Today, September 24, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates Thekla, the Protomartyr and equal to the Apostles. She was from the city of Iconium. Whenshe was eighteen years of age, she was instructed in the Faith of Christ and the hope of the resurrection by the Apostle Paul, whom also she followed, forsaking her betrothed and espousing a life of virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Having preached Christ in various cities and suffered many things, she reposed in Seleucia of Cilicia at the age of 90. Through her prayers, may our souls be saved--from the HTM Great Horologion
IN THE STRUGGLES OF YOUR CONTEST, YOU TRAMPLED THE ENEMY UNDERFOOT, MOST BLESSED THECLA! AS AN ATHLETE, YOU CRUSHED HIS WILES! YOU FLED FROM THAMARIS AND WERE WEDDED TO YOUR TRULY BELOVED CHRIST. COMPANION OF PAUL AND FELLOW-SUFFERER WITH STEPHEN: SINCE YOU HAVE BOLDNESS, FIRST MARTYR OF CHRIST AMONG WOMEN, DELIVER OUR SOULS FROM DANGER, AS WE CELEBRATE YOUR ALL-GLORIOUS MEMORIAL IN FAITH!--Doxasticon at Psalm 140 for Vespers
YOU WERE ENLIGHTENED BY THE WORDS OF PAUL, BRIDE OF GOD, THECLA, AND YOUR FAITH WAS CONFIRMED BY PETER, CHOSEN ONE OF GOD. YOU BECAME THE FIRST SUFFERER AND MARTYR AMONG WOMEN, BY ENTERING INTO THE FLAMES AS INTO A PLACE OF GLADNESS. FOR WHEN YOU ACCEPTED THE CROSS OF CHRIST, THE DEMONIC POWERS WERE FRIGHTENED AWAY. ALL-PRAISED ONE, INTERCEDE BEFORE CHRIST GOD THAT OUR SOULS MAY BE SAVED.--Troparion for St. Thekla
GLORIOUS THECLA, VIRGINITY WAS YOUR SPLENDOR, THE CROWN OF MARTYRDOM YOUR ADORNMENT AND THE FAITH YOUR TRUST! YOU TURNED A BURNING FIRE INTO REFRESHING DEW AND WITH YOUR PRAYERS APPEASED PAGAN FURY, FIRST WOMAN MARTYR!--Kontakion for St. Thekla
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