Saint Chrysḗ (celebrated 13/10) was born in the village of Chrysḗ in the province of Almopia in the prefecture of Pella. This village is today just right outside the town of Aridaia at the North part of Greece. Saint Chrysḗ was born during the time of Turkish occupation of Greece that lasted for about 400 years. Her father was poor and had four daughters. Chrysḗ was beautiful in body and soul. Once, while she was in the fields with other women collecting firewood, she was abducted by a Turk and taken to his house. The Turk attempted with flattery to convert her to Islam and make her his wife. But Chrysḗ resisted and answered with strength: “I only know Christ for my Groom, who I will not deny even if you tear me to pieces”. Chrysḗ’s parents and relatives, forced by the Turks, begged her to accept Islam to save her life. But the courageous Chrysḗ answered them: “My father is Lord Jesus Christ, my mother is our Lady the Theotokos, and my brothers and sisters are the Saints of our Church”. Seeing that Chrysḗ was resolutely firm and unwavering in her beliefs, the Turks responded with horrible tortures. Finally, on October 13, 1795, AD, her body was cut with knives and so she received the crown of martyrdom from the Bridegroom Christ.
Translated by Dr. Nick Stergiou
