Orthodox Calendar

Holy Protomartyr and Equal of the Apostles Thecla: Tone IV. Taught by the words of Paul, O Thecla, bride of God,/ and confirmed through faith by Peter, O divinely called one,/ thou wast shown to be the protomartyr and first sufferer among women./ Thou didst enter the flame as it were a place abloom with flowers,/ and the wild beasts and bulls stood in awe of thee,/ for thou didst arm thyself with the Cross.// Wherefore, O most lauded one, entreat Christ, that our souls be saved.

Tone VIII. In the beauty of thy virginity didst thou shine forth,/ and thou wast adorned with the crown of martyrdom;/ as one all-glorious, O virgin, thou didst entrust thyself to the Apostle Paul,/ and didst transform the flame of the fire into dew;// and by thy supplication, O thou who wast the first among women to suffer, thou didst quell the raging of the bull.

Tone II. Having wounded thy heart with the love of Christ, O good virgin,/ thou didst spurn a transient betrothed as of no account;/ and didst brave the fire and shut the mouths of the wild beasts.// And, saved from them, O Thecla, first among women to suffer, thou didst take care to seek out Paul.