Thecla of Persia

Holy Martyr Thecla of Persia was, with Martha and Mary, one of the virgins of the Persian village of Kashaz, who lived in the time of the persecution of Shapur II (around 347). According to the account written about them, they were put to the sword for Christ on 6 June 346, under King Sapor II.

The virgins had dedicated themselves to God under the spiritual direction of a priest named Paul and had given all their property to their spiritual father, who thus became master of great wealth and wide lands. Accused of confessing Christianity before the chief priest Narses-⁠Tamshapur, Paul was arrested, and the soldiers confiscated everything he owned. His disciples were also seized. They were led in chains to the village of Hazza, near Arbela. Paul stood first before Tamshapur. The chief priest promised to return his property if he would bow to the sun and drink blood offered to idols. The priest, a lover of gold more than of Christ, did all he was told. Wishing at all costs to seize his wealth, Tamshapur devised something else: he would keep his promise only if Paul persuaded the virgins to bow to the sun and marry.

When Paul told his disciples of his apostasy and urged them to follow his example, they showed him the greatest contempt, calling him a new Judas. The virgins were handed to the torturers, and each received a hundred strokes of the whip, but they confessed their faith with still greater zeal. Tamshapur condemned them to death and, repeating his promises to Paul, ordered him to kill them with his own hands, hoping he would refuse and so give a pretext to take the wealth. But love of money had made the priest's heart harder than stone. He took the sword and killed the virgins, who managed to say to him, "Wretched shepherd, turned destroying wolf by 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 judgment of God will overtake you, like the foolish rich man of the Gospel." That very evening Tamshapur ordered Paul strangled in prison and seized his wealth.

According to their "Martyrdom," the virgins were five in all. Thecla is commemorated on 22 June (new style).