Byzantine Saints: Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles Thekla (24 September)

About this sermon

Discover the extraordinary life of Saint Thekla of Iconium, the Holy Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles commemorated on September 24. Born to wealthy and distinguished parents, Thekla was renowned for her beauty and was betrothed at eighteen. Her life changed when she heard the Holy Apostle Paul preaching about Jesus Christ. Filled with love for the Savior, she resolved to remain a virgin, renounce marriage and dedicate her entire life to proclaiming the Gospel. When Saint Paul was imprisoned, Thekla secretly left her home and gave her gold ornaments to the guards so she could enter the prison. For three days she sat at the Apostle’s feet, receiving his fatherly instruction. Neither her family’s anger nor the prefect’s threats could separate her from Christ. Condemned to be burned alive, Thekla entered the flames after making the Sign of the Cross. The Savior appeared and blessed her struggle. The fire did not touch her, and a sudden storm of rain and hail extinguished the flames. After finding Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas, Thekla accompanied them in preaching the Gospel. In Antioch she was again condemned after rejecting the advances of a powerful man. Hungry wild animals were released against her twice, but instead of attacking, they lay peacefully at her feet. When she was tied between two oxen, the ropes broke like cobwebs and she remained unharmed. The astonished people cried out, “Great is the God of the Christians!” With Saint Paul’s blessing, Thekla settled in the region of Isaurian Seleucia. She spent many years preaching Christ, converting pagans and healing the sick through prayer. Because of her apostolic labors, the Church honors her as Equal of the Apostles. When Thekla was approximately ninety years old, men were sent to violate her purity. She called upon Christ, and a rock miraculously opened to receive her. There she surrendered her holy soul to the Lord. The Church praises Saint Thekla as the “glory of women and guide of the suffering.” She is honored as a prayerful intercessor for ascetics and is invoked during the monastic tonsure of women. Holy Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles Thekla, pray for us! 0:00 Introduction 0:21 Thekla’s noble birth in Iconium 0:34 Hearing the preaching of Saint Paul 0:51 Her family opposes her vocation 1:00 Saint Paul imprisoned 1:09 Thekla secretly enters the prison 1:27 Arrest and trial 1:35 Thekla refuses marriage 1:50 Condemned to be burned 2:08 Christ appears amid the flames 2:15 Rain extinguishes the fire 2:32 Thekla finds Paul and Barnabas 2:48 Preaching the Gospel in Antioch 2:56 Cast before the wild beasts 3:13 Tied between two oxen 3:29 “Great is the God of the Christians!” 3:43 Missionary life in Isaurian Seleucia 3:51 Equal of the Apostles 4:18 Thekla at ninety years old 4:33 Her final persecution 4:41 The rock opens to protect her 4:48 Glory of women and guide of the suffering 5:03 Churches dedicated to Saint Thekla 5:11 Intercessor for ascetics and monastics https://www.oca.org/saints/lives #SaintThecla #OrthodoxChristianity #LivesOfTheSaints #EarlyChurch #EqualOfTheApostles #ChristianMartyr #FaithAndCourage #OrthodoxFaith #HolyMartyrs #Protomartyr 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