Thecla of Gaza

Holy Martyr Thecla of Gaza suffered in the year 304, together with the Holy Martyrs Timothy and Agapius. Timothy was born in Gaza, in Caesarea of Palestine. He had studied Holy Scripture and, receiving a special gift of speech, became a teacher of the Christian faith.

In the persecution of the emperors Diocletian (284 to 305) and Maximian (284 to 305), Timothy was brought to trial before the governor Urbanus. He fearlessly declared himself a Christian and gave a sermon on the love of the Lord Jesus Christ for mankind and on His coming into the world for their salvation. He was subjected to cruel torments and, when they saw that he remained unmoved, he was burned.

In the same city and in the same year Agapius and Thecla suffered for Christ. They were given to wild beasts to be torn, and in these sufferings they received the heavenly crowns. Thecla is commemorated on 1 September (new style), together with Timothy and Agapius. Their story was also written down by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.