Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary and Ennatha, Virgin Martyrs of Persia

Holy Five Virgin Martyrs Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary and Ennatha, beheaded in Persia under Shapur II.

These five consecrated virgins lived in Persia during the persecution of Christians under King Shapur II in the fourth century. Denounced by a priest who had renounced the faith, they refused to worship the sun and, tradition relates, were beheaded by him at the king's command.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary and Ennatha, Virgin Martyrs of Persia is commemorated on June 9. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on June 22 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on June 9

• 

  Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria

  Hierarch, Κύριλλος

  St. Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria, Pillar of Orthodoxy.

  Name days: Cyril, Kyrillos, Kyril

• Alexander of Prusa

  Hierarch, Αλέξανδρος Επίσκοπος Προύσας

  Hieromartyr Alexander, Bishop of Prusa in Bithynia, beheaded for Christ.

• Cyril of White Lake

  Venerable, Κύριλλος ο εν τη Λευκή Λίμνη

  Venerable Cyril, founder and abbot of the monastery of White Lake (Belozersk), a great father of Russian monasticism.

• Columba of Iona

  Venerable, Κολούμβας ο εν Ιόνα

  Venerable Columba, abbot of Iona and enlightener of Scotland.

  Name days: Columba, Colm

• Alexander of Kushta

  Venerable, Αλέξανδρος του Κούστα

  Venerable Alexander, abbot of Kushta in Vologda, a hermit of the Russian north.