On today - April 14, we honor Saint Martin the Confessor. Everyone who bears the names Martin, Martina and derivatives celebrates their name day, writes BLITZ.
According to the folk calendar, Martin and Martina celebrate on March 1 - according to Bulgarian folk beliefs, Martha is an old woman who brings spring and drives away winter, and according to the Orthodox - on April 14.
The legend says that...
Together with Saint Maximus the Confessor, the Roman Pope Saint Martin (649-653) defended the true church teaching from the false teaching of the Monothelites. The heretics were also patronized by Emperor Constans (641-668), who shared their beliefs. Pope Martin convened a local council in Rome, at which the heresy was condemned, and the heretics were anathema.
Upon learning of this, the emperor accused Pope Martin of a state crime, of treason. By order of Constans, the two defenders of Orthodox doctrine, Maximus the Confessor and Pope Martin, were forcibly taken to Constantinople, where they were tortured and tried as political criminals (553). Much effort was made to make them agree with the teachings of the heretics. However, both remained firm in their Orthodox beliefs and did not cease to denounce the false teachings of the Monothelites.
After suffering many insults and deprivations, Pope Martin was sent into exile in Chersonesos Taurica (Crimea), where he died two years later, remaining an unwavering confessor of Orthodox doctrine until the end of his life.
Origin of the name:
Child of Mars (from the Latin martius). According to Roman mythology, the god of war Mars was the father of the twin brothers Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome). From there, all Romans, as descendants of Romulus and Remus, were called "children of Mars".
The month of March was also named after Mars, as soldiers usually started their military service then, and March 1 (Feriae Marti) was the Roman New Year.
Martin is also the name of four popes and two famous saints - Martin of Tours is the patron saint of France, and Martin of Peru watches over the Peruvians.
Martha is an ancient Hebrew name, translated as "master".