Kira and Marina of Syria (Kyra and Marana)

[Kira]

I am looking for an icon of Sts Kira and Marina together.

They were Syrian desert mothers, greatly venerated by the Maronite Catholic church, as they were disciples of St. Maroun (Maron).

St. Kira is depicted as a thin woman in lilac robes, hands raised in blessing. St. Marana is depicted in a blue robe, hands down.

I am curious to find out if the Maronites are the only ones who venerate these two saints. They can be found at least in the Russian calendar on Feb 28th.

Their basic story is known, but I'd be curious to find out about any other saints named Kira/Kyra and if there is a church somewhere (Syria?) devoted to these two saints.

[Kiera Kristin Taylor]

Did you ever find a Kira/Marina icon?

Thanks!

[Nina]

http://saints.oca.org/IconDirectory/XSM/february/0228marinakyrasyria.jpg Saints Marana and Kyra,


sisters by birth, lived during the fourth century in the city of Veria (or Berea) in Syria. Their parents were illustrious and Having rich, but the sisters left home and departed the city when they had reached maturity. cleared off a small plot of land, the holy virgins sealed up the entrance to their refuge with rocks and clay, leaving only a narrow opening through which food was passed to them. Their little hut had no roof, and so they were exposed to the elements.

On their bodies they wore heavy iron chains and patiently endured hunger. During a three year period, they ate food only once every forty days. Their former servants came to them, wanting to join their ascetic life. The saints put them in a separate hut next to their own enclosure and they spoke to them through a window, exhorting them to deeds of prayer and fasting.

The life of the holy ascetics Marana and Kyra was described by Bishop Theodoret of Cyrrhus in his RELIGIOSA HISTORIA. Out of respect for his hierarchical dignity, the holy virgins allowed him into their dwelling. Theodoret conversed with them and persuaded them to remove the heavy chains they wore under their clothing. Kyra, who was weak in body, was always stooped under their weight and was unable to sit upright. Once he left, however, they resumed wearing the chains.

So they lived in asceticism for forty years. They disturbed their solitude only to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to pray at the Sepulchre of the Lord. During their journey (which took twenty days) they ate no food until they had prayed at the Holy Places. On the way back, they also went without eating. They did the same thing at another time, when they journeyed to the grave of the Protomartyr Thekla (September 24) at Seleucia, Isauria.

Sts Marana and Kyra died in about the year 450. Their ascetical life equalled that of the great male ascetics of the desert, and they received the same crown of victory from Christ the Savior.Hope this helps. I was just reading this (their lives) today in my email and then this thread was revived. :) Through their intercessions may God have mercy on us!

P.S The saint on the left is St. Marana and the one on the right is St. Kyra.

[Olga]

I am looking for an icon of Sts Kira and Marina together.

Their basic story is known, but I'd be curious to find out about any other saints named Kira/Kyra and if there is a church somewhere (Syria?) devoted to these two saints.

Hello Kira

I have a Greek icon on file of the abovementioned saints, standing together with St Basil the Confessor (all three saints are commemorated on the same day). There is at least one other saint by the name of Kira: Newmartyr Kira of St Petersburg, one of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, whose feast day is December 4. By coincidence, I am currently collecting information on this saint's life, and mounting an icon if the saint for a little girl who was baptised recently, who took this saint's name.

There are also several other saints whose names are often rendered as Kira (such as Kyriaki, Kyranna, etc).

[Nina]

Since Olga mentioned it, Kyranna of Thessaloniki celebrates also today. :) May God have mercy on us through her intercessions!

[Kira]

http://saints.oca.org/IconDirectory/XSM/february/0228marinakyrasyria.jpg Saints Marana and Kyra,
Hope this helps. I was just reading this (their lives) today in my email and then this thread was revived. :) Through their intercessions may God have mercy on us!

P.S The saint on the left is St. Marana and the one on the right is St. Kyra.

Nina, your private inbox was full - so I am posting here. Yes, I am named after St. Kira whose name day is 28.2. I am Russian Orthodox. I also have a very good Orthodox friend who is like a sister to me whose name is ALMOST Marana (but not quite). I always thought that was very interesting.

Incidentally, I am in Israel right now but flying out tonight. Did not find an icon of Kira and Marana but have seen a Syrian icon online. I did buy a beautiful Syrian icon of Elijah the Prophet in front of his cave in a richly decorated cape, receiving a piece of bread from a raven who is perched atop a mountain. It seems to be a common icon in these parts, but I have never seen anything like that in a Russian church. The Prophet's name is inscribed in Arabic.

[Kira]

Funny, I also went to the church of Holy Sepulchre but there isn't much time to pray there because the place is flooded with tourists and only 4 people can go in at a time. So, it's pretty much in and out and if you are not fast enough, a Coptic monk or an Israeli officer will drag you out of there!

[Nina]

Nina, your private inbox was full - so I am posting here. Yes, I am named after St. Kira whose name day is 28.2. I am Russian Orthodox. I also have a very good Orthodox friend who is like a sister to me whose name is ALMOST Marana (but not quite). I always thought that was very interesting.

Incidentally, I am in Israel right now but flying out tonight. Did not find an icon of Kira and Marana but have seen a Syrian icon online. I did buy a beautiful Syrian icon of Elijah the Prophet in front of his cave in a richly decorated cape, receiving a piece of bread from a raven who is perched atop a mountain. It seems to be a common icon in these parts, but I have never seen anything like that in a Russian church. The Prophet's name is inscribed in Arabic.

Hi Kira and belated happy name day.

I am so delighted you are in Israel and visiting Holy Places. Actually the icon of Prophet Ilias receiving his food from the raven sent by God is the icon we have for the prophet in the Greek Orthodox tradition. I have seen mostly and more often that icon of Prophet Elias and another one him ascending in his fiery chariot. I love Prophet Elias and my maternal grandmother loved this Prophet also very much and daily prayed to him for intercession.