Equal-to-the-Apostles · 1st century
Thekla
Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles Thekla
New Calendar September 24 Old Calendar October 7
Why they are a saint
Thekla is remembered as disciple of the Apostle Paul, first woman martyr in Christian tradition, called Equal-to-the-Apostles. The years given for this life are 1st century. The New Calendar feast is September 24. This memory is kept in the whole Orthodox Church.
Life
Saint Thekla was born at Iconium of rich and illustrious parents. Betrothed at eighteen, she heard the Apostle Paul preach and resolved to give her life to Christ and the Gospel instead of marriage. When Paul was imprisoned she bribed the guards with her gold ornaments and sat at his feet for three days.
Her own mother demanded her death and she was sentenced to be burned, but the flames did not touch her. She preached with Paul in Antioch and survived further sufferings, and with Paul's blessing settled in a desolate region of Isaurian Seleucia, where for many years she preached and healed the sick by prayer, converting many. The Church calls her Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source calls her an intercessor for ascetics; she is invoked at the tonsure of women into monasticism.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Thekla as a patron when they bear the name Thekla; Thecla at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on September 24. Those who share her calling as a missionary also ask her prayers.
Prayer
O holy Thekla, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with other virgin-martyrs named Thekla.