Martha of Persia

Holy Martyr Martha of Persia was one of the virgins Thecla, Martha and Mary of Persia, beheaded for Christ on 6 June 346, in the time of the king Shapur II. According to their "Martyrdom", there were five virgins in all.

They lived in the Persian village of Kashaz, in the time of the persecution of Shapur II (around 347). They had devoted themselves to God under the spiritual direction of a priest, Paul. They gave all their property to their spiritual father, so that he became master of great riches and broad lands. Denounced for Christianity before the chief priest Narse-⁠Tamshapur, Paul was arrested, and the soldiers confiscated all he had. His disciples were also seized.

In chains they were taken to the village of Hazza, near Arbela. First to stand before Tamshapur was Paul. The chief priest promised to give back his property if he would bow to the sun and drink the blood of idol sacrifice. The priest, a son of perdition, loving gold more than Christ, did all he was ordered. Then Tamshapur, wishing at all costs to lay hands on his wealth, devised something else: he would keep his promise only if Paul persuaded the virgins to bow to the sun and to marry.

When Paul told his disciples of his apostasy and proposed that they follow his example, they despised him greatly, calling him a new Judas. The virgins were given to the torturers, and each received a hundred strokes of the whip. Despite this, they confessed their faith in Christ with still greater zeal. Tamshapur sentenced them to death and, repeating his promises to Paul, ordered him to kill them with his own hands, hoping that he would refuse and that this would be a pretext to take his riches. But love of money had already made the priest's heart harder than stone. He took the sword and killed the holy virgins, who had time to say to him: "Wretched shepherd, become a ravening wolf from love of money. Is this the peace offering we received from your hand? Is this the life-⁠giving Blood you gave us? But your sword brings us eternal life and glory. We go to Christ, our wealth and treasure, and you will not receive the property you seek, and soon the judgement of God will strike you, like the foolish rich man of the Gospel." And indeed, that same evening Tamshapur ordered Paul strangled in prison and took his wealth.

They are commemorated on 22 June, in the new style.