When remembering Daria of Rome, they always talk about her husband, Chrysanthus. Thanks to him, Daria, having retreated from the pagan faith, believed in one God and accepted the Sacrament of Baptism.
Despite the fact that the couple were young, it is known that they settled separately and agreed to maintain purity until the end of their days and devote themselves to the study of the Law of God. Daria and Chrysanthus told others about God, but this activity of theirs became known to the supreme ruler, after which both of them, locked in prison, suffered severe torture and died tortured by the infidels.
Meaning of the icon
The Holy Great Martyr Daria of Rome is the primary patron of all women who have this name. By praying to the icon, they can avoid many problems and choose the right decision in a difficult moment. Also, veneration of this icon blesses one for an honest, happy life until old age.
Holy Martyr Daria of Rome
The meaning of the icon of St. Daria of Rome is especially important for those who communicate a lot or whose main activity is related to communications.
The fact is that the face of Saint Daria warns against dangerous information and teaches sensitivity in the ability to distinguish truth from lies. Great spiritual support is given through the prayers of the Saint to those who, for some reason, are forced to defend their position, but, unfortunately, are in the minority.
Saint Daria of Rome will help you not to give up your position and to survive in any struggle.
Description of the icon
The Holy Great Martyr Daria of Rome in the icons holds a cross in one hand, and with her left hand she seems to bless everyone who turns to her. On some versions of the icon, Saint Daria holds the Holy Scriptures in her left hand.
On various icons this saint is depicted together with her spiritual husband, Chrysanthus. This version of the icon is often chosen by spouses who pray to live together until death, while avoiding betrayal and misunderstandings.
Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Darius
The icon of Saint Daria is located in Rome, where her holy relics and the relics of her husband are also kept in the Church of the Holy Twelve Apostles. Thus, even after death, the saints continue to be together.
Today, many parents (not only girls named Daria) turn to the icon of the Holy Great Martyr in prayer, asking for her help in raising their daughters, and also give them small, pocket copies of the icon with the belief that this way their children will be protected from wrong steps and serious mistakes.
Attention! The priests assure that before praying at the icon, it is necessary to cleanse yourself of bad thoughts and all filth, because Saint Daria helps only those who have a good heart and pure thoughts.
Chrysanthus and Daria what they pray for
Chrysanthus was the son of the famous Alexandrian, Senator Polemius, who, during the time of Emperor Numerian (283–284), moved with his son to Rome. Having received his primary education, Chrysanthus began to study philosophy. Not satisfied with what philosophy had given him, he was amazed to discover the Gospel - the book of Wisdom incarnate. Guided by Providence, he soon found the leader he was looking for in the person of Presbyter Carpophorus. The priest hid in a cave due to persecution. Carpophorus initiated Chrysanthus into the mysteries of the faith and gave him a new birth in holy baptism.
| Martyrs Chrysanthos and Darius |
Seven days later Chrysanthos returned to the city and began preaching Christ, to the great grief of his parents. Polemius first tried to force him to change his views, promising pleasures and wealth. Then, having failed, he imprisoned his son in a dark cell in the hope of breaking his will with hunger.
When the father saw that fasting and imprisonment only gave his son strength, he, on the advice of a friend, took him to a magnificently decorated hall and invited young girls to defeat him with the help of their caresses. But Chrysanthus, calling on God for help and bringing to mind the example of Joseph’s chastity (cf. Gen. 39), remained insensitive to their charms. Every time the shameless girls approached him, they began to feel extremely drowsy.
Then Polemia was advised to invite a young beautiful maiden named Daria, a native of Athens, versed in philosophy. She, dressed in magnificent outfits, was introduced to Chrysanthus, and she tried to catch his reasoning in the network of spiritual charm. He answered her by describing the spectacle of death and the final Judgment. Then, when she tried to remind him of the honors due to the gods, the true philosopher easily refuted her arguments, showing that there is nothing more contrary to common sense than to worship the elements - earth, water and fire, giving them human forms. Hearing these words, Daria herself found herself in the power of true wisdom. They decided to feign marriage in order to be able to live in virginity until death and prepare for a chaste marriage in Heaven.
