Born in Pisidian Antioch of pagan parents, Marina only heard of the Lord Jesus at the age of twelve, of His Incarnation of the Most Pure Virgin Mary, His many miracles, His death by crucifixion and His Glorious Resurrection. Her little heart was inflamed with love for the Lord, and she vowed never to marry and, further, desired in her soul to suffer for Christ and be baptized with the blood of martyrdom. Her father hated her for her Christian faith, and would not regard her as his daughter.

The judgment of the soul according to its faith and deeds on earth, is an unquestioned teaching of the Gospel it is also a self-evident demand of human nature and reasoning. The Christian Church places this judgment at the very moment of the death of the individual for two reasons:

The strongest affirmation of an Everlasting Life is drawn from the Holy Bible and especially from the teaching and example (paradigma) of Jesus Christ. His Divine preaching throughout His earthly life was penetrated by the strong presupposition of the Living God and an Everlasting Life as well as the way whereby men can share them forever. There are many references in the Holy Bible to emphasize this, not only the Divine words of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but also the strong belief of the Holy Apostles and the early Christian Church. The Holy Apostle Paul is especially - the herald of an everlasting life as a hope and reward of our faith in the Living God.

Death constitutes the last chapter of the history of our human life. In many cases, the understanding of death penetrates the whole life and is the red thread throughout the activities and volition of human beings. Death is a unique episode at the end of the life of man, and as such, it is the object of important studies by the philosopher, the scientist, and the ordinary man. No other episode of human life as death equalizes the aspirations, demands, and ranks of men - as the Prophet cries - I meditate among the tombs -- and I say, who is a king, or rich, or poor, or just, or a sinner?"

The Christian soul that lives with a profound hope of life beyond the grave and the sweet anticipation of the most desirable Paradise attempts to maintain a vivid memory of death. The Wisdom of Sirach says: "In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin" (7:36). The Christian knows that he will live after death and, therefore, should constantly be aware of his present mortality, keeping before him his exodus from the present world, the Second Coming, the future judgment, and his endless Eternity. For this reason Saint Gregory the Theologian often repeats the saying of Plato which suggests that the present life ought to be "a meditation upon death." He advised his friend Philagrios to live "instead of the present the future and to make this life a meditation and practice of death." To the priest Photios he wrote: "Our cares and our attention are concentrated on one thing only our departure from this world. And for this departure, we prepare ourselves and gather our baggage as prudent travelers would do." Also, Saint Athanasios advises in his treatise On Virginity: "Recall your exodus every hour; keep death before your eyes on a daily basis. Remember before whom you must appear." Saint John of Sinai advises: "Let the memory of death sleep and awake with you."

How will the clergy and monks be in the latter days? What do our Saints say?

Saint Hippolytus of Rome: "The shepherds will be like wolves; the priests will embrace falsehood; the monks will lust after the things of the world."