Paula of Caesarea in Palestine

Holy Martyr Paula of Caesarea in Palestine, a virgin, is commemorated on 23 February with the holy martyrs Ennatha and Valentina. The information about the three is very scanty. They suffered for the faith in Christ in Palestine, in the year 308, in the time of Maximian II Galerius (308-313), at the hands of the governor of the region, Firmilian. Ennatha was from Gaza, Valentina from Caesarea in Palestine, and Paula from the neighbourhood of Caesarea.

Ennatha was brought to trial first and courageously declared herself a Christian; she was beaten, hung from a post and her body was scraped. Valentina was accused of not honouring the gods and was led into a pagan temple to sacrifice, but she boldly threw a stone onto the altar and turned her back on the fire burning on it. She was beaten without mercy and condemned, together with Ennatha, to be beheaded with the sword.

Afterward Paula was brought, who was subjected to many torments; with God's help she bore them with great perseverance and courage. Before her death, Paula gave thanks to the Lord, who had strengthened her in the struggle, bowed to the Christians present and bent her head beneath the sword.

Saint Paula is commemorated on 23 February, in the new style.