It's a pity, but today, in our time, the name Zinaida has lost its appeal, but once it was very popular. Starting a detailed study of the topic: "Zinaida: name days, the meaning of the name", let's start with the fact that from the ancient Greek language this word is translated as "belonging to Zeus", "born by Zeus" or "divine daughter". However, if we talk about church representatives, then this was the name of a close relative of the Apostle Paul, who was canonized as a saint and was known as Zinaida of Tarsia. There was another Christian martyr - Zinaida of Caesarea the Wonderworker. We will talk about them below.
Saint Zinaida: name day and martyrdom
Unfortunately, little is known about the life of Saint Zinaida of Caesarea. She was a Palestinian martyr and miracle worker, who suffered death around 284-305, when people were subjected to terrible tortures for preaching the creeds of Christ. They were eventually burned at the stake, executed by beheading or crucifixion. The life and death of Zinaida of Caesarea is associated with other Christian martyrs -Mary, Kyriakia, Kaleria. Saint Zinaida, whose name day is celebrated on June 7 (20), like many Christian martyrs, did not renounce faith in Christ, even despite all the difficult trials that fell to her lot. And the more people were executed, the more they were converted.
Early Christian saint
Another well-known holy martyr, Zinaida of Tarsia, lived in the first century. She preached Christianity and was engaged in medical activities. She was brutally stoned to death, but more on that later. Orthodox people celebrate the name day of Zinaida of Tarsia on October 11 (24).
So, according to the life of the saints, Zinaida and her sister Filonila were natives of the city of Tarsus in the Cilician region, which was located in Asia Minor (now it is modern Turkey) and were close relatives of the Apostle Paul. He originally bore the name Saul and was not among the twelve apostles, and in his early youth he was even a persecutor of the first Christians. However, after meeting with the resurrected Jesus Christ, his views changed, and he accepted the apostolic mission. Thanks to him, many Christian communities were created in Asia Minor and on the Balkan Peninsula. He was to write down the main texts of Christian theology, which form a significant part of the gospel.
Unchanging love for God
So, seeing what great changes happened to Paul, after he turned to Christ and became a preacher of His faith, the young virgins also thought about the meaning of life, about the vanity of the world, and with all their souls ignited love for Christ.
After Paul preached, theyleft their home and mother forever, renouncing all earthly goods and property, began to live in a cave near the city of Demetriada, in the north of their hometown of Tarsa.
Zinaida and Filonila began to walk around the cities and villages and began to preach the holy Gospel, taking on the apostolic work.
The life states that Zinaida was a doctor and treated poor people for free. A lot of people reached out to them in the cave. God did not want to hide them from the people who needed their help and service more and more. The virgins instructed people on the true path and led to the Christian faith. They healed the people not only from physical diseases, but also from spiritual ulcers. Zinaida was a great healer, and Filonila devoted her attention to fasting, vigils and performed various miracles.
Zinaida: name day according to the church calendar
People, seeing such great grace in these Christian virgins, turned from pagans into Christians. It is not known exactly how much time Saints Zinaida and Philonila spent in such asceticism, but the pagans living nearby could not calmly look at everything that was happening. As a result, their idol temples began to empty, and the worship of the old gods diminished. No matter how they persuaded, no matter how they intimidated the virgins, they did not retreat from their holy cause. And then, completely furious with anger, the pagans came to them in a cave and stoned them to death with stones. Very selflessly and courageously, the sisters accepted a terrible martyrdom.
Saint Zinaida, whose name day is celebrated on October 11 (24), together with her sisterand today, through the diligent prayer of the one who asks, they help with any spiritual and bodily infirmity.
