Thekla Equal-to-the-Apostles

Holy Protomartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Thekla.

St. Thekla of Iconium was converted as a young woman by the preaching of the Apostle Paul. Renouncing her betrothal to follow Christ, she was condemned to fire and to wild beasts, but tradition relates that God preserved her unharmed; she then labored in preaching and prayer, ending her long life in asceticism near Seleucia.

The Church honors her as protomartyr among women and equal-to-the-apostles, first of countless women to embrace the way of virginity for Christ. She is commemorated on September 24.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Thekla Equal-to-the-Apostles is commemorated on September 24. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 7 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Thekla, Tekla

Also commemorated on September 24

• Silouan the Athonite

  Venerable, Σιλουανός ο Αθωνίτης

  Venerable Silouan the Athonite, monk of St. Panteleimon Monastery and teacher of prayer for the whole world.

  Name days: Silouan, Silouanos, Silvanos, Silvanus

• Kopris of Palestine

  Venerable, Κόπρις

  Venerable Kopris of the monastery of St. Theodosios in Palestine.

• Persis the Martyr

  Holy Woman, Πέρση

  Holy Martyr Persis.

• Stephen the First-Crowned of Serbia

  Saint, Στέφανος ο Πρωτοστέφανος

  Holy King Stephen the First-Crowned of Serbia, in monasticism Simon.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.