http://www.antiochian.org/AntiochianVillage/camp/saints.html#thekla
St. Thekla the Protomartyr
According to ancient Syrian and Greek manuscripts, Saint Thekla was born into a
prosperous pagan family in the Lycaonian city of Iconium (present-day south central
Turkey) in A.D. 16. When she was 18 years old and betrothed to a young man named
Thamyris, Saint Paul the Apostle and Saint Barnabas arrived in Iconium from Antioch
(Acts 14). Thekla?s mother Theokleia prohibited her from joining the crowds that
gathered to hear Paul preach. But Thekla found that if she sat near her bedroom
window she could hear his every word. Thekla sat there for three days and three nights
listening to Paul preach the word of God. She was particularly touched by his call to
chastity. As it became apparent that Thekla was becoming interested in the new Faith,
Theokleia and Thamyris went to the governor of the city and complained about Paul
and his preaching. To pacify them and the other outraged citizens of Iconium, the
governor had Paul imprisoned to await trial.
When Thekla learned of Paul?s arrest she secretly went to the prison, and using her
golden bracelets to bribe the guard, gained admittance to his cell. When she was the
Apostle she knelt before him and kissed the chains that bound his hands and feet. She
remained there for a long time listening to his message of the Good News of Jesus
Christ.
Being concerned at Thekla?s prolonged absence, Theokleia and Thamyris asked her
servant if she knew where she was. The servant said that Thekla had gone to visit an
imprisoned stranger. Theokleia and Thamyris knew at once that she was with Paul.
They decided to go again to the governor, this time demanding immediate judgement
for the Apostle. After the governor chastened Paul for the disturbances he had caused
in the city, he had him stoned and expelled from the Iconium. The governor then
admonished Thekla for her foolishness and commanded her to return home with her
mother and fiancé?. When Thekla announced that she had vowed to remain a virgin for
the sake of Christ, her mother became enraged and asked the governor to threaten
Thekla with severe punishment. The governor complied with this wish and ruled that
Thekla was to be burned at the stake unless she renounced her faith in Christ.
When Thekla refused to renounce her Heavenly Bridegroom, she was taken to the
arena for punishment. As she was tied to the stake she saw a vision of Jesus Christ
which gave her strength to face the flames. The fire was lit, but as the flames came near
Thekla a thunderstorm suddenly arose and a great torrent of rain and hail came down
from heaven and extinguished the flames. Embarrassed because his plan had failed, the
angry governor released Thekla but commanded that she must leave the Iconium at
once.
Upon her release, Thekla went to the outskirts of the city where she rejoined Paul. She
told him of her trial and miraculous escape from punishment and asked for baptism.
Paul refused to baptize Thekla, saying that this would be accomplished in God?s own
way and time. Paul and Thekla then departed from the region of Iconium and traveled
to Antioch in Syria. As they were entering the city a young nobleman named Alexander
way Thekla. Being entranced by her beauty he rushed forward and tried to seduce her,
but Thekla fought him off, thus, disgracing him in front of his crowd of friends.
Alexander went to the governor of Antioch and complained that this wandering girl had
disgraced him, a nobleman, in public. He demanded that she be punished with death.
The governor complied and ruled that Thekla would face the wild beasts in the arena.
Thekla?s only reply was that she be allowed to preserve her virginity unto death. Her
with was granted and she was given into the care of the noblewoman Tryphaena, a
relative of Caesar, until the time of punishment.
When Thekla was taken to the arena, a lioness was set free to attack her. But to the
astonishment of the crowd, the lioness approached the Saint and sat tamely at her feet.
