Archelaia of Salerno

Holy Venerable Martyr Archelaia of Salerno lived in a small monastery near Rome with her fellow ascetics Thecla and Susanna. The Church remembers them as venerable martyrs who received their end by the sword in the year 293.

At the time of the persecution of Diocletian (284-305), the three maidens put on men's clothing, cut their hair and withdrew to the Italian province of Campania. They settled in a deserted place and continued in fasting and prayer. God granted them the gift of healing, and they cured the people of the area and brought many idol worshippers to Christ.

Learning of them, the governor of the region, Leontius, ordered them brought to the city of Salerno. He threatened to give Archelaia over to shame and death unless she offered sacrifice to the idols. With hope in God's help the saint refused, and she rebuked the folly of those who bow before lifeless images. The governor then ordered her thrown to hungry lions, but the beasts lay down meekly at her feet. In anger he ordered the beasts killed and the maidens locked in prison.

The next day she was hung up, and the soldiers tore at her sides with iron tools and poured scalding pitch over her wounds. The saint prayed aloud; a light shone above her and a voice was heard urging her not to fear, for the Lord was with her. When they tried to crush her with an enormous stone, an angel turned the stone aside and it struck the torturers. The judge then ordered the soldiers to behead them, but the soldiers did not dare raise a hand against the saints. Archelaia, Thecla and Susanna told them that if they did not carry out the order, they would have no share in their honour. So they were beheaded. They are commemorated on 19 June.