View source for Matrona of Thessalonica

The holy and glorious [[Martyr]] '''Matrona of Thessalonica''' died for her faith during either the third or fourth century. She is commemorated by the church [[March 27]].

==Life==
St. Matrona was the servant of a Jewish woman named Pantilla, the wife of the governor of [[Thessalonica]]. When Matrona refused to follow her mistress into the [[synagogue]], Pantilla beat her so severely that she died a few days later, and thus received the crown of her confession.<ref>[http://home.iprimus.com.au/xenos/matrona.html St Matrona of Thessalonica]  ([[GOAA]])</ref>

==Historical==
According to archaeological evidence and various written sources, the [[monastery]] of St. Matrona is one of the first three monasteries of Thessaloniki. According to the information historians have, until the beginning of [[iconoclasm]] (726), there is reference to a "monastery of Saint Matrona, located outside the walls of Thesssaloniki, with strong fortification. It existed about the end of the sixth and the beginning of the seventh century."<ref>[http://www.ems.name/makedonika%2034/harizanis.pdf Summary of ''The Beginning of Monasticism in Thessaloniki'' (PDF)] by G. Harizanis</ref>

The book of the Miracles of Saint Demetrius mentions a [[church]] dedicated to St. Matrona. This church, which was near the Via Egnatia, is also mentioned by the [[Archbishop]] of Thessaloniki, Alexander. In the account of the [[saint]]'s deeds we read: "Άθλησις της Αγίας Μάρτυρος Ματρώνης εκ πόλεως Θεσσαλονίκης. Αυτή θεράπαινα υπήρξε Παντίλλης τινός Ιουδαίας, γυναικός στρατοπεδάρχου εν τη Θεσσαλονικέων πόλει," which translates to: "Miracle of the Holy Martyr Matrona of Thessaloniki. She cured a Jewess named Pantilla, the wife of a garrison commander in the city of the Thessalonians."<ref>Tafrali, O., ''Topographie de Thessalonique'', Paris 1913, p. 184.</ref>

==Hymns==
[[Kontakion]] ([[Tone]] 4) [http://home.iprimus.com.au/xenos/matrona.html]
:O Lord Jesus, unto You Your lamb cries with a great voice, "O my Bridegroom, You I love; and seeking You, I now contest, and with Your baptism I am crucified and buried. I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You; for Your sake I die, that I may live in you. Accept me, offered out of longing to You as a spotless sacrifice." Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since You are great in mercy.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100913 Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=473 Matrona of Thessalonica] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=March&day=27 The Holy Martyr, Matrona] (''[[Prologue of Ohrid]]'')

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:4th-century saints]]