Venerable Charitina of Amisus (Pontus)

Saint Charitina of Amisus lived in the late third–early fourth century in the city of Amisus on the Black Sea's southern shore. Orphaned as a small child, she was raised by a devout Christian nobleman, Claudius, who loved her as his own daughter. She grew in deep faith, preserved her virginity, studied Scripture, and instructed the pagans around her, converting many to Christ. During Diocletian's persecution, the governor Domitian, learning of her missionary activity, subjected her to brutal torture. Unable to break her faith, he had her thrown into the sea with a stone tied to her neck; the waves cast her body, uninjured, back onto shore, where Claudius buried her with honor. She is venerated as patroness of needlewomen and weavers.