Larissa - the holy martyr of Gotha

Today, not every Christian is ready to lay down his life for his faith. However, there was a time when hundreds of thousands of Christians were martyred with the name of Jesus Christ on their lips. It was an example of courage, strength of spirit, nobility and true faith. Surprisingly, very few people know that Larissa, the holy martyr of Gotha, was one of those who showed their fearlessness to the enemies of Christians - pagans.

Life

The Holy Martyr Larissa was a very beautiful girl who lived with her parents in Gothia in the 4th century. This country mainly consisted of Germanic tribes with their rulers. Larissa belonged to the Ostrogoths tribe (the territory of modern Romania). Her parents were Christians, that's why she had a love for the Lord from childhood. She grew up a modest and kind girl, with all her soul faithful to the Lord. Larissa tried not to deny people in need of help. At one time Gottphia maintained good relations with the Roman Empire, and therefore there were no obstacles to Christian worship. They quietly built their churches and monasteries. But when the new ruler Atanarikh (363-381) came to power, he immediately began massively destroying believers in Christ. This merciless tyrant gave away all his malicious and criminal orders throughout the country. With fierce and furious speeches, he sowed fierce hatred towards Christians in the hearts of the Gentiles.

Larissa is a holy martyr

By 375, it became very dangerous for Christians to attend church, they had to pray at night at home. But Saint Larissa decided not to hide, for she feared nothing. She came to the church on Sunday worship, where there were about 300 more people, stood at the entrance, knelt down and gave herself to a deep and ardent prayer to God, that he sent hope and peace to all the righteous who suffered from the wild villainies of the Gentry Gentiles.

But suddenly the door swung open, turning, the girl, saw that to the church on the cart the soldiers brought a statue of the pagan idol Wotan. The voice of the chief leader cried out so that all would come out and bow to Wotan, otherwise they would be killed. One warrior noticed a young and beautiful girl, it was Larissa, and warned her to get away from here as soon as the church was burned.

Fire

Before Larissa was the open door of the church, and she saw that none of the three hundred Christians who were in her did not even budge. She shook her head and began to pray before the holy images. The door slammed shut, the church was set on fire, and everything burned with a fierce fire.

Larissa, a holy martyr, prayed until the last, until the pungent smell of burning burned the room and she did not lose consciousness. Everything around burned and crumbled, from a strong crack no one heard any moans or cries. The church covered under its wreckage the charred bodies of the martyrs.

The widow of Emperor Grazian (375-383) Alla (sometimes her name is confused with Gaafa) with her daughter Duclidea came to look at this terrible place and collect the burned remains of Christians, then to send them to Syria. When Alla returned from the trip home, she and her son Agafon were stoned to death.

After some time, Duclida transported the relics of the holy martyrs and transferred them to the consecration of temples in the city of Asia Minor Kisike. They were laid at the base of the thrones of newly built churches and became a place of worship and prayer. Now the holy martyrs of Gotha pray for help and healing.

Information about St. Larissa is very scarce, sometimes they may be present in the names of inaccuracies, but this is not so important. What is important is that she, like many other faithful Christians, has become an example of a great love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Prayer of St. Larissa

This saint became the patroness of women named Larissa. It protects against ill-considered acts and disappointments, being a clear and imperishable guide, illuminating a true path of life and giving the ability to pass it adequately.

There is a suggestion that Larissa - the holy martyr of Gotha - was a virgin, and therefore on icons she is depicted with her hair loose.

• Words of prayer to the most holy patroness of Larissa: "Pray to God for me, holy saint of God Larissa."
• Magnification: "We magnify thee, the passion-bearer of Christ's Larissa, and honor your honest suffering, that you have suffered for Christ."
• Troparion to the martyr Larissa: "Your Lamb, Jesus, Larissa calls with a great voice."

Day of St. Larissa Gotha The Orthodox Church celebrates on April 8.