Saint Chariton the Confessor: torture, wilderness, and three monasteries

The post recounts the life of Saint Chariton, a respected and devout Christian from the city of Iconium. Inspired by the courage of Saint Thekla, he openly confessed the name of Christ. During the persecution under Emperor Aurelian, Chariton was brought before the governor and ordered to worship the idols.

He boldly confessed his faith in the one living God, the Creator of all, and in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. For this confession he was beaten and tortured so severely that his whole body became like one wound. After the death of Aurelian, Saint Chariton was released from prison and set out for Jerusalem.

On the way he was captured by robbers, but by the providence of God he was delivered. Instead of returning to Iconium, he withdrew into the wilderness of Pharan, where he founded a monastery and gathered many monks. After giving them a rule of life, he left in order to avoid human praise and went deeper into the desert near Jericho, where another monastery was later founded.

Finally he founded a third monastery, known as the Souka or the Old Lavra. Saint Chariton reposed in deep old age on September 28, 350, and entered the glory of his Lord. The post notes that his suffering for Christ became the beginning of a life filled with prayer, humility, and spiritual fruit for generations.