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Venerable Chariton the Confessor 10/11/2013
He was a distinguished and pious citizen of Iconium. Brought up in the spirit of his fellow-citizen Thecla, Chariton publicly confessed the name of Christ. When the violent persecution of Christians began during the reign of the Emperor Aurelian, Chariton was immediately brought to trial before the Consul. When he told him to bow before gods (i.e. the idols), Chariton replied:" All your gods are nothing but demons thrown in the utmost darkness for their pride." And Saint Chariton clearly declared his faith in the One living God, the Creator of all, in God Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind. Then the Consul gave the command and he was tortured and beaten so severely, and his body was covered with so many wounds, that it all became as one bleeding wound. Following the unexpected death of Aurelian, that at the time befell the tyrant, Chariton was set free from tortures and prison. Then he set out for Jerusalem. On his way there he was captured by thieves, but God's Providence saved him. And he would not return to Iconium any more, but he withdrew in the wilderness in Pharan, where he founded a lavra and gathered many monks. When he had established the typicon for the brethren, driven by desire to avoid glory of men, he withdrew in a desert near Jericho, where he founded another lavra, called the Lavra of Chariton. Afterwards he founded yet a third lavra called Souka, or the Old Lavra. He fell asleep in the Lord in his old age and inhabited the glory of his Lord on September 28, 350. His relics rest in his first lavra. Saint Chariton is said to be the author of the service for the monastic tonsure.
