St. Thekla, Equal to the Apostles

Thekla was a noble girl of Iconium who heard St. Paul preach and broke off her engagement to follow Christ. She was condemned to be burned, but rain put out the fire, and wild beasts in the arena would not touch her. She preached the Gospel and healed the sick, and lived to old age in a cave near Seleucia. The Church calls her the first woman martyr, since she suffered for Christ even though she was not killed.

• Feast: September 24 (New Calendar)
• Lived: 1st century
• Place: Seleucia, Isauria