Prayer to St. Marina the Monk

Give us grace, Lord God, to refrain from judging the sins of others, that, like your servant Marina the Monk, we may remain faithful to the path of discipleship even in the face of unjust accusations. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen

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St. Marina the Monk, also known by the monastic name Marinos, is a revered figure whose life exemplifies humility, steadfast faith and quiet resistance. Born in 5th-century Lebanon, Marina was raised by her father Eugenius after her mother’s death. When Eugenius sought to enter monastic life, Marina, inspired by her own holy calling, insisted on joining him—not as a daughter, but as a fellow monk. With her father’s consent, she cut her hair, donned a monk’s habit, took the name Marinos and entered the Monastery of Qannoubine.

Living under this hidden identity, St. Marina devoted herself to prayer, penance and spiritual discipline. Her virtue stood out among the monks, but her sanctity tested when she was falsely accused of fathering a child during a mission outside the monastery. Though innocent, Marina offered no defense and did not reveal her identity, choosing instead to suffer in silence—imitating Christ, who “was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

Expelled from the monastery, she lived in poverty at its gates, raising the child in charity and prayer. After four years, she was readmitted under strict conditions. She remained obedient to her superiors and continued to raise the child, who eventually joined the monastery as well.

Marina maintained her identity as Marinos throughout her life. Only after her death was her identity and birth gender discovered, prompting astonishment, repentance and veneration. Her hidden life was revealed to be one of extraordinary virtue, chastity and self-denial.

Her humility and forgiveness in the face of slander made her a beloved figure, especially among the Maronite Christians of Lebanon. Her tomb in Qannoubine became a site of pilgrimage, known for miracles and spiritual comfort. Her relics were later transferred to Venice in 1230, where they remain venerated.

St. Marina teaches us that holiness often flourishes in hiddenness. Her life is a call to humility, a timeless testament of virtue over injustice, and a model of total trust in God’s will. 

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