Theodula of Anazarbus

Holy Martyr Theodula of Anazarbus lived in the city of Anazarbus, in Asia Minor, in the time of the Roman emperors Diocletian (284 to 305) and Maximian (305 to 311). She is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and in the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Church commemorates her on 5 February by the old calendar (18 February on the new style), and one source also gives 18 January.

Little is known of her life. Her life records that when she was brought to sacrifice to the Roman gods she merely blew, and the statue of the deified Hadrian fell to dust before her. She also survived many tortures, and the Roman governor Pelagius died while watching one of them. According to tradition, she converted her torturer to Christianity before both of them were executed. Another source says that under torture she brought to Christ one of the tormentors, Heladius, who, confessing the faith, was then put to the sword.

Theodula bore herself very bravely at the trial, and the judge called her mad. She answered him: “You are the mad ones, who have forgotten the one true God and bow down to dead stones.” The judge threw her into fierce torments, which Theodula bore with courage, and by her courage she amazed many and turned them to Christ. Among them were two distinguished citizens, Macarius and Evagrius. With these two and many others Theodula was thrown into a red-⁠hot furnace, where all gave up their souls with honour and were deemed worthy of the Kingdom of Christ. According to one source, she suffered together with Boethus, Evagrius and Macarius.