Orthodox Icon of Saint Thekla

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September 24th
Troparion (Tone 3)
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 ond pleasing sacrifice, disregarding all suffering. Intercede with Christ, your Groom, to grant us His great mercy.

According to the ancient tradition, Thekla received the faith from St. Paul when he visited Iconium in Asia Minor. She followed him to Antioch, where she miraculously escaped martyrdom. She preached the Gospel and converted many to the faith before withdrawing to a solitary place to lead a life of asceticism. Her monastic foundation (Orthodox to this day) is near Maaloula, Syria, where a miraculous icon of the Saint is honored. The monastery has been continuously occupied by nuns since the first century. Because of her many sufferings the title of Protomartyr was bestowed upon her by the Church. Many of the martyrs are shown in their icons holding either a Cross or the implement of their torture or death.

This Icon is by the hand of Nicholas Papas. It is from St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Church, Monessen, Pennsylvania.

Order #bmp-17