Chrysanthus and Daria devoted themselves to ardent preaching among the Roman youth and convinced many young men and women to remain celibate for God's sake. The pagans were concerned about this and reported them to the prefect Kelerin, who ordered the arrest and handed Chrysanthos over to the tribune Claudius. Brought to the temple of Jupiter, he refused to make sacrifices. Then they tied him with bull sinews, soaked in water, so that, as they dried, they slowly cut into the body right down to the bones. But God miraculously delivered him from this and other torments that the persecutors invented. Chrysanthus was thrown into prison, and it was illuminated with divine light. They beat him with rods - they became soft like feathers and only fanned him. Then the tribune Claudius recognized the power of God along with his entire family. He himself, his wife Ilaria, his sons Jason and Maurus, as well as the soldiers who were under his command, asked the saint to instruct them in the faith. They prepared for baptism, giving thanks to God, and declared that they were ready to endure all kinds of torment for His name.
Upon learning this news, Numerian became furious and ordered Claudius to be thrown into the sea with a stone around his neck and his sons and soldiers to be beheaded. Christians buried the bodies of the holy martyrs in an underground cave near the Salarius road. Ilaria settled here to look after the lamps and pray at their graves. When the soldiers came to arrest her, she asked to be allowed to pray one last time before the graves of the holy martyrs and went to the Lord. The maids buried her in this place and subsequently built a small church here.
Fearing that the number of converts would increase, the emperor ordered Chrysanthus to be imprisoned in the terrible Mamertine prison, stinking and full of sewage, and sent Darius to a brothel. But the Lord once again visited his saints: He surrounded Chrysanthus with light and indescribable fragrance and sent a lion to protect Daria from attacks on her purity. The saint forbade the lion to eat the first of them and, with meekness appealing to his reason, was able to convert the wicked man to Christ. At this time, the predatory beast was keeping guard in front of the door. Then the lion brought the rest of the men, and they in turn turned to the true faith after hearing the words of Daria. After this, the prefect Kelerin ordered a fire to be lit at the entrance. Then Daria sent the animal to freedom and considered herself ready for the last battle.
The holy martyrs underwent new torments, but without any harm to themselves. Eventually they were thrown into a ditch, which was covered with stones and earth. Thus they achieved martyrdom and reached the Kingdom of Heaven.
The following year, Christians came to this place to celebrate the memory of the heavenly birth of the martyrs. Presbyter Diodorus and Deacon Marian served the Divine Liturgy. Then Numerian ordered the entrance to the cave where the service was being held to be blocked. All those gathered received Holy Communion while the soldiers filled the cave with earth from above, and joined in the joy of Chrysanthos, Daria and the victims with them.
When remembering Daria of Rome, they always talk about her husband, Chrysanthus. Thanks to him, Daria, having retreated from the pagan faith, believed in one God and accepted the sacrament of baptism.
Despite the fact that the couple were young, it is known that they settled separately and agreed to maintain purity until the end of their days and devote themselves to the study of the Law of God. Daria and Chrysanthus told others about God, but this activity of theirs became known to the supreme ruler, after which both of them, locked in prison, suffered severe torture and died tortured by the infidels.
The Holy Great Martyr Daria of Rome is the primary patron of all women who have this name. By praying to the icon, they can avoid many problems and choose the right decision in a difficult moment. Also, veneration of this icon blesses one for an honest, happy life until old age.
The meaning of the icon of St. Daria of Rome is especially important for those who communicate a lot or whose main activity is related to communications.
The fact is that the face of Saint Daria warns against dangerous information and teaches sensitivity in the ability to distinguish truth from lies. Great spiritual support is given through the prayers of the Saint to those who, for some reason, are forced to defend their position, but, unfortunately, are in the minority.
Saint Daria of Rome will help you not to give up your position and to survive in any struggle.
The Holy Great Martyr Daria of Rome in the icons holds a cross in one hand, and with her left hand she seems to bless everyone who turns to her. On some versions of the icon, Saint Daria holds the Holy Scriptures in her left hand.
On various icons this saint is depicted together with her spiritual husband, Chrysanthus. This version of the icon is often chosen by spouses who pray to live together until death, while avoiding betrayal and misunderstandings.
The icon of Saint Daria is located in Rome, where her holy relics and the relics of her husband are also kept in the Church of the Holy Twelve Apostles. Thus, even after death, the saints continue to be together.
