St. Thecla

Joyous feast! Today we commemorate one of the great saints of the early Church, the Equal-to-the-Apostles Thecla. St. Thecla was born to wealthy parents in Iconium (modern day Konya, Turkey). Although betrothed, the Saint heard the preaching of St. Paul and was inspired to preach the Gospel to the nations, rejecting her fiance and becoming St. Paul's disciple.

St. Thecla went on to preach the Gospel in Syria and Isauria, eventually settling near Seleucia-in-Isauria, where she continued to proclaim the Gospel and heal the sick by her prayers. After having suffered much for her Lord and the Christian Faith St. Thecla surrendered her soul to God at the age of ninety.

More on St. Thecla's life can be found here. May her blessing and prayers be with us all!