Relics believed to belong to an 18th-century neomartyr have recently been discovered in a village in the Pella region of northern Greece, according to the Orthodoxia News Agency.
Her name — Chryse, meaning “golden” in Greek — matches that of the village where the relics were found, near a church among the ruins of the old fortress.
Specialised laboratories in Germany examined the relics, described as clean and emitting a pleasant fragrance. Tests indicated that they belonged to a young woman approximately 17 years old who died around 1795.
Saint’s feast approaches
“In a few days — more precisely, on 13 October — the Church will honour the memory of St Chryse, who, in the face of the terrible torments inflicted upon her by the Turks, did not renounce Christ,” Metropolitan Ioil of Edessa, Pella and Almopia of the Church of Greece said.
“This year’s celebration will have a special character, as her holy relics will also be brought to the church on that day.”
The saint’s life will soon be presented in a documentary to be broadcast by Pemptousia TV, the television channel founded by Vatopedi Monastery.
A martyr from more than two centuries ago
St. Chryse was born into a poor family and had three sisters. Accounts of her life describe her as possessing both physical and spiritual beauty.
One day, while gathering firewood with other women, she was abducted by a Turk who sought to convert her to Islam and marry her.
“I know only Christ as my Bridegroom, and I will not deny Him even if you tear me to pieces,” the young woman said, despite pleas from her family to save her earthly life.
“My Father is my Lord Jesus Christ, my mother is the Mother of God, and my brothers and sisters are the saints of our Church,” she also said.
St Chryse received the crown of martyrdom on 13 October 1795 after enduring severe torture. She was ultimately killed by being cut to pieces with knives.
The only church dedicated to St Chryse is located in her native village of Chryse.
Photo: Doxologia.ro
