Five Nuns Beheaded in Persia

The Five Nuns beheaded in Persia, the Martyrs Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary and Ennatha, died during the time of the Persian king Saphor II (about 330). A priest named Paul was living near the village of Aza. He was wealthy and a lover of money, and he had with him five women who had consecrated their virginity to God. Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary and Ennatha were adorned with the splendor of virtues. They were wealthy and entrusted their spiritual father with all their money. The greedy man prayed and chanted the Psalms with them, but kept their money for himself.

When the Persians learned that the priest Paul was rich, they threatened to kill him and the five virgins if he did not deny Christ and give them some of his treasure. Since he preferred earthly riches, he accepted the Persian religion. The holy virgins said they would rather suffer torture and death than deny Christ. Paul beheaded the women with a sword when they refused to follow his treacherous example. He did not enjoy his wealth for long, however: the Persians drowned him the following evening in order to obtain all the money. The holy virgins received their incorruptible crowns of glory from Christ in the year 346. They are commemorated on 9 June (new style; 22 June on the old calendar) and on 26 September.