The Woman At The Well

Being a "child of the 60's" (my teen years), it was natural to become a fan of Peter, Paul and Mary.  The "protest song genre" notwithstanding, there was just a lot of good music that was produced, much of it spiritual in nature, taking cues from old time spirituals, etc.

One such 'tune' that always comes to mind is "Jesus Met the Woman at the Well."  It is a painfully repetitive but accurate account of the Lord's encounter with the woman we now know as Saint Photina at Jacob's well at Sychar in Samaria, as documented in Chapter 4 of the Gospel of Saint John.

Why this message on this day?  Because this is the day we celebrate the memory of Saint Photina!

In many Christian backgrounds, her name remains unknown.  But to us in Holy Orthodoxy, we have the rich tradition of what happened to this wonderful saint after her first encounter with the Lord.  The account is one that carries much hope for us even to this very day, for in a truly brief encounter, the shortest of improbable conversations, the heart of Saint Photina was changed, and she left her sinful life and followed Christ!  May it be so with us!!

From the years 54 through 68 (the reign of the emperor Nero), Saint Photina lived in Carthage with her younger son Joses.  Her evangelistic mission, which started when she left her water bottle at the well and went into the town to call others to 'come and see' Jesus continued in this new city.  The blessed saint's older son, Victor, was a soldier, a military commander in Asia Minor, distinguished in battle, whom Nero called to Italy to arrest and punish Christians. A friend of his, Sebastian by name, urged Victor to convince his family to submit to the will of the emperor, for he knew that they were all Christians.  Instead of shrinking at the threat from the emperor, Victor boldly proclaimed, "I wish to preach Christ like my mother and brother."

Saddened, Sebastian continued to try to change Victor's mind, and in response, he became blinded for three days, laying, without uttering even a word.  On the fourth day, Sebastian arose and declared, "The God of the Christians is the only true God."  When Victor asked why he had changed his own perspective, Sebastian replied, "Because Christ is calling me!"  He received baptism, and regained his sight.  At this, all of his own servants were also baptized.

Nero learned of all of these happenings, and summoned the group to Rome.  Christ appeared to Victor, giving him the name Photinus, because "through you many will be enlightened and believe in Me."

Saint Photina heard of the plight of her son, and left Carthage to join the confessors of Christ in Rome.  There, persecutions awaited, and they submitted willingly to all.  Saint Photina and her five sisters were given over to supervision by Nero's daughter, Domnina, whom Saint Photina evangelized and brought to Christ!  Casting the whole group into prison for three years, Nero again sent to receive a report on their being broken to renounce Christ.  Instead, he was informed that the whole prison had been evangelized, converted, and that it had become "a bright and fragrant place where God is glorified."

At this, Nero gave orders to crucify the saints.  After four days, an angel freed the martyrs from their crosses and healed them.  The tortures became even more savage.  Ultimately, the "woman at the well" was cast into a well by Nero, where she remained for twenty days.  After this, she was again brought before Nero and ordered to offer sacrifice to idols.  At this, Saint Photina spit in the face of the emperor, saying, "You impious and stupid man!  Do you think I am so deluded that I would renounce my Lord to offer sacrifice to idols as blind as you are?"

Saint Photina was returned to the well, and there she surrendered her soul to her Lord and Savior.