St Thecla

Thecla was born in Iconium, Greece.  Her family was very wealthy and they were not Christians.  They did not know Jesus because they had not heard about Him.  It was St Paul who brought the Good News of Jesus to that area.  When Thecla heard St Paul speak about Jesus, her heart was opened and she came to believe in Him.  Her love for Jesus grew so much that she also became an evangelist, like St Paul.
When her parents found out what she was doing, they were very angry.  They turned their daughter in to the governor who decided she should be burned to death.  The fire was lit and Thecla bravely made the Sign of the Cross.  Instantly, the rain and wind came up and put the fire out.
She was then sentenced to the lions’ den and again she bravely made the Sign of the Cross.  Then lions laid down at her feet and started licking her toes.
The next day, her arms were tied to a bull and soldiers tortured the bull with hot irons so Thecla’s body would be tossed around and hurt but the bull remained quiet and still.  Lastly she was thrown into a pit of poisonous snakes but a fire started and the snakes were destroyed.  Finally, she was asked what kept her safe from all these things and she replied, "I am a daughter of Christ, Son of the living God. He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life; He is the one who protects me. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever." She was then set free and continued her work to teach people about Jesus and his saving love.
Many people began to follow Jesus because of St Thecla’s experiences and her work.  She lived until she was about 80 years old.