Holy Martyr Aquilina

Life

Born in the Palestinian city of Byblos, of honorable Christian parents. In her seventh year little Aquilina was already fully instructed in the true Christian life, and in her tenth year she was so filled with divine understanding and the grace of the Holy Spirit that with great power and zeal she preached Christ to her companions. When Diocletian's persecution began, someone reported Aquilina to the imperial governor Volusianus, a beast-like man. Volusianus first ordered her flogged, then ordered a red-hot rod thrust through her ears and brain. Until the very last moment the maiden Aquilina freely and openly confessed Christ the Lord; and when brain and blood began to flow from her head, she fell as if dead. The governor, thinking that Aquilina was indeed dead, ordered her taken outside the city and cast on a dung-heap, that dogs might devour her body. But during the night an angel of God appeared to her and said: "Arise, be well!" And the maiden arose and was well, and for a long time she raised up a prayer of thanksgiving to God, beseeching Him not to deny her the completion of her martyr's struggle. "Go, it shall be to thee as thou dost pray!" was heard a voice from heaven. And Aquilina went into the city. The city gate opened of itself before her, and she came and entered, like a spirit, into the governor's palace and appeared before the governor at his bedside. The governor was seized with inexpressible horror, seeing alive the maiden whom he had considered dead. The next day, by his order, the executioners led Aquilina out to behead her with a sword. Before the beheading the maiden knelt and prayed to God and gave up her spirit. The executioner cut off her head after she was dead. Her relics gave healing to many who were sick. Saint Aquilina was twelve years old when she suffered for the Lord. She suffered and was crowned with the martyr's crown in the year 293.

From the Hymn of Praise

While holy Triphyllius was still a deacon,He read the Psalter and the Gospel:Humbly, sweetly he read to the people,And holy Spyridon listened attentively.