Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: September 24

Born into a wealthy family in Iconium, Saint Thekla was a young woman of extraordinary beauty betrothed to an eminent nobleman. Her life took a radical turn when she heard the Apostle Paul preaching the Gospel, leading her to renounce her marriage and dedicate her life to Christ. This decision sparked immediate and violent opposition from her family and the local authorities. Despite being imprisoned and eventually sentenced to death by fire at her own mother’s request, Thekla remained miraculously unharmed when a sudden storm extinguished the flames, allowing her to escape and reunite with Saint Paul to begin her mission.

Thekla’s journey as a preacher took her to Antioch, where she faced further trials for her faith and her refusal of a high-ranking dignitary's advances. She was subjected to a series of public executions, including being cast to hungry wild animals and tied to charging oxen, yet each time she was preserved by divine intervention. The wild beasts lay meekly at her feet and the bonds holding her snapped like cobwebs, terrifying her persecutors and leading the public to acknowledge the power of the Christian God. These miracles eventually secured her freedom, allowing her to retire to a life of asceticism and healing.

In her later years, Saint Thekla settled in the region of Seleucia, where she lived to the age of ninety, converting many to Christianity and healing the sick through prayer. Her success drew the envy of local sorcerers, who attempted to assault her in her old age. In response to her prayers for protection, a large rock miraculously split open to provide her refuge, marking the moment she offered her soul to the Lord. Recognized as "Equal-to-the-Apostles" and the "Protomartyr" among women, she remains a central figure in the Church, celebrated as a guide for the suffering and a model of steadfast devotion.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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