Today, many parents (not only girls named Daria) turn to the icon of the Holy Great Martyr in prayer, asking for her help in raising their daughters, and also give them small, pocket copies of the icon with the belief that this way their children will be protected from wrong steps and serious mistakes.
Attention! The priests assure that before praying at the icon, it is necessary to cleanse yourself of bad thoughts and all filth, because Saint Daria helps only those who have a good heart and pure thoughts.
Since ancient times, the Great Martyr Daria has been more revered by the Roman Catholic Church, which explains the fact that in Russia there is no icon of this Saint in any church.
An exception is the small gate church dedicated to Saints Daria and Chrysanthus, which is located in Kostroma and is an architectural part of the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery. Here, on the days of memory of Saint Daria and her husband, a religious procession and festive services are held annually on April 1. It is also likely that there are icons of these saints in this temple.
In addition, not so long ago, near the city of Kirov, in the village of Doronichi, the Church of Saints Chrysanthos and Daria was built with donations from villagers.
The image of Saint Daria protects believers from many temptations and temptations with which worldly life is full.
The icon protects married couples from betrayal, and those girls who dream of a good husband should pray to the icon of the martyr Daria for a pious and kind husband. There is a known case when a wife, praying at the icon of St. Daria of Rome, asked for the preservation of the family and for her husband to leave debauchery and deception. And soon the man heartily repented of his sins to his wife, renounced fornication and returned to the family, where happiness reappeared. And after some time, the couple got married to live their whole lives together and remain faithful to each other.
Among the people, Saint Daria is recognized as a helper in motherhood. How many legends about the miracles of childbirth are passed on from mouth to mouth among believers. For many women who dream of a child, but have serious health problems, Daria, through prayers, presented a miracle - the appearance of a long-awaited baby in the family.
They pray to the Saint for deliverance from serious illnesses that children suffer from, and for help for children far from home.
The Holy Great Martyr Daria of Rome helps to overcome depression, sadness and melancholy. People who have lost loved ones and have a very hard time bearing their death often ask her for relief from grief. In a word, sincere prayer coming from the heart calms the soul of the person praying, and faith is strengthened from the visible help of the Saint.
The icon of St. Daria the Roman Martyr will protect you from deception and betrayal.
It is appropriate to turn to the icon for those parents whose daughters are experiencing teenage problems, thereby the saint will protect the girl from making the wrong mistakes. The face of the saint teaches us to carefully perceive information that comes from outside, and also to correctly determine where is good and where is evil and strictly follow our convictions.
If you touch on the meaning of this icon, then it protects family well-being and happiness! Daria is considered an assistant in motherhood and women's health. They pray to her for the gift of a good husband and in marital infertility. The holy martyr is a healer of people from the most severe mental and physical illnesses. Since ancient times, the icon of St. Paraskeva Friday was placed at city markets as the patroness of trade; she is also considered the patroness of tailors.
From the lives of Saints Chrysanthus and Daria we learn details from almost one thousand seven hundred years ago. Chrysiaf, Daria's future husband, came from a wealthy patrician family; having received a good education, he became disillusioned with the foundations of the pagan Roman faith and the vices reigning around him led him to the Christian faith. In Christianity he saw salvation for himself and his loved ones. The young man's family was hostile to his faith, and in the hope of returning him to the shadow of old Roman customs, Chrysiaph's father married him to Daria, who was then a priestess of Pallas Athena. The calculation did not come true - the young Christian not only strengthened in his faith, but also converted his wife to the Christian faith. In a fit of piety, the young couple took a vow of celibacy, living like brother and sister and rejecting carnal love. After some time, a small circle of young boys and girls gathered around the young couple, who also believed in the dogmas of Christianity. This aroused the anger of the city authorities; on their orders, the young man was tortured, but seeing the steadfastness of Chrysiaph’s faith, even the governor of the province himself converted to Christianity. Having learned about this, the Roman Emperor Numerian, by personal edict, ordered the death of Chrysiaph and all his followers. As a mockery of the couple's celibacy, Daria was sent to a brothel.