A bear was then released, but as it came close to Thekla the lioness rose up to defend
her and killed the bear. A large lion was then released. The lioness again came to
Thekla?s defense killing the lion, but losing its own life also. Then all the cages were
opened and a large number of wild animals charged at the defenseless Thekla. After
crossing herself and praying for courage, the Saint noticed a large tank of water which
was nearby, containing the aquatic animals. She climbed into the water, asking that she
might be baptized by Christ as she did so. Seeing that the beasts wee unable to harm
Thekla, Alexander asked that the Saint be given over to him for punishment. He tied
her to two large bulls in the hopes that they would pull her asunder. But when the bulls
charged off in the opposite directions, the ropes which held Thekla to them were
miraculously loosened and she was spared. Seeing that no harm could be done to
Thekla, the authorities released her. She went to the home of Tryphaena where she
remained for eight days preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and converting
Tryphaena and her entire household. When she departed from Antioch, Tryphaena
gave her a treasure in gold and precious jewels.
After she left Antioch, Thekla journeyed to Myra where she rejoined Paul. She
informed him of all that had occurred, including her baptism and asked that she might
be permitted to spend the remainder of her life as an ascetic. Paul gave her his blessing
and she departed, leaving with Paul all the gold and jewels that Tryphaena had given
her so that he might distribute them among the poor and needy.
Thekla then traveled again to Syria where she went up into the mountains for a life of
prayer and solitude. Many years later a young pagan found her praying in an isolated
canyon and resolved to harass her and spoil her virginity. As he approached her and
blocked her only exit to safety, she prayed that her Bridegroom would protect her as
He had so many times in the past. At that moment the canton all was miraculously split
allowing her to escape through a narrow crack in the rock.
Saint Thekla continued her life of asceticism and then peacefully fell asleep in Christ at
the age of 90. Shortly after her death a community of virgins went to live in her
mountain cell, building a small chapel to enshrine her body. The Convert of Saint
Thekla still exists today near the village of Maaloula, Syria.
Because of her many sufferings for the Faith the Church counts her as a "Protomartyr".
And because she converted so many people to Christianity she is also known as an
"Equal-to-the-Apostles".
Holy Saint Thekla, pray unto god for us!
St. Thekla is the patron saint of the outdoor chapel at the Antiochian Village. This is
the shrine in her honor located at the entrance to the outdoor chapel.
Troparion to St. Thekla
O glorious Thekla, companion of Paul the divine, you were enflamed with the love of
your Creator, by the teaching of the divine preacher. You despised the passing earthly
pleasures, and offered yourself to God as an acceptable and pleasing sacrifice,
disregarding all suffering. Intercede with Christ your Groom to grant us His great
mercy.
St. Thekla the Protomartyr
According to ancient Syrian and Greek manuscripts, Saint Thekla was born into a
prosperous pagan family in the Lycaonian city of Iconium (present-day south central
Turkey) in A.D. 16. When she was 18 years old and betrothed to a young man named
Thamyris, Saint Paul the Apostle and Saint Barnabas arrived in Iconium from Antioch
(Acts 14). Thekla?s mother Theokleia prohibited her from joining the crowds that
gathered to hear Paul preach. But Thekla found that if she sat near her bedroom
window she could hear his every word. Thekla sat there for three days and three nights
listening to Paul preach the word of God. She was particularly touched by his call to
chastity. As it became apparent that Thekla was becoming interested in the new Faith,
Theokleia and Thamyris went to the governor of the city and complained about Paul
and his preaching. To pacify them and the other outraged citizens of Iconium, the
governor had Paul imprisoned to await trial.
When Thekla learned of Paul?s arrest she secretly went to the prison, and using her
golden bracelets to bribe the guard, gained admittance to his cell. When she was the
Apostle she knelt before him and kissed the chains that bound his hands and feet. She
remained there for a long time listening to his message of the Good News of Jesus
Christ.
Being concerned at Thekla?s prolonged absence, Theokleia and Thamyris asked her
servant if she knew where she was. The servant said that Thekla had gone to visit an
imprisoned stranger. Theokleia and Thamyris knew at once that she was with Paul.
