Saint Marina is a Heavenly Intercessor for Infertility – The Story of our Miracle Baby
When A Control-Freak Struggles With Infertility
Gold is refined through fire; so are control freaks, a mythical kind of fire, a slow-burning one that induces patience when that virtue was not an objective in the first place.
My name is Mireille and I am a Control Freak. Or, as I affectionately like to refer to myself and my colleagues in the Control-Freak-Squad: “Misunderstood Perfectionists with an excellent plan”.
My Family plan was traditional and fairy-tale friendly:
- Fall in love: check
- Get married to the man I love: check
- Have my first child by my third wedding anniversary: FAIL
- Have my first child by my fourth wedding anniversary: FAIL
- Have my first child by my fifth wedding anniversary: FAIL
- Have my first child by my sixth wedding anniversary: FAIL
Have my first child EVER?
Struggles with infertility
Consult the experts we shall. We live in Canada in the 21st century. There has to be an answer and a solution. There was an answer but the solution came with a risk that my husband was not willing to entertain. We had to sign a release form absolving the hospital from my potential death. There was a 6% chance that the hormones could cause my untimely demise. Not the most encouraging document for a couple looking to start a family.
Try as I might, my husband would not sign. “There is a 50% chance I can be hit by a car while crossing the street.” I reasoned. That argument was not convincing. He would not sign. In retrospect, that was the most romantic gesture ever. He wanted a baby just as much as I did. He wanted my safety above all.
Enters Saint Marina (figuratively in our lives)
Saint Marina
While in the midst of this emotional turmoil, a dear family friend gave me a book about the life of Saint Marina, the Martyr. It was in Arabic; I left Egypt at the age of 10 – reading the book was a challenge ( it was in literary Arabic). The story of her life and martyrdom (http://www.stminahamilton.ca/2010/07/st-marina-of-antioch-a-martyr-who-overcame-the-devil) concluded with her request to our Lord: that the prayers of those longing for children be granted. There was one proviso, those seeking her intercession were to visit her relics at her Church.
We went on a whirlwind search for a Church, in North America, that would have her relics. My father must have called everywhere. Nothing.
I called my beloved sister in law and mother in law. They both lived in Egypt. I had devised a plan, would they visit her church and call me while there? I would pray while their phone was placed next to her relic. A digital pilgrimage so to speak. They did. I got a call early one morning telling me to start praying as they had placed the phone next to her relics and icon. That was in 2007.
I prayed and prayed and prayed. This plan, also, failed.
The Miracle Baby
In 2009, we visited Egypt and I made the pilgrimage to her Church and to the Monastery of El Amir Tadros, where her relics are also kept.
I must have stood in front of her icon forever. I simply remember crying rivers and imploring her for her intercessions, often aggressively, reminding her of her request to our Lord, reminding her of my messengers and my prayers.I left her side feeling serene and exhausted.
That was in April 2009.
I found out that I was pregnant on June 9th, 2009.
And today, my church is celebrating her feast and welcoming her among us! Her relics are going to be housed at our church; where I can visit her every week!
My plan had failed ( most of them do); God’s plan was so much better ( His always are).
Our miracle child brought us closer to God and to one another. Our miracle child came at the best time in our lives and marriage.
Our miracle child gave us a lifelong friendship with Saint Marina.
Today is her feast day. May all those longing for children have their prayers answered.
May her blessings be with us all.
Our miracle baby, in 2010
In 2015, we visited Saint Marina, with our miracle baby, to give thanks! We recorded the miracle in their roster.
Forever Thankful!
Other posts you might enjoy: Saint Philopatir
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Ismini Kiriakdis
Beautiful thank you for sharing your story and above all your faith. May you always be a light in this world that needs more people of faith and love.
Mireille Mishriky
Thank you very much Ismini for your lovely words of encouragement!
Rosanna@ExtraordinaryEverydayMom
That is quite the journey to becoming a mother but such a blessing for sure! I have not struggled with infertility but I have a dear friend who struggled for many, many years and now finally has an 18-month-old son. It’s amazing to see the blessing he is to her and her husband.
Mireille Mishriky
Thank you very much Rosana; God bless you and your friend’s family!
Denise
Your story is similar to mine. I also struggled with infertility, and went through every medical intervention that we could. In the tenth cycle of our tenth year of infertility, I visited the tomb of St. John Maximovitch in San Francisco and left with some oil from his lampada and a feeling of general peace. In the eleventh cycle of our tenth year of infertility, I was so sad, that I did not keep my appointment the infertility clinic. In the twelfth cycle, when we had decided that would be the last cycle of infertility intervention, I was sad, but resigned that we would not have any children of our own, I kept my infertility appointment and found out that I had become pregnant the month prior – the month when the only intervention was that of St. John. I had a miracle baby and I thank St. John every day for her. He has made many other miracles in her life and in our family. He is a strong intercessor. Thank you, St. John. Never leave us!
Mireille Mishriky
Denise! I had tears in my eyes reading about your miracle! Thank you so much for sharing your story! God bless you always!!!
Christine
My daughter is named Marina. Where is your church??
Mireille Mishriky
Montreal, Quebec! God bless you and your family Christine!
Lori
Where is your church-where the relics are now located?
Mireille Mishriky
In Montreal, Quebec. God bless you always!
Josie
The relics are at which church in Montreal? I’d like to go visit.
Mireille Mishriky
Saint Peter and Saint Paul Coptic Orthodox Church – 1 rue de l’eglise in Pointe-Claire- God bless you always Josie.
Fr. Anthony Wadie
Congratulations Mireille on witnessing the kindness of the great St. Marina. If you ever get questions about her relics from folks in Ontario, we are proud to have our Church named after this great saint and we do enjoy the presence of her relics with us.
God bless.
Fr. Anthony Wadie
Servant of Archangel Raphael & St. Marina Coptic Orthodox Church of Burlington
http://www.arsm.ca
Mireille Mishriky
I am so honoured and blessed that you read the post, Abouna and will definitely share this information with others should I get asked about her relics in Ontario- please keep me in your prayers!
Nadine
What an amazing story. Congratulations!
St. Marina is my patron saint! She has also entered my life. She was 15 when she was martyred, and I met her at age 15 when I was going through hard times. I remember hearing a voice filled with joy and love and since then she’s been a steadfast companion. She really cares about us.
Mireille Mishriky
Thank you very much Nadine, for your kindness! God bless you always and may our Heavenly friend always bring you joy and happiness!