Martyr Charitina
The Martyr Charitina of Rome was orphaned in childhood and raised like a daughter by the pious Christian Claudius. The young woman was very pretty, very sensible, kind and fervent in faith. She imparted to other people her love for Christ, and she converted many to the way of salvation.
During a time of persecution under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Charitina was subjected to horrible torments for her strong confession of the Lord Jesus Christ, and she died in the year 304.
Troparion, tone 4
Your lamb Charitina, calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: “I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You, I endure suffering. In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, and I died so that I might live with You. Accept me as a pure sacrifice, for I have offered myself in love.” Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.
Venerable Saints Daniel and Misael from Turnu Monastery
Venerable Hermits Saints Daniel and Misael were born in the second half of the sixteenth century in the region of Oltenia.
Still in their youth, they were lovers of struggles for the sake of God and willing to attain to holy life, having a fiery love for our Saviour Jesus Christ and His Immaculate Mother.
Wherefore, complying with the holy commandment of the Lord: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24), they left their homes, their parents, brethren, relatives and friends, and entered Cozia Monastery as novices, living in obedience and humbleness, following the Son of God, Who became obedient for us, unto death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).
They have learned the mystery of struggles, gaining the gift of prayer and love of God.
Thus, according to the monastic order, they went through every spiritual feat, they obeyed to their abbot and brethren, being living ascetic examples. Not long after they had entered the monastery, for their many labours and their diligence for God, they have become worthy of the much desired monastic schema, receiving thus the monastic tonsure from the hands of their abbot.
Knowing the Holy Scriptures and the teachings of the Fathers of the Church, but also for his worthy and skilful monastic life, Venerable Daniel received the grace of priesthood.
Therefore, through his meek and pure life, he became like a lamp on its stand, and he was quickly made known to the parents living in the monastery, who chose him as confessor and adviser on the path to salvation. Among those who confessed to Venerable Daniel was Blessed Misael, who became a spiritual disciple of the former.
Having the duty of a confessor, Saint Daniel started striving even more diligently; he went from strength to strength, increasing in good deeds, becoming a model and example for everyone.
After a while, desiring spiritual fulfilment and burning with divine love, they decided to leave community life and live in isolation. With the blessing of their abbot, they passed by Trajan’s Tower, and went on Cozia Mount, where they dug their monastic cells next to the water springs of the quiet woods.
Many were the temptations experienced by the two venerable fathers, but none of them succeeded to overwhelm their thirst for prayer, quietness and struggle. Under the protection of the Mother of God, gathered a small brotherhood around the two venerable fathers, who struggled to pray unceasingly, to keep watch, to observe fasting and to read spiritual books.
Wherefore, Blessed Daniel and Misael built a wooden church for their needs, dedicated to the feast of the Entrance into the Temple of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Venerable Daniel was the confessor of every hermit in the region. According to tradition, Saints Neophyte and Meletios (from Stânișoara) were his spiritual children.
Because this skete was close to a Roman tower, it was called Turnu (Tower) Skete.
Toward the end of his life, Venerable Daniel left his ordinances for a reclused life, and appointed his disciple, Venerable Misael, as spiritual guide for the brethren.
Both Venerable Fathers lived a well pleasing life to God and showed themselves chosen vessels of the Holy Spirit, being numbered in the ranks of Romanian Hermits and Venerable Fathers.
Troparion, tone 1
You have shown yourselves teachers of endless prayer and of spiritual warfare, o Venerable Fathers Daniel and Misael. Being unseparated from the love of Christ our Saviour, you have served the Most Holy Trinity with diligence, striving in caves. Therefore, we humbly ask you: Pray that our souls be saved!