They decided to go again to the governor, this time demanding immediate judgement
for the Apostle. After the governor chastened Paul for the disturbances he had caused
in the city, he had him stoned and expelled from the Iconium. The governor then
admonished Thekla for her foolishness and commanded her to return home with her
mother and fiancé?. When Thekla announced that she had vowed to remain a virgin for
the sake of Christ, her mother became enraged and asked the governor to threaten
Thekla with severe punishment. The governor complied with this wish and ruled that
Thekla was to be burned at the stake unless she renounced her faith in Christ.
When Thekla refused to renounce her Heavenly Bridegroom, she was taken to the
arena for punishment. As she was tied to the stake she saw a vision of Jesus Christ
which gave her strength to face the flames. The fire was lit, but as the flames came near
Thekla a thunderstorm suddenly arose and a great torrent of rain and hail came down
from heaven and extinguished the flames. Embarrassed because his plan had failed, the
angry governor released Thekla but commanded that she must leave the Iconium at
once.
Upon her release, Thekla went to the outskirts of the city where she rejoined Paul. She
told him of her trial and miraculous escape from punishment and asked for baptism.
Paul refused to baptize Thekla, saying that this would be accomplished in God?s own
way and time. Paul and Thekla then departed from the region of Iconium and traveled
to Antioch in Syria. As they were entering the city a young nobleman named Alexander
way Thekla. Being entranced by her beauty he rushed forward and tried to seduce her,
but Thekla fought him off, thus, disgracing him in front of his crowd of friends.
Alexander went to the governor of Antioch and complained that this wandering girl had
disgraced him, a nobleman, in public. He demanded that she be punished with death.
The governor complied and ruled that Thekla would face the wild beasts in the arena.
Thekla?s only reply was that she be allowed to preserve her virginity unto death. Her
with was granted and she was given into the care of the noblewoman Tryphaena, a
relative of Caesar, until the time of punishment.
When Thekla was taken to the arena, a lioness was set free to attack her. But to the
astonishment of the crowd, the lioness approached the Saint and sat tamely at her feet.
A bear was then released, but as it came close to Thekla the lioness rose up to defend
her and killed the bear. A large lion was then released. The lioness again came to
Thekla?s defense killing the lion, but losing its own life also. Then all the cages were
opened and a large number of wild animals charged at the defenseless Thekla. After
crossing herself and praying for courage, the Saint noticed a large tank of water which
was nearby, containing the aquatic animals. She climbed into the water, asking that she
might be baptized by Christ as she did so. Seeing that the beasts wee unable to harm
Thekla, Alexander asked that the Saint be given over to him for punishment. He tied
her to two large bulls in the hopes that they would pull her asunder. But when the bulls
charged off in the opposite directions, the ropes which held Thekla to them were
miraculously loosened and she was spared. Seeing that no harm could be done to
Thekla, the authorities released her. She went to the home of Tryphaena where she
remained for eight days preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and converting
Tryphaena and her entire household. When she departed from Antioch, Tryphaena
gave her a treasure in gold and precious jewels.
After she left Antioch, Thekla journeyed to Myra where she rejoined Paul. She
informed him of all that had occurred, including her baptism and asked that she might
be permitted to spend the remainder of her life as an ascetic. Paul gave her his blessing
and she departed, leaving with Paul all the gold and jewels that Tryphaena had given
her so that he might distribute them among the poor and needy.
Thekla then traveled again to Syria where she went up into the mountains for a life of
prayer and solitude. Many years later a young pagan found her praying in an isolated
canyon and resolved to harass her and spoil her virginity. As he approached her and
blocked her only exit to safety, she prayed that her Bridegroom would protect her as
He had so many times in the past. At that moment the canton all was miraculously split
allowing her to escape through a narrow crack in the rock.
Saint Thekla continued her life of asceticism and then peacefully fell asleep in Christ at
the age of 90. Shortly after her death a community of virgins went to live in her
mountain cell, building a small chapel to enshrine her body. The Convert of Saint
Thekla still exists today near the village of Maaloula, Syria.
