Saint Christina of Persia was a 6th-century noblewoman from the Sasanian Empire, specifically from Karka d'Beth Slokh. Born as Yazdoi, she was the daughter of a governor named Yazdin. After converting from Zoroastrianism to Christianity, she chose to remain a virgin and refused to marry. This decision led to her persecution under the rule of Khosrau I, ultimately resulting in her death. Her life and martyrdom were recorded in a biography written by Babai the Great.
Life and martyrdom
As the daughter of a high-ranking official, Christina lived within the Persian nobility. Her transition from Zoroastrianism to the Christian faith prompted significant conflict. To preserve her vow of virginity, she rejected marriage proposals, which led to her being beaten to death with rods. She died during the reign of Khosrau I, becoming a recognized martyr for her religious convictions.
Veneration
She is honored as a virgin martyr across several Christian traditions. The Catholic and Syriac Orthodox churches celebrate her feast day on March 13. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes her memory on March 14, while the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates her on March 15.