of Good things, unto the ages. Amen.
–The Prayer of St. Marina, before being beheaded for Christ
Final Thoughts
When it comes to Feast Days, I always prioritize 2 things: (1) Attending the service and (2) telling my children about the feast day prior - or afterwards. Usually this is done by showing them the icon of the saint or reading the story of their life from the above resources. If I can do those two things, I feel a great sense of success! My hope is that these feasts days imprint on their hearts during their childhood and they have a greater love for our Savior as they grow up because of them. Now, if you are able to do those two things, you’re a gold star! Bravo! If you are in a season where you want to go a little deeper and make those connections stronger, I will cheer you on and encourage you on that venture. Some seasons allow for more, especially as children grow older. But if you find yourself in a busy season with littles, rest assured, you have many many years ahead to be able to add more to your plate!
Whatever you do, I pray the Lord blesses your efforts!
Blessed Feast, friends!
- Khouria Destinie
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Here are 6 guidelines that may help to establish a “liturgy” in your home for celebrating this beautiful day. Honoring your patron saint on your Name’s Day is a rich practice that draws you closer to your patron. A Name Day as an Orthodox Christian is comparable the joy of a birthday celebration. At birthdays we celebrate ourselves, but a Name Day we honor, reflect, pray, and strive to emulate a saint. All saints are worthy of emulating, but your Patron Saint is unique.