Because of her many sufferings for the Faith the Church counts her as a "Protomartyr".
And because she converted so many people to Christianity she is also known as an
"Equal-to-the-Apostles".
Holy Saint Thekla, pray unto god for us!
St. Thekla is the patron saint of the outdoor chapel at the Antiochian Village. This is
the shrine in her honor located at the entrance to the outdoor chapel.
Troparion to St. Thekla
O glorious Thekla, companion of Paul the divine, you were enflamed with the love of
your Creator, by the teaching of the divine preacher. You despised the passing earthly
pleasures, and offered yourself to God as an acceptable and pleasing sacrifice,
disregarding all suffering. Intercede with Christ your Groom to grant us His great
mercy.
| القديسة تقلا أولى الشهيدات ولدت القديسة تقلا في مدينة ايقونية، في آسيا الصغرى، من ابوين وثنيين. وما أن بلغت الثامنة عشرة من عمرها حتى خطبها ذووها الى شاب اسمه تاميريس. لكنها لم تتزوج لأن الرسول بولس مرّ برفقة برنابا بإيقونة مبشرًا بالمسيح. فآمنت تقلا بالمسيح يسوع مخلصًا ونذرت له عذريتها. وقد اعترفت تقلا لأمها بأنها لم تعد ترغب في الزواج وانها قد آمنت بالرب يسوع، فحاولت أمها ثنيها عن عزمها ولكن دون جدوى. أخيرًا اهتاجت الأم هياجا شديدا وودّت لو قتلتها. فأخذتها الى والي المدينة. وحاول هذا، بكل الطرق الممكنة، أن يردّها عن قرارها، فواجه فيها إرادة صلبة ثابتة لا تلين، فهددها بأن يلقيها في النار حية فلم تأبه. وتبعت وبتدبير إلهي، فرّت تقلا من مدينة ايقونية الرسول بولس، ثم جاءت وإياه الى مدينة انطاكية. في انطاكية وقع نظر احد علية القوم فحاول خطفها، فقاومته بضراوة. وإذ أراد أن ينتقم عليها لكرامته وشى بها لدى الوالي انها مسيحية، فحكم عليها الوالي بالموت، وألقاها للوحوش فلم تمسها بأذى. وحاول ثانية وثالثة فكانت النتيجة إياها. اذ ذاك تعجب الوالي جدا وسألها: "من أنتِ وما هي هذه القوة الفاعلة فيك؟". فأجابت تقلا: "انا أمة الرب يسوع المسيح، الإله الحي". فأطلق الوالي سراحها. بعد هذا كرزت تقلا بكلمة الله، ثم ذهبت ببركة الرسول بولس، الى سلفكية الشام (معلولا) حيث أقامت في مغارة. وقد اعطاها الرب الإله موهبة شفاء المرضى. فتدفق عليها الناس، وكثيرون اهتدوا الى المسيح بواسطتها. الا ان الامر لم يرق لأطباء سلفكية فأرسلوا رجالا اشرار ليقتلوها. هؤلاء طاردوها فهربت منهم فحاصروها فرفعت الصلاة الى الرب واستغاثت، فانشقت احدى الصخور فدخلت فيها، فكانت الصخرة مخبأ لها ومدفنًا. يظن ان رقادها كان حوالي العام .9ميلادية، وهي اولى الشهيدات المسيحيات. ويذكر البطريرك مكاريوس الزعيم بان جسدها موجود في معلولا في المعروف باسمهاالدير . . كثر هم الآباء الذين اعتبروا تقلا مثالاً للعذارى و القديسات, و قالوا فيها مدائح عديدة: القديسون باسيليوس الكبير و غريغوريوس اللاهوتي و امبروسيوس أسقف ميلان و ايونيموس. و أما القديس يوحنا الذهبي الفم فقد قال فيها: " يبدو لي أرى هذه العذراء المباركة تذهب إلى المسيح إني بعذريتها في يد و باستشهادها في الأخرىممسكة ". |