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 Biography
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Also Thekla was,
according to ancient tradition, a convert and companion of Paul, whom Paul
commissioned to teach and to baptize.
It was at Iconium that
Saint Thekla heard the preaching of Saint Paul, who kindled the love of
virginity in her heart. She had been promised in marriage to a young man
who was rich and generous, but after hearing the discourses of the
Apostle’s word she died to all thought of earthly espousals. She forgot
her beauty; she was deaf to her parent’s threats, and at the first
opportunity fled from a luxurious home and followed the
Apostle.
The rage of her parents
and of her suitor followed hard after her, and the Roman power did its
worst against the virgin whom Christ had chosen for Himself. She was
stripped and placed in the public theater, but her innocence shrouded her
like a garment. Then the lions were let loose against her; they fell
crouching at her feet and licked them like a house pet. Even fire could
not harm her.
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She preached the Gospel
and converted many to the faith before withdrawing to a solitary place to
lead a life of asceticism. She lived as a hermitess there for the next
seventy-two years and died there.
Her monastic foundation
is near Maaloula, Syria.
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