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 went to martyrdom with the name of Jesus Christ on their lips. This was an example of courage, fortitude, nobility and true faith. Surprisingly, few people know that Larisa, the holy martyr of Gotfsky, was one of those who showed their fearlessness to the enemies of Christians - the Gentiles.
Life
The holy martyr Larisa was a very beautiful girl who lived with her parents in Gottia in the 4th century. This country mainly consisted of Germanic tribes with their rulers. Larisa belonged to the Ostrogoths tribe (the territory of modern Romania). Her parents were Christians, and therefore, love for the Lord was instilled in her from childhood. She grew up a humble and kind girl, with all her soul faithful to the Lord. Larisa tried not to refuse to help people in need. Gottia at one time maintained good relations with the Roman Empire, and therefore there were no obstacles to the worship of Christians. They calmly built their churches and monasteries. But when the new ruler Atanarich (363-381 gg.) Came to power, he immediately began to massively destroy believers in Christ. This ruthless tyrant gave his malicious and criminal orders throughout the country. With fiery and furious speeches, he sowed in the hearts of the Gentiles a fierce hatred of Christians.
Larisa - holy martyr
By the year 375, it was already very dangerous for Christians to attend church; they had to pray at home at night. But Saint Larisa decided not to hide, as she was not afraid of anything. She came to the temple for Sunday worship, where there were about three hundred and a half people, stood at the entrance, knelt and prayed deeply and fiery to God that he would send hope and peace to all the righteous who suffer from the savage atrocities of the Gothian pagans.
But suddenly the doors opened, turning around, the girl saw that the soldiers brought a statue of the pagan idol Wotan to the church on a wagon. The voice of the chief leader cried out for everyone to come out and bow to Wotan, otherwise they would be killed. One warrior noticed a young and beautiful girl, it was Larisa, and warned her to leave here as soon as possible, since the church would be burned now.
Fire
Larisa had an open church door in front of her, and she saw that not one of the three hundred Christians who were in her had even budged. She shook her head and began to pray before the holy images. The door slammed shut, the church was set on fire, and everything burst into flames.
Larisa, the holy martyr, prayed to the last, until the pungent smell of burning filled the room and she lost consciousness. Everything burned and collapsed, no one heard neither moans nor screams from the strong crash. The church sheltered the burnt bodies of the martyrs under its debris.
The widow of the emperor Grazian (375-383 gg.) Alla (sometimes her name is confused with Gaafa) with her daughter Duklida came to look at this terrible place and collect the burnt remains of Christians, then to transfer them to Syria. When Alla returned from the trip home, she and her son Agathon were stoned to death.
After some time, the relics of the holy martyrs Duklida transported and transferred to the consecration of temples in the city of Asia Minor Kizik. They were laid in the foundation of the thrones of newly built churches and became a place of worship and prayer. Now the holy martyrs of Gotfsky are praying for help and healing.
Information about St. Larisa is very scarce, sometimes inaccurate names may be present, but this is not so important. The important thing is that she, like many other faithful Christians, has become an example of great love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer to Saint Larisa
This saint became the patroness of women with the name Larisa. It protects against rash acts and disappointments, being a clear and imperishable reference point, illuminating the right path of life and giving the ability to pass it worthily.
There is an assumption that Larisa - the holy martyr of Gotfsky - was a virgin, and therefore she is depicted on her icons with her hair loose.
- Words of prayer to the most holy patroness of Larisa: "Pray for God for me, holy saint of God Larisa."
- Majesty: “We magnify thee, the martyr of Christ Lariso, and honor your honest misery, if you have undergone Christ for him”.
- Troparion to the martyr Larisa: “Your Lamb, Jesus, Larisa calls with a great voice.”
The Orthodox Church celebrates St. Larisa of Gotfsky Day on April 8th.