If you believe the life, God showed a miracle: Leo fled from the arena of the Colosseum, who, by God’s command, protected Daria of Rome from desecration. For some time the girl lived in safety under the protection of the mighty son of the Savannah, until her enemies decided to burn her alive with all her household. Seeing the danger that threatened her loved ones, Saint Daria released the lion and accepted martyrdom from her pursuers.
On the icons, the Great Martyr Daria is depicted raising a cross in her right hand, her left hand blesses the suffering. On the right side of the icon we see the outstretched palm of Jesus Christ.
People turn to the icon of Daria of Rome in the hope of avoiding deception and adultery
It is believed that the icon can protect against temptations and helps to recognize where good and evil are. Christians believe in the miraculous healing effect of the icon of St. Daria of Rome. She is also considered the patroness of all women named Daria; the day of remembrance is celebrated on March 19 according to the old style and April 1 according to the new style.
The relics of Saints Chrysanthus and Darya of Rome are located in Rome, in a church located in the Square of the Holy Apostles. With a high degree of probability, the icons of the great martyrs Daria of Rome and Chrysanthus are also located there. In the Catholic world, the day of remembrance of saints is celebrated on October 25th. Also famous icons of Daria of Rome are in the churches of Metz and Strasbourg.
The prayer to Saint Daria and her husband is as follows:
Oh, holy and blessed passion-bearers, martyrs of Christ Chrysanthe and Daria! We, unworthy, resort to you at the throne of God and to our warm, quick helpers and our prayer books. Hear now this prayer of ours and pray to our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, Him whom you confessed in your grave torment before the insane tormentors and persecutors of the holy faith of Christ, for us unworthy sinners. For the sake of the faith of Christ, you endured much torment and were put to death, adorning the Church of Christ and crowning with crowns of immortal glory, in unspeakable joy you are installed with the faces of angels in heavenly villages. Illuminated with divine light. Show us also a powerful intercession: preserve the faith of Christ in purity, show courage in suffering and temptation, contentment in everyday needs, always have constancy in prayer and love for God and neighbors. Instruct us, holy martyrs, with your prayers on the path of salvation, strengthen our feet to walk firmly and unwaveringly in the path of the Lord’s commandments, admonishing those who are lost, granting healing to the sick, deliverance to the needy, protection to those living in marriage, and everything useful to us for salvation. As we are guided by your prayers and strengthened by your intercession, let us glorify our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His beginningless Father and His Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Church ministers claim that when turning to the face of a saint and praying to an icon, one’s thoughts must be pure. In general, Saint Daria helps to expose deception and adultery. Help a person understand what is good and what is bad.
Veneration of the icon of the Great Martyr Daria
Since ancient times, the Great Martyr Daria has been more revered by the Roman Catholic Church, which explains the fact that in Russia there is no icon of this Saint in any church.
An exception is the small gate church dedicated to Saints Daria and Chrysanthus, which is located in Kostroma and is an architectural part of the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery. Here, on the days of memory of Saint Daria and her husband, a religious procession and festive services are held annually on April 1. It is also likely that there are icons of these saints in this temple.
Icon of Darius of Rome
In addition, not so long ago, near the city of Kirov, in the village of Doronichi, the Church of Saints Chrysanthos and Daria was built with donations from villagers.
Important! For the veneration of the Saints, there is a small prayer, the holy fathers recommend that you address it to Darya of Rome: “Pray to the Lord God for me, holy saint of God Darius, as I zealously appeal to you, my quick helper and prayer book of my soul.”
Relics
At least three sites claim to have the remains of Chrysanthus and Darya. In the ninth century, their supposed remains were brought to Prüm in present-day Rhineland-Palatinate, and these relics are now in the Church of Chrysanthus and Darya, Bad Münstereifel, Germany.[5] In 1011, Pope Sergius IV gave Fulk III, Count of Anjou, the supposed bodies of Chrysanthus and Darya after his return from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Fulk gave them to the monastery of Belly Locus (now Beaulieu-les-Loches), which he had recently established.[6] The Cathedral of Reggio Emilia in northern Italy also contains relics believed to belong to Darya and Chrysanthus. Scientific examination of some of the bones there confirmed that they were the bones of a young man and a young woman in their teens, with radiocarbon dates ranging from 80 to 340.[7]
